What should I do with Citi?

[Anonymous]

So I have 2 Citi Diamond Preferred Rewards Cards

Card 1: From 2000, 10,500 CL, 18.990% interest

Card 2: From 2006, 4,500CL, 8.74% Interest

I called and asked if I could combine, and they said I could, but that if I kept the history of the oldest card I would have to take that interest rate as well, that there's nothing they can do, and that's the best interest rate they can offer me on that card.  

I really want to combine them, but I think it's crazy to have a 19% interst rate card considering that not only are my scores in the mid 700's, but I have a perfect payment history with them, and they made a lot of money off of me when I as racking up debt.  I don't want to lose the history of the first card, but I don't want to lose the lower interest rate of the second card.  

What should I do?

[MrCredit]

I would combine and then call and tell them you are unhappy in a couple of weeks and ask for an APR reduction.... retentions will give you one... I know from experience, I started just in your shoes.

How long you been with them? 

[MrCredit]

First, combine, then wait about two weeks and call and ask for a sup.... one more thing... if you have a balance I learned this the hard way on the card you are getting rid of, dont freak out the next day if it shows you owe that bal as a minimum payment, for some reason when they combine the CL moves right away the bal takes 2 days.

[Anonymous]

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@MrCredit wrote:

I would combine and then call and tell them you are unhappy in a couple of weeks and ask for an APR reduction.... retentions will give you one... I know from experience, I started just in your shoes.

How long you been with them? 

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When I talked with the CSR she said that 18.99% is the best they could do because it's prime plus 14.99%.  

I have no idea how long I've been with them.  The first card is from 2000, but it started as a GE, then a Verizon, and then at some point switched to Citi.  The second card is from 2006 and was a Citi from the beginning.  So definitely 2 1/2 years, possibly more.  

What do you mean by 'retentions will give you one'?  

Thank you!

[MrCredit]

I would keep the longest card for sure... so your FICO doesnt take the hit.

[Anonymous]

I definitely won't combine them into the new card, since I don't want to lose 8 -- nearly 9 years of history, but maybe I should just keep them separate and deal with the two different cards.

[MrCredit]

You have time with them... they are handing you a bunch of junk... Just combine and call ask for a sup, I can give you the number for retentions and you can talk to them directly they will more than likely be able to handle the combo and the APR reduction its 1800-444-2568, I have dealt with them and it puts you through directly to a US rep. Good luck.

[MrCredit]

I have been with Citi for 2 years have a 28.1k line and a 7.24 APR with a BT of 4.9 for the life of the bal.... they are the gift that keeps giving, if you get the right people. Just express your time in words to them and tell them you are unhappy with your terms and will go elsewhere.  I have less of a FICO than you. 665 TU