- By Alex David
- Tue, 23 Dec 2025 12:55 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Perplexity has started asking Airtel users in India to add a valid payment method to continue using their free Perplexity Pro subscription. The artificial intelligence startup sent out its first such email on Monday, catching many users off guard, as no card requirement was mentioned when the offer was originally announced.
Perplexity partnered with Airtel in July to offer a 12-month Perplexity Pro subscription at no cost to all Airtel users, including prepaid and postpaid customers. At the time, users could activate the offer simply through the Airtel Thanks app, with the company clearly stating that no card details were required.
That has now changed.
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What the new Perplexity email says
The email, sent with the subject line “Action Required: Add a card to keep your Perplexity Pro trial”, states that Perplexity is “updating how Pro trials work to protect the program for legitimate users.” To continue the trial, users are now required to add a valid payment method.
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Perplexity clarifies that users will not be charged immediately. However, the email also notes that once the promotional period ends, the subscription will automatically renew unless it is cancelled beforehand. This effectively turns the free Airtel benefit into a trial that converts into a paid plan by default.
What stands out is that this requirement was never communicated when the offer launched in July. Back then, Perplexity explicitly mentioned that no card was needed. There has also been no public announcement or update to the original terms shared with Airtel users, making this email the first formal communication about the change.
Updated eligibility quietly added
Perplexity has now updated its support page to include a new eligibility line stating that a credit card is required to redeem the offer, while confirming that no charges will be applied during the promotional period. The company has not specified when the card requirement will become mandatory, but the email strongly suggests that users who do not comply risk losing access to Pro features.
How to add payment details for Perplexity Pro
If you want to continue using the free Pro subscription without interruption, Perplexity recommends adding your card details. The process is straightforward.
First, check your registered email inbox for a message from team@mail.perplexity.ai. Open the email and tap on the Update Card Information button. You will be redirected to Perplexity’s payment page, where you can enter your credit or debit card details. Once all required fields are filled, tap Update to save the information. Debit cards appear to work as well.
If you do not want to be charged once the free period ends, it is important to manually disable auto-renewal or cancel the payment mandate through your bank’s app or website before the trial expires.
Why this matters for Airtel users
For many Airtel customers, the Perplexity Pro partnership was appealing precisely because it offered a premium AI service with no payment commitment. The sudden introduction of a card requirement changes the nature of the deal and raises concerns around transparency.
Until Perplexity or Airtel issues a clearer explanation, users should proceed carefully, especially those who do not want an automatic paid subscription later on.