FINALLY! - Citi launching Citi Prestige with Visa Infinite

[albyd]

Citi points usually show up when a transaction changes status from pending to posted. They don't have a portal or statement showing itemized point earning so a matter of manually keeping track of it.
It's not the best sometimes I come up a few thousand short, other times ahead. A call to Citi for them to do a reconciliation might have unintended consequences.

 

[kkl]

Yup i have understood not to call up Citi unless its life or death. As it my was first billing cycle and not much have been put through i decided to have a casual chat about the points posting. Ill keep an eye for the missing 15k and see how it goes.

 

[cove]

Don't get too worried about points not posting kkl. It may take a few months for you to accept near enough is good enough when you try to reconcile your points earn. Some months up, some months down. Calling them can mess with your mind or blood pressure so don't bother calling for anything other than stay 4 nights and pay for three or maybe a free limo ride or two.
I think I have done a free bottle of wine deal once as well.
Relax and enjoy the flights you score using the points.
Actually I think the Citi call centre has improved but almost no need to test this thought of mine.

 

[Moindardt]

Citi points usually show up when a transaction changes status from pending to posted. They don't have a portal or statement showing itemized point earning so a matter of manually keeping track of it.
It's not the best sometimes I come up a few thousand short, other times ahead. A call to Citi for them to do a reconciliation might have unintended consequences.

Check my post #1079 to see what has and hasn't posted. As the other ppl, it is a total coughshoot knowing when points will post and it is just part of the fun of dealing with Citibank.

 

[imipenam]

To clarify, does Citi pay after statement date? compared with other banks who pay within a day or 2 after transaction has cleared.

I just signed up to Prestige about 3 weeks ago. I have roughly 6K points in my account but should have around 22K. Had a quick chat with someone and they said Citi only pays points after billing cycle.

As it has not been the first month yet, I should have 0 points in my account as the first cycle date has not ended. Not sure whats what.

Also how long does the bonus 80k take to post?

Did you sign up for Qantas or Citirewards, kkl?

I must have been lucky. When I received my very first statement via email, my Qantas bonus points and transaction points were all in my QF account already (less points from transactions still pending). I was immediately able to then swap over to Citirewards by calling them up.

 

[kkl]

Etihad has a 20% promo transfer bonus. Domestic reward on Virgin via Etihad Guest PER-SYD requires 31800 before the transfer bonus

Did the 70K citirewards as have no use for qf points atm

 

[thehound]

Etihad has a 20% promo transfer bonus. Domestic reward on Virgin via Etihad Guest PER-SYD requires 31800 before the transfer bonus

Thanks for the heads-up. As a comparison for J seats, and taking into account the current 20% bonus with Etihad:

PER-MEL/ADL/DRW: 21800 Etihad pts = 36336 Citi pts
PER-SYD: 33800 Etihad = 56334 Citi pts

Booked directly with VA these are all 71000 Citibank/35500 VA pts/person in J.

So using the Etihad promo you can almost book a return PER-MEL for the same as a one way using Virgin points. Does anyone know what the taxes are like that Etihad charge for a journey like this?

Like BA Avios for PER-MEL J flights, there's a nice sweet spot there for VA PER-MEL bookings. PER-DPS is listed on the Etihad chart as the same for PER-MEL - pity VA have axed the route!

 

[MikeeB]

I booked two return J PER-MEL for November just last week. One was booked through Etihad and had $38.50 in taxes/surcharges etc. The other was booked through Virgin America's Elevate program and was only $25.20USD (about $33AUD with the FX rate of the day). Interestingly enough, the reservation I made through Etihad I could go to the Virgin Australia website and select my own seat, but the one made through Elevate I had to call up to choose a seat.

 

[thehound]

Just saw that Etihad also partner with Garuda. So PER-DPS using Garuda in J would be 28000 Etihad miles, which with 20% bonus is 46668 Citi pts.

 

[quokka77]

Just cancelled citi prestige. They offered to reduce annual fee to 650 (from 700) but not really worth it IMO. I'll be eligible to signup again with bonus in 12 months anyway (bonus points are realistically worth more than keeping the card). So long (for now) and thanks for the memories Citi!

 

[Moindardt]

Just saw that Etihad also partner with Garuda. So PER-DPS using Garuda in J would be 28000 Etihad miles, which with 20% bonus is 23334 Citi pts. Not bad.

Am I missing something? The transfer is 2 citi points to 1 Etihad or with the bonus, 2 citi to 1.2 etihad. Therefore for 28000 etihad miles, it is 46667 Citi points.

 

[thehound]

You're not missing anything Moindardt, I was! You're 100% right - 2:1 transfer for both Etihad and Virgin. My original post has been corrected.

 

[kkl]

How does one signup for the priority pass? I assume i get a separate priority pass card? Do they check names with boarding passes when swiping the card?

 

[albyd]

In my experience every lounge I've used it at are super diligent at checking names, etc.

 

[thehound]

How does one signup for the priority pass? I assume i get a separate priority pass card? Do they check names with boarding passes when swiping the card?

I can't remember how you sign up (ask concierge), but you'll receive a package from priority pass with your card. Once you've got that the easiest thing is to log in using the app - then you don't even need the physical card, only the digital card via the app. I've used it lots of times in Asia, North America and Europe - and names and boarding passes are checked every time.

 

[DaveB]

Got so used to never using the card, no longer carried it last trip so Murphy's Law struck with Delta currently without a lounge at Calgary. Lounge staff were apologetic but no can do without the card. Will definitely setup the app for future.

 

[coolkid101]

to save me time going through previous posts - does non-ATO government bills e.g. emergency services levy earn points on citi?
thanks in advance

 

[cove]

The only item not getting points has been ATO.

 

[coolkid101]

thanks cove

The only item not getting points has been ATO.

 

[albyd]

Just planning trip next year to Conrad Maldives Rangali Island resort on Hilton HHonours points. Was going to fund most of it with Citi points conversion. Just looked into Citi rewards and there's a prominent banner ad - the double points promo is back - usually 1:1, currently 2:1 (4 HH points per AUD spent and 10 HH for AUD for overseas spend) until January 13. Thought might be of interest to other members who have mentioned it before.

Great news for my booking. Though had only 10 minutes earlier bought 160K HH points as I was short and didn't want to risk losing the room I wanted. Still a great result. Leaves extra points to transfer for Flight redemptions