How to upgrade from World to World Elite Mastercard?

[Subexistence]

I was curious how some people were able to upgrade from World to World Elite for citi Double Cash. How did they pull it off?

[dragontears]

Is there a specific world elite benefit you will use? Or is it just a bragging rights thing?

[kdm31091]

AFAIK, no one has really "upgraded" their Double Cash intentionally, at least not that they've posted about. Sometime last year (or possibly 2015, don't remember for sure), Citi simply began issuing many Double Cash cards as World Elite. It's unclear why, other than increased swipe fees. It's also unclear why some still just get a World card.

Having said that, for 99% of people, you aren't going to use the benefits so I would not stress too much about it one way or the other.

[Anonymous]

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@kdm31091 wrote:

AFAIK, no one has really "upgraded" their Double Cash intentionally, at least not that they've posted about. Sometime last year (or possibly 2015, don't remember for sure), Citi simply began issuing many Double Cash cards as World Elite. It's unclear why, other than increased swipe fees. It's also unclear why some still just get a World card.

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This was the case for me. They issued me a $1,200 SL WEMC, and when I have attempted to use the World Elite benefits (namely the Mastercard concierge app), the system tells me that my card is not eligible for World Elite benefits. Appears to just be Citi stealing a few extra basis points on swipes.

[Subexistence]

Is it illegal for citi to do that?