Is Citi DC That Good?

[Anonymous]

I am just trying to maximize my rewards. Was also looking at BOA Cash Rewards.

[SunriseEarth]

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@longtimelurker wrote:

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@SunriseEarth wrote:

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@longtimelurker wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

Receiving pre-qual's in the mail and online from Citi...have the Discover It with double cash back promo currently until July of 2016...also have QS Visa Sig, just want to get opinions of those who have the DC to see if it's really that great - thanks in advance!

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It depends on your perspective and spend.   DC delivers 33% more rewards than QS, which is HUGE!!!!   It is also just an extra 0.5% on your non-category spend, which can be very small.      If your spend is large, it's well worth it, otherwise you might find better rewards for the HP via a sign up bonus on a different card.

(I have it and use it, QS gets very little use now, just foreign expenses)

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What is "huge" is the amount of spend you'd need to offset the fact that Citi DC has no signup bonus.   Both Cap One QS and Barclay CashForward have a $100 bonus once spend is met.   In order for DC's extra 0.5% to break even, you'd need to spend over $20,000.   

The rewards structure for Citi DC is 1% for spend and 1% for payment, and neither posts until the following statement closes.   Citi DC also has a $25 minimun redemption for rewards.  CashForward has a higher threshold ($50!), whereas QS has none.  QS rewards post very quickly after spend.   I'm not sure about CashForward, but if SM is at all indicative, they would post quickly.

If you have a significant general spend (or just don't want to deal with Cap One or Barclay), then DC would be a good choice.  If your non-category spend isn't significant, I think QS is the best choice of the three.  

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Right, but taking into account sign ups does complicate the discussion.   Once you have met the spend for the $100 on QS (or CF) you can SD that card and go on to the next bonus card, in which the normal earning potential of the card is almost iorrelevant.   So at some stage you need to consider ongoing behavior.

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Twenty thousand dollars later might be quite long term for many non-category spenders.   Everyone's needs are certainly different, and some profiles might hit that $20K very quickly.   It is worth considering.  

[SunriseEarth]

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@Anonymous wrote:

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@longtimelurker wrote:

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@SunriseEarth wrote:

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@longtimelurker wrote:

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@Anonymous wrote:

Receiving pre-qual's in the mail and online from Citi...have the Discover It with double cash back promo currently until July of 2016...also have QS Visa Sig, just want to get opinions of those who have the DC to see if it's really that great - thanks in advance!

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It depends on your perspective and spend.   DC delivers 33% more rewards than QS, which is HUGE!!!!   It is also just an extra 0.5% on your non-category spend, which can be very small.      If your spend is large, it's well worth it, otherwise you might find better rewards for the HP via a sign up bonus on a different card.

(I have it and use it, QS gets very little use now, just foreign expenses)

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What is "huge" is the amount of spend you'd need to offset the fact that Citi DC has no signup bonus.   Both Cap One QS and Barclay CashForward have a $100 bonus once spend is met.   In order for DC's extra 0.5% to break even, you'd need to spend over $20,000.   

The rewards structure for Citi DC is 1% for spend and 1% for payment, and neither posts until the following statement closes.   Citi DC also has a $25 minimun redemption for rewards.  CashForward has a higher threshold ($50!), whereas QS has none.  QS rewards post very quickly after spend.   I'm not sure about CashForward, but if SM is at all indicative, they would post quickly.

If you have a significant general spend (or just don't want to deal with Cap One or Barclay), then DC would be a good choice.  If your non-category spend isn't significant, I think QS is the best choice of the three.  

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Right, but taking into account sign ups does complicate the discussion.   Once you have met the spend for the $100 on QS (or CF) you can SD that card and go on to the next bonus card, in which the normal earning potential of the card is almost iorrelevant.   So at some stage you need to consider ongoing behavior.

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The sign up bonus is irrelevant, as OP already has a QS. Therefore, the question is just whether the extra 0.5% is worth the extra potential hassel in redeeming.

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Ah, yes...it might help if I read signatures.   Of course, OP could always go for a 2nd QS.   If that isn't an option, it does change the consideration.

[SunriseEarth]

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@yfan wrote:

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@SunriseEarth wrote:

What is "huge" is the amount of spend you'd need to offset the fact that Citi DC has no signup bonus.   Both Cap One QS and Barclay CashForward have a $100 bonus once spend is met.   In order for DC's extra 0.5% to break even, you'd need to spend over $20,000.   

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That's true, however, one successful price protection claim (either through Citi Price Rewind or through Mastercard's price protection program) can easily offset a $100 bonus. You buy something (say electronic). It drops in price within 60 (120 if World MC) days. They cut you a check. No such luck with Visa/Sig.

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Excellent point.  That also makes Discover a viable contender too, all the more so with their double cash back for the first year.  

[taxi818]

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@Anonymous wrote:

Receiving pre-qual's in the mail and online from Citi...have the Discover It with double cash back promo currently until July of 2016...also have QS Visa Sig, just want to get opinions of those who have the DC to see if it's really that great - thanks in advance!

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Well i have both the QS and the DC. .05% is not a real big deal in the big scheme of things. Its not like we are spending millions where it will make a difference. so if i spend say 1k. I will get $20 cash back as opposed to $15. thats a whole lot for 5 dollars. 10k gets me $200 cash back so not bad. The problem that is a whole lot of spend for a card that citi gives generally low limits. Most of don't have 10k monthly spend on a single credit card. So really does not matter to be honest. I would rather use my Quicksilver with the no  FTF and very low risk of AA as opposed to my DC. But it does get some spend with its 2k limit.