How to Check Credit Card Is Active or Not

How to check credit card is active or not is a common doubt, especially after delivery or long gaps in usage.

The good news: checking this is easy.

No paperwork. No guesswork.

What “active” actually means

An active credit card can:

• Make purchases
• Get billed
• Be used online or offline

An inactive or blocked card will fail transactions, even if it looks fine.

That’s the difference.

The simplest way to check card status

Try making a small transaction.

This can be:

• A low-value online payment
• A small in-store swipe

If it goes through, the card is active.

If it fails, something is off.

Quick check. No waiting.

Check through bank app or net banking

Most banks show card status clearly.

Steps usually look like this:

• Log in to the bank’s app or net banking
• Go to credit card section
• Check card status or controls

If the card shows “active,” it’s ready to use.

If it shows “blocked” or “inactive,” action is needed.

Check via customer care

Customer care can confirm instantly.

The process is simple:

• Call the credit card customer care number
• Verify basic details
• Ask for card status

This works even if app access is unavailable.

Check through SMS or email alerts

Sometimes the answer is already there.

Look for:

• Card activation confirmation message
• Welcome email after card delivery

If activation was completed earlier, a confirmation usually exists.

Common reasons a card may be inactive

Cards become inactive more often than expected.

Common reasons include:

• Card not activated after delivery
• Long period of no usage
• Bank-side security block
• Missed payments or overdue dues

Inactive does not always mean cancelled.

What to do if the card is inactive

Quick tip. If the card is inactive:

• Activate via bank app or net banking
• Call customer care for manual activation
• Check for pending dues or KYC issues

Most issues are fixable the same day.

Does inactivity affect credit score?

Usually no.

An inactive card:

• Does not hurt credit score
• Does not build credit history

But unpaid dues or missed payments can hurt.

That’s separate.

How long can a credit card stay inactive?

Banks may deactivate cards after:

• Several months of no usage

Exact timelines vary by bank.

Using the card once in a while avoids this.

FAQ

How to know if credit card is active without using it?

Check bank app, net banking, or customer care.

Can an inactive card be reactivated?

Yes, in most cases.

Does card inactivity mean cancellation?

No, inactive and cancelled are different.

In short

Credit card status can be checked easily.

Small transactions, apps, or customer care work best.

Inactive cards are usually fixable.

Still unsure why a specific credit card transaction is failing?