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I was approved for the Citi AAdvantage WEMC card last month on the 24th with an SL of $11K and a APR of 24.24% - just 2.00% shy of the Maximum APR for the card. I always PIF, so I wasn't really concerned about the APR assigned to my account, AT THAT TIME.
The card has a SUB of 60K miles with a $3K spend.
Since then, my 1st statement cut on Feb. 5th with a balance due of $1,118.98 and I PIF on the 15th. After Feb. 5, my balance grew an additional $2,170.55. Before the March 5th statement is cut, today I PIF the $2,170.55, leaving a ZERO balance.
Next, I decided to focus on that Large APR of 24.24% and started an online Chat. The Rep could only give me an reduction to 22.24%. I wasn't satisfied with that offer and politely declined it, picked up the phone and dialed the number on the back of the Card.
Spoke to a very nice lady at Citi and requested an APR reduction. She came back with the same 22.24% as the Chat Rep offered. So, I asked if she had a better offer and she said that this was the ONLY offer 'The System' was giving to her. Without me saying a word about my Citi PIF payments, she said let me see what i can do and puts me on hold.
About a minute later, she comes back on the line and offers me - WAIT FOR IT - 18.24%!!!
I verified the new APR with my online account while she was still on the phone. OH HAPPY DAY!!!
@Marz2002 wrote:I was approved for the Citi AAdvantage WEMC card last month on the 24th with an SL of $11K and a APR of 24.24% - just 2.00% shy of the Maximum APR for the card. I always PIF, so I wasn't really concerned about the APR assigned to my account, AT THAT TIME.
The card has a SUB of 60K miles with a $3K spend.
Since then, my 1st statement cut on Feb. 5th with a balance due of $1,118.98 and I PIF on the 15th. After Feb. 5, my balance grew an additional $2,170.55. Before the March 5th statement is cut, today I PIF the $2,170.55, leaving a ZERO balance.
Next, I decided to focus on that Large APR of 24.24% and started an online Chat. The Rep could only give me an reduction to 22.24%. I wasn't satisfied with that offer and politely declined it, picked up the phone and dialed the number on the back of the Card.
Spoke to a very nice lady at Citi and requested an APR reduction. She came back with the same 22.24% as the Chat Rep offered. So, I asked if she had a better offer and she said that this was the ONLY offer 'The System' was giving to her. Without me saying a word about my Citi PIF payments, she said let me see what i can do and puts me on hold.
About a minute later, she comes back on the line and offers me - WAIT FOR IT - 18.24%!!!
I verified the new APR with my online account while she was still on the phone. OH HAPPY DAY!!!
I am not sure what the point of you doing that was. If you want a lower interest card there are plenty of cards with lower rates. Plenty of cards with 0 percent introductory rates. I am not sure what you gained going from 24% to 18%.
@FinStar wrote:
The gain was providing other members with their experience in lowering the APR on a rewards/co-branded product with Citi.
Citi, like Discover and some others, tend to usually lower the APR if the account is eligible. So, a step in the right direction for the OP.
Thanks for the assist @FinStar!
@frogman1, I know that I am able to get lower interest rate credit cards, but I wanted this particular card since I fly AA most of the time and one of the Card's benefits is 1 FREE checked bag per flight. Also, if I ever had to carry a balance on the Card, I now have a LOWER interest rate.
@FinStar wrote:
The gain was providing other members with their experience in lowering the APR on a rewards/co-branded product with Citi.
Citi, like Discover and some others, tend to usually lower the APR if the account is eligible. So, a step in the right direction for the OP.
The lowest possible rate for a Citi AA card is loan shark like rates. I think the better advise would be to point people to the hundreds of better choices if they have the need to carry a balance. I currently have 4 Citi AA cards. Don't know the rates on them other than they are way too high to carry a balance. The same as any co-branded card airline or hotel card.
@Anonymous wrote:
@FinStar wrote:
The gain was providing other members with their experience in lowering the APR on a rewards/co-branded product with Citi.
Citi, like Discover and some others, tend to usually lower the APR if the account is eligible. So, a step in the right direction for the OP.The lowest possible rate for a Citi AA card is loan shark like rates. I think the better advise would be to point people to the hundreds of better choices if they have the need to carry a balance. I currently have 4 Citi AA cards. Don't know the rates on them other than they are way too high to carry a balance. The same as any co-branded card airline or hotel card.
Unfortunately, the bolded part is not entirely accurate for those folks who can get their APRs to a farily low rate. Also, the OP's initial post did not mention anything about carrying a balance. The OP explicitly mentioned they PIF. If Citi has the flexibility to lower the go-to APR for an accountholder, why not? I have 10 Citi 'core' cards an a variety of them have pretty low APRs which are comparable and or similar to a variety CU low rate CCs. I never carry a balance but there is nothing wrong with anyone providing advice or sharing on being able to request a lower APR, especially on this product and whether or not they PIF.
As an example, here's one of mine that currently offers a fairly low variable APR.
@Priory_Man wrote:
Nice job on not giving up, appreciate the info bud.
@Priory_Man Always good to hear from you and Thanks!
AJC, You...
Thanks for the acknowledgment and the additional advice!
I totally agree with you!