Hi Everyone,
I've been using a Citibank credit card for years now as I'd signed it on the no annual fees ever deal and it has been very good so far. But as the rule changes hit in March (https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/225896), what card has everyone planned to move on? The other credit cards I have are the combo of AMEX and Visa issued by NAB, so still not sure if I should use those or sign up for some other card that still offers some good value.
Thanks
I always use the citibank CC wherever I can to get more points. I do pay the used amount full every fortnight when I get my pay, so never paid interest. It was just a good card for collecting points and it was free. Also got travel insurance (underwritten by Zurich) when purchasing tickets using that card. Then there was also the bottle of wine (which is the feature I can live without).
i see.. well sorry i cant help, now i use coles master as my main cc. and i will use ING for tap and go transactions less than $100
i think 2% instant rebate is better than any points system in the world.
i CBF dealing with Amex as most places I use CC have surcharges for it, which makes it more hassle than good.
i find the Platinum Bankwest Rewards Mastercard to be reasonable, used in conjunction with ING 2% cashback.
0.7% value in giftcards per $ spent
No Forex fees (same as 28 degrees) for purchases. Could +ve load it and withdraw it overseas, but Citibank Plus remains best for cash withdrawal and this card for purchases OS.
Simplicity - if <$100, ING. If >$100, Mastercard.
Yes, its got an annual fee that I havent been able to get waived ever (they'll scale you down to their Zero offering), but I more than make this back in giftcards throughout a year.
Citibank CC - I hold onto for BT offers.
Amex - I use & abuse for FF offers & BT offers.
S
BT?
Balance Transfers.
As mentioned above, my Citibank has never seen the day of light, its locked away in a drawer somewhere as it has had a Balance Transfer on it since the day I got it, Im onto my 3rd and hoping to get straight onto a 4th next month.
The airport lounges have been great, 2 in the year seem to cover me nicely, however I wish I could transfer one to my partner so I didn't have to get charged for her each time.
As usual the Citibank Plus and 28degress have my travel/international purchases covered… So I won't be affected by any changes to the card.
@danield Did you only enter once per anniversary year and they still charged you for your wife? How did they charge you - debit your Signature credit card? I know that Citibank T & C's say 'just you' but with normal Priority Pass memberships if you have 2 entries in credit, then you and your partner will just come off those 2.
I've never tried taking my wife as the lounges ask for your passport for verification with the name on your priority pass membership card, so only used it when traveling alone. But if this is true then it would be perfect!
I don't have experience of this with the Citibank related Priority Pass membership, but pretty sure can with normal Priority Pass membership, and so it is worth a shot. I don't think that the lounge staff care, because they never charge you directly.
I will never be giving up my free Citibank Signature. Even if I don't use it for other than lounge passes and free international travel insurance. As for my other Citibank card - I will wait and see. The Citibank changes may amount to Nine Tenths of Nothing. On top of this I will be churning CC's for their New card offers.
For me the deal breaker is the changes in points translation to Krisflyer and Velocity. Used to be 1.5 citibank points to 1 which will now change to 2 to 1. But like you, even if I don't use the citibank card actively, I'll definitely keep it forever for the travel insurance and other perks.
Can someone in few sentences explain the change on the Citibank card? did not have time to read the letter - ?re less points - but I don't use the flyer points anyway,
Any need to use up all the reward points before March?
change in transfer rates from Citibank points to Krisflyer or Velocity points
used to be 1.5 Citi to 1 Krisflyer/Velocity
changing to 2 Citi to 1 Krisflyer/Velocity
Domestic points cap so only first $20000 per month earn Citi points
Fewer points for overseas purchases
BPay transactions don't earn points anymore
International transaction fee is higher and overseas merchants selling in AUD will also attract this fee
ANZ is out, they have just made a similar change https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/233002 . Other banks will probably follow now that these two have come out.
Bummer!
Received this today - I've got the signature card on free-for-life. Does it mean anything of value as I couldnt really care about Hilton or Luxury Airport transfers.
Dear xxxx
This is a quick note to let you know that by the end of March you will receive a new Citi Rewards Signature Credit Card in the mail. We are replacing your existing Card with a Visa Infinite version.
What does this mean?
Apart from a different Visa logo on your new Card, you will now be able to access the following Visa Infinite customer benefits:
Earn Hilton HHonors Gold status and enjoy a range of privileges. Simply complete 2 stays or 4 nights at any participating hotels and resorts within 90 days of registration1. Learn More.
Enhance your travel experience with 20% off luxury airport transfers2, available within selected cities in Asia Pacific.
are you a big spender on the card?
Nope. Had a 12month Balance Transfer sitting on it until about 3 weeks ago. Holding onto the card in the hope that another offer pops up.
not sure why then… Visa Infinite seems to offer more benefits… best to ask Citibank?
http://www.pointhacks.com.au/credit-cards/citibank-prestige-…
@bluedufflecoat:
I received the email notification today, but couldn't really see any real benefits at first. Thank you for the pointhacks link (such a great site), as the added benefit now appears to be "Two limousine airport transfers free of charge per year"! I don't travel much, but if this is for free with the card, I may as well use it and save the cost of the skybus/taxi.
That's if the replaced Infinite card is the same as the one which is linked.
@tanoshiiki: I would love it for them to upgrade me to the card… :/ Haven't received such a notification yet.
Do you earn > $150k as per the qualifying requirement?
I also got the upgrade email but I suspect that it won't be the same as Citi Prestige.
I would think that if we got the full Prestige/Infinite benefits then they would have put that in the email, rather than just HHonors and 20% off airport transfers.
They're probably just bumping Signature cards to Infinite per @kev98's comment - to make more on interchange fees.
I just hope they don't change my card number yet again. Every time I have been upgraded over the years (without my asking) they've issued a new number.
But I guess I shouldn't complain, still using it fee free from their family'n'friends promotion.
@goosmurf:
Well, if there's no free airport transfers then that will be disappointing and essentially provide almost no change at all. I just hope we don't get charged an annual fee.
Got the new cards in the mail and it's exactly the same number and expiry. Even the 3 digit number on the back is the same. Kind of makes me wonder why I have to call up to activate it
Ahhh, so the start of the devaluing of the infinite tier of card. Lol it will no doubt be pretty much the same for you, they will just make more on their interchange fee
Hopefully the annual fee on this upgraded card is also free-for-life, otherwise I will be cancelling.
From what I can see, domestic rewards remain more or less the same when you're redeeming for cash gift cards (i choose coles gift cards as it's money I'd otherwise spend on groceries).
Cash rewards seem to be steady at 0.83%
i dont get affected at all. im light user of CC, always pay full on due date, and use 28degree to buy stuffs with foreign currency. also use citi everyday card to withdraw when overseas.
and the most important, in the last 2 years never use my citi CC because i always have balance transfer on it… i dont even bother to put it on my wallet. its kept in the drawer at home..