Citibank Price Match Guarantee

[spentan]

So do you actually have to have a booking with Qantas and then cancel it? As I want to go in First to SFO through LAX, from Syd.

I was thinking about going in J on SQ A380, but going through Sin-Narita-LAX,

Which is a very long flight and therefore, I'm thinking I don't know whether to try with this Citi Price Match Guarantee.

Might give them a call and ask.

Also, big question, do the Citibank flights earn points and SCs?

 

[wafliron]

So do you actually have to have a booking with Qantas and then cancel it? As I want to go in First to SFO through LAX, from Syd.

Note, however, that F is specifically excluded from the Citi Price Match Guarantee - only Y/Y+/J.

That aside, no, you don't need to actually book it - you only need to prove that the flight was offered to you via the Qantas FF program. A screenshot of the "review your booking" screen (prior to confirming / paying) is fine as it shows the total points cost and $$ cost. An itinerary e-mail from Qantas (either booked or reserved) would also be sufficient. Basically, you just need to provide acceptable proof of the flight being offered to you, and what it costs (points and $$).

Also, big question, do the Citibank flights earn points and SCs?

100% yes, that's one of the big benefits here for the WPs amongst us - you can turn a "special seat release" Classic Award which you could not have booked as a cheap ASA into the equivalent of an ASA.

As a practical example, the MEL-xSYD-LAX;DFW-xBNE-MEL I converted from a J Classic Award into a Citi price-matched fare (see previous posts) was booked in the C fare bucket - mid-level commercial business class fare.

 

[NDiddy]

Wondering if I could get some assistance from the AFF community on a price match I'm trying to conduct with Citibank.

Long story short I've got approx 9000 points in QFF and wanted to book an economy award for 2 pax for a MEL - SYD return in Dec/Jan. Sent an email to these guys about a week ago and they've advised that they need to see the review screen showing points and taxes. Now this is fine as I can do this for 1 pax by sending separate screen shots (8000 points per person o/w) but Qantas won't let me proceed to the review screen without sufficient points (16,000 points required).

Any advise on how I can get around this without submitting 2 separate booking requests to Citibank? Was considering asking the kind folk on here if they could send me a screen shot of the review screen if they have the required points as another option if anyone would be so kind to help out?

 

[wafliron]

Wondering if I could get some assistance from the AFF community on a price match I'm trying to conduct with Citibank.

Long story short I've got approx 9000 points in QFF and wanted to book an economy award for 2 pax for a MEL - SYD return in Dec/Jan. Sent an email to these guys about a week ago and they've advised that they need to see the review screen showing points and taxes. Now this is fine as I can do this for 1 pax by sending separate screen shots (8000 points per person o/w) but Qantas won't let me proceed to the review screen without sufficient points (16,000 points required).

I had a similar issue with a MEL-LHR and vv dummy booking (that I sent in early on to test out how the PMG worked), so I just sent a printout of the select-flights page which shows the total points at the bottom. When they rang me they advised that technically they required the "review booking" page but were OK with what I sent them, and they'd just apply their own taxes and surcharges (as they do anyway) because they couldn't see QF's. So, perhaps try this yourself and unless the policy has changed you may not have any issues.

 

[NDiddy]

I had a similar issue with a MEL-LHR and vv dummy booking (that I sent in early on to test out how the PMG worked), so I just sent a printout of the select-flights page which shows the total points at the bottom. When they rang me they advised that technically they required the "review booking" page but were OK with what I sent them, and they'd just apply their own taxes and surcharges (as they do anyway) because they couldn't see QF's. So, perhaps try this yourself and unless the policy has changed you may not have any issues.

Tried this mate but unfortunately was quoted the old "management requires us to do this" line. Their happy to match it but need to see the taxes and points together on the review screen :/

 

[Spizz]

Doesnt that defeat the purpose of commiting to the Citibank program if you must also have the same amout of points sitting in your Qantas FF program to get you to the review screen so you can PM with Citi?

 

[NDiddy]

Doesnt that defeat the purpose of commiting to the Citibank program if you must also have the same amout of points sitting in your Qantas FF program to get you to the review screen so you can PM with Citi?

Now why didn't I say this to the guy when he rang. You're spot on Spizz!!

 

[anchew]

Wondering if I could get some assistance from the AFF community on a price match I'm trying to conduct with Citibank.

Long story short I've got approx 9000 points in QFF and wanted to book an economy award for 2 pax for a MEL - SYD return in Dec/Jan. Sent an email to these guys about a week ago and they've advised that they need to see the review screen showing points and taxes. Now this is fine as I can do this for 1 pax by sending separate screen shots (8000 points per person o/w) but Qantas won't let me proceed to the review screen without sufficient points (16,000 points required).

Any advise on how I can get around this without submitting 2 separate booking requests to Citibank? Was considering asking the kind folk on here if they could send me a screen shot of the review screen if they have the required points as another option if anyone would be so kind to help out?

Can't they accept the screen shot for 1 pax then apply the same rate to 2? Anyway, if it hasn't been done so already, I'm happy to assist. Which flights were you looking at?

 

[NDiddy]

Can't they accept the screen shot for 1 pax then apply the same rate to 2? Anyway, if it hasn't been done so already, I'm happy to assist. Which flights were you looking at?

Not sure anchew - I've had three calls from them which results in them saying "I need to forward this to management" so I would expect this would happen if I try the 1 pax approach. Thanks for offering to help. I'll PM you the details.

 

[oz_mark]

Not sure anchew - I've had three calls from them which results in them saying "I need to forward this to management" so I would expect this would happen if I try the 1 pax approach. Thanks for offering to help. I'll PM you the details.

AFAIK, they've always had to go to management for approval. Perhaps it's costing them a bit more than they expected, so they are becoming sticklers for the rules...

 

[NDiddy]

AFAIK, they've always had to go to management for approval. Perhaps it's costing them a bit more than they expected, so they are becoming sticklers for the rules...

Could be oz_mark - I must admit though the CSR "Pete" that I've been speaking to has been excellent. Really can't fault him. Funnily enough I had approval today but they wanted to charge me 16,000 o/w as they thought it was 1 pax. When I informed him it was two, it was "back to management" to get it approved and thus the beginning of my request on this thread.

Of course they were happy to price match more than what Citibank was offering for 1 pax

 

[NDiddy]

A big thank you to anchew for his help. Have got the screen shot now and sent if off to Citibank. Will post the results once they call me back tomorrow.

 

[wafliron]

Can't they accept the screen shot for 1 pax then apply the same rate to 2? Anyway, if it hasn't been done so already, I'm happy to assist. Which flights were you looking at?

I would think they'd knock that back, wouldn't they? As you are only demonstrating that QFF have "offered" you a seat for one pax, not two?

AFAIK, they've always had to go to management for approval. Perhaps it's costing them a bit more than they expected, so they are becoming sticklers for the rules...

At what stage did they tell you that? No mention of management approval when I price matched my trip to the USA and vv, and it was all done in one phone call. Wondering if there's been a change of policy. Possible the CSR sought management approval before calling me though I guess.

NDiddy, when they next call you it'd be great if you could raise the issue of the PMG being useless if you need enough QFF points for the booking to be able to capture the screenshot needed for the PMG... Clearly that policy isn't practical and I'd be very interested to hear Citi's take on it.

 

[oz_mark]

At what stage did they tell you that? No mention of management approval when I price matched my trip to the USA and vv, and it was all done in one phone call. Wondering if there's been a change of policy. Possible the CSR sought management approval before calling me though I guess.

First time I rang them about the process. The approval occurs between you submitting the screen shots, and the CSR ringing you.

 

[pauly7]

Meh nothing a bit of photoshop couldn't fix

 

[wafliron]

First time I rang them about the process. The approval occurs between you submitting the screen shots, and the CSR ringing you.

Righto, thanks for clarifying. Guess it just wasn't mentioned to me.

 

[NDiddy]

NDiddy, when they next call you it'd be great if you could raise the issue of the PMG being useless if you need enough QFF points for the booking to be able to capture the screenshot needed for the PMG... Clearly that policy isn't practical and I'd be very interested to hear Citi's take on it.

I most definitely will raise this point and let you guys know how this all pans out.

 

[NDiddy]

I most definitely will raise this point and let you guys know how this all pans out.

Well what a pain in the a55 exercise this is turning out to be. So after anchew sent me the screen shot I forwarded on to Pinpoint just before heading to bed. Got a few missed calls at lunch time when they said they would call but couldn't get to it. They called again at 6.30 and Pete the CSR said that they could process the claim........BUT they need the screenshot with the date/time on the comp (which was not on the screenshot).

ZOMFGROFLCOPTER - I nearly ripped this guy a new one. He said that in order for Citibank to refund the cash component that they charge on your cc with points they need the date/time on the comp. So we went ahead with the booking and I've just emailed anchew to see if he can help me out again. Seriously thinking this was really not worth the pain. Anyway got the PNR and all is booked but the points won't get deducted and I'll get charged the full cash component which was $320 (32,000 point equivalent) + 136.48 + 2%. So have emailed anchew (which I feel so bad about since he was so kind to help me out) and hoping this experience just ends.

Now here's the kicker for all involved. I questioned him about why they need to see the review screen with taxes specifically pointed out the irony in having to have the required points in both QFF and Citibank. Turns out they expect the people who take advantage of the PM to have not only a QFF account but the points as well. Sigh* So I try explaining how pointless this was and I think he understood where I was coming from but was unable to provide a good answer.

So there you have it guys, looks like things have changed a little since this post started but I suppose it's still worth it for some people. <Scampers off to PM anchew>

 

[Spizz]

Now here's the kicker for all involved. I questioned him about why they need to see the review screen with taxes specifically pointed out the irony in having to have the required points in both QFF and Citibank. Turns out they expect the people who take advantage of the PM to have not only a QFF account but the points as well. Sigh* So I try explaining how pointless this was and I think he understood where I was coming from but was unable to provide a good answer.

Unbelivable. Like what is the point and whom would want to collect points in 2 different programs (Citi and Qantas) for the same end product (since its a PM with Qantas) and have them just sitting in their Qantas account incase you need to provide Citi with a screenshot for a trip?

Surely they haven't thought this through if they wish people to spend exclusively on the Citi card. Luckily I have access to someone with a lot of points with QFF that could provide me a screenshot but that just seems a superfluous requirement.

 

[NDiddy]

Unbelivable. Like what is the point and whom would want to collect points in 2 different programs (Citi and Qantas) for the same end product (since its a PM with Qantas) and have them just sitting in their Qantas account incase you need to provide Citi with a screenshot for a trip?

Surely they haven't thought this through if they wish people to spend exclusively on the Citi card. Luckily I have access to someone with a lot of points with QFF that could provide me a screenshot but that just seems a superfluous requirement.

Not sure what their go is but it does seem strange. He tried to play the fact that they could find equivalent flights on other carriers but even that doesn't cover the fact the you have to have QF flights available for those points! Argh anyway anchew just emailed me the screen shot so I'll send that off now and update thread once this is all sorted.

Can I just thank anchew for helping me out with this as well. In the deadset department anchew​ is a legend