• long running

Citi Prestige Credit Card: 250,000 Citi Rewards Points ($10,000 Spend in 90 Days), 6 Months 0% Interest BT, $700 Annual Fee

660

I was looking for this deal on ozbargain, saw it was marked as expired, but actually it's active again.

Copying from last deal: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/866040

Same points bonus 250,000.

Key Points:
$700 annual fee
250,000 Citi Rewards Points when you spend $10,000 on eligible purchases within 90 days from approval.
Points redeemable for $1,250 in FlyBuys Dollars, $550 profit after annual fee.
$20,000 minimum credit limit, $100,000 maximum - although I applied for the max limit possible and was approved for the minimum, exactly $20,000 limit and told I can't apply for higher until 6 months in. Unsure if this was normal practice with Citi or specifically with me.
6 months interest free on balance transfers made within the first three months from approval (up to 80% of credit limit) with no balance transfer fee.

The $10,000 minimum spend can be met via Citi PayAll to yourself (for 0.95% fee).

Even with the reduced bonus points and erosion of other benefits over time I think this is still one of the best cards on offer at the moment:

bonus points yield $1,250 in FlyBuys Dollars (I normally buy 4% off Coles gift cards with a rewards card - ~1% extra value - so I value at 0.95 x $1,250 = $1,187.50)

The balance transfer can go into a bank account or mortgage offset so one could do this on activation and then 85-90 days in to get another 6 months of interest free (as the interest free period counts from the date of transfer when this is done within the first 3 months). on a 20k limit, an initial balance transfer of 80% ($16,000) with minimum repayments of 2% (and then restarting 3 months in) yields an average balance of around $15,000 over the nine months. In a mortgage offset of 6% this will save 9/12 x 0.06 x 15,000 = $675 in interest. In a savings account at 5.5% interest this yields $618.75 (before tax).

Using the mortgage example, with an annual fee of $795 (including PayAll fee) and main benefits of $1,862.50 this nets out to $1,067.50 which I think is pretty great for just one card. Plus premium benefits like unlimited priority pass, $100 Uber credit etc.

Keeping in mind if you can get a hold of a higher credit limit this becomes far more lucrative.

Related Stores

Citibank Australia
Citibank Australia

Comments

  • +1
    • -2

      This other deal expired on 31 Oct and only seems to offer 110K points

      • That deal refers to 110k Velocity points which are converted 1:2 from Citi points, hence 220k Citi points (so yes, less good than this deal)

      • expired after your comment but well done

    • This is indeed a better deal if it hasn't expired. 300 af vs 700 with just a tad bit less points

      • There’s still one more day to 31Oct expiry

  • +1

    is there a minimum income to join this card?

    • +21

      if you have to ask, it probably isn't a good idea to apply. lol.

    • Yeah 10 stacks of high society

    • It's likely not as high as you think. The min $15k limit Westpac card is only $70k p.a.

  • Weird,

    Citi is only doing credit products now.
    They closed all their retail products and sold them to NAB and now they are doing the credit products only.

    Maybe they run these products as part of the private banking and are trying to maximise income for these products by selling them retail as well.

    Huh.

    • Citi Australia’s consumer business in Australia is owned by NAB. NAB has transitioned all their products except cards to the nab brand now - I think it’s a bit harder for them to transition the card business because of the co-branding for other banks

  • +1

    Great explanation

  • +6

    I'm a regular credit card churner but this feels like the big leagues of credit cards. Massive limit, spend and annual fees. I'm sure it's worth to some but easier rewards to be had elsewhere.

    • +3

      Me too and don’t reckon $550 a great ROI/effort. At least 850 return is where I think this league card has been previously

      • +3

        Okay so what is the current superior alternative to this card, then?

    • There is effectively zero spend required if you use the payall feature to pay yourself $10,000 for a $95 fee (also receive $50 in flybuys dollars from earning 10k points).

      • Doesn’t change return of only ($550+50)- 95 = 505 though if you’re going to be spending the $10k anyway?

        • +2

          unlimited priority pass, visit every venue in the airport a few times lol

          • @realaccount627465746: does this still include restaurants?

            • @Davelovesdealz: yes if they accept Priority Pass. You can go to have some nice food in a restaurant and then go to a lounge

          • @realaccount627465746: Hi @realaccount627465746,

            I'm yet to use my new Priority Pass so a question, please:
            Can you sometimes return to the same venue on the same day?

            (I assume you leave some time in between for them to forget you/new staff)

            • @HiDave: The easiest way to do this would be if you're on a two sector trip (say, ADL-MEL-SYD). You would purchase from X cafe in MEL with the first flight (after landing). You could later then purchase again using the second (future) flight.

              I've never tried twice referencing the same flight but it does say unlimited lol.

        • +1

          Plus over $500 in interest earned/saved from the balance transfer offer makes this card an elite churn. Add in mobile phone insurance, unlimited pp, $100 uber credit for even more value too.

          • +3

            @dealstacker: Mobile insurance only for post-paid. Not compatible with many ozbs.

            • @Kibbelhs: What does post-paid mobile insurance mean? Asking for a dumb friend.

              • @SithVicious: I meant the mobile insurance is only available for postpaid plans.

    • What does churning do to your credit history in Aus?

      I see lots of Americans talking about it but not much on the impact to the way we do it.

  • +2

    Has anyone been able to do a BT into a offset mortgage account recently as looking at other threads its only possible to do a BT inti a CC account
    . I got this card last September and looimv ti get 80% of my credit limit for next 6 months

    • Yes, call them and give them the Bsb + account number

    • I have done this and it works. Call them.

    • I've done this in the past by BTing on to ANZ and Westpac cards, putting them into credit, and then transferring out without fees.

    • Oh wow, I thought I had to BT to another card (then move the positive balance to my offset).
      Amazing to hear some are just BTing to their BSB!
      Thanks guys.

  • I cancelled this card only 2 months ago can I sign up again?

    • +5

      Cancelled in Jul 2023 due to mortgage application and applied again in Nov 2023, being approved within 24 hours and received the bonus point.

    • +4

      yeah citi don't have an exclusion period

  • Nice thanks for the explanation.

    How do people find the priority pass?

    • +3

      I make good use of the food voucher.

      • Is that food voucher only at airports?

    • +1

      Was amazing while travelling - only a couple of very small airports didn't have a lounge or food pass, but travelled to Europe & used Priority Pass and got a friend in for free around 7-8 times. Ordereed plenty of cocktails & ate my money's worth in food while waiting for connecting flights. Very happy with it

  • +4

    The balance transfer can go into a bank account or mortgage offset so one could do this on activation and then 85-90 days in to get another 6 months of interest free (as the interest free period counts from the date of transfer when this is done within the first 3 months). on a 20k limit, an initial balance transfer of 80% ($16,000) with minimum repayments of 2% (and then restarting 3 months in) yields an average balance of around $15,000 over the nine months. In a mortgage offset of 6% this will save 9/12 x 0.06 x 15,000 = $675 in interest. In a savings account at 5.5% interest this yields $618.75 (before tax).

    Can someone ELI5?? Read it 3 times and still have no idea.

    • +1

      Take out 10k credit card. Transfer 8k into your offset.

      Leave it for 5 months 29 days. Transfer it back

      You pay 6 months less tax on mortgage thanks to the extra 8k : - )

      I could be dead ass wrong.

    • +17
      1. Get the card
      2. Call and ask for a 'balance transfer', to a BSB and account number of your choosing
      3. Let the balance sit in a high interest savings or mortgage offset account to accrue or offset home loan interest
      4. pay the minimum repayments of 2% per month
      5. right before 3 months have elapsed, pay the balance back and then request another balance transfer to reset the 6 month 0% period (the promotion applies to balances transferred within the first three months from approval) to effectively get 9 months of interest free money
      6. pay the minimum repayments until the promo is over, at which point pay the balance back off and close the card before the next annual fee comes.

      Any questions?

      • +1

        Yes how do you combine this with the 10k spend as you can't have BT when you haven't completed the 10k spend. Only option is to use payall straight away?

      • +22

        To maximise the returns, I believe you're missing the PayAll step.

        1. Get the card
        2. Perform PayAll of $10K to your own BSB and account number
        3. After receiving $10K in other bank, immediately repay the $10K
        4. Call and ask for a 'balance transfer', to a BSB and account number of your choosing
        5. Let the balance sit in a high interest savings or mortgage offset account to accrue or offset home loan interest
        6. Pay the minimum repayments of 2% per month
        7. Redeem the 250,000 Citi Rewards points however you deem valuable (ie. Velocity, Qantas, FlyBuys…)
        8. Right before 3 months (suggested 85-90 days) have elapsed, pay the balance back and then request another balance transfer to reset the 6 month 0% period (the promotion applies to balances transferred within the first three months from approval) to effectively get 9 months of interest free money
        9. Pay the minimum repayments until the promo is over, at which point pay the balance back off and close the card before the next annual fee comes

        Am I correct?

        • +2

          Im gonna bookmark this amd come and complain to you later if it doesnt work. Thanks

        • thanks for the explanation.
          Just checking, does this still make sense if one doesn't have an offset account? no mortgage or offset, just high interest savings account.

          • +1

            @greenslade: Yes, your returns will just be slightly less. Mortgage at 6% interest with a 100% offset would mean your gains is 6% p.a.

            With a HISA, your gains will be whatever your interest percentage is p.a., but then also you will need to pay tax on that as it’s considered “income”.

        • what's the point doing that if you can do normal PayAll transfer for 0.95%? instead of paying 2% for the "balance transfer" scheme

          • +1

            @VQLD: PayAll interest free period is the same as a purchase interest free period (ie. up to 44 days [now]; FML does anyone else hate that most banks have lowered from 55 to 44 days?!)

            Balance transfer is free or 0% (if done within the first 90 days) and is interest free for 6 months.

            • @b-t: OK, I've just read T&C and looks like this can work for 6 months.
              Not sure what is the 2% repayments above if 6 months if free..

        • no HISA. Apparently, balance transfer is only to pay another debt using CC. Never used it…
          What account balances can be included in a balance transfer?
          Any account balances from other financial institutions/stores, such as:

          Visa and Mastercard (all banks)

          Flexible Personal Loan

          Lines of credit

          The balance must be in the name of the primary account holder.

        • Sorry, I bit confused how would I

          Perform PayAll of $10K to your own BSB and account number

          PayAll seems to block me from making payments to my accounts or family accounts - does this need to be made to a person with different last name ?

          • +1

            @bar6gain: Just don't put your own name in the recipient field. I use my initials CXD

        • How do you immediately repay the 10k? I won't get bpay details until first bill arrives? thanks

          • @cathalm8: I called Citi to confirm the Bpay Biller Code, and the account number is the card number. I did a test transfer of $5 first to make sure it landed in the right account before paying back the full $10k

        • +2

          Hey, I've recieved the card, processed the $10k payall, at step 4. (balance transfer) the agent advised me that I cannot chain balance transfers to extend the promotional period. The example he gave me was if I balance transfer today, then in 85 days pay it back & process a second balance transfer, the intrest free period would end at the same time as the first transfer, not reset.

          So I am unable to do 3 months + 6 months, it is only 6 months max.

          Hope this helps & please let me know if anyone has had success resetting the period

        • I just did 2 BT and the last rep that I talked to also told me all the balance transfers expire at the same time i.e. 6 months from my approval date. I found that incredibly confusing because I thought I could just do another one at the end of 3 months and get 9 months interest free. But I guess we were all wrong lol.

          • @lyoo01: On the topic of repayment of 2%. I am not sure about that either. They read out T&Cs and I didn't hear anything about that

        • +4

          Just replying to everyone on my current progress and caveats:

          • I got approved and can log into the account, but on day zero (ie. card hasn't been received or activated yet), you cannot do a PayAll. You MUST receive the card first to be able to PayAll, and this, depending on the day you apply, could take a couple of days (factor in weekends when AusPost doesn't deliver).
          • Once you activate, you can PayAll. I, like a couple of you, had issues with PayAll because apparently you're meant to use it for goods/services, and not to yourself. I PayAll'd my wife's personal account (not my account) and put something obscure like "renovations". Surprisingly even "mortgage" doesn't work lol
          • I haven't received my bonus points yet though I also haven't received my first statement yet, so hopefully it comes in when my statement is generated.
          • Some people talk about the 2% repayment; I guess this is because they've never done a balance transfer before. Although the bank says "interest free", you still need to progressively pay down the balance transfer every statement. You cannot just pay zero, you have to pay 2% of the closing balance, and this is referred to the "minimum payment amount". The balance transfer itself is still technically "interest free" - you're just paying 2% of the principal which has no added interest until the interest free period ends.
          • Some people asked how to pay the card before the statement arrives, well you can either (most recommended way) to contact support and ask them to give you the payment details which is what I did; alternatively, if you trust me, you can BPAY biller code 49502 with the reference number of your full 16 digit card number and it SHOULD arrive in your account. I tested with $10, then the full amount; though be warned it also takes a day to process.
          • I haven't attempted this "pay back in 3 months and start a new BT yet". Seeing comments above, this seems no [longer?] possible so I might just skip this and go with 6 months before canning the card; still somewhat valuable but not great.

          Hope that helps out and sorry for the lack of replies - I didn't see reply notifications as all the BF deals are coming in lol

          • @b-t: Thanks for this, with PayAll coming to and end I assume this can still work as long as I do the steps before it is officially sunset?

            • +1

              @penguinswillrise: Email I got from Citibank:

              Last day to set up a new Citi PayAll payment (7 business days prior to due date 19 January 2025):

              9 January 2025

        • +1

          Been told the same thing no more 0% balance transfer after the first use as AyTrain
          Anyone have different out come when try to do the reset ?

      • +2

        Thanks! So there's actually no interest charged, and the "minimum repayments of 2% per month" are effectively just principle as well? Truly no cost loan for ~9 months?!

        • +1

          Yeah best to payall first (I was just explaining the BT component of the deal). There is no interest charged you are correct that the 2% is principle repayments. Other banks do have these types of offers for BTs but Citi’s advantage is they let you send the funds straight to your bank

          • +1

            @dealstacker: I thought they removed payall from these cards ? Is there a fee now?

            EDIT: just read OPs post, there is a fee. (0.95%)

            • @ModBot: Hi guys I have a question: if I just want to meet the normal $10k spent by using the card in a normal way and then do a balance transfer to my mortgage account how would that work for repayment? Is there an option to repay full balance for the part I spend and then pay 2% of the balance transfer money? Thanks

      • Are you allowed to use the card for regular spend during this time? Or will that screw with it

        • +3

          Purchases have no interest free days while a balance transfer is active for citi cards

          • @dealstacker: Damn this BT buisness gets confusing. My forst statement has just come in.

            So I applied for the card.

            Spent ~600 bucks

            Then BT into a bank account 10k

            Then spent as normal.

            Are all my purchases incuring intrest, or just the $600 below the BT value?

            • @Mrgreenz: From the T&C:

              Please note, you will be charged interest on retail purchases while you have a balance transfer.

      • Hi deal stacker I just called citi to do the balance transfer but they are asking for bpay biller code. Can you please tell me how do I get them to do it into my bank account? I just give bsb and account number without telling them it’s a normal bank account? Thanks

  • +1

    Just closed my Citi Rewards Card as payall expired. How long do I need to wait before I can apply for this?

    • Doesn't seem to be any disclosed exclusion period. Ask via chat or phone

  • Can someone explain this bit in more detail. My brain hurts.

    ….so one could do this on activation and then 85-90 days in to get another 6 months of interest free (as the interest free period counts from the date of transfer when this is done within the first 3 months)…

    • +1

      So I think you could do N transfers but you want to wait until the end of the 3 months, this is the period which offers the interest free promotion. The reason why you wait until the end is to maximise the interest free period which will get you 9 months, an extra 6 months. If you were to balance transfer only once, in the second month you’ll only get 8 months. That’s one month less of free cash in your mortgage or high interest savings account.

      Quote
      6 months interest free on balance transfers made within the first three months from approval (up to 80% of credit limit) with no balance transfer fee

  • Are existing Citi card holders eligible?

  • I think also the balance transfer works for Qantas as well. They are offering $1700 worth in points atm (150k plus 20.000 via activation for new credit card Qantas members)

    • +2

      Beware the qantas version excludes payall transactions as part of the eligible spend. So you’d need to actually spend 7.5k in two months to get the bonus.

      • Great thanks for that! We already applied for that one. I’m assuming that we could still have do the rest pay all to our bank account to maximise the interest free? Thanks

        • +1

          The interest free balance transfer is different to payall. It is a payment executed by Citi when you request over the phone or on application. Payall is simply treated as a purchase.

          • @dealstacker: Just editing. We will be able to spend $7500 over two months. I’ll then just request a balance transfer to my bank account. Could I ask for $12500 or is there a maximum amount? Thanks again

            • @fozzie: qantas version exclude spending on payall

              Eligible purchases exclude Citi PayAll payments, Cash Advances, Balance Transfers, Special Promotions, interest, fees, refunds and Chargebacks.

              • @a1234my: Yes, I understand but I wonder if I can do a balance transfer? I’ll get in touch once approved and ask.

                • @fozzie: Yes same 6 months, mate with a qantas version. Call up did balance transfer 80% to bsb.

                  • @a1234my: Thanks very much :)
                    Looks like if you can meet spend criteria and want Qantas points it’s a slightly better offer as you get $1500 in points plus free interest from balance transfer. -$750 fee.

  • +6

    The Priority Pass offering is somewhat unique insomuch as you get to take a guest for free. Even purchasing direct from PP doesn’t offer that.

    • +2

      And also you get to use the passes for restaurant vouchers which the Amex platinum excludes you from doing.

      • can you please explain this in a little more detail?

        • Priority pass visits can be used for lounges or a $36 dining credit at select restaurants at a given airport which can be better or worse than the lounges as quality varies. Better yet, these can be used at each different restaurant if there is more than one. In my case me and my partner have this card yet there are five of us travelling at the end of the year. We can use the four total visits (cardholder plus one guest for each card) to have a total of 4 x $36 = $144 in dining credit at each restaurant rather than having only four of the five of us able to access the lounges. More options never hurts and this I believe is the only card which has unlimited visits which include the dining credit (AMEX has unlimited visits but excludes the credit)

          • +2

            @dealstacker:

            Priority pass visits can be used for lounges and a $36 dining credit at select restaurants

            Fixed it for you

    • +1

      Can confirm that the Priority Pass thing is amazing. Used it on multiple occasions in multiple countries over the last 2-3 years. Only worth $700 p.a. if you are flying a lot or gaining lots of money back from spending on this (which is an unhealthy way of thinking TBH)

  • +1

    PayAll or Sniip for rent/mortgage? I can't decide

    • Sniip has higher fee 1.5% for visa/mc

  • is it possible to do another balance transfer (of the 2% minimum payment amount you've just made) after each of the first two months?
    that maximises the amount of "free" interest paying or balance in mortgage offset account.
    Not big effect overall but I wonder….

  • +24

    For anyone on the fence with this, I've had it for 2 years since the days of the half price annual fee and 0% payall.

    What most people overlook is the value of priority pass.

    If you fly regularly, the $36 credit per sector for several stores is great and as it is the platinum priority pass you get to have a "guest" for an additional $36, totalling $72. Funny how my guest "wife" is never actually in line though and the stores don't care.

    So arrive at an Australian airport, use a $72 credit for store 1, then go to store 2 5 minutes later and rinse repeat for another $72 credit.

    When I travel through Melbourne I stop by the brewery (Virgin terminal) and use my $76 on t shirts and hoodies lol. I have about 15 shirts at home and give them away to friends and family.

    To be clear, it is not $36/$72 per sector. If you are doing a one way flight, and there are 5 eligible stores to use priority pass, you can spend $72 at all 5 and also have another crack once you land. This is well documented and discussed in ozbargain forums, whirlpool and expired Citibank posts for this product.

    When I arrive home, I also stop by the sushi store at Canberra and bring $72 of sushi home takeaway. Also nothing stopping you from buying $72 of takeaway coke/energy drink cans. If any store asks you where your guest is just get the person in line behind you to be your first and shout them a drink.

    I'm easily spending $800 annually on priority pass annually for a cost of $0.

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