"life-time-free" - meaning of this changes time-by-time and bank-by-bank.
I got a lifetimefree card but every year, they charge a renewal fee of Rs.750 taxes. and as I yearly-routine work, I call customer care and blast them with all possible words. Finally, they will reverse the transaction. (they cancel the charges).
this is happening for me for the last 2 years (with CitiBank) and I hope, most of the CC users have this kind of experience.