topic Re: Changes to Citi Thank You Program in Credit Cards

Changes to Citi Thank You Program

Anonymous — Wed, 01 May 2013 01:03:11 GMT

I got a separate letter from Citi that came with my Citi card.

Starting July 28th 2013, All restaurants and entertainment purchases are now 2x points. Entertainment include movies, bars, tickets to concerts & sporting events, etc.
I called in to Citi to confirm and an "account specialist" confirmed it.

Also, Citi is discontinuing with the anniversary bonus (at least for me). I will still get 1% bonus at the end of the year, but after that the bonus program is discontinued.

Not sure if this applies to everyone though, especially for people whom are grandfathered into the program.

Overall still happy for 2x dining and entertainment

Re: Changes to Citi Thank You Program

mxp114 — Wed, 01 May 2013 01:06:46 GMT

This is really good news, the annual bonus was a joke anyway. 2x points is much better, I wonder if Premier will get 2x on travel to compete with other AF travel cards. Thanks for posting, so far no letter and when I called Citi, no one knew anything.

Re: Changes to Citi Thank You Program

Anonymous — Wed, 01 May 2013 01:11:03 GMT

I am still on the phone with them lol....

their CSRs seem really confused as to what's going on and it's getting frustrating.

One CSR kept telling me I get 5 bonus points for groceries, gas and drug stores. Technically, I should get 4 bonus points, making it 5X, rather than 5 bonus points which would make it 6X.

I'm trying to figure out how to make my citi online show both my checking and credit card.

Currently it's just showing my checking account. It's so frustrating trying to add my credit card to it. I honestly feel like these reps are trying to troll me or something. They have been transfering me to different departments because its supposedly the other department that is in charge.

Re: Changes to Citi Thank You Program

Anonymous — Wed, 01 May 2013 01:12:46 GMT

So do you have the 5x TYP card? (Or do they think you do!)

2x is a welcome improvement over the normal TY Preferred. But Forward is 5x in those categories, I wonder if this is preparation for that to change (e.g. Forward gets converted to TYP).

I'm just hoping the 5x TYP is still available next March, and that I can apply for i again...

Re: Changes to Citi Thank You Program

Anonymous — Wed, 01 May 2013 01:33:30 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I am still on the phone with them lol....
their CSRs seem really confused as to what's going on and it's getting frustrating.
One CSR kept telling me I get 5 bonus points for groceries, gas and drug stores. Technically, I should get 4 bonus points, making it 5X, rather than 5 bonus points which would make it 6X.

I'm trying to figure out how to make my citi online show both my checking and credit card.
Currently it's just showing my checking account. It's so frustrating trying to add my credit card to it. I honestly feel like these reps are trying to troll me or something. They have been transfering me to different departments because its supposedly the other department that is in charge.

There should be an option thay says link account somewhere near the top, not sure if you saw that part or not. I just had to do it with my thankyou card and it worked fine. I called about consolidating my simplicy credit limit into my thankyou but they wouldnt do it. She did offer me 5x points on anything up to 2500 points for just calling lol.

Re: Changes to Citi Thank You Program

Anonymous — Wed, 01 May 2013 01:38:14 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
So do you have the 5x TYP card? (Or do they think you do!)

2x is a welcome improvement over the normal TY Preferred. But Forward is 5x in those categories, I wonder if this is preparation for that to change (e.g. Forward gets converted to TYP).

I'm just hoping the 5x TYP is still available next March, and that I can apply for i again...

I have the 5x TYP for gas, groceries and drug store. had to talk to a supervisor to get that clarified but i'm glad its clarified now so no surprises later on.

I wish they'll continue improving the benefits. It's really my highest CL at this point but I'm using my Chase cards most of the time for all purchases except for stuff where this TYP or my cash+ has a higher return rate.

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
I am still on the phone with them lol....
their CSRs seem really confused as to what's going on and it's getting frustrating.
One CSR kept telling me I get 5 bonus points for groceries, gas and drug stores. Technically, I should get 4 bonus points, making it 5X, rather than 5 bonus points which would make it 6X.

I'm trying to figure out how to make my citi online show both my checking and credit card.
Currently it's just showing my checking account. It's so frustrating trying to add my credit card to it. I honestly feel like these reps are trying to troll me or something. They have been transfering me to different departments because its supposedly the other department that is in charge.

There should be an option thay says link account somewhere near the top, not sure if you saw that part or not. I just had to do it with my thankyou card and it worked fine. I called about consolidating my simplicy credit limit into my thankyou but they wouldnt do it. She did offer me 5x points on anything up to 2500 points for just calling lol.

lol i hope that they can give me free 5x points like this too next time i call in.

it's so frustrating talking to some of the CSRs.

i tried to link it online, and it asked me to call in to provide some info. So I called in, and the people I talked to were absolutely clueless about what's going on and asked me to do it again on the website. Eventually a supervisor linked it for me w/o even requiring me to provide any info, so I don't know what was going on in the first place.

I'm just happy it's resolved.

Re: Changes to Citi Thank You Program

Anonymous — Wed, 01 May 2013 02:37:38 GMT

I just got my Citi Forward Student in late Feb. and have contacted Citi about issues I've had with my TY points. I only got 1x the amount of points on purchases that were at restaurants and on Amazon, so each of these should've been 5x. I also failed to receive 1,000 bonus TY points for signing up with paperless statements, and the 100 bonus TY points per month for paying on time.

They told me this is an issue with new accounts and should be automatically resolved within a month. Nothing yet, and I have low expectations. I just received a letter in the mail I believe the same as you guys did, stating changes to the program, so now I don't even know what to expect.

Their Citi Forward Student card description still lists all the information about points that I should be getting:

https://creditcards.citi.com/credit-cards/citi-forward-for-college-students/

Not sure what to think now.

Re: Changes to Citi Thank You Program

youngandcreditwrthy — Thu, 02 May 2013 03:42:14 GMT

I'd be confused as h e l l if I had to deal with TY Points.
😳

Good luck to yall! LOL👍👍😄😏

Re: Changes to Citi Thank You Program

asteroidblues86 — Wed, 29 May 2013 02:37:41 GMT

I finally got the same letter in the mail for TY Preferred World MC. Adding 2X on Dining, 2X on entertainment, and "Exclusive events." Also eliminating Anniversary bonus next year and they are giving bonus points for enrolling in online account and paperless only until July 27.

Re: Changes to Citi Thank You Program

Anonymous — Wed, 29 May 2013 02:40:06 GMT

I wish they made cashback / statement credit redemption rates the same.

Redeeming for gift cards or merchandise is kinda stupid.

Re: Changes to Citi Thank You Program

Anonymous — Wed, 29 May 2013 02:46:38 GMT

@asteroidblues86 wrote:
I finally got the same letter in the mail for TY Preferred World MC. Adding 2X on Dining, 2X on entertainment, and "Exclusive events." Also eliminating Anniversary bonus next year and they are giving bonus points for enrolling in online account and paperless only until July 27.

For a "change" this is still not very compelling, just better than it was. This bumps a 1% card into a 2% in a few categories, which lacks a wow factor! Not sure why people would want it compared to a straight 2% card, a card with miles transfer such as Amex/CSP, a card with a bigger bonus (Barclays Arrival and CSP) etc, unless paired with the Premier/Prestige and possibly the forward (if that doesn't go away). But if you have the forward, you already have 5% in these categories. So not sure why Citi does this.

Re: Changes to Citi Thank You Program

Anonymous — Wed, 29 May 2013 02:48:22 GMT

My guess is they are trying to eliminate forward altogether and have people switched over.

Re: Changes to Citi Thank You Program

Anonymous — Wed, 29 May 2013 02:48:50 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I wish they made cashback / statement credit redemption rates the same.
Redeeming for gift cards or merchandise is kinda stupid.

If you have been "good", mortage/student loan check redeems at the same 1:1 rate (and doesn't really have to go to your mortgage).

Re: Changes to Citi Thank You Program

Anonymous — Wed, 29 May 2013 02:49:36 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
My guess is they are trying to eliminate forward altogether and have people switched over.

I agree, and that will be a real downgrade.

Re: Changes to Citi Thank You Program

Anonymous — Wed, 29 May 2013 02:50:32 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
I wish they made cashback / statement credit redemption rates the same.
Redeeming for gift cards or merchandise is kinda stupid.

If you have been "good", mortage/student loan check redeems at the same 1:1 rate (and doesn't really have to go to your mortgage).

tell me more about this

Re: Changes to Citi Thank You Program

Anonymous — Wed, 29 May 2013 02:56:29 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
I wish they made cashback / statement credit redemption rates the same.
Redeeming for gift cards or merchandise is kinda stupid.

If you have been "good", mortage/student loan check redeems at the same 1:1 rate (and doesn't really have to go to your mortgage).
tell me more about this

To get the check for mortgage or student loan, you have to phone up Citi. They ask you which financial institution holds the account. They make out the check to that institution, and send the check to YOU, to forward on (I assume this is to avoid some liability or something if the check doesn't arrive at the lender in time). Many people just name their own bank, e.g. Bank of America, and even using smartphone remote deposit, just deposit the check into their account.

This is another example of Citi sloppiness, or maybe an indication that they don't care. They have your credit record and can see who holds your mortgage(s) etc, and if you claim they have recently changed, they could ask for proof. But they don't, just make out the check to who you say.

The comment about being good: if you have a 5x card or 5x retention offer, and have purchased even one gift card, calling for a check seems to be one trigger that begins the account shutdown process.

Re: Changes to Citi Thank You Program

Anonymous — Wed, 29 May 2013 03:03:46 GMT

ah I haven't bought any gift cards. I was going to until I saw the CL they gave me lol.

So basically I can have the check made out to Chase for example, and I can still deposit that check into my own checking/savings account?

Thanks a lot!

Re: Changes to Citi Thank You Program

asteroidblues86 — Wed, 29 May 2013 03:52:07 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@asteroidblues86 wrote:
I finally got the same letter in the mail for TY Preferred World MC. Adding 2X on Dining, 2X on entertainment, and "Exclusive events." Also eliminating Anniversary bonus next year and they are giving bonus points for enrolling in online account and paperless only until July 27.
For a "change" this is still not very compelling, just better than it was. This bumps a 1% card into a 2% in a few categories, which lacks a wow factor! Not sure why people would want it compared to a straight 2% card, a card with miles transfer such as Amex/CSP, a card with a bigger bonus (Barclays Arrival and CSP) etc, unless paired with the Premier/Prestige and possibly the forward (if that doesn't go away). But if you have the forward, you already have 5% in these categories. So not sure why Citi does this.

I agree but for me I'm happy considering my card at one time had no rewards whatsoever!

Re: Changes to Citi Thank You Program

Anonymous — Wed, 29 May 2013 04:06:47 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
My guess is they are trying to eliminate forward altogether and have people switched over.

That' a VERY bad news for me. I just got their Forward Student card.

Re: Changes to Citi Thank You Program

Anonymous — Wed, 29 May 2013 05:35:30 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
My guess is they are trying to eliminate forward altogether and have people switched over.
That' a VERY bad news for me. I just got their Forward Student card.

The switch shouldn't happen until end of this year though. My guess that is.