CITI PC question

[Happychap]

I have just attempted to PC my Thankyou Preferred card to  Thankyou premier card to no avail.  The rep placed me on hold and stated there were no conversion offers on my account yet and to check back in 6 months.  I have had the card for six years - 6k CL-  perfect history.  My question is, do you really have to wait for the computer to send you a conversion offer before you can PC? or was I just being given the run around?   I called the retention number a few days ago also, the lady wasn't really helpful she said same thing almost "I do not see a conversion offer at the moment" and put me through straight to 'applications' to apply for a new card.   I sent a secure message just now and that got escalated, but Im sure I will be told the same thing.  Just seems odd as to why they can't just convert it manually.   Thoughts or advice?

[jm00ser]

Happychap, I've had the same experience as you! The CSRs have been less than helpful regarding the upgrade/PC of the ThankYou card. I have just the standard TY card and was hoping to PC to the preferred or even Premier, but like with you, they seemed to suggest that it requires an entire new app. They did however recently upgrade the MC to a World and have been generous when I hit the LUV button! Hopefully someone else has had success with the PC/upgrade?

[Anonymous]

I don't have a Citi card, but bank with them regularly. My thoughts are this: 1) If you have a good banking relationship, go to a branch, and they may be able to address it locally. If not, 2) try finding one of the numbers for the Executive Office. If it were me, I'd explain to them you've had it for 6 years, it's a great card, you love using it, but think you could get even more use and value out of the Premier version. However, you take your credit very seriously, and didn't "just want to apply for another card." You tried calling customer service and retention, and they were far less then helpful. You don't usually like to resort to this sort of "escalation," but you value your business with them, and think it would be mutually beneficial if you could do a product change --you could potentially add you don't want a hard pull, but gauge the tone and manner of the call and see if this would be 'pushing it'--. I would also think about if it's worth a HP for you? That is, if they did switch it over, is it worth the 'ding?'  I'm not saying they will or would, just one of those things to mentally prepare yourself before calling, IMO.

Edit: Just wanted to add, as I think most of us know, with a few exceptions CSR are at the "lower spectrum" of making decisions. It's not that they're intrinsically incapable, of course, but the management 'as a policy' doesn't want them making those decisions at their discretion, you know? I would definitely try the Executive/Corporate approach. In any instance where I've dealt with high-level decision makers with problems (Comcast, Verizon, Best Buy, etc...) I've gotten a lot of help with that tier, so to speak.

I don't know if it'll help -- I haven't used the numbers, but I have them if you DM message me--. There are two numbers that might be of help. One is for Citibank Executive Responsive Office in NYC, and the other is for Citibank Executive Response Unit. These deal with general banking and credit issues at a higher level. As I said, I'm not sure if they'll work, but if anyone messages me, you're welcome to them...

GL.

Hope this helps.

[Happychap]

jm00ser - yup I have the world card also,  and I just got a cli. I rarely used the card but wanted to use it more now, which is why I want to PC to get better rewards etc.   Nice to see im not my own pulling my hair out with these people!

Dagansinfern0 - thanks for your detailed response   Regarding the HP I did just recently apply for a new account but got denied for too many inq. I applied after an app spree and wasn't expecting them to pull EQ, which is where all my apps at the time were at!  that is why I thought going down the PC route, but it looks like I just have to wait 6 months and re-apply for a new account again.. Unless of course I get some success with the PC between now and then with the corporate approach!

[Anonymous]

Right now there is an offer for 50k TY points after spending $2500 in 3 months. I guess it worth to apply for a new TY premier. Just keep the old one for sake of AAoA.

[Anonymous]

You cant product change because its a different class of card. However if you have a preferred card that is a more difficult card to get then the premier. You dont want to product change