Question for those with Citi Double Cash

Anonymous · ‎07-20-2015

My ultimate CC plan was to garden until the Discover 2% deal is over next summer, and then app for the Citi DC so that I could have an all around 2% card. But today, I read that the 2% deal may not be as easy as it seems. I have now read a couple of customer reviews which talk about how difficult it can be to get 2% back if your payments are too frequent or aren't timed correctly. Can you guys give me your personal experience with this? Has anyone ever had problems getting 2% on purchases due to the timing of your payments?

I tend to pay often, and I don't wait for the statement to cut to pay my bill. If this is going to cause me to have difficulty with earning 2%, then perhaps I should app for the Venture/QS combo, let them age and combine, to use for my everyday card. All experiences with the DC or opinions on what I should do are welcome!

kdm31091 · ‎07-20-2015

You get 1 percent on your statement. Then whether you PIF or pay part of it, the 1 percent on said payment is added to rewards on your next statement.

People run into trouble when they are over optimizing and paying in full before statement cut. The rewards dont register right if you do that, so I hear.

Point is that it makes a good case for not obsessing over util and simply paying as the statements come. If you do you get the full 2 percent no problem.

Unless you really have a use for Venture, no point in apping and combining if youre getting a DC. Venture is 2 percent for travel only with a fee, DC is 2 percent for anything with no fee. Yes, you could merge and make a huge QS but once you have a DC whats the point? QS becomes basically sockdrawered at that time.

Imperfectfuture · ‎07-20-2015

Yes, but I pay when the pay arrives. And even though there may be a balance, I pay before the statement cuts. So, this is not such a great card.

Signature needs updating

Anonymous · ‎07-20-2015

@kdm31091 wrote:
You get 1 percent on your statement. Then whether you PIF or pay part of it, the 1 percent on said payment is added to rewards on your next statement.

People run into trouble when they are over optimizing and paying in full before statement cut. The rewards dont register right if you do that, so I hear.

Point is that it makes a good case for not obsessing over util and simply paying as the statements come. If you do you get the full 2 percent no problem.

Unless you really have a use for Venture, no point in apping and combining if youre getting a DC. Venture is 2 percent for travel only with a fee, DC is 2 percent for anything with no fee. Yes, you could merge and make a huge QS but once you have a DC whats the point? QS becomes basically sockdrawered at that time.

Thank you KDM! I pay often on my current cards, and before the statement cuts because my current limits are not large enough to support my monthly spend. I hear that Citi does not give big starting limits, so if I used this for my everyday expenses, I would probably have to make payments before the statement cut date. This is why I was considering the Venture/QS combo, not because I need the Venture, but only because I would combine it to make a large limit QS to use as a daily spend card if I decide that the DC is not for me.

kdm31091 · ‎07-20-2015

Citi will often bump up the DC limit if youre willing to take a 2nd HP.

Anyway, I have always been a supporter of QS...the reward structure is much more straightforward. I got the DC for a 0 percent period that would leave me with a useful card afterwards. If your spend isnt huge, 1.5 vs 2 percent will not be a big deal.

kdm31091 · ‎07-20-2015

Also im keeping my QS as a safety net, because we all know Citis history with nerfing products. Lol

Anonymous · ‎07-20-2015

I might gently suggest the Fidelity card if you're worried about Citi nerfing the benefits or playing games with rewards. I've had zero issues getting my actual 2% over the years, even with the occasional mid month payment. They're also nicer on foreign transaction fees (not zero but 1% is better than Citi 3%). Either is a great card though, my FI has the Double Cash.

Anonymous · ‎07-20-2015

I've had no problems getting my full 2% after making a payment, even if I pay off the balance before the statement cut hits.

Anonymous · ‎07-20-2015

I think I have changed my plan, again. Even if the DC isn't a good fit for me, and I decide to app for the Venture/QS combo, I think I will still wait until next summer to do it. Right now I have 4 cards in 0% promos. Why add another now? I can wait until next year, and then I will have an option for a 0% card at that time. Plus, by then I might be able to prequal for a rate at less than 17.9%. So maybe I won't go the DC route, but I will still garden until next summer before applying for anything. No rush. And that will give me time to seriously debate the Citi DC v. QS issue.

Anonymous · ‎07-20-2015

@Anonymous wrote:
I've had no problems getting my full 2% after making a payment, even if I pay off the balance before the statement cut hits.

Same for me here. I typically make one payment in full before my statement cuts and I've had zero issues getting my full 2%. I happened to make a payment the day my statement cut this month and I still had no issues. I thought there'd maybe be a delay since I cut it so close, but it wasn't a problem.