Citi Rewards points transfer to Freqent Flyers

[nathanxu]

Hi guys,

My Citibank Platinum was finally approved last month after 2 months of stuffing around. I am pleased I've got my 60,000 bonus points, and I am also very pleased with 1:1 conversion rate.

However, I didn't choose the Qantas Frequent flyers option due to the extra annual fees required. I also thought I have the option of transfer citi rewards points to Singapore Krisflyer and Virgin Velocity with 1:1 conversion rate. After I read some of the post around here, I am bit confused, can anyone confirm to me if this is the case? Has anyone done such transfer? There are just not enough information on Citibank's website.

In addition, should that not to be the case, I might as well just purchase the Qantas Frequent flyers option for once, and transfer all of my points out and close the account, can I purchase that option in a later date and transfer all the points that are already in my account?

Thank you in advance everyone.

 

[kamchatsky]

Hi guys,

My Citibank Platinum was finally approved last month after 2 months of stuffing around. I am pleased I've got my 60,000 bonus points, and I am also very pleased with 1:1 conversion rate.

However, I didn't choose the Qantas Frequent flyers option due to the extra annual fees required. I also thought I have the option of transfer citi rewards points to Singapore Krisflyer and Virgin Velocity with 1:1 conversion rate. After I read some of the post around here, I am bit confused, can anyone confirm to me if this is the case? Has anyone done such transfer? There are just not enough information on Citibank's website.

In addition, should that not to be the case, I might as well just purchase the Qantas Frequent flyers option for once, and transfer all of my points out and close the account, can I purchase that option in a later date and transfer all the points that are already in my account?

Thank you in advance everyone.

Actually, Citibank Rewards -> Krisflyer or Velocity is always 15000:10000 or 3:2. Ie. 1 Citibank point = 0.667 Krisflyer or Velocity point. This conversion rate has been for a while.

Still good deal though for the 60K Citibank points. Actually 40K Krisflyer points can worth more than 60K Qantas points, depending on how you use it.

 

[Moopere]

After I read some of the post around here, I am bit confused, can anyone confirm to me if this is the case? Has anyone done such transfer? There are just not enough information on Citibank's website.

Call their call centre and ask them. Make sure you get the CSR's staff number so you can refer back to them when you inevitably have problems later.

In addition, should that not to be the case, I might as well just purchase the Qantas Frequent flyers option for once, and transfer all of my points out and close the account, can I purchase that option in a later date and transfer all the points that are already in my account?

I do not believe you can transfer from Citi rewards to QFF. Someone with a current Citi account may know differently but I got this impression whilst reading the T&C and generally dealing with Citi recently. You need to opt-in to QFF and pay the extra 49$ up front in order to sweep into QFF as I understand it. If you don't do that then you only have the options as presented under the Citi rewards system.

 

[froggerADL]

In addition, should that not to be the case, I might as well just purchase the Qantas Frequent flyers option for once, and transfer all of my points out and close the account, can I purchase that option in a later date and transfer all the points that are already in my account?

If you opt in to QFF now you will LOSE any citirewards points you currently have, including the 60,000 bonus points.

You can opt in to QFF at any time for $49, but you must redeem your citirewards points (e.g. to Velocity) BEFORE you do this.

 

[Zoe Nguyen]

I received 40,000 bonus points, and have transferred 30,000 points to my KF account ( block of 15,000 points). However, they dont allow me to transfer the whole lot of 40,000 points. Grr, I need to redeem tickets in Dec.

 

[cove]

I am happiest with the Kris points card rather than Mrscove's QF Citi card.
Kris points redemptions are way easier to get business and first class flights than on QF at the moment.

 

[Zoe Nguyen]

I have just given them a call, what's an annoying system they have. Minimum transfer of 15000 POINTS to kris flyer. I have transferred 30,000 points leaving 10,000 points in Citibank. They dont even allow to redeem 7,500 points( =5,000 KF miles). The problem is I prefer to use Amex rather than Citibank (points earning is lower) - to earn 15000 points probably will take me over a year.

Definitely as soon as I earn 5000 points (enough to convert 15000 points), will stop using the card and probably apply to St George Amplify or BankSA Amplify. Conversion rate is lower, but more reasonable to deal with, and lower annual fee (no rip off additional card fee of $90 either).

 

[Robert K]

If you want QF points, citigoldbusiness is a much better card

 

[lovetravellingoz]

but more reasonable to deal with, .

I am interested in your definition of reasonable.

The only issue here seems to be that you want to churn the card only for points, and rather than be grateful for their largesse, that you are being unreasonable in expecting Citibank to completely bent offer for little.

To get the extra 10K...you only need spend I assume $4000 to earn at 1.25.

So while yes we all want points for nothing, this particular arrangement is a generous one. So I fail to understand how they are being unreasonable.

Why should Citibank hand out points with no incentive for you to spend anything?

 

[Zoe Nguyen]

I am interested in your definition of reasonable.

The only issue here seems to be that you want to churn the card only for points, and rather than be grateful for their largesse, that you are being unreasonable in expecting Citibank to completely bent offer for little.

To get the extra 10K...you only need spend I assume $4000 to earn at 1.25.

So while yes we all want points for nothing, this particular arrangement is a generous one. So I fail to understand how they are being unreasonable.

Why should Citibank hand out points with no incentive for you to spend anything?

IMO, they were unreasonable in their condition to transfer points to another airline partners, in my case, KF miles. Amex allows to transfer at a minimum of 5000 points, St George (Amplify program) allows to transfer at a minimum of 3000 points (in multiples of 500 points). Citibank only allows to transfer at a minimum of 15000 points (in multiples fo 15000). I fully intend to use the card, however if I know from the start this condition probably wouldn't apply for it.I would rather use St George with lower earnings but more flexible.

I would be really disappointed if earning enough say 14,000 points by the end of the year, and for some reasons I want to cancel the card - which I fully intend to after finding out this condition - I will still cannot redeem them (keep in mind I am only interested in KF miles). So, I will stop use the card after earning 15,000 points, rather be saved than sorry, even if somehow magically they offer free annum fee.

 

[cove]

Zoe I would look to pay a little more through the card for the whole family and this 15,000 problem will no longer be a problem. Points at the power of thought could work for you!

 

[Robert K]

Would be a good idea to read the T&Cs before signing up to anything with financial implications.

Just be happy they didn't require you to give up your soul,

 

[lovetravellingoz]

, however if I know from the start this condition probably wouldn't apply for it.

It is covered in the T&C. I think it is always a worthwhile exercise to fully consider the implications of any card before taking it out.

Every card has it's pros and cons. Pro here is that they offer more points per $ earnt than many other VISA/MC, and in particular for those that like to get their points to KF.

Con is that the minimum transfer is higher. But that is their reward for the higher earn rate, and for me I would rather this than lower hurdles, with a much poorer rate. But each for their own.

So you earn more, but have high transfer hurdles. Does this make Citibank unreasonable? I don't think so...it just makes it a different offer and you the consumer have to decide if their offer suits you or not. For many others their offer is a most attractive one.

I would like a Porche for a Volkswagen price, but I don't think it unreasonable that I cannot achieve this.

 

[Zoe Nguyen]

It is covered in the T&C. I think it is always a worthwhile exercise to fully consider the implications of any card before taking it out.

Every card has it's pros and cons. Pro here is that they offer more points per $ earnt than many other VISA/MC, and in particular for those that like to get their points to KF.

Con is that the minimum transfer is higher. But that is their reward for the higher earn rate, and for me I would rather this than lower hurdles, with a much poorer rate. But each for their own.

So you earn more, but have high transfer hurdles. Does this make Citibank unreasonable? I don't think so...it just makes it a different offer and you the consumer have to decide if their offer suits you or not. For many others their offer is a most attractive one.

I would like a Porche for a Volkswagen price, but I don't think it unreasonable that I cannot achieve this.

Oh well, maybe I missed out, but didn't see anything mentioning about minimum points to transfer of 15,000 in their T&Cs. Only realized it after trying to redeem the points, and was unable to so, hence gave CSs a call, if it wasnt so i wouldnt know about this condition.
Anyway, not happy about their conditions and their customer service. Will try to have a look elsewhere, for now I just have to stuck with them and try not to whinge.