Citi Double Cash

[Appleman]

I did a brief search of the forums for my question but did not find it.

I understand the 1% Cash Back for purchases.

In order to earn the 1% cash back for payments, can I pay anytime (say before the statement cuts) or do I have to wait until the purchase actually show up on a statment to pay and then earn the additional 1%?  I like to PIF for the obvious utilization improvement.

[Anonymous]

As far as I can tell from Citi's wording, you don't get the second 1% until the statement cuts and is paid for. In other words, you won't get January's 1% back on payment until January's statement cuts, you pay it, and you wait for February's statement to cut.

[Appleman]

I just finished a Chat on the account management site for Citi.

The customer agent said please do not pay off balances before they are billed. He also said that I may not receive the second 1% if I pay before the purchase is billed in the purchase tracker. I am not sure if this is online or part of the statement. He also said MAY so I will have to play with the system.

I did tell the CSR that I don't like to let a large balance report as that can negatively affect utilization and FICO scores. He replied, I understand your intention.

The Citi CSR was nice enough and prompt with responses. This card will not be as valuable to me if I have to let a transaction post in order to get the second 1% for paying it off.

On my wifes Cap1 QS she only has a $1,000 CL. With household expenses there are times we will cycle that card twice in a month and have it paid off before the statement cuts. We earn 1.5% on ALL of those purchases.

Can anyone currently using the Citi double cash let me know their experiences?

[Anonymous]

---

@Anonymous wrote:

As far as I can tell from Citi's wording, you don't get the second 1% until the statement cuts and is paid for. In other words, you won't get January's 1% back on payment until January's statement cuts, you pay it, and you wait for February's statement to cut.

---

That's just the wording because most people aren't weird like we on this site sometimes are. They don't expect you to pay before you have to, which means they don't expect you to pay January's statement until after it's cut. 

December Statement I had a $0 balance. Charged $1494.45 and paid $1000, letting $494.45 report on my 1/11 statement. I got 1% on the $1494.45 and 1% on the $1000. I decided to carry part of my balance forward, but I did get the 1% on what I paid. 

It says "Bonus cash back may take 1-2 billing periods to appear on your statement.", but mine seems pretty quick and straight forward. 

[EAJuggalo]

You're using different terms interchangeably.  Posts means it shows up as a completed transaction, not be on there when the statement cuts.  All of the anecdotal evidence I've seen on this is people who race home and force a payment through immediately after making a purchase.  Let it sit for a few days to show up in the purchase tracker (which is online) and you should be fine.  

[kdm31091]

Don't pay charges immediately as they post. Wait until they show up in the tracker a few days later. You don't have to wait for the statement though.

[Appleman]

Very good, thank you all. I can let the amount sit right up until a day before the due date.

Glad to know this will be worthwhile.

Citi was a bit stingy with my inital CL. How often do the do CLIs? (without a HP)

[mikelo22]

---

@Appleman wrote:

Very good, thank you all. I can let the amount sit right up until a day before the due date.

Glad to know this will be worthwhile.

Citi was a bit stingy with my inital CL. How often do the do CLIs? (without a HP)

---

You're eligible for a successful SP CLI every six months.  If you get denied the SP CLI, wait around 30 days and try again.

[Appleman]

Thank you, September 1st I will try!

[Anonymous]

---

@Appleman wrote:

Very good, thank you all. I can let the amount sit right up until a day before the due date.

Glad to know this will be worthwhile.

Citi was a bit stingy with my inital CL. How often do the do CLIs? (without a HP)

---

What did you get? (I didn't notice it anywhere in your post, if I missed it, I apologise)

I got a $500 SL from them. $500! With 0% interest for 15 months, but I'm not really able to use it much and take advantage of the 0% APR.

Tempted to take the HP to see if I can get a decent CL.  Especially since I just got approved for an AAdvantage card today (I'm hearing they're ending the 50k miles signup bonus, and rushed to get it in.  I checked after recon, and they were already starting to pull the links to that deal)