Citi cards - major changes

[carls888]

Yes, sorry I was pondering cc of olde in general, just wistful about the points left behind...

The KF ones in particular, especially some that cove has referenced. But CE you are right, that is a whole other thread so I won't digress here.

Citi Prestige has been very good to us and I am grateful but very sad that the banking sector is closing up the fun stuff more and more.

 

[Spizz]

So if using these cards to transfer to Virgin Australia now there is no need to transfer before the deadline as there is no change?

 

[piratematerial]

No change in the Velocity redemption rate, correct (although there's currently a 15% bonus offered by Velocity that's worth considering). Earn rates and what you can earn points on will generally reduce.

 

[PLANT]

The bonus has finished..... No?

 

[piratematerial]

Extended to 18 June Velocity transfer bonus and redemption discount guide - Point Hakcs

 

[carls888]

Missed that extension, thanks piratematerial

 

[Spizz]

No change in the Velocity redemption rate, correct (although there's currently a 15% bonus offered by Velocity that's worth considering). Earn rates and what you can earn points on will generally reduce.

Since there's no change I'll just keep the points with Citi until another 15% transfer promotion comes around since I am in no hurry, and since you need a minimum of 20,000 points to transfer from Citi and I don't use my Citi card unless I have to.

 

[tallboy]

Everybody just be aware changes to earn / transfer rates take effect as of midnight AEST 14/06/2017 - all transactions and transfers on 15/06/2017 will be at new rates.

Can anybody advise if there is a particular strategy for transferring in smaller bundles from Citi to KF to maximise the benefit?

I seem to recall transferring in bundles of 15k points the last time something like this came up (March 2016?), but can't recall the reason for that.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Duffa]

Well, I've just about finished paying all my bills for the month - water, car insurance, rego etc then I've got a couple of lounges in Europe on PP, then I'll book my free hotel night and then it's goodbye Prestige
Cant get value on the 4:3 nights deal - Hotels.com with 10% back and 4.8% off on CR beat them on the two occasions when I could be @rsed ringing the concierge
Never played the golf deal
Forgot the car transfer last time I stopped in Asia
The gold status at Hilton and Shangri La has gone

I'll switch to the free for life Signature which has been dormant for about three years and I will reduce my credit limit to about half - I won't need the big limit any more.

This WAS the best card around but now is a total dud - I wonder how many others feel the same way?

 

[Duffa]

Can anybody advise if there is a particular strategy for transferring in smaller bundles from Citi to KF to maximise the benefit?

I seem to recall transferring in bundles of 15k points the last time something like this came up (March 2016?), but can't recall the reason for that.

Thanks in advance.

There's now a minimum of 20,000 points and no real advantage.
One thing to remember is to leave 20,000 in your account until the last minute to make sure you can transfer the maximum amount on the last day

 

[PLANT]

Grrrr had family member transfer points before June.... Then they bought a boat on card and paid cc fees......(there old, told them never pay fees)..... Bonus points would have offset cost and would have transferred later....

 

[tallboy]

There's now a minimum of 20,000 points and no real advantage.
One thing to remember is to leave 20,000 in your account until the last minute to make sure you can transfer the maximum amount on the last day

Thanks Duffa

 

[Cruiser Elite]

This WAS the best card around but now is a total dud - I wonder how many others feel the same way?

Indeed it was the King of the Heap - however your describing it as a 'total dud' IMHO may well be premature condemnation.

The Ette and I both hold Prestige - I have paid zero Ann fee for years - she pays $350 - still plenty value in Prestige ATPIT for us. The 4/3 promo will deliver us Accom savings of ~A$4K this year. Yes hotels.com ~14.8% would also deliver considerable savings but not as good as 4/3. Again the 4/3 promo is easiest thing in the world to book if you go about it correctly. And YES not ALL hotels or hotel rooms available through 4/3.

Throw in 2 x ~A$50 airport transfers + free hotel nt if you can ever book it and it still has value. So many AFFers expressing intention to cancel and move on - if this is representative across all Prestige holders then Citi might have to rethink the whole Prestige $700 fee / associated benefits strategy.

Time will tell - I suspect all will become much clearer later in the year once the dust settles across the entire CC landscape.

 

[mickto]

Indeed it was the King of the Heap - however your describing it as a 'total dud' IMHO may well be premature condemnation.

The Ette and I both hold Prestige - I have paid zero Ann fee for years - she pays $350 - still plenty value in Prestige ATPIT for us. The 4/3 promo will deliver us Accom savings of ~A$4K this year. Yes hotels.com ~14.8% would also deliver considerable savings but not as good as 4/3. Again the 4/3 promo is easiest thing in the world to book if you go about it correctly. And YES not ALL hotels or hotel rooms available through 4/3.

Throw in 2 x ~A$50 airport transfers + free hotel nt if you can ever book it and it still has value. So many AFFers expressing intention to cancel and move on - if this is representative across all Prestige holders then Citi might have to rethink the whole Prestige $700 fee / associated benefits strategy.

Time will tell - I suspect all will become much clearer later in the year once the dust settles across the entire CC landscape.

Please let us know which card you would use post June 15. (Or do you mean you will be continuing using this card?)

I don't know how many percent of current cardholders have ZERO annual fee. This does not apply to some of us, having no portfolios with Citibank.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Please let us know which card you would use post June 15. (Or do you mean you will be continuing using this card?)

I don't know how many percent of current cardholders have ZERO annual fee. This does not apply to some of us, having no portfolios with Citibank.

I have no r/ship with Citi other than Prestige and Citi Debit Card. I did put 100K on dep with Citi years ago to gain Citigold status when they refused to upgrade me from Citi Business Gold to Prestige - I had to work hard to get the upgrade but we did get over the line and I paid 1/2 fee $350 first year but no ann fee since.

As for Visa / MCard usage post June 15 TBH I still have no idea really. I really do not want QF earning cards as I can get more than enough QF pts up until now with sign on bonus - KF pts are still primary for me. Spose we will have a bit of a drought for a month or 2 till we see how things shake out. Prestige does appear dead in terms of pts earn only going fwd - eff earn rate .4KF pts/$1 not at all appealing - I guess the WKF Visa at .5KF pts/$1 will find it's way back into the wallet. Like many others here I am left scratching my scone wondering which direction we will go.

 

[cove]

Yes we don't really need more Qantas/AA points and miles in our family. The last Citi transfer went to Velocity and then Mrscove found she had some Velocity points earning cards from a David Jones Amex and an HSBC credit card.
0.4 Kris Miles does sound small.

 

[coolkid101]

I have no r/ship with Citi other than Prestige and Citi Debit Card. I did put 100K on dep with Citi years ago to gain Citigold status when they refused to upgrade me from Citi Business Gold to Prestige - I had to work hard to get the upgrade but we did get over the line and I paid 1/2 fee $350 first year but no ann fee since.

As for Visa / MCard usage post June 15 TBH I still have no idea really. I really do not want QF earning cards as I can get more than enough QF pts up until now with sign on bonus - KF pts are still primary for me. Spose we will have a bit of a drought for a month or 2 till we see how things shake out. Prestige does appear dead in terms of pts earn only going fwd - eff earn rate .4KF pts/$1 not at all appealing - I guess the WKF Visa at .5KF pts/$1 will find it's way back into the wallet. Like many others here I am left scratching my scone wondering which direction we will go.

i'm moving on to the st george amplify signature - 0.75 KF pts/$1 with a 10% birthday bonus makes it an effective 0.825 KF pts/$1 with uncapped spend.
unless i'm missing something this would appear to be the highest uncapped earn on the market at this time

 

[Cruiser Elite]

i'm moving on to the st george amplify signature - 0.75 KF pts/$1 with a 10% birthday bonus makes it an effective 0.825 KF pts/$1 with uncapped spend.
unless i'm missing something this would appear to be the highest uncapped earn on the market at this time

Tks for posting that ck - it is always so much more helpful when actual earn rates are included in posts.

 

[albyd]

I've been able to successfully switch most spend to Amex (bit more time consuming with some GC use). Have brought my Coles 'Platinum' MC out of hibernation. Although there is the annual transfer cap from FB to VA, I have recently received an offer to transfer all my FB points +15% bonus to VA even though I'm already at my annual transfer cap.
Assuming my Calculations are correct, with 15% bonus then 1:1.35 conversion to KF, works out at approx 0.73KF/$ which is ok for MC in the new order of things.
Will miss my Prestige. I got my money's worth in points and I usually got my money's worth in using the perks. I don't use the stay 4/pay 3 benefit so will have to let it go. Hardly ever needed to call Citi for service so not had the same experience as some other members. Will be interesting the attrition rate Citi have with Prestige (assuming most cardholders are aware of the points and not just blindly using it).

 

[theblank]

Indeed it was the King of the Heap - however your describing it as a 'total dud' IMHO may well be premature condemnation.

Indeed, Citi Reward points still has a redemption rate 0.68 cents a point when redeeming for a travel booking. Thats a handy return, especially given the opportunity to buy the ticket and get SC instead of redeeming for FF points.
This also means that Citi Signatire has a minimum of 0.68c return for $1 spend, and then 1.5x or 2x that return depending on where used.

IMO, still one of the best Visa cards around, and if Free for Life like me, easily the best.