• expired

Citibank - Signature Fee Free for Life

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I've been looking at the previous offer from 2006 and it was offered till the end of 2008 via different links. I decided to play around and found the following link which goes to the Veda credit check page. Filled in my details and received the offer for a Fee Free for Life Signature card. Didn't proceed with the application as i've already got the card.

FYI, it does say expiry on March 2015 but who knows? Also, this offer tends to "expire" but is just usually pushed out.

UPDATE: Some people have received their cards and the T&C's state Fee free for life.

Related Stores

Citibank Australia
Citibank Australia
veda.com.au
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closed Comments

  • Could I know whats special about this card compared to say 28Degrees?

    • +1

      there's a rewards program. but I would stick to the 28degrees for overseas use. this card could be OK for domestic purchases. but the return rate on spend to points (less than 1%) not really worth the effort

      you also get complimentary insurances and a 2-visit free priority pass.

      • Hopefully 28 Degrees survives the GE asset sale. It's a great product.

        • +3

          better alternative is the Bankwest Zero Platinum

          • no international transaction fees
          • complimentary travel insurance
          • $0 annual fee

          or Citi Plus debit card / account (not better but $0 fee + no internation transaction fees)

        • @edwinlin88:

          Thanks for the info edwinlin88, great to know there's a suitable alternative. Are you able to use any 'billing address' you like online to get around geo blocking?

        • @Argo: not too familiar with what geo blocking is. but if you put a non-australian address wouldnt it potentially be "geo-blocked" in australia?

          • don't think you would be able to
        • @edwinlin88:

          Ah, sorry I didn't explain that very well. With 28deg you have your standard billing address tied to your account, which is both fine and normal.

          When you shop online with a normal CC, your transaction may be rejected by the issuer (eg CBA) if the billing address passed through from the web store transaction doesn't match the address on your account with CBA. 28deg doesn't seem to be restrictive like this.

          This allows bypassing of geo blocking and the 'Australia tax', so you can subscribe to services like Rdio at prices like in this deal https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/153389

  • Tried to apply. Veda can't check my credit :(

    • me too :( IDK what's the condition of this.

  • What are the benefits of this card?

    • +13

      25 Identity points.

  • +3

    Full details: https://www.citibank.com.au/aus/credit_cards/cards_signature…

    The highlights, in my mind, for this card are:

    • Free rewards program with decent earn rate, $1=1P converting to Velocity points. Can also do KrisFlyer and some other programs. I think there's an annual fee to convert to QFF.
    • Free Insurances for purchases and travel
    • Free Priority Pass lounge membership + 2 lounge visits a year (useful if you travel through an airport with a participating lounge.. they're a bit sparse in Australia)

    The downsides:

    • Charges for currency conversion/overseas purchases
    • Internet banking won't show authorisations, so your transactions are always a few days behind

    If you can get it for free, then It's not a bad card for earning points.

    • +4

      Don't forget citibanks cheque to self for Balance Transfers that allows you to take up to 80% of your credit limit as a cheque rather than paying off a credit card you can use the money however you like.

      Probably add their antiquated systems and less than exemplary customer service to the downsides. But still a great card and in the 10 years I have had a credit card with them I have not had any issues.

    • -4

      not correct on the velocity points.

      Velocity Frequent Flyer
      Transfer your Rewards Points to Velocity Frequent Flyer Program
      0.667 Velocity Points for 1 Reward Points

      • Not sure I understand why this poster was negged? I see the same conversion rate in my rewards console.

        • +3

          You earn 1.5 reward points per $1 spent. You need 1.5 reward points to convert to 1 Velocity point.

          As CDT indicated, this works out to 1 point for each $1 spent.

        • @lucjack:

          Agh, right, I'm with you! Thanks

  • +1

    called up, was advised they don't let you upgrade from platinum

    • If you qualify you should be able to upgrade (once every 9 months they will look at it) but they won't let you have the free for life promo unfortunately.

    • +4

      I tried to do the same and was also denied so asked why I couldn't just cancel my Platinum and reapply for the Veda deal. Eventually got put through to retention team who helped me apply for credit limit increase (to the min 15k required for Signature) and then got approved for Signature fee free for life about a week later. Was a bit of a process though!

      • You legend!
        I'll give it another try

    • Had to apply for signature whilst i had my platinum as citibank wouldn't upgrade.

  • +1

    Seems to work for me, Veda says:
    "Good news!
    The VedaScore band has unlocked an exceptional rate from Citibank of:
    0% p.a. for 9 months1 on balance transfers and $0 annual fee for life with Citibank Rewards Signature Card"

    I clicked on the "apply now" button, and it sent me to a Citibank webpage, which says "Citibank Rewards Credit Card - Signature" and "$0 annual fee for life".

    I won't go any further yet, as I still haven't done my tax return from last year. Last time I did a credit card application, they insisted on having a recent income figure, and I don't think my 2012-2013 income will be accepted.

  • Be prepared for phone calls from Veda too, and in my experience they aren't happy when you strongly object to the idea of paying them to access your own data (which is why they are calling, to get you to sign up to their alerts service or other paid services they offer)

  • +3

    I love this card. Free lounge visits, travel insurance and rewards …. Got it for 1.5 years and just redeemed $300 gift card.

    I don't use them overseas, don't like extra charge.

    • +2

      I just used it for my flight tickets and car rental when I went to NZ. Now I'm going through the process of claiming the complementary excess cover after crashing the car :)

  • What would be a reasonable income to be eligible applying this card? 70k+ ?

    • +1

      Qualification
      Minimum Income Requirement $75,000
      Minimum Age 18
      Additional Cardholders Up to 4
      Additional Cardholder Minimum Age 16

      http://citibank.com.au/aus/credit_cards/cards_signature.htm

      Have read about some people getting it under the 75k, when you apply for it if you dont meet the criteria and they can approve you for the platinum card they will send you that instead.

  • Despite having multiple credit cards, unable to determine VEDA score :(

    • Same here. In fact I just received my credit report from Veda two months ago yet they don't have enough info to determine my score

  • veda are useless , i dont like them and would avoid having anything doing with them. i just increased my platinum limit to 15k and called up requesting to be upgraded during the previous promo.

  • Do these guys check payslips?

    It's asking me to submit them, but I'm a contractor, and I haven't submitted my last year's return yet… and I don't get a formal monthly payslip.

    • +1

      I hadn't gotten around to submitting anything yet other than the application. They called my office today to check income and I've received an approved email. Not even 25 point verification.

    • +2

      They didn't check my payslips, called me and asked about my income and address.
      The next day they advised that my application has been approved.

    • +1

      Cheers guys, got approved for 30k, no pay slips.

  • They seem to have downgraded my application to Platinum despite my annual income being over $75k, has this happened to anyone else?

    • I have read about it in other forums. One person claims to have called up and had them bump it up, others have found no. If they give you the platinum with no annual fee and won't upgrade you at least you get the 24 month 0% BT offer.

  • So which card is best citibank signature vs Zero Platinum MasterCard vs 28 degree master card

    main concerns: travel insurance, purchase protection, international fees etc

    • Bankwest Zero Platinum has a conversion good rate for overseas purchases, and no fee for overseas purchases.

      28 Degrees is the same, but adds price-drop insurance for free, if you use it a particular way. See the forums for details.

      Citibank Signature is the same as Bankwest Platinum, but adds free passes to departure lounges, although poor customer service has been mentioned several times.

      The Citibank signature also has free insurance for travel, but I think the others do too, not sure.

      I'm working from memory here, happy to be corrected if I've got something wrong.

      Also, no need to worry about which is best, when you can have all three. Just don't try to apply for all three at the same time, I'd allow at least six months between applications. Get the Citibank one first, since the "fee free for life" option seems to be slipping away.

      • +1

        Bankwest Zero Platinum has a conversion good rate for overseas purchases, and no fee for overseas purchases

        Citibank Signature is the same as Bankwest Platinum

        huh? Citi signature has 3.3% fee for international transactions vs 0% for all bankwest platinum cards

        • I stand corrected.

      • Don't forget the free rewards program on Citibank, neither 28 Degrees or Bankwest have that!

  • I found this link as well. Yesterday I got a score (Very Good - Signature) and didn't proceed with the application. I tried again today and no score is available ;(

    • I'd try again. Rated good again.

      • I managed to get it to work by using my shortened/everyday first name, rather than my full name. Application in progress!

  • FYI, i can confirm that people have received their cards and the T's and C's show that it is still fee free for life.

  • Yes I also received card and can confirm that letter attached with card states that card is free for life.

  • I can never get those bloody credit score websites to work for me.
    I have a mortgage and two credit cards and yet I always get nothing. Its very annoying.

  • For those who has issues with Veda, please get a free credit file from them and see if there are any issues with it. I had my passport no listed as my DL no..I found this and then tried the above link…they also offered me life time free signature card…But I am not taking it now… :-)

  • Hey guys. I'm overseas but want to check if this fee free link is still working for my sister to get the card…. It does say March exp in the OP.
    I tried to chk but it takes me to a veda page. Anyone successfully signed up recently?
    Thx!

    • +1

      cniminc managed to get his/hers with the annual fee free on the documentation

      • Yeah I saw that, thx. Will get my sister to sign up.

        I was just in the star alliance lounge in Sao Paulo with priority pass. Awesome perk; normally would otherwise cost $70 for entry.

        Finger food and drinks and Wi-Fi.

        • AS a signature cardholder, you get 2 free priority passes. Can you use it in one hit ( you and partner together) or you go in for free and you have to pay for partner?

        • @asx100:
          You can use it for your partner I believe. I am pretty sure I read that in t and C but I don't have that document on me sorry.

        • @roddo:
          i think the priority pass only valid for the card holder and they can bring in guest but you have to pay like $27.

        • +1

          @p4r4m31c1um: Correct, though I don't think anybody's going to check if you're the owner of it when they swipe the card (remember it's not an airline running the lounge - it's usually an external company that sees each swipe as revenue).

          What I've found though, is that you can sign up supplementary cards for additional PP memberships…. just saying. :)

        • @JohnHowardsEyebrows:
          Hmmmm thats good tips:D

          Worth a try anyway, to be honest never try to use this Ppass before but thanks for the advise ;)

        • +1

          @p4r4m31c1um:
          Sorry i will clarify. You can bring in guests with your PP card. IF you have 2 credits on it from signature card, u can use a credit to bring in a mate. After using up 2x free entries per year, it costs $27.5 tp access a lounge which is still much cheaper than without a card. You can still bring guests but they too will pay the $US27.5 entry fee.
          Btw the cost is charged directly to ur signature card.

        • @roddo:

          Oooh this is good news as I'm travelling soon,
          thanks Roddo :)

        • @JohnHowardsEyebrows:

          Hi,

          Sorry to bring up an old'ish post, I was wondering did you manage to get an additional PP membership on your citibank signature supplementary card? I found this wasn't the case with my Westpac Altitude black card previously, but if it can be done with the citibank signature one, that would be great!

  • +4

    Got this card end of 2013 when it came up for the family and friends deal, with a 6 month BT. Have used it somewhat since, though not a heap.

    Just called up to cancel, under the pretence that I wanted to apply for another card that would give me a balance transfer (just name any bank offering 12+ months BT for 0%). They gave me 18 months 0%, full 80% of credit limit.

    This card is a gem if you use it right.

  • Does anyone know how that Veda thing works?

    It seems it cannot calculate my credits although I already have one.

  • just confirming that this still works. submitted application last friday, approved today.

  • +1

    I got a rather funny email today. Citibank have offered me a 13.5k credit limit increase, on top of my initial 27k limit. Wth!

  • +3

    Hi Guys,
    just to share my experience in applying for this Citibank signature with the Veda credit check.

    IF you have difficulty in passing the Veda report check ("sorry page") from the site, try to do the following:

    get your free copy of Veda report from http://www.mycreditfile.com.au/home/free-credit-file.dot
    Might take a while to get it, mine came after more than a week and the report is in a pdf file
    open the report and use your detail in the report ("Personal Information) to fill the Citibank webform.
    (the problem with my report is that VEDA apparently have an old detail of my driver license "doh")

    I have just done this and wala seems I can go through the VEDA check.
    Now just the waiting game for the process and ensure its a signature card not platinum card that I will be getting.

  • This deal appears it's no longer valid.

    I'm able to obtain a 'good' veda score, but when I attempt to apply for it in the citibank form, I am unable to progress to the next stage.

    • I was able to get to the citibank form after the Veda verified my details

    • I tried again last night to get one for missus. The application form load up fine but the "check address" button is missing.

      • Same thing happened to me. I spoke to a representative on online chat and they said the Citibank Veda offer expired at the end of March.

        Looks like the lucky few were able to scrape through last week.

        • Wow, mine arrived in the mail this morning after applying Friday last week. Now to see if I can get this balance transfer to cheque…

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