$0 Annual Fee for Life on Citi Platinum/Signature CC Complimentary Insurance

[anchew]

Below is the written response I got after requesting a further re-asseemnt to be made. I'm earning over 85K + supplementary income, with hardly any monthly expenses (apart from mobile, fuel and general going out money) as I live home and don't pay rent/board.

NAB have been able to give me a $18K limit 2 years ago and Westpac a $25K limit in 2006. The NAB one has been closed 2 weeks ago and the Westpac one is pending on the outcome of SIGNATURE vs PLATINUM issue.

I have tried calling Mr Platt and have emailed him a few times but haven't heard back from him in over a week. Is it worth the hassle to keep pushing for the SIGNATURE?

What is your total credit limit? That could be the reason? Or the fact you only recently applied for another cc? Btw the response talks about the select rather than signature. Where you looking for the signature or select?

 

[Plutonus]

I have no actual confirmation of this, but I have often thought that Citi place a huge weighting on age. That is, younger = huge risk factor for them.

 

[jj92]

I'm 21 and I got 9k limit and constant offers from them to sign up previously

 

[Plutonus]

I'm interested in all these tales of bad customer service and rudeness. I've been with Citi for about 10 years now and I am frequently amazed at how polite, pleasant and helpful the CSRs are on the phone. They have always called me back when they said they would and while there have been a few times things have got messed up they have always sorted things out.

There is no doubt they are always polite and courteous. I think it's that when you want something beyond the 'script' they struggle and the 'back office' obviously aren't trained to be as polite and pleasant.

I'm 21 and I got 9k limit and constant offers from them to sign up previously

Sorry - should have specified for Signature and above (Select only right now). But as always, this is only based on my experience and observations of posts...

 

[get me outta here]

I have no actual confirmation of this, but I have often thought that Citi place a huge weighting on age. That is, younger = huge risk factor for them.

When does it tip over the other way and older age becomes an issue?

 

[CMak]

Received my new statement, card and pin in that order.
All set to use my fee free card plus added a supplementary (fee free as well) when not using Am Ex
CMak

 

[Plutonus]

When does it tip over the other way and older age becomes an issue?

I think it's similar to the rule for working out the youngest/oldest person you can date. Double the age you first got a credit card + 7.

 

[burmans]

I have no actual confirmation of this, but I have often thought that Citi place a huge weighting on age. That is, younger = huge risk factor for them.

It's not young as such, more based on capacity to pay and a proven credit record. Under Responsible Lending laws all banks must assess your ability to pay and if you can't show these things it's probably not that unreasonable they won't lend. Changes to Credit Reporting next year are likely to help in this regards.

 

[Liski]

What is your total credit limit? That could be the reason? Or the fact you only recently applied for another cc? Btw the response talks about the select rather than signature. Where you looking for the signature or select?

At the time I applied for the Signature I had a total credit limit of 30K between NAB (2 cards) and Westpac (1 card) with nothing owing on any card. These figures weren't mentioned on the application as the application states not to mention any credit credits that will be closed. The most recent credit card application was a 2nd NAB one which was 12 months ago. I applied for the Signature and actually asked why was Select mentioned. I really don't want to activate the CitiBank Platinum and wait 6 months to apply for a credit limit to only have another enquiry on my credit file and then also argue for them to provide the Signature free for life.

 

[rweir]

perhaps because you implied you had no current cards?

and no, credit limit increases usually don't show up as credit applications (but it doesn't matter, we'll have the new system in < 6 months anyway).

 

[Liski]

perhaps because you implied you had no current cards?

Annoying as they themselves state not to mention any credit cards that you intend to close. I'll see if I get a reply from Mr Platt after being provided more supporting documents from NAB, Westpac and my accountant.

 

[PLANT]

I have this card on this offer.
I'm trying to help FAMILY members get it.
They have applied online.
Does the documentation need to be sent prior to the 31st Dec?

I emailed my documentation but it seemed to be confirmed once they spoke to pay office.
Therefore do people find that only payoffice need to approve and no extra documentation required?

 

[froggerADL]

I applied for the Signature fee free card yesterday. I currently have a Virgin Flyer (Citibank) card. I was going to cancel the Virgin card soon anyway as the annual fee is almost due. I used the tips from this thread to make the process as simple as possible.

I applied via the phone as there had been posts on this thread about people applying on-line and being declined because they already had a Citibank card.

I rang at shortly after 9am Sydney time. I explained that I have a Virgin Flyer card and wanted to apply for the Signature fee free card and cancel the Virgin Flyer. The application process took about 25 minutes. At the end I was asked to send in the normal documents. I was then transferred to another department to cancel the Virgin card, but the connection was dropped. I rang the number on the Virgin card and told them I wanted to cancel. They offered me the card fee free for a year which surprised me given the 2 for 1 flights it offers. In my surprised state I accepted the offer and kept the card. When I hung up I realised that I'd been a fool and that the signature card may now be declined. Oh well, I'd deal with that if it happens.

At 9.28am I received an email asking me to send the documents. I did this straight away. I also gave my pay department permission to dislose relevant info to Citibank.

At 3.31pm I received an email telling me I had been conditionally approved, subject to verification of my identity and income.

Four minutes later I received an email telling me my Signature card had been approved and would be with me shortly.

So, so far I couldn't be happier with Citibank, but the whole process was made easier because I read this threadn and avoided others pitfalls, so thank you to everyone who has contributed.

And I get to keep the Virgin Flyer card fee free for a year which may be handy if I can make use of the 2 for 1 deal.

 

[rweir]

> been posts on this thread about people applying on-line and being declined because they already had a Citibank card.

pretty sure this doesn't happen - Citibank will not approve a new card if you've applied or upgraded a card with them in the past 9 months, though.

 

[legroom]

At last ....!

After 3-4 (possibly 5) requests, I finally received an email from Citibank stating what has been agreed from day one: the Signature card (a downgrade from my existing Select) would be fee free for life.

My advice, persistence pays.

Now I feel a lot more relaxed with something in writing from them

"... We would like to confirm that your Annual Fee on this account is now $0
for life.

We would like to assure you that Citibank is dedicated to providing the
best possible service to its customers at all times.

Should you have any further question regarding this issue, please call
us on 13 24 84.

Yours sincerely,
Customer Service Correspondence Unit...."

 

[ninja-tim]

Hi Guys,

About to apply for a signature card. Just have some questions. I applied for a business loan, which appears under consumer credit enquiries in 'my' credit report in Jan 2013 as I applied for it under my name but it is now under company name. I also applied for a Signature or Select card (can't remember which on) on 15/3/13, which was declined.

Firstly, any chance of being approved for signature considering i got declined on 15th March this year, which is just about 9 months 2 days ago??

Secondly, on the application under loans, should I put the business loan on the application or would I just leave it out as it's not under my name anymore? Also I have a amex business charge card under my name, does that go on the application too?

Also, as I'm self employed (been so for about 10 months), would they call my accountant for my income info & etc? I have only filed 1 tax return with them so far, and it was only for 3 months of trading for the 12/13 FY.

Thanks heaps.

 

[psi999]

Just put in an application, better late then never.

2 months payslips, passport and drivers license all in a PDF submitted by email.... about as vanilla as it gets.

I'm expecting 1~2 weeks until my application is progressed.... Nothing happens quickly this time of year.

 

[rweir]

> I also applied for a Signature or Select card (can't remember which on) on 15/3/13, which was declined.

don't forget that credit reports only show applications and defaults.

> Firstly, any chance of being approved for signature considering i got declined on 15th March this year, which is just about 9 months 2 days ago??

possible, since it's > 9 months.

> Secondly, on the application under loans, should I put the business loan on the application or would I just leave it out as it's not under my name anymore? Also I have a amex business charge card under my name, does that go on the application too?

yes of course you include anything that is yours.

> Also, as I'm self employed (been so for about 10 months), would they call my accountant for my income info & etc? I have only filed 1 tax return with them so far, and it was only for 3 months of trading for the 12/13 FY.

sounds hard to prove your income, then, unless it was > $75k for those 3 months.

 

[ninja-tim]

> Secondly, on the application under loans, should I put the business loan on the application or would I just leave it out as it's not under my name anymore? Also I have a amex business charge card under my name, does that go on the application too?

yes of course you include anything that is yours.

Well the business loan is now under the company name and not my name, however it was applied for under my name initially. Technically as the loan is not in my name, I was hoping I wouldn't need to put this in the application

> Also, as I'm self employed (been so for about 10 months), would they call my accountant for my income info & etc? I have only filed 1 tax return with them so far, and it was only for 3 months of trading for the 12/13 FY.

sounds hard to prove your income, then, unless it was > $75k for those 3 months.

Well, I have put my accountants details in the application, I have my group certificates for old work and new work, which show my old income of about 77k, but not new income, however as that info is 6 months old, I assume they'd want some newer piece of info, which they'll have to get from my accountant I guess.

 

[rweir]

the loan is not in my name

then does not need to be listed as yours.

I have my group certificates for old work and new work, which show my old income of about 77k, but not new income, however as that info is 6 months old, I assume they'd want some newer piece of info, which they'll have to get from my accountant I guess.

last year's group certificate may be enough, if not, accountant should be.