FINALLY! - Citi launching Citi Prestige with Visa Infinite

[DaveB]

Forgot about the SPG route - will put as main preference in expanding rewards.
I do not have any other Citi accounts with Select getting an excessive workout roughly four times my ATO spend on other cards.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

While I agree, it's hard to argue for them to sell AA/UA miles into Australia since neither AA/UA are really players here (ok united have couple of routes here).... but SPG is a better argument as SPG do have hotels here/in the region and you can transfer SPG to most airlines anyway...

Citibank owns diners in AU which already has SPG transfers so hooking up prestige card to SPG shouldn't be too much effort.

Why don't citi introduce something like you can get full rate ATO transaction spend so long as it remains under 5% of your non-ATO spend.
This way smaller amounts will be fine and if you want to dump huge number of ATO on the card you will need to push other spend to bump the ratio up. Win:Win for citi and customers.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

DaveB can you try to explain to them that it is indeed important for cardholders to track reward pts earned on each transaction - maybe print out a page from AMEX amd ALTITUDE which clearly show reward pts earned transaction by transaction and hand these sheets to them to highlight the shortcomings of current Cit system.

 

[bismarck]

DaveB can you try to explain to them that it is indeed important for cardholders to track reward pts earned on each transaction - maybe print out a page from AMEX amd ALTITUDE which clearly show reward pts earned transaction by transaction and hand these sheets to them to highlight the shortcomings of current Cit system.

+1

This is my biggest gripe with Citi.

 

[wxxnxs]

DaveB can you try to explain to them that it is indeed important for cardholders to track reward pts earned on each transaction - maybe print out a page from AMEX amd ALTITUDE which clearly show reward pts earned transaction by transaction and hand these sheets to them to highlight the shortcomings of current Cit system.

Agree. Maybe suggest Citi to change its reward scheme, instead of using round down value by each transaction, it could be changed to reward total value of the month in each statement cycle. I have found out that the more decimal transactions involved, the more points will be lost.

 

[diningdecadence]

DaveB can you try to explain to them that it is indeed important for cardholders to track reward pts earned on each transaction - maybe print out a page from AMEX amd ALTITUDE which clearly show reward pts earned transaction by transaction and hand these sheets to them to highlight the shortcomings of current Cit system.

apologies for continuing to keep this OT - but where do you see this on altitude? mine just has a little "altitude points balance summary"... (assuming we're talking WBC altitude black?)

i export all my citi transactions to excel and calculate the points earn into 2 columns based on domestic vs int'l spend.

 

[Ghostdunks]

apologies for continuing to keep this OT - but where do you see this on altitude? mine just has a little "altitude points balance summary"... (assuming we're talking WBC altitude black?)

i export all my citi transactions to excel and calculate the points earn into 2 columns based on domestic vs int'l spend.

If you're on the westpac rewards site, go to "Rewards Account"(one of the tabs on the top), then select "View Your Altitude Statement"

 

[Ibhayi]

Do you earn points for State Revenue Office (Victoria) and Council Rate notices?

 

[Cruiser Elite]

i export all my citi transactions to excel and calculate the points earn into 2 columns based on domestic vs int'l spend.

On a statement by statement basis? How does that work out for you? I have tried it but I find it impossible to reconcile.

 

[diningdecadence]

On a statement by statement basis? How does that work out for you? I have tried it but I find it impossible to reconcile.

Yep.

Agree it's very difficult, particularly when you put through international spend around closing balance date. Have to be careful when you download that the transactions that come through match the statement (usually don't!)

Points awarded match up to entitlement since I started doing it about 6 months ago.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Thanks dd for your motivational post - I did indeed sit down yesterday - import the data from Citi into a spread sheet - isolate dom/int transactions and reconcile pts. Jeez - last month 170+ transactions - bit time consuming but Citi spot on last 2 months I reconciled - will continue month by month going fwd now that I have it sussed but don't think I will go any further back.

 

[DaveB]

New Infinite card & package arrived today - looks OK though not sure when supplementary cards are going to come. Thankfully card details haven't changed.

 

[cove]

I spread sheet mine in my head to ensure my brain can handle mental arithmetic.

 

[legroom]

I did make an enquiry to see if the 1/2 annual fee could be 'for life'.

That was the day before I left for a trip. I will contact them once I get back to Oz to see their response.

If yes, it could work out OK esp with the free hotel back on the menu.

The reply from Citi is in the negative !

 

[Duffa]

The reply from Citi is in the negative !

Half for me

 

[legroom]

I was referring to a "for life" deal, not 1st year.

Half for me

 

[diningdecadence]

Should have the chance of meeting a few Citi staff at the card launch next Thursday so am planning to use the opportunity to outline some possible card improvements.

how was it? (lunch and the discussion)

 

[Duffa]

I was referring to a "for life" deal, not 1st year.

Yep for life. well past three or four years anyway.

 

[DaveB]

The night was rather fab starting with the A8 limo there and back. The better half unfortunately said she could get rather used to the treatment.
It seems those invited, my guess around 100-120 there with plenty of Citi people from CEO of Oz down along with a mix of Select and Citigold clients, with everyone I spoke to having been with Citi a long time.
I put the main points across to any Citi person I could nicely annoy being Tracking Points, SPG membership, some ATO points earn and the Rewards site. They all listened which was nice and recognised IT issues with no promises made. Can't see them though making any changes soon after the launch.
Regarding golf courses, didn't enquire about SE Asia with the two in OZ being St Andrews Beach and The Lakes.
It seems those already received the cards were picked out by back office staff before the main sending out starting soon and completed by middle of next month. They acknowledged those who had already received Primary cards, Citi had not made provision to also send out the supplementary cards which has now been picked up with the general card distribution process. Hopefully you will no longer have to ring up.

 

[legroom]

Good for you !

They declined my request for same [Select refugee, currently Signature free-for-life].

Yep for life. well past three or four years anyway.