Citibank Price Match Guarantee

[blessed11]

Thanks for the response all.

I put in a request for SYD - LAX return J class backed of next year and offer came back with a Virgin Australia flight. I requested Qantas again, however the rep advised that Citi offer the cheapest comparable airline. I did a Webjet search and Qantas return for same flight is approx ~$8.5k whereas Virgin is ~$7k.

Any tips of getting myself onto Qantas with Citi?

 

[diningdecadence]

Thanks for the response all.

I put in a request for SYD - LAX return J class backed of next year and offer came back with a Virgin Australia flight. I requested Qantas again, however the rep advised that Citi offer the cheapest comparable airline. I did a Webjet search and Qantas return for same flight is approx ~$8.5k whereas Virgin is ~$7k.

Any tips of getting myself onto Qantas with Citi?

interesting... i've sent my first one off this morning for SYD-LAX in J too, will report back with what they offer. i would've asked for SYD-DFW but i don't have enough points in the account yet. it may be harder for them to match the DFW flight as no one else flies there direct and you could possibly argue it's therefore not comparable to put you on a flight with a connecting. is LAX your final destination?

 

[ronicat]

I booked Perth to New York in May and was only given the option of United Airlines. The rep told me their policy is only to offer the cheapest alternative - QF to Sydney UA to NY. She approached Citibank again and they would not budge. One of my domestic matches was to Virgin at a different time and they would not give me Qantas even though the time was not suitable for the meeting I had in Melbourne. Other than that my flights have been matched with the same QF flights.

 

[blessed11]

interesting... i've sent my first one off this morning for SYD-LAX in J too, will report back with what they offer. i would've asked for SYD-DFW but i don't have enough points in the account yet. it may be harder for them to match the DFW flight as no one else flies there direct and you could possibly argue it's therefore not comparable to put you on a flight with a connecting. is LAX your final destination?

Would be very keen to hear the offer you receive from Citi ! Yes, LAX is my final destination. I thought that maybe a method of increasing chances of getting QF would be to search for available flights before hand and see what dates QF are comparable in price. However, when booking 10mths+ out it's hard to find a QF flight which is cheaper than VA/UA.

I booked Perth to New York in May and was only given the option of United Airlines. The rep told me their policy is only to offer the cheapest alternative - QF to Sydney UA to NY. She approached Citibank again and they would not budge. One of my domestic matches was to Virgin at a different time and they would not give me Qantas even though the time was not suitable for the meeting I had in Melbourne. Other than that my flights have been matched with the same QF flights.

When you say your other flights have been matched to QF previously, what routes were they for? Any for SYD - LAX?

 

[ronicat]

Have only had domestic flights matched to Qantas, but have only used PMG for the one international flight

 

[Flight777]

Help requested please.

I am a lowly bronze with Qantas. I am wanting to use Citibank price match for a J flight MEL-SIN-MEL (QF9) on the 11th Jan 2013 returning 20th jan.

My only problem is there is no availability showing for bronze.

My request is can someone with QF platinum please check if there is availability and send me the screenshot so I can book the Price match with Citibank

Many Thanks

 

[spentan]

Help requested please.

I am a lowly bronze with Qantas. I am wanting to use Citibank price match for a J flight MEL-SIN-MEL (QF9) on the 11th Jan 2013 returning 20th jan.

My only problem is there is no availability showing for bronze.

My request is can someone with QF platinum please check if there is availability and send me the screenshot so I can book the Price match with Citibank

Many Thanks

Nothing really available going up unless if its Business on Jetstar or MEL-PER-SIN.

and returning was only Jetstar SIN-MEL on 26th Jan.

BTW, the Platinum benefit of being able to release seats is not available online, the request needs to be put through to the Premium Service Desk, and they can book it for you.

 

[Flight777]

Nothing really available going up unless if its Business on Jetstar or MEL-PER-SIN.

and returning was only Jetstar SIN-MEL on 26th Jan.

BTW, the Platinum benefit of being able to release seats is not available online, the request needs to be put through to the Premium Service Desk, and they can book it for you.

thanks heaps for checking this for me.

Looks like I might have to delay our trip until later in the year

 

[wafliron]

interesting... i've sent my first one off this morning for SYD-LAX in J too, will report back with what they offer. i would've asked for SYD-DFW but i don't have enough points in the account yet. it may be harder for them to match the DFW flight as no one else flies there direct and you could possibly argue it's therefore not comparable to put you on a flight with a connecting.

This is an interesting point that you make (re requesting DFW to increase your changes of getting a QF match), and you could well be right. As a data point, I PMG'ed a MEL-xSYD-LAX;DFW-xBNE-MEL in J earlier this year and was offered Qantas without even requesting it. It also could be coincidence, or the fact that this was >6 months ago and the rules may have been tightened up, however.

Help requested please.

I am a lowly bronze with Qantas. I am wanting to use Citibank price match for a J flight MEL-SIN-MEL (QF9) on the 11th Jan 2013 returning 20th jan.

My only problem is there is no availability showing for bronze.

My request is can someone with QF platinum please check if there is availability and send me the screenshot so I can book the Price match with Citibank

With respect, I'm disappointed that you're even asking this, and I'd likewise be disappointed if someone offered to help.

The PMG is a fantastic feature of the various Citi cards and very valuable to many of us. Trying to "break the rules" and deceptively obtain a PMG'ed fare is pretty damn selfish - you're doing something to your advantage that may well disadvantage everyone else, given that people abusing the program may lead to Citi deciding to restrict or cancel it.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for finding advantageous ways to use the many airline/CC offers that are out there - this forum is fantastic for that - but only within the rules and without advantaging myself at the expense of others.

 

[Flight777]

This is an interesting point that you make (re requesting DFW to increase your changes of getting a QF match), and you could well be right. As a data point, I PMG'ed a MEL-xSYD-LAX;DFW-xBNE-MEL in J earlier this year and was offered Qantas without even requesting it. It also could be coincidence, or the fact that this was >6 months ago and the rules may have been tightened up, however.


With respect, I'm disappointed that you're even asking this, and I'd likewise be disappointed if someone offered to help.

The PMG is a fantastic feature of the various Citi cards and very valuable to many of us. Trying to "break the rules" and deceptively obtain a PMG'ed fare is pretty damn selfish - you're doing something to your advantage that may well disadvantage everyone else, given that people abusing the program may lead to Citi deciding to restrict or cancel it.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for finding advantageous ways to use the many airline/CC offers that are out there - this forum is fantastic for that - but only within the rules and without advantaging myself at the expense of others.

I originally didnt see it as being 'breaking the rules', but maybe your right. Thanks for your imput

 

[spentan]

This is an interesting point that you make (re requesting DFW to increase your changes of getting a QF match), and you could well be right. As a data point, I PMG'ed a MEL-xSYD-LAX;DFW-xBNE-MEL in J earlier this year and was offered Qantas without even requesting it. It also could be coincidence, or the fact that this was >6 months ago and the rules may have been tightened up, however.

With respect, I'm disappointed that you're even asking this, and I'd likewise be disappointed if someone offered to help.

The PMG is a fantastic feature of the various Citi cards and very valuable to many of us. Trying to "break the rules" and deceptively obtain a PMG'ed fare is pretty damn selfish - you're doing something to your advantage that may well disadvantage everyone else, given that people abusing the program may lead to Citi deciding to restrict or cancel it.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for finding advantageous ways to use the many airline/CC offers that are out there - this forum is fantastic for that - but only within the rules and without advantaging myself at the expense of others.

Don't mean any disrespect either, but I disagree wafliron. There are a couple of things that the PMG makes you do which are ridiculous.

The fact that you have to give them a screenshot is stupid, considering the amount of taxes/points/etc don't change daily or depending on status (They/I could very easily verify this over the phone with Qantas anyway).

Its also silly how you have to have that many points in your QFF account and then only you can get the Taxes/etc for the screenshot. (essentially making you earn double what you actually need)

someone could very easily photoshop a screenshot and send it to them.

Also, If I was a lowly Bronze-Gold, I would wanna know if there is extra availability for a Platinum, (P1 or CL would be great to know as well). This way if there is a difference, it'd give people incentive to get higher status.

I originally didnt see it as being 'breaking the rules', but maybe your right. Thanks for your imput

I personally don't see it as breaking the rules. Flight777 is only asking for availability as a WP. If he had asked me for a screenshot etc, then it is breaking the rules, (and I wouldn't have provided it).

(either way, the availability seemed to be the same, so doesn't really matter).

 

[wafliron]

I originally didnt see it as being 'breaking the rules', but maybe your right. Thanks for your imput

It is, unfortunately - the QFF flight must be available to you in order for it to be eligible for the PMG.

I personally don't see it as breaking the rules. Flight777 is only asking for availability as a WP. If he had asked me for a screenshot etc, then it is breaking the rules, (and I wouldn't have provided it).

I think maybe you misread Flight777's post?

My request is can someone with QF platinum please check if there is availability and send me the screenshot so I can book the Price match with Citibank

I certainly don't have any issue with someone just wanting some info...

Don't mean any disrespect either, but I disagree wafliron. There are a couple of things that the PMG makes you do which are ridiculous.

The fact that you have to give them a screenshot is stupid, considering the amount of taxes/points/etc don't change daily or depending on status (They/I could very easily verify this over the phone with Qantas anyway).

Its also silly how you have to have that many points in your QFF account and then only you can get the Taxes/etc for the screenshot. (essentially making you earn double what you actually need)

someone could very easily photoshop a screenshot and send it to them.

You won't get any argument from me on these points... some of the rules are really stupid, but unfortunately we have to work with what we're "given".

 

[spentan]

It is, unfortunately - the QFF flight must be available to you in order for it to be eligible for the PMG.
I think maybe you misread Flight777's post?
I certainly don't have any issue with someone just wanting some info...
You won't get any argument from me on these points... some of the rules are really stupid, but unfortunately we have to work with what we're "given".

Whoops, I actually misread Flight777's post as you suggested, I thought it was only for information, rather than the screenshot.

Sorry for the confusion, and sorry Flight777, posting a screenshot wouldn't work cos it'd have my name/FF#

 

[diningdecadence]

also got matched to a one way V Australia flight SYD-LAX. price was $7,350 vs $10,100. I feel a little guilty using the service to get an understanding of how it works, however i've now put through enough transactions to actually request the flight i require. played a fair bit of phone tag with the lady as there was no direct phone number or email to contact so this was a little frustrating.

also note you can't book further than 11 months in advance.

$270 change fee - $200 virgin + $70 call centre + any changes in taxes and fare that occur between time of booking and change.

ps walifron your inbox is full.

 

[simonsyd]

Just done my first of these. Simple SYD to AKL in J, 2 weeks out. Exact QF flight matched (mind you not any other choices in J at that the time of day I need to go). 36000 citi points and $125.
Thinking of looking at an LAX trip next year, seems they are generally matching to VA trans pac, which I don't mind on the way back but really like the outbound on QF for Flounge etc!

 

[UpInTheAir]

Has anyone tried constructing a QFF oneworld Classic Award online and getting Citi to match?
Eg someting like MEL-SYD-HKG-DXB-LHR-SFO-LAX-MEL 280k points + taxes/charges.

Also wondered what airlines people are being offered for AU-Europe trips - I tried a one sample trip SYD-FRA o/w and they offered EY which I thought was good but would prefer something like SQ or CX.

Thanks.

 

[wafliron]

Has anyone tried constructing a QFF oneworld Classic Award online and getting Citi to match?
Eg someting like MEL-SYD-HKG-DXB-LHR-SFO-LAX-MEL 280k points + taxes/charges.

I don't believe anyone has yet tried this, but it should be possible, albeit maybe with additional restrictions (see below). I just had a skim through a copy of the PMG T&Cs I saved earlier in the year (the PMG T&Cs page on Citi's website has been unavailable for quite some time) - the relevant bits are as follows (emphasis mine):

5. An award flight offer in the Qantas Frequent Flyer Program is any domestic or international, Flight Booking, Classic or Any Seat award in Economy, Premium Economy, or Business class that is available on the Qantas Australia website. First class is not included. The award flight offer may be one-way, return, open-jaw or multi-stop but must originate in Australia and it must be available to you in the ordinary use of the program.

- multi-stop is specifically allowed
- the itinerary must originate in Australia, which isn't normally a restriction on OWE points fares AFAIK, but I don't imagine will be a big issue in most cases
- "Classic ... award" should cover the OWE points fare as it's considered to be a type of Classic Award, AFAIK.

9. You may book a total of up to five flights as per the quote provided, with each booked flight needing to satisfy the terms and conditions.

This one is potentially a significant restriction for some OWE points fares, given, IIRC, they allow for up to 5 stopovers and up to 15 sectors. Not so bad (although removing one of the allowed stopovers) if Citi count each origin / destination pair as one flight regardless of any transits, but a problem if each sector is counted as a flight. Alternatively, this clause could be referring to the max number of pax you can book at once - i.e. they will match whatever QFF offers you, but for no more than five pax ("flights") at once - in which case it's irrelevant to PMG'ing a OWE points fare.

UpInTheAir (or anyone else, for that matter), if you do try this then please report back - I'd be very interested to hear how you go. As an aside, I'd guess there's a very good chance a OWE points fare will be matched with a DONEx commercial fare (or maybe a *A equivalent?) as I can't imagine that booking all the individual segments separately could possibly work out cheaper than a DONEx (from my limited knowledge of DONEx pricing, anyway). Definitely a big SC earn opportunity here if this is the cae.

This also opens up some interesting possibilities re booking a PMG'ed OWE points fare that covers the correct continents, but not the correct cities and/or dates, and then changing it afterwards - as alluded to previously, I know very, very little about DONEx fares but I believe the price is set by the number of continents, with specific cities / dates / times not being very (or all all?) relevant to the price? Perhaps someone who knows more about DONEx fares can clarify? I guess this would probably be overstepping the rules of the program, but it's interesting to think about nonetheless.

 

[uio]

- multi-stop is specifically allowed
- the itinerary must originate in Australia, which isn't normally a restriction on OWE points fares AFAIK, but I don't imagine will be a big issue in most cases
- "Classic ... award" should cover the OWE points fare as it's considered to be a type of Classic Award, AFAIK.

FYI, I had no end of trouble with a recent PMG. Eventually asked for the T&C's Pinpoint was working off and it is significantly different from the one quoted here. In particular:

1. An award flight offer in the Qantas Frequent Flyer Program is any domestic or international one way or return, Flight Booking, Classic or Any Seat award in Economy, Premium Economy, or Business class that is available on the Qantas Australia website. First class is not included. The award flight must be one way or return, originate in Australia and it must be available to you in the ordinary use of the program.

1. Round the world, multi-stop and open jaw award flights are not eligible.

Essentially was trying to book a PER - HKG and BKK - PER flight (flights in between HKG and BKK to be booked by myself) and it was difficult to achieve with T&C's as provided. I noted that T&C's have not been available on the Citibank site for a while, and that it would actually be cheaper to book the BKK - PER flight as requested rather than make me return to HKG to get back to PER.

Flights matched were on TG rather than one world airlines, and it was based on lowest J class fare available at the time.

IN short, I advise everyone to procure a copy of the T&C's beforehand and think through your intended route before booking...

 

[wafliron]

FYI, I had no end of trouble with a recent PMG. Eventually asked for the T&C's Pinpoint was working off and it is significantly different from the one quoted here. In particular:

1. An award flight offer in the Qantas Frequent Flyer Program is any domestic or international one way or return, Flight Booking, Classic or Any Seat award in Economy, Premium Economy, or Business class that is available on the Qantas Australia website. First class is not included. The award flight must be one way or return, originate in Australia and it must be available to you in the ordinary use of the program.

1. Round the world, multi-stop and open jaw award flights are not eligible.

Essentially was trying to book a PER - HKG and BKK - PER flight (flights in between HKG and BKK to be booked by myself) and it was difficult to achieve with T&C's as provided. I noted that T&C's have not been available on the Citibank site for a while, and that it would actually be cheaper to book the BKK - PER flight as requested rather than make me return to HKG to get back to PER.

Ahh bugger - thanks for the sharing though. Do you have a full copy of the new T&Cs you could post? It'd be nice if Citi actually provided them to us rather than a broken link on their website!

Re your particular flights, couldn't you have just put in two separate PMG requests rather than trying to get an open jaw on one "quote" matched?

 

[spentan]

I was just thinking about it,

Can you get them to match an ASA? From the T&Cs it seems like you can, so even if you don't have enough points in your account, you can match the ASA which it will quote you without enough points.

(And a Classic can also be shown as an ASA.