life-time-free card is just like a life-time-validity pre-paid mobile connection!
I got a lifetimefree card but every year they charge me a renewal fee of Rs.750 taxes. and as a yearly-routine work, I call customer care and blast them with all possible words. they say some polished words(apology etc.,) and finally, they will reverse the transaction.
this is happening for me for the last 2 years (with CitiBank) and I hope, most of the CC users have experienced this.
You can own a CC but you have to be very very carefull. you need to check each transaction carefully. I know, most of the CC users are interested in looking at minimum amt and due date. This attitude puts you in a big mess.