Citibank's new cards
Oct 14th, 2004 | 04:41 AM
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Underhill - Let me preface that I am no expert when it comes to the various credit card offers. That said, this new Citibank credit card, appears to be somewhat like the Signature programs run by some Visa programs. You collect points, can fly any airline, no blackout dates, etc.
However, in reading about the program, this new-type Citibank account does not have an annual fee; you accrue 1 point for every $3 spent. You still need 25,000 points for a domestic ticket. You have to book reservations thru Citibank's special service who handles everything.
You can still maintain whatever individual airline FF programs, but you cannot combine points between programs.
That's the basics and the website is limited in answering what I am sure people would be questioning, so one would really have to dissect and consider all possibilities of their own travel habits.
While I don't have personal knowledge participating in a "any airline, no blackout date, and points" program - a friend charged on her Visa Signature a large medical bill - $2,500 or so and this was "not" included as "approved points" - rather confusing and attempting to determine the reason took a bit of investigation. She subsequently canceled her participation in the program. The idea that Visa was determining which charges to the card justified points accrual just didn't sit very well with her.
I'd be more than willing to hear comment from others who know specifics about this program, or similar type programs before making any decision.
However, in reading about the program, this new-type Citibank account does not have an annual fee; you accrue 1 point for every $3 spent. You still need 25,000 points for a domestic ticket. You have to book reservations thru Citibank's special service who handles everything.
You can still maintain whatever individual airline FF programs, but you cannot combine points between programs.
That's the basics and the website is limited in answering what I am sure people would be questioning, so one would really have to dissect and consider all possibilities of their own travel habits.
While I don't have personal knowledge participating in a "any airline, no blackout date, and points" program - a friend charged on her Visa Signature a large medical bill - $2,500 or so and this was "not" included as "approved points" - rather confusing and attempting to determine the reason took a bit of investigation. She subsequently canceled her participation in the program. The idea that Visa was determining which charges to the card justified points accrual just didn't sit very well with her.
I'd be more than willing to hear comment from others who know specifics about this program, or similar type programs before making any decision.
Oct 14th, 2004 | 11:45 AM
#3
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,049
Likes: 0
The Flyertalk forum at
http://www.flyertalk.com/
covers this subject frequently. Some of the people there pay their mortgages with a credit card to rack up miles, while others argue that you come out ahead using a card that gives you a rebate on purchases. I seem to recall some animosity toward Citibank there for their reported 3 percent mark up on top of the 1 percent network markup for foreign currency charges.
http://www.flyertalk.com/
covers this subject frequently. Some of the people there pay their mortgages with a credit card to rack up miles, while others argue that you come out ahead using a card that gives you a rebate on purchases. I seem to recall some animosity toward Citibank there for their reported 3 percent mark up on top of the 1 percent network markup for foreign currency charges.
Oct 19th, 2004 | 07:00 AM
#4
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,426
Likes: 0
Yes, let's not forget Citibank's surcharge on currency-conversion purchases.
And let's also keep straight the difference between accruing something that will add up to a ticket and collecting miles. If all you ever want is free travel (most often on coach), the point system is fine. If you ever hope to use miles for an upgrade or have hopes of reaching elite status, a point-system credit card won't do it (unless they will just convert the points to miles deposited 1-for-1 in a specific airline's FF program).
And let's also keep straight the difference between accruing something that will add up to a ticket and collecting miles. If all you ever want is free travel (most often on coach), the point system is fine. If you ever hope to use miles for an upgrade or have hopes of reaching elite status, a point-system credit card won't do it (unless they will just convert the points to miles deposited 1-for-1 in a specific airline's FF program).
Oct 30th, 2004 | 05:58 PM
#6
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
One thing not mentioned so far on "points" cards--up to limits you get to choose your airline, specific flight etc. A big bonus is that since a travel agency actually purchases your ticket, you also earn frequent flier miles/elite status on your free flight.
