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Citibank Plus - Free Unlimited Transaction Account

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Citibank Plus - Free Unlimited Transaction Account
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Bargain4U on 19/01/2012 - 23:22 citibank.com.au (9087 clicks)
Last edited 03/03/2015 - 02:33 by 1 other user

Save hundreds of $$$! I just opened one of these accounts. It's totally free unlimited transaction account - no fees or charges for anything, and I mean ANYTHING*! Save $120 a year over NAB Gold Banking and still use NAB branches to deposit and withdraw. Or save $3 to $7 per month ($36 - $84 annually) compared to other banks just on monthly account keeping fees alone.

  • Minimum opening balance - $0
  • Minimum ongoing balance - $0

Here is what you get, all for nothing:

  • Free bottle of award winning wine at participating restaurants

  • Deposit and access your account at any NAB or Australia Post outlet/branch

  • Free unlimited access to any ATM worldwide (save up to $10 each time)

  • Free unlimited Outward and Inward Telegraphic Transfers to any bank (International transfers)

  • Free unlimited Foreign Currency Cheques Deposited

  • Free emergency worldwide Visa Card replacement and cash advance service

  • Free unlimited Bank Cheques

  • Free unlimited Cheque book access

  • Winner of 2012 Money magazine's Best of the Best awards for Innovation

And no fees or charges for anything:

  • No foreign currency transaction fees (normally 2.5% to 3.5% of every foreign currency transaction)

  • No Overdrawn fee

  • No Withdrawal fees

  • No Statement Copy fee

  • No Stop Cheque Payment fee

  • No Dishonour fees

  • No Overdrafts fee

Schedule of Fees and Charges: http://www.citibank.com.au/global_docs/pdf/Feesandcharges.pd… - Note that with all fees: "Excludes Citibank Plus Transaction Accounts*" (except Overdraft Interest).

Any advice is general advice only. It was prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation, or needs. Before acting on this advice you should consider if it's appropriate for your particular circumstances.

Financial Bank Account Transaction Account

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Citibank Australia

closed Comments

    • Bargain4U on 20/01/2012 - 01:28
      +1

      Yes, but keep in mind not all Citibank branches have tellers. Or otherwise any NAB branch.

  • GreenLego on 20/01/2012 - 01:37
    +15

    Be very wary of Citibank, they like to pull the bait and switch, Several years ago, they promoted the No Fee ReadyCredit account. I was suckered into it. Then a few months later, they decided that it wasn't going to be fee free and retrospectively applied $100 charge to everyone's account. They didn't call it a "fee", they called it a "charge" so they said they were technically still fee free.

    We tried to get a group law suit happening as well as getting in touch with consumer affairs and banking ombudsman but no one could do anything.

    After that fiasco, I never dealing with Citibank again ever.

    • ChadHominem on 20/01/2012 - 01:40

      Damn! Definitely doesn't sound legal.

      • John Dough on 20/01/2012 - 09:07
        +2

        Could not agree more, I will never bank with Citi ever again.

        It might be good for this particular account/deal, but if something goes wrong you are dealing with some nuff nuff in India that does not give two hoots about you or your problem.

        There are no branches in Australia.

        • atlas on 20/01/2012 - 09:49

          I think you'll find there are actually a few branches around Australia now. For example in Melbourne, there's branches in Chinatown (Lt Bourke) and Camberwell (Bourke Road).

        • SomeGuyOnOzB on 20/01/2012 - 11:46

          and the exact location of the staff doesn't matter

          Just 'cos they're local, if they're with Citibank … they don't have to care :P

          (Sorry, I've tried dealing with staff in their branches over here, in years gone by. The service was appalling)

        • John Dough on 20/01/2012 - 12:03
          +1

          Ahhh another 'Citi Con'!!!

          'branches' like little bourke st will not help you unless you are a corporate customer, they will not deal with account enquiries as I went there to try and manually close my accounts without all the rubbish that I was copping over the phone.

          They have a phone that you can use to call the call center!

          Its been mentioned many times in previous deals and in posts in this deal, Citi Have NO branches in AU whatsoever and you are at the mercy of their call centres.

          Good luck if you have any problems.

        • Bargain4U on 20/01/2012 - 12:13

          That's simply rubbish! Little Bourke Street branch is a CitiGold one without tellers. If you needed tellers you would go to the Collins Street branch. I opened my account at Little Bourke Street branch and they said I could always come back in if I needed assistance (expect withdrawals).

    • [Deactivated] on 20/01/2012 - 12:52
      +4

      Yup, same story here. I applied for their "no fee credit card" and got approved. However then noticed two fees of $99 and $69. It was in the fine print but I had foolishly only read the "NO FEE" on the ad, not the "actual fees" in the fine print. I called up and complained and they promised to waive all the fees if I stuck with them. I agreed but found out later they only waived the $99 fee. When I complained about the $69 fee they told me they weren't going to waive the $69 fee. I paid the $69, closed the account, and will never deal with Citibank again.

      Got a letter from them a month later asking for 0.05 (that's 5 cents) interest on the $69 fee. I called them and even the lady on the phone thought that was just insane and waived it on the spot.

      • John Dough on 20/01/2012 - 13:57
        +1

        Sounds like a typical Citi customer review ;)

  • HereYeeHereYee on 20/01/2012 - 01:48

    IS this better than my current commonwealth bank card? should i move over to citibank? suggestions?

    • Shwayne on 20/01/2012 - 03:15

      Don't 'move over', diversify.

      Also note that CBA probably has the biggest ATM exposure in Australia.

      • leeroys_dad on 20/01/2012 - 06:56

        you're right, but if you can access any atm with this then you have more exposure this way

  • John on 20/01/2012 - 01:59
    +9

    I stay away from Citibank like a plague.

    Few years ago, someone hacked my cc and used over $5000 in total. Citibank never monitored my transaction pattern and check on me.. I only found out about it after two weeks, when I couldn't use my credit card over the counter.

    Worst.. I can't talk to anyone on the phone or in counter. I can only use letter, yes posted letter like it was 10 years ago, to deal with the department that handles this.

    I was waiting an agonising 3 months waiting for my credit to be cleared. All the while they asked me to pay the minimum fee until they finished investigating it.

    SUCKS! I'd rather pay annual fee at my local bank and have a place where I can walk in and get help. And where they monitored my spending pattern and check on me if it was really me using the card!

    • neil on 20/01/2012 - 02:04
      +3

      That sucks.

      I have the opposite experience. I have the BP Citibank credit card and their security department is super paranoid. Always gets calls questioning purchases from overseas merchants. Even after saying don't block it and giving prior notice that I will be traveling overseas, they still block it.

      • [Deactivated] on 20/01/2012 - 02:18
        +1

        I have a Citibank Platinum credit card (free for life, signed up when the offer was posted to OzBargain some years back), and I agree with Citibank being super-paranoid when it comes to security. I get called quite a few times a year with queries about transactions, and they also successfully caught the only two fraudulent transactions on my and my partner's cards in the past 4 years.

        Also, when it comes to phone support you can request to be connected to someone in Australia who'll deal with your issue if you aren't getting anywhere with their call centre in the Philippines.

        • John on 20/01/2012 - 02:24

          I wish that had happened to me. I've had multiple fraud transactions (7-10 from memory). With one costing $2500, when I never even used it for over $500. No warning whatsoever.

          They weren't even sympathising with me when I called them up in shock. Its as if 'too bad, but you still have to pay the bill until you sort it up'

          I had to fill in paperworks for each transaction and post it in letter. Bank West in the past just refund it to me, no question asked, no paperworks filled.

        • [Deactivated] on 20/01/2012 - 08:08
          +4

          Try closing a citibank account.

          You aint had that "joy" yet? Try your BP card like I did. Why did I close it?, well like everything Citibank has done, in my past experience, they keep clawing back "benefits" initially offered.

          I like the idea of this account, but having dealt with these idiots in the past I am very reluctant to deal with them again. I'll keep reading and watching before taking another Citibank "deal"

          Citibank redefines Customer service. I've had better responses from online Chinese retailers.

        • mgg on 20/01/2012 - 11:37

          In March the Citibank Platinum credit card will earn less frequent flyer points, as Citibank introduced a new card (above Platinum) called Signature which is not free and reinstates the 1 point per 1$ spend. Not quite a 'bait and switch' tactic but further demonstrates customers need to be wary.

        • SomeGuyOnOzB on 20/01/2012 - 11:52
          +2

          OzPete's just reminded me of the time I had a fee free ReadyCredit account with them.

          After the interest free period expired, I wasn't using my credit and decided to close it.

          After talking with a bank officer over the phone, telling them I wouldn't be drawing down on the credit anymore, I was told, no, they won't close it and hung up on me!?!?!?!

          So I didn't use my account and kept getting useless $0 bank statements.

          I think it was 1 year later they finally sent me a letter, saying, because I wasn't using the credit facility, they would close the account??? :P

      • John Dough on 20/01/2012 - 09:09
        +1

        I had that 'useless' BP Citi Card, sounded like a good deal, but you have to spend a LOT of money on petrol or goods at a BP to even get close to breaking even after all the hidden fees and catches.

        And it took me about 10 phone calls and about 2 months to close the account.

        NEVER again Citi.

        • neil on 20/01/2012 - 10:26

          Really? I've had it for a few years. Used to be the most profitable CC on the market when it was a straight 1% cashback, 5% off at BP. I don't drive too much any more and then cashback is down to .5%, so definitely time to change. Never been charged any "hidden" fees.

        • John Dough on 20/01/2012 - 12:14
          -1

          5% cashback or saving on fuel would need to spend about $1800 in fuel specifically at a BP within one year to 'save' the annual fee of $89

          BUT you can only get cash back on the first $600 you spend in every calendar year, so effectively you can only ever get back $30 on your fuel for the year, and then you still have the $59 left over on the card fee that would require you to spend the other $1200 odd on over inflated doughnuts and coffee in their servo!! lol

          Of course the fine print on these cards change every 6 months as part of their ingenious marketing strategy (that's not sarcastic - they are amazingly thrifty and shifty!) so take my figures as roughly what it was a couple of years ago when I decided to ditch them, and just pay cash for fuel - much better off.

        • John Dough on 20/01/2012 - 12:20

          The hidden fees and charges came from when I balance transfered a card of about $1500 and then stupidly started using the card to buy fuel without realising that I would accrue full interest rate on the fuel (negating any fuel discount anyway) until my balance transfer was paid off.

          And to top that off, I paid interest at the full rate on the brand new card for the upfront annual fee, which was paid off last after the balance transfer.

          All this only lasted for about 3 months when I checked my statement and saw the rorting and simply paid it out. I was under the impression that it was saving me money as my $1500 should have been at the 5% promo rate, but I would have been better off not moving that money from another card in the first place!!

          Nothing but a bunch of crooks, I beg anyone to reconsider the vast array of better banks to deal with before going with them.

          NAB have a credit card policy where you pay off the balance of your highest interest balance first on ALL cards, something that could potentially save customers thousands, now that is how banking should be done….

        • starionx on 20/01/2012 - 13:23

          Quote from greydaniel - "BUT you can only get cash back on the first $600 you spend in every calendar year, so effectively you can only ever get back $30 on your fuel for the year…"

          If you are going to bag a product, at least get your facts right. You get 5% cashback on any purchase at a BP service station for the first $600 spent EACH MONTH.

          I've had the card for 4 years and have always got cash back, way more than the yearly fee.

        • neil on 20/01/2012 - 13:34

          The 5% off BP is just a bonus. The better incentive is the .5% cashback. No need to add up rewards or do anything, the money just gets credited back to your account. For me that's $20/month or $240/yr roughly.

        • John Dough on 20/01/2012 - 14:15

          Ok - incorrect info there, sorry about that.
          Stick up for them all you want, they still suck.
          But whatever works for you!
          :)

    • joannatan on 20/01/2012 - 02:14

      recently i got their sms pin, and i was sleep at that time,rang their call centre to find out if someone accessing my account, 2 months investigation still not finish yet. they got the sms phone number, why they can't trace it?

      • John on 20/01/2012 - 02:20

        They probably can't be bothered..

        • joannatan on 20/01/2012 - 02:37

          they call me every 2-3 weeks to update the progress and sending me survey after that.

    • Sharp on 20/01/2012 - 03:25

      Citibank quickly refunded two fraudulent cash withdrawals on my wifes cc. But if I remember correctly we had to go to a police station and get some sort of a reference number. But citibank refunded the money even before receiving the reference number. I sent it to them afterwards anyway.

    • robbiey on 20/01/2012 - 09:21
      +1

      It really is hit and miss with different people and different banks at the end of the day isn't it?

      Everyone will have a good and bad experience with every bank.

      All i can say is that Citibank have been very good to me. I signed up years ago to the annual fee free deal for platinum CC and over the years have been upgraded to the Rewards Signature CC, and some of the features are awesome. Free bottle of wine at many good restaurants, complimentary Travel Insurance if you buy flights on the CC, and as many others have said their Security team have called me numerous times if they think a fradulant transaction has ocurred. They've even given me a chargeback on a fraud item i purchased through ebay.

      I also have an every day Transaction account and its also been great (albeit i tend to transfer savings to Ubank). And its not often you cant find a Westpac/St George atm for a free withdrawal.

      • joannatan on 20/01/2012 - 10:07

        they detect possible compromised on my cc back in oct, i just find out in dec when i rang them , no one called me in oct alert me that my card might have been compromised, what they offer only replace my cards, and painful process to call all provider to change my card number.

      • SomeGuyOnOzB on 20/01/2012 - 11:57

        Watch this one, robbiey.

        I know someone else who upgraded to the rewards card. Fortunately, her annual fee was due a week ago.

        Citibank had charged her the full Rewards card fee.

        She rang them to sort it out.

        They offered to refund an amount, for the difference, saying it was fair.
        The amount offered was not the difference.

        She insisted on a full refund of the difference and finally got it.

        So, just saying, watch out on this one :S

      • vrsac on 20/01/2012 - 14:22
        +1

        "complimentary Travel Insurance if you buy flights on the CC"

        Have you tried using that insurance? They wanted to charge me $200 access for lost luggage that was worth less than $200! It's pretty much useless for smaller claims. As usual, read the fine print.

  • oldmate78 on 20/01/2012 - 02:52
    +1

    Just called up, and they said as the account is strictly NO FEES, they will refund any cost of access fees imposed by an ATM in Australia and overseas. Doesn't seem to fit in with T&C but the CSR was adamant that this was correct.

    • Shwayne on 20/01/2012 - 03:16
      +5

      Get it in writing, I highly doubt an offer like that would fly.

    • [Deactivated] on 20/01/2012 - 08:12
      +2

      And I have had past CSR promises from Citibank that they have refused to honour. Be very cautious of this with Citibank. Like everything make sure its in writing.

    • joannatan on 20/01/2012 - 10:08

      that operator surely doesn't live in australia, their atm free only for westpac and their associate atm, if you are using nab, anz, cba and other bank, you still be charge with atm fee on that bank

    • SomeGuyOnOzB on 20/01/2012 - 11:59

      Same as the other guys. I've had the call centre staff make all sorts of promises. A ring back often resulted in conflicting stories.

      If it's not in writing, you've got nothing to show the banking ombudsman.

  • manno786 on 20/01/2012 - 06:00

    I am ab enirates platinum card holder and my ezperienxe has been overly great with citibank when i lost my wallet a few weeks back they send me a card thru platinum express mail… Their customer service is the fatest i have seen and they do follow up call or complains unlike other banks… As someone mentioned with security they are soooo paranoid that they will question even legit transactions i had abit of an issue with a charge bck but then once sorted theey offerrd me 20k emirates points for thr hassle :)

    • joannatan on 20/01/2012 - 10:10

      i have to wait 1 week and another 3 days for card and new pin. painful

  • sputnik on 20/01/2012 - 06:38

    If memory serves me correctly, Citibank nearly went under in gfc1, with gfc2 looking inevitable and likely to be more severe, there may be the catch..

    • jace88 on 20/01/2012 - 07:58

      Each bank is independent for better or worse (refer to my comment further down the page). They just share the platforms and brand.

      Also note bank funds in Australia are guaranteed up to $250k. Just don't let Citi convince you to use their non-ADI accounts or sophisticated products which won't be.

      • atlas on 20/01/2012 - 09:53

        You sure that bank guarantee is still in place?

        • joannatan on 20/01/2012 - 10:10

          yes, but lower amount

        • joannatan on 20/01/2012 - 10:10

          yes, but lower amount

    • SomeGuyOnOzB on 20/01/2012 - 12:01

      I got a letter about that. They said it was the US Citibank that was in trouble and the Australian one was unaffected by what happened to the US one's troubles.

  • MrMaxwell on 20/01/2012 - 06:49

    I have heard horror stories from people who have Citibank credit cards, however there is nothing to lose by getting a Visa debit card and trying them out…if they start mucking around I will just close the account.

    • SomeGuyOnOzB on 20/01/2012 - 12:02

      Check out the stories of people trying to close their accounts :P

  • afrowan on 20/01/2012 - 07:50

    anyone applied online?hate to fill in forms.

  • videoman on 20/01/2012 - 07:50
    +1

    So if you get a debit card from Citibank can you use it like the mastercard 28 Degrees card, so you can use it online and get better exchange rates from overseas websites?

  • jace88 on 20/01/2012 - 07:55
    +2

    The reason why it's fee free to withdraw overseas is because the Citibank FX spread is rubbish compared to the 28 degrees card. They give with one hand and take with the other.

    Also, despite being "Citibank" everywhere in the world, it's no easier to send money between accounts in different countries since each bank doesn't have links to each other. The only "global" feature I realised is you can view your foreign accounts through a single sign-on. e.g. my Australian Citibank account listing shows my US accounts; however I can't perform any kind of transactions between them- it's strictly viewing only hence the feature name "Global view". Also note, the fee-free transfers between Citibank accounts worldwide only works with the main transaction account in each country- e.g. for Australia, it's the AUD denominated account. This essentially forces you to use the Citibank FX rate when transferring funds out of the country even if you hold a Citibank USD account. Buyer beware. If you need to use your USD account from Australia, Citibank requires you to fax forms in (i.e. you can't just complete it and scan the signed document; they actually require a faxed signature- how backwards!).

    Seriously, stick to the 28 degrees card. I found it a lot easier.

    EDIT: I should note that I recently moved to the US and thought that having all these Citibank products (both in Australia and US) and letting them lock in my FX rate before I left would make things easier but instead it left me cash-less. Thankfully I preloaded my 28 degrees card beforehand via BPay and was able to withdraw cash. They even express posted replacement cards to my address in the States.

    • IVI on 20/01/2012 - 11:41

      How much do you pay to get / keep alive (each annual renewal) your "28 Degrees" card?

      • Evil-Elmo on 20/01/2012 - 11:50

        28° card has no annual fee.

      • mr_fjackson on 20/01/2012 - 11:52

        $0 a year

    • shaiguy on 20/01/2012 - 11:56

      Thanks Jace - I am about to go overseas. Could you give a comparison between the Citibank and 28 Degrees card rates.

      Cheers

  • chris. on 20/01/2012 - 08:01

    This one got my attention as I do a few o'seas transactions. Went to that section of the product details and it says that the exchange rate includes a "commission" for the service so it's already not exactly "free".

    • jace88 on 20/01/2012 - 08:04

      In all fairness, they wouldn't be in it if there wasn't a way for them to make some money out of it whether it's a merchant fee, FX spread, customer fee, interest earned from funds on deposit, etc. The marketing isn't lying when it says "fee free"- it's just slightly misleading but I suppose it means you don't get any unexpected fees on your statement.

      On another note, Citibank ATMs in the States do charge you to use them here.

      • [Deactivated] on 20/01/2012 - 08:17

        I am absolutely an Citibank scaredy cat based on past experience, but in this case are you comparing your current Citibank account with this new one or are they both the same. There maybe different conditions? can you clarify

    • KMeister on 20/01/2012 - 08:22

      It's not free, it says "fee free"

  • KMeister on 20/01/2012 - 08:20
    +2

    Remember whenever they say it's "fee" free there could be a "charge". They could be playing with words.
    Plus, if they can't put up a decent clear-cut FAQ for this particular account type, why bother?
    After all, all these banks are really good at manipulating words and get around them. Be careful, It's your hard earned money!

  • droiby on 20/01/2012 - 08:33
    +1

    I called up and enquired about the exchange rates that Citibank uses for purchases made in a currency other than AUD (i.e. buying stuff online from overseas, or using the card at an overseas ATM/store). She referred me to this link: http://www.citibank.com.au/global_docs/onlinetools/ci1.htm

    A note down the bottom says: "These rates are valid for all transactions (other than online transfers to a Citibank account overseas and transactions relating to the Citibank Traveller Account) up to the equivalent of AUD 20,000. Rates applicable to online transfers to a Citibank account overseas are displayed prior to effecting a transfer. Rates applicable to transactions relating to the Citibank Traveller Account are displayed under Transaction Accounts."

    So, it looks like since the Citibank Plus Account is not a Citibank Traveller Account, you're not looking at paying the standard Visa exchange rate, but rather a Citibank rate. This rate changes once per day, so you may (though most likely may not, since they have a massive spread) get lucky.

  • ndenham on 20/01/2012 - 08:46

    I hold both a Citibank Plus Transaction Account and a Platinum Visa and am fairly happy overall. Used both extensively overseas and the Plus transaction in my experience only charged an ATM vendor fee (no Citibank based fee).

    They're gradually clawing back the benefits on the Platinum Visa though so it's just as well I'm not paying an annual fee for it.

    • SomeGuyOnOzB on 20/01/2012 - 12:08

      Haven't they asked you yet, to swap to a Rewards card? They told me they are doing away with the Citi Platinum cards.

  • anti-hero on 20/01/2012 - 08:53
    -3

    Hi Guys just a remider american banks are running out of money , that's why they want you to open a account with them and deposit money to it.

    You can click the link to the new in USA

    Citigroup Warns Customers It May Refuse To Allow Withdrawals

    Read more: http://articles.businessinsider.com/2010-02-19/wall_street/3…

    • [Deactivated] on 20/01/2012 - 09:33
      +2

      Thats over a year ago, and applies to US based checking accounts. Its to do with the way the US banking system works, where central clearing isnt the same as here.

      Did also read the update its to do with FDIC regualtions regarding this account

      Citibank has now released the following statement by way of explanation: "When Citibank moved to unlimited FDIC coverage in 2009, we had to reclassify many checking accounts to allow for immediate withdrawals in order to ensure all customers qualified for the additional coverage. When we moved back to standard FDIC coverage with most major banks in 2010, Citibank decided to reclassify those accounts back to make them eligible again for promotional incentives. To do so, Federal Reserve Reg D requires these accounts, called NOW accounts, to reserve the right to require a 7-day notice of withdrawal. We recently communicated this technical requirement to our customers. However, we have never exercised this right and have no plans to do so in the future."

    • joannatan on 20/01/2012 - 10:15

      you need to learn how the banking system working before u made this comment, deposit from one country, you can not just transfer back to parent company, you need to have legal/valid transaction, if the purpose just to increase the funding in one country, it is illegal and remember every bank have internal and external audit, transferring this large money cross border country will be easier to detect.

  • shaybisc on 20/01/2012 - 09:34

    My experience with citibank is similar to ozpete- horrific. My mother had an account with them. She rang them one day and asked that I speak for her- there were some technical/site problems. She got the phone password wrong … once … then immediately corrected it.

    The customer service person then refused to answer any questions about the account- despite my mother providing voluminous verification over the phone. The operator refused to let my mother speak to a senior person.

    In the end, the only way she could get anywhere with Citibank was to travel to sydney- 500km away!!!!!- and close the damn thing. 50k account closed through idiotic customer service.

    Might have been a one-off with one stupid Citibank worker taking security to absurd levels, but I would not wish citibank on my worst enemy.

    • OzzyBrak on 20/01/2012 - 09:46

      Might have been easier just to phone back and speak to someone else.

    • joannatan on 20/01/2012 - 10:18
      +1

      you have to understand the operator has the right not to process the call as this is for best interest customer only. if fraudulent happen, it is operator fault, that person might get sack.
      the best suggestion is joelwilliam suggestion. try call back and speak with different operator, but if your account has been locked. you might need find a different way. if you have personal banker, better u talk with your personal banker.

    • pork chop on 20/01/2012 - 11:00
      +1

      My experience with Citibank have been excellent as far as customer service goes. The security authentication includes one of the followings: Name a recent transaction on the account, PIN ID, Security Question you had set up etc.. If you are unable to satisfy all the above screenings, then the officer has every rights not to assist you further. The stupidity is more likely on your Mother.

      • joannatan on 20/01/2012 - 11:10

        non english speaker mate, some people might misunderstood what u said to them, this is based my experience in the past as call centre operator

        • IVI on 20/01/2012 - 11:45

          Cf the book: "Me talk pretty one day" ;-)

  • shaybisc on 20/01/2012 - 10:55

    Tried that- there was a block on the account.

    • joannatan on 20/01/2012 - 10:58

      block you need sent mail or come to the post office for identification purposes

  • IVI on 20/01/2012 - 10:58
    -2

    Yes… but ING Direct -pays- me…

    (besides the recent / well-known / occasional "big bonuses," eg:
    $100 bonus for depositing my salary for a few months & the like;
    ING Direct customers also enjoy any-time withdrawal bonuses:

    . I get $0.50 "mini-bonus" (my term, not ING Dir's),
    . ie, EACH time I use EFTPOS to withdraw at least $200

    When I ask: What have they done for me lately, I say lots of things - big & small.

  • allyemil on 20/01/2012 - 10:59

    I'm looking at opening a new CC account which i would use for one purpose only and that is to link that CC to my eBay account. I would only put $50-$100 into that account initially and most likely never have more money in that account.
    This could be something that would be perfect for that purpose. Without going through hundreds of posts here, do people think that this particular account would be suitable for that purpose?

  • IVI on 20/01/2012 - 10:59
    -2

    I suppose the "free" bottle of wine will actually -cost- the buyer the price of a meal, right?

    PS …AND Subway doesn't seem to be a participating restaurant… ;-)

  • IVI on 20/01/2012 - 11:07
    -2

    This might be good for International Students:

    "Who is eligible for Citibank Plus?
    To be eligible for Citibank Plus you must be:
    An Australian resident and/or

    be available to be identified in Australia upon opening the Account. This includes providing photo identification and other forms of identification with your application

    18 years of age or older
Able to access the Internet
Have a valid email address
Open the Account for personal use only (not available for business customers)."

    Note: IANAL… :-)

  • IVI on 20/01/2012 - 11:08
    -5

    Must return a "Signature Card"

    And… some Mac users will have problems using CitiBank Online… :-(

    This one blows the 4 min application time (to infinity!):

    Have fun entering your "Mail address" if you have a P O Box…
    Where does it go in this list of fields:

    . "Unit Number / Street Number* / Street Name*"

    With WEIRD questions like these, you gotta think CIA-linked or similar:

    . "Do you or an immediate family member hold a Public Office Position,
    for example a politician or a diplomat?*"

    . "Are you a US citizen/person for the purpose of US Federal Income Tax*"

    These guys sound like Dinosaurs… clearly from OUTSIDE Australia! ;-/

    • koozzz on 20/01/2012 - 12:31
      +3

      WTF is your point?

  • nemo1990 on 20/01/2012 - 12:23

    • Does Citibank have online banking like Netbank?

    • Does 'Free unlimited Cheque book access' mean I can request a Cheque book and write out cheques to people; if so, does the recipient get charged any fees when they cash the cheque?

    • Can I withdraw money at any overseas ATM or are there specific ones?

    • wenbin on 20/01/2012 - 12:35

      Does Citibank have online banking like Netbank?

      Yes.

      • neil on 20/01/2012 - 13:30

        Their online system is fairly decent. username, and then you have to type the password in using a mouse. They then ask a security question. There is an app for iOs as well where you have the full features of using the web.

        Can't remember the last time I had to write a check but there shouldn't be any fees.

        You can access your funds at most ATMs overseas, just look for the matching symbols on the back of the card. So in this case it would be VISA and Plus.

      • c64 on 20/01/2012 - 14:11
        +2

        if virgin's online banking is any indication of what citibank's system is like (virgin are citibank based), then it is likely to be rubbish.

    • SomeGuyOnOzB on 20/02/2012 - 00:14

      Does the recipient get charged any fees when they cash the cheque?

      • depends on what their bank wants to do
  • John Dough on 20/01/2012 - 12:24
    +2

    I really want to neg this just because the word Citibank is in the title (can we do that??)
    Citi are a bunch of crooks. Be prepared to cop it if you choose to bank with them.

  • nemo1990 on 20/01/2012 - 12:24

    Does this apply to business accounts as well?

  • nemo1990 on 20/01/2012 - 12:28

    Another question - is this like a debit card or an actual credit card where you can use money that's not in your account but have to pay it back within a specific time frame?

    • John Dough on 20/01/2012 - 12:31

      If you use Citi bank's money, you will be paying a fee for sure. This would be 100% your money deal if there are no fees involved.

      This kind of marketing ploy/account is targeted at people that will have their wages deposited into the account along with other amounts and just leave reasonably high balances in the accounts so that Citi can invest it and give you 2% interest or something lame like that.

  • the.piemaker on 20/01/2012 - 12:34

    This may be a silly question but is this free for life? Or is this one of those, fees apply after a year thing…?

    Also, is this an ongoing deal or does it expire at some point?

    • neil on 20/01/2012 - 13:40
      +2

      Free until they decide that it's not free. I've had the card for a few years and it's progressively gotten more free features. Not a 1 year thing.

  • drexxx on 20/01/2012 - 13:31

    so how does this compare with my 28 degrees credit card? in terms of overseas use

    cheers :)

    • aec on 20/01/2012 - 17:53
      +1

      i use 28degrees quite often, online or overseas. what i will do is instead of waiting for someone to tell me which is better, just apply citi for now. anyway, itis free, isnt it?

  • devilbabies on 20/01/2012 - 13:36
    +1

    once you sign up for a bank account, they'll be calling you every second day trying to sell you citibank life insurance, even if you are 19 years old with no dependents. very pushy hard sell. once you are their customer the "do not call" registry doesn't work and they can call as much as they want.

  • coolsteps on 20/01/2012 - 13:49

    anyone tried all 3 on the same day i.e this citibank plus account, the nab gold account and 28 degrees to see which one had the best the exchange rate? also buyer be aware, i dont think all citi to citibank intl transfers are free. i think its only if they on the list of the 12 free countries, the last time i checked both citibank Australia and Citibank Thailand would charge me to make an outward and inward transfer.

    • c64 on 20/01/2012 - 14:14

      i'm also waiting for someone to do a comparison on a smallish but significant amount.

    • neil on 20/01/2012 - 14:17
      +1

      Take a read of http://www.bhatt.id.au/blog/no-foreign-currency-bank-fees-tr…. This has been a long going post where commenters have compared the FX fees at the same time. Grab a coffee, it's a long read.

      • [Deactivated] on 20/01/2012 - 20:59

        Well next time you pay for the coffee. I read this very long thread taht you referred to and it nakes no mention that I could find, about the Citibank card. nab and 28 degrees but no citicard.

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