topic Re: Citi Costco in Credit Cards

Citi Costco

MyFault — Thu, 06 Feb 2020 22:14:48 GMT

So, i'd like for the Citi Costco card to be my next card. Mostly for some additional util padding, but also because i can then use it for Citi presale concert tickets. There are some good shows this year, that i could benefit from that perk.

With only 2% back at costco, i'll likely continue to use my CFU instead since the redemption is higher when xfering points from CFU to CSP.

Anyway, the point of this post is to ask...

Is it better to apply for the card at Costco in person, or via the Citi website? Does it really matter? I'm thinking of going after it this month, possibly.

Re: Citi Costco

wasCB14 — Thu, 06 Feb 2020 22:34:27 GMT

Applying in person can sometimes give you some small item of merchandise, like a reusable shopping bag. At one point they offered a $55 statement credit (2017? 2018?) when applying in person.

I got an AA Platinum Select with a nice SUB in early 2016, then PCed to Costco in early 2017. That gave me the combination of a great bonus and a reasonable long-term earn rate.

I use BofA Premium now for most Costco spend. Costco just gets gas and extended warranty stuff.

Re: Citi Costco

NimbusIII — Thu, 06 Feb 2020 22:40:40 GMT

I believe in stores right now they are offering a free backpack. I often wondered however if your approval odds increase in store where a membership is a factor.

Re: Citi Costco

K-in-Boston — Thu, 06 Feb 2020 23:02:02 GMT

If you don't plan to use the card at Costco, would it make more sense to consider the Premier which has a massive SUB and also earns bonus points on entertainment? You could always PC it later, or like many of us get it to churn and then instead end up keeping it because it's a good card.

Edit: And seeing that you have a US Bank card, have you run the numbers for Altitude Reserve? Every Costco I have been to should be set up to earn you 4.5% back with that card.

Re: Citi Costco

Anonymous — Thu, 06 Feb 2020 22:58:50 GMT

^^That's a good idea, K-in-Boston!

Re: Citi Costco

MyFault — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 01:29:15 GMT

@K-in-Boston wrote:
If you don't plan to use the card at Costco, would it make more sense to consider the Premier which has a massive SUB and also earns bonus points on entertainment? You could always PC it later, or like many of us get it to churn and then instead end up keeping it because it's a good card.

Edit: And seeing that you have a US Bank card, have you run the numbers for Altitude Reserve? Every Costco I have been to should be set up to earn you 4.5% back with that card.

My USBank card is a corporate card via my company. So, i'm not sure they'll consider that as a USBank relationship. I love the idea of the Altitude reserve, but right now my daily spend all goes on my CFU and CSP for UR points. I'm not sure i can justify the $400 AF, if i'm even eligible.

I've looked at the Premier also, again like the Altitude Reserve, i just don't want another AF card that i don't plan to use daily. I already have the Platinum, and plan to PC my CSP to the CSR in July when i'm eligibile. IF i can PC the Premier to the Costco card after 1 year, maybe it would make sense. But i didn't think that was an option.

Re: Citi Costco

K-in-Boston — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 01:45:06 GMT

A PC should certainly be an option. wasCB14 mentioned doing so up thread. I believe the restrictions often come with PCing a Costco Card to another card. Otherwise, Citi is one of the most flexible issuers when it comes to PCs.

Even if you don't use the SUB for travel, you could cash out the $600 and more than offset that $95 AF.

Re: Citi Costco

Guyatthebeach — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 01:46:19 GMT

I applied online and was approved for $5,000. I think it doesn't matter if your apply online or in the club.

Let's us know the outcome.

Guyatthebeach

Re: Citi Costco

wasCB14 — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 01:49:22 GMT

@NimbusIII wrote:
I believe in stores right now they are offering a free backpack. I often wondered however if your approval odds increase in store where a membership is a factor.

Membership is a requirement for the card no matter how one applies. When I called to PC I had to provide my membership number for them to process the PC.

Re: Citi Costco

MyFault — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 01:53:31 GMT

@K-in-Boston wrote:
A PC should certainly be an option. wasCB14 mentioned doing so up thread. I believe the restrictions often come with PCing a Costco Card to another card. Otherwise, Citi is one of the most flexible issuers when it comes to PCs.

Even if you don't use the SUB for travel, you could cash out the $600 and more than offset that $95 AF.

These are good points. I just may look at the premier as an option. If i do that i'll wait a few more months until i've hit my Platinum SUB.

Are there any xfer partners with ThankYou points? Or do you have to use their travel portal. I've never had a Citi card before.

United, Delta, Marriott or worst case, Hilton, would be where i'd want to use them.

Re: Citi Costco

K-in-Boston — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 01:57:57 GMT

@MyFault wrote:
@K-in-Boston wrote:
A PC should certainly be an option. wasCB14 mentioned doing so up thread. I believe the restrictions often come with PCing a Costco Card to another card. Otherwise, Citi is one of the most flexible issuers when it comes to PCs.

Even if you don't use the SUB for travel, you could cash out the $600 and more than offset that $95 AF.
These are good points. I just may look at the premier as an option. If i do that i'll wait a few more months until i've hit my Platinum SUB.

Are there any xfer partners with ThankYou points? Or do you have to use their travel portal. I've never had a Citi card before.
United, Delta, Marriott or worst case, Hilton, would be where i'd want to use them.

Citi has a lot of partners, but mostly non-US airlines. There are Star Alliance partners for United. For Delta, they transfer to both Virgin Atlantic (awesome for direct flights on Delta especially Delta One) and Flying Blue (Air France/KLM). URs, MRs, and Marriott also transfer to both Virgin and Flying Blue so they can be great for pooling with other reward programs.

Re: Citi Costco

wasCB14 — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 01:58:28 GMT

https://www.thankyou.com/partnerProgramsListing.htm?src=TYUSENG

TY Partners.

Re: Citi Costco

K-in-Boston — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 02:00:35 GMT

@wasCB14 wrote:
https://www.thankyou.com/partnerProgramsListing.htm?src=TYUSENG

TY Partners.

I always forget about Aeromexico being a partner, too. Another pooling option except for URs.

Re: Citi Costco

MyFault — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 03:06:07 GMT

@K-in-Boston wrote:

Citi has a lot of partners, but mostly non-US airlines. There are Star Alliance partners for United. For Delta, they transfer to both Virgin Atlantic (awesome for direct flights on Delta especially Delta One) and Flying Blue (Air France/KLM). URs, MRs, and Marriott also transfer to both Virgin and Flying Blue so they can be great for pooling with other reward programs.

So, i have a question about "Star Alliance Partners". Since MR points can't be xfered to United also. I created an account with Air Canada, who's a Star Partner for United.

So, If i want to book a flight with United with points i xfer from Amex to Air Canada, i simply call United and tell them to use my Air Canada points? Is that how that "partnership" works?

I would honestly love to fly Delta more, but i'm in Houston and we're a United Hub. So, there are way more direct flights with United.

Re: Citi Costco

K-in-Boston — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 03:33:11 GMT

No, everything would go into your Air Canada account and you would use the Air Canada website or call Air Canada to book. United would not have access to your Air Canada frequent flyer account. I'm not overly familiar with Star Alliance, so I can't say if that is the best way to book United flights or not. SkyTeam I know pretty well.

Re: Citi Costco

KLEXH25 — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 04:04:34 GMT

I have the same issue. I have MR points but live by a United hub, so I've been looking into it. Found this helpful article on how to do it:

https://www.comparecards.com/blog/amex-points-united-flights/

Re: Citi Costco

MrPepperoni — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 07:25:31 GMT

Does it make any difference if you apply in branch? I have Citibank across the street and I am targeting this card this month as well.

Re: Citi Costco

Anonymous — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 07:58:50 GMT

@MrPepperoni wrote:
Does it make any difference if you apply in branch? I have Citibank across the street and I am targeting this card this month as well.

Online, In branch, At a Costco.....makes no difference. They do not have different underwriting based on where you apply.

Re: Citi Costco

AverageJoesCredit — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 14:03:16 GMT

The only difference in applying online and in store is you give a person in store the chance to steal your info while online is much safer ( lol) .

Jk....

Or am i? To this day i still feel my Sams card fraud came from applying in store

Re: Citi Costco

Anonymous — Fri, 07 Feb 2020 20:36:05 GMT

thanks!

this will come in handy for me since i'm also in a united hub city.

@KLEXH25 wrote:
I have the same issue. I have MR points but live by a United hub, so I've been looking into it. Found this helpful article on how to do it:
https://www.comparecards.com/blog/amex-points-united-flights/