CitiBusiness Gold 'no longer available'

[greenfrog86]

@greenfrog86 -- If it's VA points you're after, why not just get a citi / virgin money flyer / high flyer? Then later once you have the documented income, switch to Select (unless there's something better when the time comes)?

This is something I am contemplating, but I don't think it makes good sense at the moment because:
- I already have one expensive card which I try to channel towards (Amex Plat, which comes with Amex Plat edge) (virgin flyer for places where Amex not accepted or stupidly expensive)
- I haven't used the 2 for 1 offers up on my Virgin flyer card
- I don't want to destroy my credit rating in my first year playing the game
- I don't know if Citi will cough up the bonus points for an existing virgin money customer (given they provide the backend of the virgin flyer)

So, given the earnings rates helpfully tabulated by yoz above, even if Citi would let you keep CBG, I think you might be better off saving the card fee towards some flights?

Agree but that's why I would have been happy with signature for $149.

1:1 points earn with KF or Virgin, and no monthly cap like the lower end Vigin card. The high flyer card is good for points but expensive as I never fly with anyone so the extra seat is useless.

I've got a whole wallet of cards so that's not the issue - I'm just pissed with Citi and annoyed I have to leave

 

[quokka77]

Or set up an ABN?

 

[Yoz]

Or set up an ABN?

Woman on the phone entering my ABN made a point to mention Citibank would be periodically verifying the business details. I'm not sure how serious they are about this (seems highly inefficient to bother) but I don't really care because I actually use it to run a business

Will be interesting to see if anyone who falsely claims to be 'consulting' gets pinged by Citibank.

 

[quokka77]

Not sure it's any of their business what your ABN is used for. I do have one (used to use it a few years ago for freelance technical support jobs, long since retired it), and seem to remember it being very easy to set up online at ATO website.

Even if you merely have the plan / intent to consult at some point in the future, you could set one up... If they go on to ask you what you business turnover is then you would of course disclose the null figure. But I think it is free to setup, so if I were in this position (I'm not) I would be thinking about it.

 

[scheps]

would be interesting to hear if anyone had success with select because i think the signature is not worth it really...

 

[paulryan33]

A regularity check is what I was told they do by the lady who took my details and told me I can keep using the CBG card. A regularity check is just checking the ABN exists. If you operate under your own name then you don't have to register a business name. Thus what can they really tell on the regularity check other than if you have an ABN? The ATO is not going to disclose any of your financial details to Citi for a credit card. Get an ABN and you are all set to keep your CBG. I knew my ABN would come in handy one day.

Woman on the phone entering my ABN made a point to mention Citibank would be periodically verifying the business details. I'm not sure how serious they are about this (seems highly inefficient to bother) but I don't really care because I actually use it to run a business

Will be interesting to see if anyone who falsely claims to be 'consulting' gets pinged by Citibank.

 

[Yoz]

A regularity check is what I was told they do by the lady who took my details and told me I can keep using the CBG card. A regularity check is just checking the ABN exists. If you operate under your own name then you don't have to register a business name. Thus what can they really tell on the regularity check other than if you have an ABN? The ATO is not going to disclose any of your financial details to Citi for a credit card. Get an ABN and you are all set to keep your CBG. I knew my ABN would come in handy one day.

Well that's pretty lax. However, if they're only checking the business exists I wonder why they bother asking for the industry in which the business operates?

 

[paulryan33]

I guess the question is then what can they do with the information of what industry the business operates in? Not much I would think. For an ABN registered in ones own name, in which the business name does not have to be registered, you could tell them anything and it would not matter. The business name is not registered, and it is not required to be as it is exempt, so the business could be in multiple industries. You could consult, also clean houses, and wash cars. You just get paid through the ABN. They did not ask me for financial details of the business, and legally you would not be required to divulge that. If you get an ABN you are all set from this perspective.

Well that's pretty lax. However, if they're only checking the business exists I wonder why they bother asking for the industry in which the business operates?

 

[kw28]

What exactly is Citibank looking for when they ask about business details regarding the ABN? I thought that for earning points, the official line is that the card is used for personal expenses only. In order to keep the CBG, is it actually preferable in this case to emphasise that the card is used for business expenditure?

 

[Flying Fox]

What exactly is Citibank looking for when they ask about business details regarding the ABN? I thought that for earning points, the official line is that the card is used for personal expenses only. In order to keep the CBG, is it actually preferable in this case to emphasise that the card is used for business expenditure?

I think that the CBG is promoted as a business card and hence confirming an ABN implies some form of business transactions may be going through the card.

The WOW EDR CC is promoted as personal only and hence if they suspect business txns, then they will send you THE Letter.

 

[oz_mark]

What exactly is Citibank looking for when they ask about business details regarding the ABN? I thought that for earning points, the official line is that the card is used for personal expenses only. In order to keep the CBG, is it actually preferable in this case to emphasise that the card is used for business expenditure?

The rewards program have a clause specifying what an eligible transaction is. In the case of the various personal card, this has some text to the effect that expenses related to running a business are excluded from points earning. As far as I can see, this restriction does not seem to exist for the Citibusiness rewards program

 

[gumpy]

I'm so sad about this it's not funny...

I'm thinking of changing to the bankwest platinum card... cheaper and comes with 0 fx fees on international transactions....

 

[paulryan33]

I'm so sad about this it's not funny...

I'm thinking of changing to the bankwest platinum card... cheaper and comes with 0 fx fees on international transactions....

Get an ABN. Takes 5 minutes and it is free. You have nothing to lose and your CBG card to gain.

 

[d00dz]

Guys are you sure there is no QFF earn on this?? My letter says you can still get QFF earn on this, by paying $49 and getting 1:1 for it.

Also I got a signature card offer

 

[kw28]

Great, thanks for clearing that up. Guess I should really read the fine print after all.

I'm so sad about this it's not funny...

I'm thinking of changing to the bankwest platinum card... cheaper and comes with 0 fx fees on international transactions....

gumpy, I had recently signed up for the Bankwest Plat Qantas card and this looks like a great everyday card as well as for overseas use etc. Will keep the CBG anyway for business use and ease of accounting.

 

[d00dz]

Mine says:


You have the option to select from two rewards programs:

Option one: Complimentary Citibank Rewards Program where you will earn 1.5 points per dollar spent in Australia and 4 points per dollar spent overseas at no additional fee.

Option two: Citibank Qantas Rewards Program where you will earn 1 point per dollar spent in Australia and overseas with an additional $49 annual fee on top of your current annual fee.


We will be sending you your new Signature card in October.

 

[Yoz]

Guys are you sure there is no QFF earn on this?? My letter says you can still get QFF earn on this, by paying $49 and getting 1:1 for it.

Also I got a signature card offer

You can get the QFF Earn on the Signature by paying $49/yr but you cannot do this for the Platinum Card.

Ironically, most people who have the Citibusiness Gold will be targeting QF due to the 1.25/$1 being a market leader. However, by offering these people the Platinum they essentially force them onto another card

 

[kw28]

Guys are you sure there is no QFF earn on this?? My letter says you can still get QFF earn on this, by paying $49 and getting 1:1 for it.

Also I got a signature card offer

According to the Signature features, I believe the $49 is an annual fee to keep earning QFF points, on top of the annual card fee, and at a reduced rate of 1:1 instead of 1:1.25. Happy to be corrected though...

 

[kw28]

You can get the QFF Earn on the Signature by paying $49/yr but you cannot do this for the Platinum Card.

Ironically, most people who have the Citibusiness Gold will be targeting QF due to the 1.25/$1 being a market leader. However, by offering these people the Platinum they essentially force them onto another card

Indeed. The signature was still not appealing though due to the lower earn rate. I guess though with the benefit of uncapped points, it may be a better card if you are spending a lot.

 

[d00dz]

According to the Signature features, I believe the $49 is an annual fee to keep earning QFF points, on top of the annual card fee, and at a reduced rate of 1:1 instead of 1:1.25. Happy to be corrected though...

Yeah that is right, but someone said...

I'm in the September boat - here is the link to the website they are promoting: CITIBANK AUSTRALIA

That website has no mention of QFF.

Mine does and it says I'm getting it in October and not September. Maybe a slightly different offer?

I think this card is good, due to the uncapped earn rate. I spent a lot of my card But if you dont spend a lot then yes the 1.25:1QFF is the highest on the market at the moment.