Upgraded to Citi Dividend World Elite MasterCard--UPDATE

[GeneralCucumbre]

I called Citibank this afternoon to inquire about some of the ThankYou rewards and how I would much rather have the Dividend rewards instead.  My credit card account with Citibank has jumped around quite a bit in terms of what type of product it is.  Originally, when opened, it was a Citi Dividend Platinum Select Visa then was automatically upgraded to a Dividend World MasterCard about a year later.  Just about two months ago, I requested a conversion from Dividend to ThankYou Preferred (still remained a World MasterCard, same account number, etc.) so I was concerned about this thinking maybe they wouldn't allow another product change.

When I asked about changing back to Dividend, the very friendly customer service specialist checked the computer for possible upgrades and said "Yes, we can offer you the Citi Dividend World Elite MasterCard."  I then confirmed again asking if it was a World or World Elite and he told me that it is indeed a World Elite card.  (I also logged in online and they changed the top banner on my account page from Citi ThankYou Preferred to Citi Dividend World Elite MasterCard).

I am thrilled about the World Elite upgrade, mind you...but I was kind of shocked that Citi had offered it to me.  I was shocked in that I was under the impression that you had to spend a certain amount annually in order to qualify.  Indeed, I have used this card to rack up some heavy charges ($3000-$3500) and I did pay in full when the bill came...but that was only 2-3 times per year since I opened it in 2011.  Some billing cycles, I had a bill of maybe fifty bucks...while others, I didn't use it at all.

Anyway, like I said, I am thrilled about the upgrade but I am even more happy that I am going back to the product that it originally was.

[FutureBillionaire]

This is good info.  I'm glad that worked out so well for you.

[GeneralCucumbre]

Also...I was told that it will take 45 days to complete the conversion.  I am assuming that is because the account number is going to change?  

The same thing happened when I was automatically upgraded from Platinum Select Visa to World MasterCard about a year ago.  They sent me a letter stating that my account will convert in 45 days.

[Epcot]

Congrats on the PC! I just changed my Citi AA Amex to the Hilton HHonors Reserve and I got the card a week later even though they also told me 45 days.

[eviLution]

I'm only a few light years away from getting this card. lol

[hemi961]

They claim that the 45 days is due to the card act that was passed a couple of years ago, but Citi is about the only company that has that policy.

[GeneralCucumbre]

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@hemi961 wrote:
They claim that the 45 days is due to the card act that was passed a couple of years ago, but Citi is about the only company that has that policy.

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UPDATE: I just checked online at Citi and it is showing me that a new card was sent out and should arrive within the next week.  I clicked to see more info and it said that the new card sent out was a replacement Citi Dividend World Elite MasterCard with the same account number.

Well, I guess I won't be waiting 45 days then.  Also, shouldn't the account number change with the World Elite MasterCard?  I am still showing the same last four digits under the World Elite card as it was under the World card.

[shinedown87]

I had called in about 4 months ago to see if my Citi Platinum Select World Mastercard (credit limit $10,500) could be upgraded to the Dividend World Elite Mastercard, and was told that it could not be upgraded. I also have a Thank You Premier World Mastercard (credit limit $2,000).

Today I saw this thread and decided to try again. I was told that it was not eligible and I asked if I could speak with an account manager to see if anything could be done. The account manager told me that neither of my cards (Platinum Select or Thank You Premier) were able to be changed to the Dividend World Elite, however she said that she could "override the system" for the Thank You Premier (but not for the Platinum Select) and change it over to the Dividend World Elite. 

She explained the differences between the two cards, asked me if I was sure, then proceeded to do the conversion. I didn't receive any type of confirmation so I hope it really went through.

A little background on the card that was converted. I have had it since 2005. It has changed a time or two. I can't recall what it started out as, but I think it was called Citi Premier Pass (or something along those lines). I rarely use the card, and when I do it is for a very small purchase to keep the card from being automatically closed. 

[bribro]

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@shinedown87 wrote:

I had called in about 4 months ago to see if my Citi Platinum Select World Mastercard (credit limit $10,500) could be upgraded to the Dividend World Elite Mastercard, and was told that it could not be upgraded. I also have a Thank You Premier World Mastercard (credit limit $2,000).

Today I saw this thread and decided to try again. I was told that it was not eligible and I asked if I could speak with an account manager to see if anything could be done. The account manager told me that neither of my cards (Platinum Select or Thank You Premier) were able to be changed to the Dividend World Elite, however she said that she could "override the system" for the Thank You Premier (but not for the Platinum Select) and change it over to the Dividend World Elite. 

She explained the differences between the two cards, asked me if I was sure, then proceeded to do the conversion. I didn't receive any type of confirmation so I hope it really went through.

A little background on the card that was converted. I have had it since 2005. It has changed a time or two. I can't recall what it started out as, but I think it was called Citi Premier Pass (or something along those lines). I rarely use the card, and when I do it is for a very small purchase to keep the card from being automatically closed. 

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Did the CSR highlight any disadvantages of upgrading to the World Elite version?

[mxp114]

On another thread a user with a $1k limit has the Citi Simplicity World Elite. Seems Citi/MC have opened the floodgates to justify the higher fees charged to merchants. I won't be surprised if World Elite becomes the new default issued MasterCard tier and then MC introducing another premium tier to replace it. It's just strange how Visa/MC cycle so many premium tiers into nothing especially after that $50M global marketing campaign and introducing more markets into WE and converting the Signia markets into WE.