Citibank Qantas Rewards Program going to $2 = 1 point

[MEL_Traveller]

Citibank is now 5th behind the big 4 banks in card issuing/use so if they change the Qantas point earn rate there will be mobs of folks heading for the exit door all at the same time.

except citi is saying this is being imposed by qantas... so if that's true then possibly others will follow... I wonder if citi is telling the truth?

 

[cove]

Which call to Citi would you rely on most......3 calls could give you 3 different answers!

 

[Stephen65]

except citi is saying this is being imposed by qantas... so if that's true then possibly others will follow... I wonder if citi is telling the truth?

I find it very difficult to believe that Qantas is imposing any such thing. Citi buys QFF points from QF and the sale of points is a profit earning activity for QF. There is no reason for QF to limit the point earn particularly when there are many other cards that earn at the same or higher rates.

I suspect its more likely that Citi do not want to pay the rate that QF are charging for the QF points and would prefer to direct holders into redeeming Citi rewards which are more profitable for Citi by creating a disincentive to redeem for QF points.

Of course that doesn't mean that you were being lied to by the Citi representative - its more likely their usual incompetence and lack of knowledge about their own products.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I find it very difficult to believe that Qantas is imposing any such thing. Citi buys QFF points from QF and the sale of points is a profit earning activity for QF. There is no reason for QF to limit the point earn particularly when there are many other cards that earn at the same or higher rates.

I suspect its more likely that Citi do not want to pay the rate that QF are charging for the QF points and would prefer to direct holders into redeeming Citi rewards which are more profitable for Citi by creating a disincentive to redeem for QF points.

Of course that doesn't mean that you were being lied to by the Citi representative - its more likely their usual incompetence and lack of knowledge about their own products.

I know what you're saying... which is why i told my sister to ask them to keep the 1-1 and citi pick you the cost (ie of purchasing the miles required).

call was escalated to supervisor and 'qantas not allowing' came back. I don't believe it either... I suspect they don't want to pay.

 

[whiteshark]

Bye Bye Citibank. The only reason to have a Citibank card is the $1 = 1 point Qantas reward. I cannot for the life of me think of any other reason. AND I paid an additional fee to have the program too.

This company is not competitive with anything else, their investment rates are lower than other leading banks, cards always more expensive and higher rates than other offers in the marketplace, lack of ATM (fee free) use.

Some corporate Idiot obviously flashed a "Hey look at how much we can save" message at a meeeting and everone was too scared to point out the obvious - "how will we keep the qantas customer base loyal if we do that?"

Stupid company of fools.


I will cancel my card the day the points stop.

 

[alect]

Got my new card last night (Free Silver - Gold - Platinum - Signature).

Warning in letter: "If you choose to remain on your current Platinum card, the earn rate will change to 1 point per $2 spent from 1 April 2012 as outlined in the enclosed Rewards Variation Notice".

Fine Print T&Cs on the right hand bottom corner state "The annual fee you wil pay on your new Signature card will be...$0.00 for the primary card and $0.00 for each secondary card". OK, good to see the actual fee in the letter.

Then, a bit further down: "From 1 March 2012, the Citibank Qantas Rewards Program earn rate will change to 1 point for every $2 spent." Not clear from the T&Cs if this for Platinum or Select or both.

That's OK, also enclosed were a notice of variation for rewards and an entire rewards T&C. The variation notice only applied to Platinum and lower, and said the earn rate was 0.5 points per $1. The T&Cs only applied to Signature and Select, and said the earn rate was 1 point per $1, but the redemption rate was 2 points = 1 QFF point.

Have to increase the credit limit on my Woolworths card now - it will be getting a work out.

Having just upgraded to Signature, I read the Reward variation notice carefully. It specifically refers to Citi Platinum and NOT to Signature and Select.

Has anyone either figured this out or gotten more reliable info from Citi?

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Has anyone either figured this out or gotten more reliable info from Citi?

I've got a Select card and have no communication about any points changes.

Called the Select line# and they said the changes are only for Platinum and below (ie: not signature&select).

 

[Citibank Australia]

Hi everyone, it’s Citibank Australia here. We’ve been reading this thread and we’d like to clear things up. Here’s some clarification, but we’ve set up a special section of our Citibank website which goes in to more detail in case you need it: citibank.com.au/qantaschanges

• Changes to the earn rate for Platinum cardholders enrolled in the Citibank Qantas Rewards will take effect on 1 April 2012.
• Currently, Platinum cardholders receive 1 QFF point per $1 spent. From 1 April 2012, Platinum cardholders will receive 1 QFF point per $2 spent.
• Platinum cardholders can choose to switch from the Citibank Qantas Rewards Program to the Citibank Rewards Program to earn 1.25 points per $1 spent in Australia and 3 points per $1 spent internationally.
• There is no change for Citibank Platinum cardholders who are enrolled in the Citibank Rewards Program (i.e. not enrolled in the QFF program). These customers will continue to receive 1.25 points per $1 spent in Australia and 3 points per $1 spent internationally.
• Citibank Signature and Select cardholders who enrol in the Citibank Qantas Rewards Program will continue to earn 1 Qantas Frequent Flyer point for every $1 spent – uncapped.
• Citibank Signature cardholders who enrol in the Citibank Rewards Program receive 1.5 points per $1 spent in Australia and 4 points per $1 spent internationally.
• Citibank Select cardholders who enrol in the Citibank Rewards Program receive 2 points per $ spent in Australia and 5 points per $1 spent internationally.

You can also contact us via our Twitter and Facebook sites – twitter.com/citibankaus and facebook.com/citibankaustralia

Thanks, and sincere apologies for the confusion.

 

[gibspmuh]

Hi everyone, it’s Citibank Australia here. We’ve been reading this thread and we’d like to clear things up. Here’s some clarification, but we’ve set up a special section of our Citibank website which goes in to more detail in case you need it: citibank.com.au/qantaschanges

• Changes to the earn rate for Platinum cardholders enrolled in the Citibank Qantas Rewards will take effect on 1 April 2012.
• Currently, Platinum cardholders receive 1 QFF point per $1 spent. From 1 April 2012, Platinum cardholders will receive 1 QFF point per $2 spent.

Thanks for the confirmation and good to have you on board. Given my Platinum card comes up for renewal in March the decision becomes a very easy one whether to keep the card or not.

 

[Austman]

Thank you Citibank Australia for the clarification.

• Citibank Signature and Select cardholders who enrol in the Citibank Qantas Rewards Program will continue to earn 1 Qantas Frequent Flyer point for every $1 spent – uncapped.

And from the website:

Alternatively, if you are eligible, you may apply to upgrade to the Signature card, on which you will be able to continue earning 1 Qantas Frequent Flyer point per $1 spent. For more information about the Signature card, go to citibank.com.au/newworld.

I upgraded to the Signature card and look forward to the 1 Qantas Frequent Flyer point per $1 spent continuing.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks Citibank - continued 1-1 earning on Signature card is good news!

 

[cove]

Welcome aboard AFF for our new member Citibank Australia!
You have clarified things a lot.
Your Citibank Business web page needs work and please keep training the call centre staff.
You have the products to get a much greater market share!

 

[WindowSeat]

Hi everyone, it’s Citibank Australia here. We’ve been reading this thread and we’d like to clear things up. Here’s some clarification, but we’ve set up a special section of our Citibank website which goes in to more detail in case you need it: citibank.com.au/qantaschanges

• Changes to the earn rate for Platinum cardholders enrolled in the Citibank Qantas Rewards will take effect on 1 April 2012.
• Currently, Platinum cardholders receive 1 QFF point per $1 spent. From 1 April 2012, Platinum cardholders will receive 1 QFF point per $2 spent.
• Platinum cardholders can choose to switch from the Citibank Qantas Rewards Program to the Citibank Rewards Program to earn 1.25 points per $1 spent in Australia and 3 points per $1 spent internationally.
• There is no change for Citibank Platinum cardholders who are enrolled in the Citibank Rewards Program (i.e. not enrolled in the QFF program). These customers will continue to receive 1.25 points per $1 spent in Australia and 3 points per $1 spent internationally.
• Citibank Signature and Select cardholders who enrol in the Citibank Qantas Rewards Program will continue to earn 1 Qantas Frequent Flyer point for every $1 spent – uncapped.
• Citibank Signature cardholders who enrol in the Citibank Rewards Program receive 1.5 points per $1 spent in Australia and 4 points per $1 spent internationally.
• Citibank Select cardholders who enrol in the Citibank Rewards Program receive 2 points per $ spent in Australia and 5 points per $1 spent internationally.

You can also contact us via our Twitter and Facebook sites – twitter.com/citibankaus and facebook.com/citibankaustralia

Thanks, and sincere apologies for the confusion.

Thanks for the info.

What happens with Citibusiness - I assume the earn to Citibank Reward points continues at 1:1.25 but is there a ratio change when transferring these points to QFF?

 

[Captain Paul]

Dear Citibank,
Thanks for the information.
In August 2011 you wrote and pleased me with a reduction in my annual fee from $250.00 to $199.00.
Today, you wrote to me and have annoyed me greatly.
Like thousands of others I will be cancelling my Platinum card before the end of March 2012 and taking my $50,000 - $70,000 per annum purchases elsewhere unless you can offer a card with the same insurance benefits, $1.00 to 1 point on QANTAS and at an annual fee of less than $200.00.
I believe you will lose a lot of business. Perhaps not overnight but wait for the cancellations coming thick and fast nearer to 31 March 2012.
Any members have any suggestions of where I should I go?
Regards
Captain Paul

 

[gibspmuh]

Any members have any suggestions of where I should I go?

The new HSBC Platinum Qantas Credit Card appears to tick all the boxes - see Qantas Credit Card - Platinum Qantas credit card rewards | HSBC Australia for more details. It earns 1 QFF point per dollar (or 2 points per dollar spent overseas). It also includes travel insurance (when travel is purchased with the card) and also includes 2 Qantas Club passes per year as well. The cost is $199 per year and there were some sign-up bonuses of 10,000 points around (not sure if that's still the case).

The Woolworths Qantas Everyday Rewards Card is cheaper at $89 per year, but doesn't include insurance.

 

[Stephen65]

I'm personally not concerned with insurance because my Amex plat charge card covers that and as an SG/J traveller QP passes are of very little value.

What I want in a visa/MC are three things to complement my Amex card:

- at least $1:1QFF point earn rate

- ability to spend on business expenses

- decent high yearly cap i.e at least $200,000

At the moment the Citibusiness Gold card supplies all of this and I am happy with it (shame I cannot say the same about the lamentable standard of Citi's call centres).

However if Citi were to cut the QFF earn rate on this card like they are threatening to do on the Platinum I'd be out of it like a shot.

 

[Austman]

Got a letter from Citibank today which "clarified" the Signature Card upgrade details.

Much better information than the first letter!

 

[Foreigner]

The new HSBC Platinum Qantas Credit Card appears to tick all the boxes - see Qantas Credit Card - Platinum Qantas credit card rewards | HSBC Australia for more details. It earns 1 QFF point per dollar (or 2 points per dollar spent overseas). It also includes travel insurance (when travel is purchased with the card) and also includes 2 Qantas Club passes per year as well. The cost is $199 per year and there were some sign-up bonuses of 10,000 points around (not sure if that's still the case).

The Woolworths Qantas Everyday Rewards Card is cheaper at $89 per year, but doesn't include insurance.

I have wanted an alternative to Westpac's Krisflyer Visa card so applied for this card today though I am uncertain if there's a cap on points. Does anyone know?

 

[greenfrog86]

Bye Bye Citibank. The only reason to have a Citibank card is the $1 = 1 point Qantas reward. I cannot for the life of me think of any other reason. AND I paid an additional fee to have the program too.

This company is not competitive with anything else, their investment rates are lower than other leading banks, cards always more expensive and higher rates than other offers in the marketplace, lack of ATM (fee free) use.

Some corporate Idiot obviously flashed a "Hey look at how much we can save" message at a meeeting and everone was too scared to point out the obvious - "how will we keep the qantas customer base loyal if we do that?"

Stupid company of fools.


I will cancel my card the day the points stop.

Although I've recently had some awful customer service issues with Citibank, I'll do their job for them here and respond to your post that has a few incorrect items in it...

I think you'll find that Citibank transaction accounts with Visa Debit access can access funds from any Westpac group ATM free of charge, their Online Savings Account rates are better than the 'big 4' with rates currently at 5%...

You'll also find that until this change the Platinum card from Citibank was one of the MOST competitive Visa cards for Qf earn in the market (esp for those of us with annual fee reductions) which is why this change is so disappointing to many.

Whilst I agree with you that this is not a good change for those of us who have enjoyed using our Citibank Platinum for 1:1 point earning, may I suggest that constructive comment that has an element of truth might be more useful to other forum members?

 

[spentan]

I don't understand the reason for these changes. And the only card that is really good with Citibank remains the Citibusiness Gold. That is really the shining card for QFF points earn, 1.25:1 and everything except Extended Warranty.

If it had the extended warranty and 1.5pts per $, Even if they charged a little bit more, they could easily get sooo many customers from American Express, and all the major banks offering Platinums.

It seems like they are trying to get away from Qantas and push a little more towards their own rewards program. I still find Qantas the best for Aussies, in terms of service/availability and ASA redemption (Points and SCs on a Points ticket)