Best use of reward points ?

[colcha]

The number of points required for redemption has now gone back up to 130,900.

 

[PaulZ]

Such a damn shame...

Unfortunately I didn't have enough points in my rewards account because I usually just transfer them to Qantas.

Today i would have had enough points.

Doubt they would lower it for me...

Oh well... Didn't REALLY need new phones... but it was an extremely good deal....

 

[Zippy7]

In my case you could buy at either:

• 16K
• or 10k plus $34

Both had no extra freight.

So I went for 10K plus $34 by 3!!!

I presume the 10k + $34 offer was the Fasttrack points plus payment?
Do you have the upgraded free for life Platinum? (Just curious as I did not see that option, and I am stuck on SG and did not see that option available)

I checked just now, and it appears that the phone is now listed for 130,900 points plus $17 freight. Ouch! Not worthwhile at all !!
Somehow I don't think I will consider complaining about being provided with an N95-1 instead of an N82 anymore

 

[snufl]

I gather delivery is around 1-2 weeks. Can someone please tell me how long before delivery was the delivery charge put through?

The reason I am asking is the delivery charge appeared in my account today. I am hoping this is a sign I will eventually get the phones (even if it is after Christmas).

I hope so, I've promised them as gifts and will look like an @ss if I don't deliver.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

I gather delivery is around 1-2 weeks. Can someone please tell me how long before delivery was the delivery charge put through?

The reason I am asking is the delivery charge appeared in my account today. I am hoping this is a sign I will eventually get the phones (even if it is after Christmas).

I hope so, I've promised them as gifts and will look like an @ss if I don't deliver.

I ordered 3 on Nov 27 and 2 arrived Dec 8.

The other one is unknown as yet.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

I presume the 10k + $34 offer was the Fasttrack points plus payment?
Do you have the upgraded free for life Platinum? (Just curious as I did not see that option, and I am stuck on SG and did not see that option available)

I checked just now, and it appears that the phone is now listed for 130,900 points plus $17 freight. Ouch! Not worthwhile at all !!
Somehow I don't think I will consider complaining about being provided with an N95-1 instead of an N82 anymore

No I havea FFL Gold...and like you have received the N95....and like you will just accept it without query now....though I have so far only received the two...but do not that while the points were deducted immediately that the $34 by 3 was not. So maybe they adjusted my order of 3 to 2??

I will wait another a bit long for delivery and then call.

 

[Zippy7]

Well folks - this is how you keep your customers happy.

I got a letter about my recent reward request, asking me to ring them and discuss. They were very polite and advised me that the reward is not what I originally applied for. The supplier only has the Nokia N95, not a Nokia N82 as the website said. I was offered a full refund of points, or I could elect to take the N95. I said I would be very happy to have the phone.

I asked if I could get another one, but apparently there was very high demand for this reward and there is no more stock. Not wanting to push my luck, I let this one go

Now if only Amex could learn to treat their customers politely and cough up when they make a mistake.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Well folks - this is how you keep your customers happy.

I got a letter about my recent reward request, asking me to ring them and discuss. They were very polite and advised me that the reward is not what I originally applied for. The supplier only has the Nokia N95, not a Nokia N82 as the website said. I was offered a full refund of points, or I could elect to take the N95. I said I would be very happy to have the phone.

I asked if I could get another one, but apparently there was very high demand for this reward and there is no more stock. Not wanting to push my luck, I let this one go

Now if only Amex could learn to treat their customers politely and cough up when they make a mistake.

I have to disagree with you on this one Zippy.

I too claimed the N82 reward which turned out to be a N95 (still not bad value, but the N95 is from oldstock)

I also was looking for something else to burn some points with and used the $100 cashback for 10K points (actually redeemded 8x of them)

Called up today chasing these up and it got the run around with the N95 and turns out the $100 for 10k points was also a sham too.

After talking for a while I was offered 2000 points extra for my time but like I mentioned to them this doesn't even nearly cut it and as a platinum cardholder and somewhat significant spend I put through the card each year (350K+), this is really an insult.

This is the 2nd major screwup in recent months from Citibank and I let them know this on the phone. When asked if I'd like to make a formal complaint I simply said that I'll be complaining with my wallet, by discontinuing use of the card and mentioned Citibank should be proactive in these issues, just like I will be proactive in choosing to what card my spend goes through.

The question remains, what to do with all the points!?

 

[Zippy7]

I have to disagree with you on this one Zippy.

Fair enough - your experience sounds pretty poor. I only base my experience versus the current treatment by amex (see the big rewards thread in that subforum).

Your post does sound like you did receive one phone?

You might try FSO as per everyone else is doing for Amex?

The question remains, what to do with all the points!?

Not sure what you mean here. Did you buy extra points with cash, on the expectation that you could convert the points into phones?
I would have expected most folks on AFF to be transferring points to their preferred frequent flyer program?? I was under the impression that the best/most advantageous result of conversion of points was into long-haul flights.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Fair enough - your experience sounds pretty poor. I only base my experience versus the current treatment by amex (see the big rewards thread in that subforum).

Your post does sound like you did receive one phone?

Honestly I had no idea. Infact only now reading the forums am I discoverring that it was sent around as a good offer that everyone should be jumping on to. I found out about the N82 by surfing the citibank site looking for something good in their rewards catalogue!

When I called the lady asked if I'd recevied the letter in the mail (still havnt received)


You might try FSO as per everyone else is doing for Amex?

Unfortunately the places I spend at charge a hefty fee for amex ;(

I would have expected most folks on AFF to be transferring points to their preferred frequent flyer program?? I was under the impression that the best/most advantageous result of conversion of points was into long-haul flights.

It's my understanding citibank points are 2 for 1 into QFF? Not the best value in my books and I don't want to lock things up in flying... we all do enough of that already, right?

 

[Zippy7]

You might try FSO as per everyone else is doing for Amex?
Unfortunately the places I spend at charge a hefty fee for amex ;(

Sorry, I meant to say FOS as in Financial Ombudsman Service.
Financial Ombudsman Service :: Home Page

You can lodge a complaint with them, and their decision is supposed to be binding.

It's my understanding citibank points are 2 for 1 into QFF? Not the best value in my books and I don't want to lock things up in flying... we all do enough of that already, right?

I've no idea what the conversion rate is. I have to confess that I've not put any credit card reward points towards any FF program. I usually try to get gift cards or cash. This was the first time I've ever redeemed anything from citibank, as I hadn't had enough points in the past to get anything decent.

I'd probably try to get the ombudsman involved to try to get a fair outcome.

 

[oz_mark]

It's my understanding citibank points are 2 for 1 into QFF? Not the best value in my books and I don't want to lock things up in flying... we all do enough of that already, right?

2:1 for silver, 1:1 for gold and platinum.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Sorry, I meant to say FOS as in Financial Ombudsman Service.
Financial Ombudsman Service :: Home Page

You can lodge a complaint with them, and their decision is supposed to be binding.



I'd probably try to get the ombudsman involved to try to get a fair outcome.

Ahh sorry, misunderstood your post ;-)

Unfortunately (for citibank) I'm not going to take it to the FOS but rather, withdrawl my use of their business once the year is up. I'm part of the second strongest economic force in the world (GenY) and this is exactly how most of us think.

Tough times ahead for them I think... have you also noticed their statements changed 4-5 months ago?

The font used on the statement is now a softer, small easier on the eye text. This makes the consumer feel more comfortable and at ease when reading the statement - especially when high amounts are owed!

The "Closing Balance" text has been removed from the top, making it just that much harder to figure out how much is actually owed, and it's now only listed in the Account summary area in the midst of some very smart placement of text and use of greys to make your eye totally miss the owing balance.

The question remains though, what is the best use of reward points that isn't going to be considered an error?

 

[snufl]

Has anyone received an N95 phone in the past week?

Despite being assured by Citibank in December that our order would be received within 28 days, it did not arrive. Yesterday we phoned and were told they would check with their supplier but to allow another 7 working days before phoning them again.

 

[ColinP]

Has anyone received an N95 phone in the past week?

Despite being assured by Citibank in December that our order would be received within 28 days, it did not arrive. Yesterday we phoned and were told they would check with their supplier but to allow another 7 working days before phoning them again.

No phone here either. I ordered mine on Dec 6. The "please allow 28 days for delivery" period has expired and I'll be making a phone call this afternoon (time permitting) or (more likely) tomorrow.

 

[snufl]

Our 2 x N95s have arrived! I have a very happy husband and daughter (belated Christmas gifts) but I'm a little jealous as I didn't order one for myself

Thanks to the OP for the info, a terrific find.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

So, even after saying NO to the N95 "offer" and citibank crediting back the 10K points, a brand new N95 turned up yesterday.

The $18 postage fee wasn't reversed ..... oh the options....

 

[kpc]

I can tell you that the unlocked new N95 1Gb Plum is worth at least $450

 

[trippin_the_rift]

I can tell you that the unlocked new N95 1Gb Plum is worth at least $450

mines up for auction... place your bids

 

[ColinP]

My new N95 arrived today.

Thanks for telling us about this deal trudy.