Sometimes this happens: you barely use your VTB card, switched to another bank long ago, but money keeps disappearing from it. Most often, the VTB Plus subscription is to blame. They offer a free 30-day trial, you conveniently forget about it, and starting from the second month, the bank begins charging 349 rubles. The mechanics are familiar from marketplaces — it works exactly the same way when Wildberries charges for a subscription. Below — what’s included in VTB Plus, how to disable it on your phone, and whether you can keep the perks without paying a single ruble.
Here’s what VTB charges money for
What Is VTB Plus Subscription and How Much Does It Cost
VTB Plus subscription is an add-on to a debit card with the “Multicard” package. What VTB Plus offers: several categories with increased cashback, a separate weekend category, up to 10% back on Yandex services, a bonus to the VTB Account interest rate, the Wink online cinema, and an improved exchange rate for currency conversion. Maximum cashback is limited to 3,000 rubles per month, so the subscription mainly pays off with large spending.
| For Whom | Free Period | After That |
|---|---|---|
| New users | 30 days | 349 ₽/month |
| “Close Ones” group | 60 days | 299 ₽/month |
Please note: the VTB Plus trial period is exactly 30 days, not a calendar month. Those who want to cancel without paying should set a reminder for the activation date.
Why VTB Charges Money for VTB Plus Subscription
The subscription is usually activated when applying for a card or offered through a prominent banner in the app. The customer agrees to a “free month,” but doesn’t think to disable VTB Plus auto-renewal right away.
The subscription offers decent terms, but there’s a catch
Then a simple trap kicks in: 30 days pass unnoticed, especially if you’ve switched to another bank’s cards and stopped checking your transaction history. Meanwhile, VTB charges money even when you’re not using the cashback at all — there are known cases where people discovered the charge only a couple of months later.
How to Disable VTB Plus Subscription on Your Phone
You can disable VTB Plus subscription quickly. But the developers made sure to bury it deep in the VTB app. Here’s what you need to do.
The subscription is hidden inside your profile
- Open the VTB Online app on Android.
- Tap the profile icon in the upper left corner.
- Select “VTB Plus Subscription.”
- Tap “Disable Subscription” and confirm.
After that, auto-renewal will no longer activate, and the subscription itself will remain active until the end of the already paid period. There’s a nuance: if you cancel during the 30-day trial, the perks will disappear immediately — but you won’t be charged a single ruble.
How to Get VTB Plus for Free
If you generally need the perks, you don’t have to disable VTB Plus subscription — you can simply stop paying for it. VTB waives the fee if you maintain at least 50,000 rubles on the bank’s debit cards for 30 days — balances on deposits and savings accounts don’t count. Starting from the next period, the charge will stop, and paid VTB Plus will effectively become free, while cashback and other bonuses remain.
Free VTB Plus — a small thing, but a nice one
This option is great for those who already have that amount sitting on their card. But if it’s more profitable to put the money into a deposit for interest, it’s easier to disable VTB Plus entirely.
Is It Worth Subscribing to VTB Plus
What do I think about the VTB Plus subscription? The situation is ambiguous: on the one hand, the terms are flexible, there are many categories, and the option to use it for free. On the other hand, the cashback limit is only 3,000 rubles, and weekend categories aren’t always suitable. Plus, they only work under certain conditions: for example, when you have the required amount on your card.
The annual subscription is the best deal
Subscribing to VTB Plus should be a case-by-case decision, ideally when there’s an option not to pay for it. Or when all categories somehow fit your needs and the monthly cashback exceeds the subscription cost. As a last resort, you can pay for a full year at 3,290 rubles, which is more cost-effective than paying monthly.
