topic Re: Citi product change question: Downgrading from Strata or Premier to Rewards+ in Credit Cards

Citi product change question: Downgrading from Strata or Premier to Rewards+

TyrannicalDuncery3 — Thu, 22 Aug 2024 18:10:44 GMT

I'm thinking of going for Strata next year. After a year, I was hoping to downgrade to Rewards+, keep the points and redeem them for +10%. (I only care about statement credit.) Based on google, I think this will work. Am I wrong? Any pitfalls?

If I don't hear back, I'll probably try it next year and let you know how it goes.

Re: Citi product change question: Downgrading from Strata or Premier to Rewards+

ptatohed — Thu, 22 Aug 2024 18:19:12 GMT

What is special about the Strata Premier? Just the 75,000 intro bonus? Or something else?

I believe the Strata Premier is similar to the Rewards+ in that the TY points are not 1cpp when redeemed for cash. So, if you want 1cpp, I think you'll have to link it (and/or your future R+) to another citi card such as DC or CC to be able to redeem for 1cpp (or 1.1cpp when linked with the R+).

Re: Citi product change question: Downgrading from Strata or Premier to Rewards+

TyrannicalDuncery3 — Thu, 22 Aug 2024 18:36:32 GMT

Thanks! Wow, I didn't realize that. Nothing special about Strata other than intro bonus and ability to downgrade to a Citi that I would actually want. I do indeed want statement credit, you know me quite well.

So you're saying I could transfer the 75k points from Strata to DC or something, then back to Rewards+? I'll have to read up on this more. Thanks for saving me from a rash decision.

Re: Citi product change question: Downgrading from Strata or Premier to Rewards+

ptatohed — Thu, 22 Aug 2024 18:58:19 GMT

@TyrannicalDuncery3 wrote:
Thanks! Wow, I didn't realize that. Nothing special about Strata other than intro bonus and ability to downgrade to a Citi that I would actually want. I do indeed want statement credit, you know me quite well.

So you're saying I could transfer the 75k points from Strata to DC or something, then back to Rewards+? I'll have to read up on this more. Thanks for saving me from a rash decision.

Yeah, if I remember correctly, before linking my R+ with my CC and DC, it would only redeem at .5cpp for cash. When you link the R+ with CC / DC, the R+ gets the benefit of 1cpp redemption and the CC and DC get the power of 10% boost each cash redemption (up to $100 extra CB per year). Win win.

I'm guessing (don't know for sure) that the Strata Premier would give CB at .5cpp as well. And I can only guess (don't know for sure) that if you link the SP to a DC or CC, it can then be cashed out at 1cpp.

No, it's not a 'transfer' per se. You simply link all your cards. The DC and CC will link automatically because they are in the same family. If you link a R+ (I can confirm) or a SP (I can only speculate), then your TYPs are all pooled together. You need to call to link your R+ with your other cards.

Re: Citi product change question: Downgrading from Strata or Premier to Rewards+

coldfusion — Thu, 22 Aug 2024 22:29:44 GMT

@ptatohed wrote:
I'm guessing (don't know for sure) that the Strata Premier would give CB at .5cpp as well. And I can only guess (don't know for sure) that if you link the SP to a DC or CC, it can then be cashed out at 1cpp.

No, it's not a 'transfer' per se. You simply link all your cards. The DC and CC will link automatically because they are in the same family. If you link a R+ (I can confirm) or a SP (I can only speculate), then your TYPs are all pooled together. You need to call to link your R+ with your other cards.

The Premier redeems for cash at 1 pp. When you join multiple cards into a single TYP account all existing TYP are merged into that single account and all new TYP earned from that point forward from any card attached to that pool are placed in that shared pool. IIRC when I first created my shared pool I had to designate which card was the primary but that was long enough ago that I can't remember for sure.

If you already have TYP with your R+ and you link it with existing cards that also have TYP all the points get rolled in together into the single account.

Making sure that all your TYP earners are linked together into a single TYP account at worst takes a phone call and if appropriate all points will be consolidated into that single account, none fall onto the floor.

Re: Citi product change question: Downgrading from Strata or Premier to Rewards+

UncleB — Fri, 23 Aug 2024 07:52:37 GMT

@TyrannicalDuncery3 wrote:
I'm thinking of going for Strata next year. After a year, I was hoping to downgrade to Rewards+, keep the points and redeem them for +10%. (I only care about statement credit.) Based on google, I think this will work. Am I wrong? Any pitfalls?

If I don't hear back, I'll probably try it next year and let you know how it goes.

I've had the Premier twice, and both times I downgraded with no drama.

The only notable thing I specifically remember from the second time (earlier this year) is that I had to wait for the AF to post before I had the option do make the change. The AF was then refunded to my newly PCed Custom Cash account shortly after the conversion.

When you get the new card, make sure your TYP accounts are all linked like others have mentioned. I currently have a DC, two CCs, and a Rewards+ account all linked together under a single TYP account.

Edited to add: I may have jumped the gun with assuming you already have another Citi account; if so please disregard that part but the details about the downgrade still apply.

Re: Citi product change question: Downgrading from Strata or Premier to Rewards+

Anonymous — Fri, 23 Aug 2024 10:35:58 GMT

@TyrannicalDuncery3

The Citi cards are a long game setup.

If you start with the Strata and PC it you lose the sign up bonus of the "PCed to" card unless you already have one; like the Custom.
In this case (Rewards+) it is 20,000 points (which alone seems to be .5 cpp) and 18 month 0% APR intro.

And you would only be looking to gain an extra 7500 from the Stratas points from the 10% Rewards+ redemption on top of sitting on the Stratas sub points for a year to PC it in hopes it all works.

Also, the Rewards+ really is a companion card.

I would suggest

Start with a Citi Custom for the $200 sub and 15 month 0% APR intro
Later date app for the Rewards+ 20,000 points and 15 month 0% APR intro. Will be a true $200 sub when tied to the Custom and makes the Custom 5.55%
Later date app for the Strata and makes the sub $825 (Based on 75,000 sub)
One year later PC the Strata into your 2nd Custom

Re: Citi product change question: Downgrading from Strata or Premier to Rewards+

unsungivy — Fri, 23 Aug 2024 11:38:56 GMT

@TyrannicalDuncery3 wrote:
Thanks! Wow, I didn't realize that. Nothing special about Strata other than intro bonus and ability to downgrade to a Citi that I would actually want. I do indeed want statement credit, you know me quite well.

So you're saying I could transfer the 75k points from Strata to DC or something, then back to Rewards+? I'll have to read up on this more. Thanks for saving me from a rash decision.

Planning for ahead for next year does not come under the description of "rash decision." 🤣

Re: Citi product change question: Downgrading from Strata or Premier to Rewards+

TyrannicalDuncery3 — Fri, 23 Aug 2024 14:55:53 GMT

Thanks for everybody's help! It sounds like there are two big downsides to my original plan, they are kind of all summarized in Schmidt's plan.

Opportunity cost: No more shot at getting the SUB/intro APR from Rewards+, one less chance to try to P/C into an extra CC.
I don't have any other TYP cards. So if I start with Strata and downgrade to Rewards+, I will no longer have the Strata so I probably won't have the 1cpp for cash anymore.

I will also note that I've seen scattered reports on reddit that Citi may be cracking down on P/Cs into CCC (but maybe those people are speculating/reacting to anecdotes).

So y'all have convinced me to play more of a long game.

Re: Citi product change question: Downgrading from Strata or Premier to Rewards+

SouthJamaica — Fri, 23 Aug 2024 15:29:53 GMT

@ptatohed wrote:
T,

What is special about the Strata Premier? Just the 75,000 intro bonus? Or something else?

I believe the Strata Premier is similar to the Rewards+ in that the TY points are not 1cpp when redeemed for cash. So, if you want 1cpp, I think you'll have to link it (and/or your future R+) to another citi card such as DC or CC to be able to redeem for 1cpp (or 1.1cpp when linked with the R+).

I have the Strata Premier. The TYP's are 1 cpp when redeemed for cash.

Re: Citi product change question: Downgrading from Strata or Premier to Rewards+

ptatohed — Fri, 23 Aug 2024 15:45:08 GMT

@SouthJamaica wrote:
@ptatohed wrote:
T,

What is special about the Strata Premier? Just the 75,000 intro bonus? Or something else?

I believe the Strata Premier is similar to the Rewards+ in that the TY points are not 1cpp when redeemed for cash. So, if you want 1cpp, I think you'll have to link it (and/or your future R+) to another citi card such as DC or CC to be able to redeem for 1cpp (or 1.1cpp when linked with the R+).
I have the Strata Premier. The TYP's are 1 cpp when redeemed for cash.

Is it linked to your other 1cpp redeeming citi card(s)? (citi DC)

Re: Citi product change question: Downgrading from Strata or Premier to Rewards+

SouthJamaica — Fri, 23 Aug 2024 18:38:33 GMT

@ptatohed wrote:
@SouthJamaica wrote:
@ptatohed wrote:
T,

What is special about the Strata Premier? Just the 75,000 intro bonus? Or something else?

I believe the Strata Premier is similar to the Rewards+ in that the TY points are not 1cpp when redeemed for cash. So, if you want 1cpp, I think you'll have to link it (and/or your future R+) to another citi card such as DC or CC to be able to redeem for 1cpp (or 1.1cpp when linked with the R+).
I have the Strata Premier. The TYP's are 1 cpp when redeemed for cash.
Is it linked to your other 1cpp redeeming citi card(s)? (citi DC)

Yes I linked my DC to my Premier (now Strata).

Re: Citi product change question: Downgrading from Strata or Premier to Rewards+

ptatohed — Fri, 23 Aug 2024 18:56:19 GMT

@SouthJamaica wrote:
@ptatohed wrote:
@SouthJamaica wrote:
@ptatohed wrote:
T,

What is special about the Strata Premier? Just the 75,000 intro bonus? Or something else?

I believe the Strata Premier is similar to the Rewards+ in that the TY points are not 1cpp when redeemed for cash. So, if you want 1cpp, I think you'll have to link it (and/or your future R+) to another citi card such as DC or CC to be able to redeem for 1cpp (or 1.1cpp when linked with the R+).
I have the Strata Premier. The TYP's are 1 cpp when redeemed for cash.
Is it linked to your other 1cpp redeeming citi card(s)? (citi DC)
Yes I linked my DC to my Premier (now Strata).

Again, I could be wrong but I am thinking that a Strata Premier would only give CB at .5cpp by itself, without being linked, just like the R+.

Re: Citi product change question: Downgrading from Strata or Premier to Rewards+

SouthJamaica — Sat, 24 Aug 2024 03:51:04 GMT

@ptatohed wrote:
@SouthJamaica wrote:
@ptatohed wrote:
@SouthJamaica wrote:
@ptatohed wrote:
T,

What is special about the Strata Premier? Just the 75,000 intro bonus? Or something else?

I believe the Strata Premier is similar to the Rewards+ in that the TY points are not 1cpp when redeemed for cash. So, if you want 1cpp, I think you'll have to link it (and/or your future R+) to another citi card such as DC or CC to be able to redeem for 1cpp (or 1.1cpp when linked with the R+).
I have the Strata Premier. The TYP's are 1 cpp when redeemed for cash.
Is it linked to your other 1cpp redeeming citi card(s)? (citi DC)
Yes I linked my DC to my Premier (now Strata).
Again, I could be wrong but I am thinking that a Strata Premier would only give CB at .5cpp by itself, without being linked, just like the R+.

My recollection is that this is considered my Premier TYP account, and that it was the Double Cash account that was linked to the Premier account, to get the advantage of higher travel redemption values.

Re: Citi product change question: Downgrading from Strata or Premier to Rewards+

okurosetta — Sat, 24 Aug 2024 13:48:06 GMT

Great feedback here - I've been looking to ask some questions about product changes with Citi and may as well here.

In my case, I have:

Custom Cash - $7k
Custom Cash - $6.9k
Strata Premier - $6.2k - annual fee in February, over a year old
AAdvantage Plat - $13.7k - annual fee in February, under a year old

I ultimately want:

Custom Cash
Custom Cash
Strata Premier
Rewards+

My questions: I've already paid my Strata Premier annual fee six months ago. We have also already used the $100 credit. Is there anything preventing me from downgrading halfway through the anniversary year? And is there a limit on product changes, like x every y months? I am assuming that I won't get any of the annual fee back, and since I paid the fee that it is fine that the credit has been utilized.

Rambling ahead - above is tl;dr, below shows my thought procss:

I have thought of applying for Rewards+, as well as been declined for such several times, but ultimately what adding another Citi TYP-earning card would do is allow me to PC the AAdvantage Plat to a Double Cash, and I already have several non-category cards. Sure I could do a third Custom Cash, but I don't want to play with another $500 cap. So, at least right now, I no longer have plans to apply for Rewards+.

The easiest method would be to PC my AAdvantage Plat into a Rewards+, but then I'd have a card that minimal spend is put on with my highest Citi credit limit. I don't really care about the limits on my Custom Cash's, since those only see up to $500/month, but I sometimes put large expenses on my Premier.

To avoid further rambling, I think these are my options:

Easiest option: wait until February for AAdvantage Plat to be a year old, then PC it to Rewards+, accept that I cannot reallocate limits with Citi and try to get the Strata Premier's limit bumped over time
Quickest to Rewards+ option: PC my Strata Premier (if OK with losing points transfers for a bit) or a Custom Cash (if OK with losing 5X for a bit) to a Rewards+ now, which activates the 10% bonus and secures the card I've been after, then wait until February and PC my AAdvantage Plat to a Strata Premier or Custom Cash (if multiples via PC still allowed)
Double PC option: wait until February and PC Strata Premier to Rewards+ then PC AAdvantage Plat to Strata Premier, which is likely the best option, only risk is Rewards+ possibly being restructured before then, which could affect existing cardholders anyways - this may or may not be possible, not sure if PC's can be so close to each other

Seems like option 3 would be best as long as PC's can be done close to each other. Both routes under option 2 have cons - if I PC'd my Strata Premier to Rewards+ I'd activate the 10% boost but lose the ability to transfer, and I'll never redeem my TYP for cashback so this would mean waiting until February to transfer anyways. And if I PC'd a Custom Cash to Rewards+, it is possible they'll stop allowing PCs to Custom Cash within the next six months and thus I might not be able to get a second again.