Citibank upgrading fee free Gold to fee free Platinum

[kpc]

The call centre is in the Philippines.

Anyway, it will be good to now be able to speak to an Aussie call centre anyway.

 

[alemdohorizonte]

Anyway, it will be good to now be able to speak to an Aussie call centre anyway.

i have called the new platinum visa number three times since i accepted the upgrade and have never spoken with anyone in australia. i always end speaking with the call centre in the philippines.
are we supposed to get phone agents in australia with the platinum upgrade?

 

[bigmudcake]

I am inclined not to upgrade. I am sure if they try to suck me in now they will also try to suck me in later.

I have fired off an email to see if they can clarify if Annual Fee Free will remain if you upgrade to Platinum and also if any T&Cs will change (other than for travel insurance/purchase protection).

Might be inclined once they clarify their position regarding annual fees.

This has been clarified numerous times in this thread already.

This hasn't been clarified. No one yet has it in writing.

The only thing we have in writing is the fact that "Fee Free for life is for the life of the account only (fine print on Gold Card account signup)".

Now considering that upgrading to Platinum they give you a NEW account number and a NEW user login id, and specify in writing that the fee is "CURRENTLY $0" not "$0 FOR LIFE". Therefore it appears that the only thing we have in writing points more to the fact that the FEE FREE FOR LIFE may no longer apply.

I sent an email and have yet to get a reply in writing that the Fee Free for life does indeed transfer to the new Platinum card.

 

[ellein]

I am most likely to stay put at my gold card. I just don't like the phrase "currently $0".

 

[jandk]

I am most likely to stay put at my gold card. I just don't like the phrase "currently $0".

hmmm you've got a point, i've already accepted the offer but it could just be a big ploy to get all those people (like myself) that were on free for life gold cards to start paying again. If they ever try and charge me any annual fee whatsoever i'll be gone SO FAST.

you've got me worried now.

 

[arinko]

Well every call should be recorded. I asked them if it will still be free for life, they said yes. So I would ask for a recording of my conversation.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

If they ever try and charge me any annual fee whatsoever i'll be gone SO FAST.

.

Will you.
Which other VISA has the same earn rate for FF points?

For me the Citibank is required on those occassions that I cannot use Amex.

 

[jandk]

Will you.
Which other VISA has the same earn rate for FF points?

For me the Citibank is required on those occassions that I cannot use Amex.

yeh, out of spite...these days 95% of my transactions (both business and personal) are put through my plat amex anyway.

I've been with citibank since 99, i'd be hopeful if they did do something and i said i'd leave they'd offer waiver. Failing that, yeh i think i'd leave.

 

[kamchatsky]

Activated my replacement Gold card today ...... No Platinum offer for me and Mrs Edison, even though I have this card for 2 years and I put some workout with it ..... Not complaining as the Platinum card doesn't seem to be that much better than the Gold card anyway ......

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Activated my replacement Gold card today ...... No Platinum offer for me and Mrs Edison, even though I have this card for 2 years and I put some workout with it ..... Not complaining as the Platinum card doesn't seem to be that much better than the Gold card anyway ......

That would seem to be the case for me to0. So without a perceived real difference I would rather stick with the guaranteed free for live.

 

[Baysider]

I also received my platinum card upgrade on the fee free gold, and I too am somewhat cynical about the "currently $0 per annum" fee. Like other posters, my Citibank Card will be gone in 30 seconds if there is ever an annual fee applied.

I was thinking about ditching my Gold Amex Card - may keep it now and see where Citibank goes on the "fee free" deal.

 

[jingles]

One of the less obvious but important benefits of the Plat card over the Gold card is that you no longer have to speak to India etc

Really
Is that the x008 number?

I called that to activate my card and spoke to india.

I reckon I have put through $35,000 in the last 18months... I rang up to see if I was going to receive an upgrade, seeing as two family members living in the home had already received theirs.

I know someone spending around $15,000 per month on a gold card, no upgrade.

I also received my platinum card upgrade on the fee free gold, and I too am somewhat cynical about the "currently $0 per annum" fee. Like other posters, my Citibank Card will be gone in 30 seconds if there is ever an annual fee applied.

If is just a generic letter.

If you were on a promotional rate, say half price for a year on a $200pa card then the letter would have said "currently $100 per year"

You will not loose the free for life benefit.

http://www.citibank.com.au/goplatinum/130808/15rewardspts.htm?code>=P1C882CI

 

[jingles]

Anyone know if this offer applies for the upgraded cards?
http://www.citibank.com.au/goplatinum/130808/15rewardspts.htm?code%3E=P1C882CI

 

[netjock]

If is just a generic letter.

If you were on a promotional rate, say half price for a year on a $200pa card then the letter would have said "currently $100 per year"

You will not loose the free for life benefit.

Makes matters even worse if it is a form letter. Don't forget that under the Financial Services Act if it is general advice and not for individual's particular circumstances it is up to the individual to seek further advice.

The only problem that I have is the "link" between the "fee free for life" and the platinum upgrade. It is easy to argue when you have a gold card & the letter re: your fee free for life gold card + t&c's which you agree to by activating the card.

If you have a platinum and you have the letter for platinum upgrade offer. Then you need to link the platinum card to the gold card. Note on the letter it doesn't say what your gold card number is which is what you are upgrading from. The more ambiguous the link and as time goes by the harder it is to substantiate clearly the evidence.

ALTHOUGH I have just reread the letter and lets see if everyone would agree with me here:

On the back under FAQ the 2nd question "Will I be charged any additional fees for this new card?" it says "No, you will pay no additional charges to receive or use your new chip credit card. The normal fees and charges associated with your Gold Credit Card account will apply to your new Citibank Platinum Credit Card."

That is a very broad statement and it might come back to bite them (just like the amex NO LIMITS reward points issue currently being debated). Anyone know if they jacked up the FX fees?

I'd like to get a 2nd opinion (via email) first considering I have until 30/11 to take it up.

 

[$CJ]

I can't get the stickers off!!

 

[Baysider]

I can't get the stickers off!!

Yes, I had the same problem !!

 

[serfty]

No problem for me, since I'm not going to upgrade to the new one - the sticker was simply cut up along with the card ...

 

[bazzam]

Spoke to Citibank call center today and asked whether free for life would extend to Platinum. I was told that it did and I would not be charged any fees. Took a filenote of the agent's name and time/date of the call. Hopefully if they ever try and impose a fee I can use this as proof that I was told "no fee ever".

 

[alect]

Well neither the Gold nor the Platinum will be linked to QFF past 1 Apr 2009:

Frequent Flyer - About the Program - Program News - Changes to Earning Points with Cards

 

[kpc]

Well neither the Gold nor the Platinum will be linked to QFF past 1 Apr 2009:

Frequent Flyer - About the Program - Program News - Changes to Earning Points with Cards

There will still be a link to QF. What's different is that you will have to opt to have all your Citibank points automatically "swept" into QF every month as opposed to keeping the points in your Citibank account, and having a range of programs, including QF, to T/F to at your desire.

If you are enrolled in Citibank Rewards, you can retain your current card but if you wish to continue to earn Qantas Frequent Flyer points in relation to your card, you will need to opt in to a Qantas Frequent Flyer option offered by Citibank by 31 March 2009.