CitiBusiness Gold 'no longer available'

[pangwen]

Read my post #250 in this thread. It looks like CBG customers who provided an ABN will be shunted off to Diners Club Land...

When I called Citi in early July regarding the CBG (after I received my letter saying that I would receive a Platinum card), I discussed several options with them for business use. During the call, they suggested the Diners card, and offered to waive a fee (can't remember if it was the first year off or free supplementary card). However, after that discussion, they did allow me to give them an ABN and retain the CBG.

 

[Happy Dude]

I have received the "you'll be getting a platinum card" letter too. A cursory glance confirms the uselessness conveyed here. I doubt that a Signature card would be much better in my circumstances (particularly with the annual QF fee), and the thought of paying $700/yr for a credit card is unappealing - particularly given the confusion/difficulties/limitations surround claiming the benefits, so it looks like 10yrs of credit card custom (I will retain my Citibank plus transaction account) is heading out the door.

The conundrum I have is, like plenty of others here, where to go? I have about 275,000 points to flick to.... QF, DJ or SQ? But WRT earning in the future, the landscape looks bleak. AmEx is just too darn confusing with different points earn for the various vendors, and their annual fees are getting pricey too. For plain old QF points it looks like WOW EDR QF or the BankWest QF platinum - the main difference in those cards being the insurance, smaller sign up bonus and no FX fees for about $50 more in annual fees for the BankWest card. I'm yet to compare with ANZ and Westpac offers.

Any other thoughts on where to look?

 

[Chicken]

the thought of paying $700/yr for a credit card is unappealing

Where did you get this from? The form states you get upgraded for the same annual fee.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Where did you get this from? The form states you get upgraded for the same annual fee.

For the Plat. Not the Sig.

 

[greenfrog86]

Where did you get this from? The form states you get upgraded for the same annual fee.

I think they were referring to the third option which would be to upgrade outside of the advertised offer, and go for the Select card which is $700 a year. This is not an option for the upgrade at same annual fee...

 

[Happy Dude]

Where did you get this from? The form states you get upgraded for the same annual fee.

As per lovetravellingoz and greenfrog86, I meant that I'm not going to upgrade to Select outside of Citi's "upgrade" offer to platinum. If it were the same price as my CBG, then that's a different story - but one that ain't happening. Nor am I that interested in the Signature, which would also be outside of the offer - although I'm confident of getting it instead of the platinum, based on the experiences here.

 

[Franko Costa]

Honestly, why is everyone just complaining about this? The CBG was too good to be true as it was the best card in the market and Citi rightly changed the product. If one is not interested in QFF (as they are rubbish conversion compared with other programs), the an upgrade to the Signature, for the same fee, is still a pretty good deal. If you have a platinum offer, call them up and ask for the signature if you increase your credit limit

 

[greenfrog86]

Honestly, why is everyone just complaining about this? The CBG was too good to be true as it was the best card in the market and Citi rightly changed the product. If one is not interested in QFF (as they are rubbish conversion compared with other programs), the an upgrade to the Signature, for the same fee, is still a pretty good deal. If you have a platinum offer, call them up and ask for the signature if you increase your credit limit

Exactly what I did, however it was like pulling teeth until I complained and they assigned a supervisor to my case... Finally they have managed to upgrade my card to signature and after several calls to sort through a further stuff up with the annual fee it seems to be close to being right.

 

[orac]

Exactly what I did, however it was like pulling teeth until I complained and they assigned a supervisor to my case...

I am having similar problems with citi gold, missing points and the change over to a new card. Does any one know of an Australian number I can call???

I am rapidly moving towards giving them the flick after 11 years

Regards

 

[orac]

Yes, that's also what happened to me. No joy unless you call the number on the letter.

Make that two of us

 

[greenfrog86]

I am having similar problems with citi gold, missing points and the change over to a new card. Does any one know of an Australian number I can call???

I am rapidly moving towards giving them the flick after 11 years

Regards

I complained on twitter and facebook before finally receiving a call-back from a supervisor who has been amazing to be honest.

Disappointing that it took all of that before I actually got good service, but she has done everything expected (including actually calling back as promised!)

Not sure if you are just using a phrase but if you are actually a citigold client then don't you have an RM? If you do, isn't it up to them to sort things out for you?

 

[abby-line]

Just called the 1300 number from the letter, asked about the Diners card vs the Visa, and she said the option was there for Diners but I would not be forced to take it. Advised ABN and can keep my CBG Visa, no change to it nor the rewards program. So she said. Thank goodness for voice recordings!

 

[scheps]

I always have a very hard time finding my local Australian rm. Sydney is much better

 

[davelee]

Kleoline - u are the man!!

 

[paulryan33]

Just received my new Citibusiness Gold in the mail today. Old one expires in September, so they are early. I have activated the new one and it expires in Sep 2016. Looks like if you have an ABN you get to keep the CBG. No worries.

 

[davelee]

Fantastic. Cant wait to check the mail tonight!

 

[Yoz]

Anyone else been charged the renewal fee lately?

It seems not only are we able to keep the card but the annual fee seems to be locked at the $74 promotional rate?

 

[DerekG]

Called Citibank yesterday & advised ABN. They advised they would check the number & call me back within 2 days.

I am wondering if we won't be treated at some later time as "private consumers" under Visa's T&Cs & will instead be considered "business users".

Time will tell.

 

[DerekG]

Citibank called back today as promised & confirmed that I may retain the CitiBusiness Card as their checks confirmed my ABN. They also confirmed that the existing rewards program will remain unchanged.

I asked why the ABN was required & the lady replied that it was for "financial regulative requirements".

 

[flin898]

Called up customer service last month provided them with ABN, was told that I can keep the CBG. Received letter yesterday saying they'll convert the card to citiselect. On the phone with them right now to see what's going on.