The interest-free Istanbulkart cash advance (support advance) campaign, carried out in cooperation between BELBİM and DenizBank, allows Istanbulkart users to make purchases without postponing their spending. Available without interest and fees, the offer provides a cash advance repaid as 100 TRY per month and is open to all citizens who have personalized their Istanbulkart. Applicants who meet the campaign conditions can access a benefit of up to 1,200 TRY in interest-free, fee-free credit.
What Are the Application Requirements for Interest-Free Istanbulkart Credit?
Launched by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, the campaign gives millions of residents relief during difficult times. The “İBB Support Credit Project” enables people in need to use credit for a range of purchases and services at participating merchants, from transport to groceries, dining, and events.
Under the “Support Advance” project, applications for interest-free and fee-free credit up to 1,200 TRY can be initiated online at the Istanbulkart query portal. Announced through Istanbul Municipality channels and promotion points across its transport network, the program aims to ease the burden on citizens during hard winter months and pandemic conditions.
- Citizens whose applications are approved can spend the credited amount at participating businesses, helping to stimulate local commerce.
- The support project also provides relief to small businesses during tight times, and applications remain open.
Whether or not they are DenizBank customers, Istanbulkart holders who apply online and receive confirmation by SMS can finalize the process within minutes at their nearest DenizBank branch.
Where Is the İBB Support Advance Valid?
Carried out with the slogan “Have your Istanbulkart in your pocket, that’s enough,” the project supports both residents and participating businesses. After approval, the credited amount loaded onto the personalized Istanbulkart can be used at participating locations for:
- Transport
- Food and beverage
- Shopping
- İBB services and events
From city transport to BELTUR cafés run by İBB, vending machines at stops, participating fast-food restaurants, grocery chains, clothing stores, petrol stations and İBB-operated event venues, the program covers a wide range of everyday needs so purchases need not be postponed.
- For an approved 600 TRY credit, repayment is structured as 6 monthly installments of 100 TRY.
- For an approved 1,200 TRY credit, repayment is structured as 12 monthly installments of 100 TRY.
Application Requirements for Interest-Free Credit with Istanbulkart
The Istanbulkart Support Advance credit will be provided by DenizBank. Campaign applications are submitted through BELBİM channels and completed at DenizBank branches.
Zero-interest credit amounts under the campaign can be used by customers whose Istanbulkart and Turkish ID number (TCKN) match. The card-to-ID matching process can be completed easily through the Istanbulkart personalization portal.
Additional conditions to note;
- The 600 TRY or 1,200 TRY provided under the campaign is not handed out as cash to the user but is loaded directly onto the selected Istanbulkart.
- Balance loaded onto the Istanbulkart can be used on city public transport and at participating merchants within Istanbul.
- Applications are first received by DenizBank. After evaluation, the result is communicated to the applicant via SMS.
- Only individual customers aged 18 and over can benefit from the campaign.
- DenizBank reviews applications and may request additional documents if deemed necessary.
- Applicants must enter their Turkish ID number and mobile phone information accurately and completely during application.
- No special credit allocation fee is charged for this campaign, and life insurance is not required.
- Approved credit transactions require a visit to the nearest bank branch. The transfer instruction must be finalized by touching the Istanbulkart to a POS device so the balance is loaded.
- Each customer can benefit from the 0% interest credit campaign only once.
The campaign started on 31.08.2021 and ended on 30.11.2021. For detailed information, citizens could contact ALO 153, the 0850 222 0 800 call center, Istanbulkart application centers, or any DenizBank branch.
You can also apply for the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality’s “İBB Aid Card” to access other assistance programs.
Support Advance That Gives Istanbulkart Holders a Breather
The 0% interest advance aims to help citizens weather difficult times not only locally but in a globally challenging period. The partners on this initiative are İBB, DenizBank and BELBİM A.Ş. İBB works with various brands and institutions to support residents and updates campaigns frequently to match consumer needs and expectations.
Applications completed from home receive results by SMS. DenizBank assesses applications and, for approved 600 TRY or 1,200 TRY zero-interest, fee-free credits repaid with monthly 100 TRY installments, invites customers to their nearest branch.
At the branch, the process is completed quickly by presenting an ID. After opening an account if necessary and signing the agreement, a transfer instruction is issued for the credit amount linked to a personalized Istanbulkart that matches the applicant’s TCKN. Applicants can then load the credit by touching their card to a POS device at any payment point.
Most Common Places Where the Support Credit Is Used
Recipients of the support credit can cover transport costs on city public transit using the credited balance. The most common places where the support credit is used include:
Food & Beverage: BELTUR, İBB social facilities, vending machines such as Hamidiye, Multinet points, Sbarro, Papa John’s, McDonald’s and Krispy Kreme.
Shopping: BİM, Migros, A-101, CarrefourSA, Şok, Getir, Shell, Petrol Ofisi, Opet, Civil and Mudo.
İBB Services and Events: İSPARK, Miniatürk, SEA LIFE, LEGOLAND and Madame Tussauds.
Credit loading points: mobile apps, corporate and individual service points, and online transactions.
To make customers’ lives easier with innovative financial solutions, DenizBank partnered with BELBİM–Istanbulkart, which has millions of active users, to deliver this campaign.
What Is the Support Advance Campaign? Who Can Benefit?
The Support Advance campaign is available to all Istanbul residents who meet the eligibility conditions, whether or not they are DenizBank customers.
- Up to 12-month term
- Credit up to 1,200 TRY
- 0% interest and
- Provided without fees
Applications received by DenizBank are reviewed and, for approved applicants, personalization of the Istanbulkart is required.
In addition to the zero-interest credit, eligible customers may be offered other credit products at attractive interest rates. Customers who qualify and wish to proceed can also receive an instant credit card with a 500 TRY cash advance limit.
Accepted everywhere Istanbulkart is used and supported by additional partner merchants, the program functions like a card-based credit service. Beneficiaries repay the 600 TRY or 1,200 TRY interest-free credit in monthly installments of 100 TRY.
Campaign Participation Conditions
Applicants must enter their identification and contact details completely and accurately when applying online. Discounted or free Istanbulkart holders are eligible to apply.
Applications received by DenizBank are evaluated by bank officials. Applicants receive an acceptance or rejection SMS to the phone number provided the same day. Those approved can complete the process quickly at their nearest DenizBank branch. The balance loaded onto the Istanbulkart is available immediately at all participating locations.
Popular İBB Campaigns
In addition to the widely publicized interest-free, fee-free support advance with 100 TRY monthly payments, residents have warmly received other İBB programs such as:
- Discounted shopping opportunities for İBB Mother Card holders
- Park-and-ride offers at İSPARK with two metro or tram rides included
- Buy-one-get-one offers at SEA LIFE Istanbul with Istanbulkart
- Buy-one-get-one offers at LEGOLAND Istanbul with Istanbulkart
- Buy-one-get-one offers at Madame Tussauds Istanbul with Istanbulkart
- Reloading Istanbulkart via smart recycling containers
Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality continues to pursue partnerships and new technologies to make life in Istanbul easier, more affordable and more convenient, encouraging residents to access services online whenever possible.