topic Re: Converting Citi Simplicity to Citi Costco? in Credit Cards

Converting Citi Simplicity to Citi Costco?

dudeman27 — Sat, 30 Apr 2022 22:02:20 GMT

I've read in these forums and elsewhere of instances where people have converted their simplicity to the costco card. I have been periodically calling Citi over the past, I don't know, probably year, to see if they will convert the card. I'm trying to avoid an inquiry because I plan on getting an auto loan later this year.

Every single time I call, they say that an offer to convert isn't on my account. The reps have told me that about every other card they offer is on there, but not Costco. I asked the reps if there are any restrictions that would prevent me from converting (like minimum credit line amounts, product restrictions, etc) and they say no. I know reps can give wrong info, so I'm wondering if anyone else has some insight on why I'm not able to convert.

FICO 08 scores are around ~775, utilization, income, etc on all other factors look great, but I can provide more info if needed.

Re: Converting Citi Simplicity to Citi Costco?

FinStar — Sat, 30 Apr 2022 22:13:35 GMT

Unfortunately, the agents are not able to view or see the underlying cause for such restrictions. If the system doesn't allow it, it simply won't have the PC option.

A variety of Citi legacy products are hard coded internally. In some cases this is what prevents some PCs for some accounts while others can PC without an issue. There's really not much that you can do except keep trying until it eventually has the option to do so. Citi often re-codes some product families over time which allows previously restricted products to PC to others at some point.

Did you try to see whether there were other products available or just Costco?

Re: Converting Citi Simplicity to Citi Costco?

dudeman27 — Sat, 30 Apr 2022 22:27:38 GMT

@FinStar Yep every time I call they mention how about every other card they offer is on their PC list, just not Costco. Sometimes the reps will even try and get me to PC to another card, and I always say no I want the Costco card and will try again later (the website also tries to get me to convert to Custom Cash most times when I log in). I call about every 2-3 months to check and see, but at this point I'm getting impatient. If I can't PC by the time I get my auto loan, I'll probably just apply for it afterwards (but then will lose out on the rewards between now and then).

Re: Converting Citi Simplicity to Citi Costco?

Gunnerboy — Sat, 30 Apr 2022 22:37:21 GMT

I'm curious if you PC to one of the eligible cards, then try to PC that to Costco, if that would work.. Might be a workaround.

Re: Converting Citi Simplicity to Citi Costco?

dudeman27 — Sat, 30 Apr 2022 22:41:46 GMT

@Gunnerboy That has been my thought as well when they offer Custom Cash all the time, but I was worried there would be some type of waiting period like there can be for CLIs. Do you know if Citi imposes wait times between PCs?

Re: Converting Citi Simplicity to Citi Costco?

FinStar — Sat, 30 Apr 2022 22:45:14 GMT

@dudeman27 wrote:
@FinStar Yep every time I call they mention how about every other card they offer is on their PC list, just not Costco. Sometimes the reps will even try and get me to PC to another card, and I always say no I want the Costco card and will try again later. I call about every 2-3 months to check and see, but at this point I'm getting impatient. If I can't PC by the time I get my auto loan, I'll probably just apply for it afterwards (but then will lose out on the rewards between now and then).

Since none of us are privy to those internal elements, it's really going to be up to you to decide on applying for the Costco card separately.

FWIW, Citi Simplicity used to be one of the most restricted account types as far as PCs go. Over the years, we have seen members post targeted invitations to switch Simplicity onto something else and some members have called and had it successfully PC'd onto other Citi products. Personally, I would've recommended to Citi 'bunny hop' process where you PC to an available option to exit Simplicity, then after after a few months, PC onto the desired one.

Re: Converting Citi Simplicity to Citi Costco?

FinStar — Sat, 30 Apr 2022 22:47:25 GMT

@dudeman27 wrote:
@Gunnerboy That has been my thought as well when they offer Custom Cash all the time, but I was worried there would be some type of waiting period like there can be for CLIs. Do you know if Citi imposes wait times between PCs?

It's not as restrictive as a CLI. You can PC again once you have passed the ~45-day period that Citi allows to switch back. So, 2 months at best (give or take).

Re: Converting Citi Simplicity to Citi Costco?

Gunnerboy — Sat, 30 Apr 2022 22:53:00 GMT

@dudeman27 The only minimum wait that I know of is 12 months for the original card. Citi seems to be really flexible when it comes to PC'ing, so it would surprise me if there is a minimum wait period. Ask them, then let us know!

Re: Converting Citi Simplicity to Citi Costco?

wasCB14 — Sat, 30 Apr 2022 23:09:34 GMT

Does the card need to have a $0 balance, given that Simplicity (IIRC) has no late fees?

Re: Converting Citi Simplicity to Citi Costco?

FinStar — Sat, 30 Apr 2022 23:11:29 GMT

@wasCB14 wrote:
Does the card need to have a $0 balance, given that Simplicity (IIRC) has no late fees?

No.

Re: Converting Citi Simplicity to Citi Costco?

FinStar — Sat, 30 Apr 2022 23:26:39 GMT

@dudeman27 wrote:
I've read in these forums and elsewhere of instances where people have converted their simplicity to the costco card. I have been periodically calling Citi over the past, I don't know, probably year, to see if they will convert the card. I'm trying to avoid an inquiry because I plan on getting an auto loan later this year.

@dudeman27- out of curiosity, when did you get approved for Simplicity?

Re: Converting Citi Simplicity to Citi Costco?

dudeman27 — Sun, 01 May 2022 01:25:50 GMT

@FinStar January 2018. I've tried with and without a balance, so definitely doesn't matter. Considering my history and the comments here, I'll probably use the bunny hop method and convert to Custom Cash, then try Costco. I just need to call and make sure that my existing 0% balance transfer won't be affected (it will be paid off soon anyway) and there isn't a prohibitive wait time to PC again.

Re: Converting Citi Simplicity to Citi Costco?

FinStar — Sun, 01 May 2022 01:38:33 GMT

@dudeman27 wrote:
@FinStar January 2018. I've tried with and without a balance, so definitely doesn't matter. Considering my history and the comments here, I'll probably use the bunny hop method and convert to Custom Cash, then try Costco. I just need to call and make sure that my existing 0% balance transfer won't be affected (it will be paid off soon anyway) and there isn't a prohibitive wait time to PC again.

Ok, the only reason I asked is b/c the card usually runs an intro 0% APR for 21 months. Typically, the intro promotion needs to end/expire before a PC can be considered. The same would apply for other cards that offer an intro APR promo such as Diamond Preferred, Double Cash or Custom Cash.

Re: Converting Citi Simplicity to Citi Costco?

dudeman27 — Sun, 01 May 2022 22:37:19 GMT

So I called Citi and converted to the Double Cash instead of Custom Cash (only 5% on first $500). The rep said that the "standard" waiting period is PC'ing, then retaining it for 1 year before it can be converted to something else. She wasn't super confident so I'm hoping that's wrong. If not then I'll hard apply for the Costco after the auto loan and ask them to combine credit lines (not sure if Citi does that).

They said the conversion finalizes on 6/21, so I'm going to be checking the validity of her statement on that date and will post an update on what I find out.

Re: Converting Citi Simplicity to Citi Costco?

FinStar — Sun, 01 May 2022 22:54:52 GMT

@dudeman27 wrote:
So I called Citi and converted to the Double Cash instead of Custom Cash (only 5% on first $500). The rep said that the "standard" waiting period is PC'ing, then retaining it for 1 year before it can be converted to something else. She wasn't super confident so I'm hoping that's wrong. If not then I'll hard apply for the Costco after the auto loan and ask them to combine credit lines (not sure if Citi does that).

They said the conversion finalizes on 6/21, so I'm going to be checking the validity of her statement on that date and will post an update on what I find out.

Well, at least you're no longer restricted to Simplicity + you can earn some rewards in the interim. Your online account should refelct the change by now, if anything. Unfortunately, Citi is not known for combining or reallocating limits, not in the traditional way that Chase, Barclays or AmEx does, for example. The efforts typically involve escalation, a HP, and the entire [donor] CC limit cannot be xfrd.

At the end of June (or sometime in July), you can contact them again and see whether you can PC Double Cash to Costco. If unsuccessful, then keep tyring unless you want the Costco CC in the immediate future.

Re: Converting Citi Simplicity to Citi Costco?

dudeman27 — Sun, 01 May 2022 23:04:47 GMT

It has shown up online already, within 5 minutes of hanging up. To be honest, I likely won't ever use this card until I can convert to Costco. I already have a lot of other prime cards from Chase and Amex with better rewards. I truly only wanted the Costco card. Time will tell.

Re: Converting Citi Simplicity to Citi Costco?

xenon3030 — Mon, 02 May 2022 04:48:20 GMT

At Costco, you may simply use Affinity cash rewards to get 2% (if in a quarterly Hi5 category, it will be 7%). Using the other cards, you may also get ~3-5%.

Costco CC is a dead end and it cannot get PCed to any other card. Anyway, it might be good to have it sine one time at a Costco warehouse last week, all Visa networks were down and they were only accepting Citi Visa CC or cash.

Re: Converting Citi Simplicity to Citi Costco?

Physh1 — Mon, 02 May 2022 16:25:26 GMT

1 inquiry isn't going to impact your ability to get a car loan. I'd just apply for the Costco card if you want it.