Credit Card Programs - Death Of The Citi Dividend Card

Here's a letter I received from Citibank:


Please note the following important changes to your Citi Dividend Card Reward Program.

Dear SOhp101,

With your Citi Dividend Card you can earn cash back on purchases, eligible cash advances and qualifying balance transfers. Effective October 13th, your Citi Dividend Card Reward Program is changing as follows:

- You will earn only 2% cash back on purchases made at supermarkets, drugstores and gas stations.
However, you will also earn 2% cash back on more purchases that may touch your everyday life, as we are adding convenience stores and utilities including cable,* to the above list.
So, as of October 13, you will earn 2% cash back on purchases made at supermarkets, drugstores, gas stations, convenience stores and utilities including cable.

Cash back is shown on your billing statement as Dividend Dollars. The following terms of the rewards program reimain the same, so you will continue to enjoy earning cash back on all types of transactions:
- 1% cash back on all other purchases... [text]
- 1% cash back on cash advances... [text]
- 5 Dividend Dollars for each balance transfer transaction of $1,500 or more... [text]
- Redeem when you've earned 50 Dividend Dollars.... [text]
- Continue to earn a maximum of 300 Dividend Dollars in a calendar year... [text]
- Earn unlimited cash back with the Dividend Merchant Network... [text]

Keep earning your current cash back on purchases until the above changes take effect. Remember, your Citi Dividend Card lets you earn cash back on all types of transactions that may touch your life every day. So, use your card to keep earning Dividend Dollars everywhere you shop.

Sincerely,

Kendall E. Stork, President and CEO
Citibank (South Dakota), N.A.

*Convenience stores are stand-alone merchants who sell a limited variety of food items. Utilities are defined as electric, gas power, water supply, refuse services, excluding telephone services. Cable is defined as satellite and other pay television and radio services.

Looks like I have to look for another "everyday purchases" card now...

Yup, our fear has finally come true. Thx for sharing; my letter should arrive soon as well.

I guess here Chairman Card and its poorer cousin, PremierPass Elite stand out more than ever as you can effectively get this 2% combined with flght points making it to 4%.

from WSJ.

Citigroup Cuts Size of
Cash-Back Carrot on Card

In another sign of the rising popularity and cost of credit-card rewards programs, Citigroup Inc. is cutting back on the amount of cash some cardholders can earn on purchases made at supermarkets, gasoline stations and drugstores.

Holders of Citigroup's Citi Dividend MasterCard have begun receiving 30-day notices that as soon as October they will receive 2% cash back, rather than the current 5%, on purchases they make at those locations using their credit card.

The change comes following a similar move by American Express Co., which recently announced it would no longer offer double rewards when customers use their card for "everyday spending" at locations similar to those covered by the Citigroup move.

Citigroup, however, while cutting back the amount of its cash-back rewards, is offering Citi Dividend MasterCard cardholders more types of businesses where they can receive cash back. Purchases made at convenience stores and utilities, including cable operators, will be eligible for 2% cash-back rewards when the card is used. Cardholders are eligible to receive an annual maximum of $300 cash back.

The cardholders will receive an average of 5% back on purchases they make through Citigroup's Dividend Merchant Network, a group of more than 300 participating retailers. The cash earned back through the network doesn't apply to the annual maximum.

In the past few years, card companies have encouraged customers to use plastic for purchases that previously were made with cash. By reducing the benefits associated with some types of purchases, card issuers appear to be betting that customers no longer need incentives to use their cards for everyday purchases like gasoline.

You will have to goto http://www.wsj.com for the rest of the article.


I guess my everyday card will have be changed as well.

I guess my everyday card will have be changed as well.

I got the letter too yesterday. RIP Citi Dividend.

My cable company (RCN) stopped taking credit cards for payment 4 months ago so the new benefit is useless for me. I lost $2500/year in charges (I have all the channels, internet, and multiple phone lines).

I still have my Chase Cash Plus Rewards and a Citi Chairman. Someone posted a link to 5% cash back HSBC card in another thread.

Also, the drivers edge card really stands out as it has no annual fee and earns 6% cashback for the 1st year on everyday purchases and then 3% after the first year. Plus these rebates can be matched to your drive rebates which effectively makes it worth 12% and 6% respectively if you drive enough. Also, the annual cap is $1000 with a max of $500 dollars coming from drive rebates. The only downside is you can only use the points for car related services, to purchase/lease a new car, or transfer the purchase points to the thankyou network but you can't transfer the drive rebates to the thankyou network so premier pass elite and chairman are better if you do a lot of flying.

This has really upset mesince i have been a loyal card user since the card was introduced and I will cancel this card because of this cutback

I, too, received my letter yesterday and am seriously contemplating cancelling. Any other suggestions for a good everyday, no-annual-fee Visa/Mastercard to replace it? I'd prefer cash over points (unless they introduce a Starwood Visa/MC!).

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows 98; PalmSource/hspr-H102; Blazer/4.0) 16;320x320)

There are not a lot of choices left. Most of the 5% cards are being phased out. Chase had an equivalent card to the Citi card that you can no longer apply for even over the phone.

There is a long thread on the Fatwallet finance forum about other options but I doubt any of them will be around for long. Credit card incentives are like airfares. Without competitive pressure they tend to get worse.

Best replacements right now appear to be:

http://chasecashback.com (Edit: no longer appears to be a 5% link)
http://directrewardscard.com

Some have intimated the latter is a scam and not a real cc site, but it appears on fatwallet people have been getting the actual card. It's not clear how much longer Chase will offer their 5% back card now that Citi is dumping Dividend Rewards.

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows 98; PalmSource/hspr-H102; Blazer/4.0) 16;320x320)

There are not a lot of choices left. Most of the 5% cards are being phased out. Chase had an equivalent card to the Citi card that you can no longer apply for even over the phone.

There is a long thread on the Fatwallet finance forum about other options but I doubt any of them will be around for long. Credit card incentives are like airfares. Without competitive pressure they tend to get worse.


Does anyone know if the Citi AMEX Dividend card is also being phased out ??? I saw an ad for it in the paper recently and it has the same terms as the 5% Dividend card. I might try switching over to this if Citi is not going to change it.

Does anyone know if the Citi AMEX Dividend card is also being phased out ??? I saw an ad for it in the paper recently and it has the same terms as the 5% Dividend card. I might try switching over to this if Citi is not going to change it.

I'm pretty sure Citi is dumping all their 5% cards, both MC and Amex. At least you can't currently apply for the Amex (http://www.citibank.com/us/cards/cardserv/amex/divplat-amex.jsp) version online.

Also note that many grocery stores and gas stations don't accept Amex. If the ones you frequent do accept Amex, however, Amex has its own 5% card: Amex Blue Cash (https://www124.americanexpress.com/cards/loyalty.do?page=bluecash&Card_name=BlueCash&link=CARD_SELECTOR).

Note that this card requires you to spend $6500 BEFORE the 5% benefit kicks in. But they then give 5% on groceries/gas/drugstores and 1.5% on everything else until you get to $50k spending in a year, so it's a great choice for cash back if you spend enough.

i've decided just to use my Amex Starwood on everything, and use AA business on merchants who don't accept Amex, this certainly makes my wife's life a lot easier :)

i've decided just to use my Amex Starwood on everything, and use AA business on merchants who don't accept Amex, this certainly makes my wife's life a lot easier :)

Yeah, that's the way I'm leaning, too. If you do significant leisure travel, the Starwood points are extremely valuable. Hotel rooms can be very expensive, and the Starwood program is very customer friendly. And I find it often works great in a situation where priceline is unattractive.

A Starwood point is, without question, currently worth at least 2 cents, and you can often get much more value than that out of them. They're also a lot of fun to spend (I've used them in California and Florida resorts, and in luxury hotels in Asia and Europe). So to accept an alternative credit-card bribe, it has to be very lucrative. The 5% cash back from Citi was an offer too-good-to-refuse (and I limited my purchases to gas, groceries and drug stores, using AMEX everywhere else it was accepted).

I'm skeptical that anyone is going to still offer 5% cash, but you never know. And, of course, there's always a chance the SPG program or its credit card will also be devalued.

It's easy to get more Cashback Bonus every time you fill up at the pump with our Discover Platinum Gas Card.

And you'll receive 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months and no annual fee.

You get these great features with the Discover Platinum Gas Card:

America's #1 Cash Rewards Program*

Full 5% Cashback Bonus on gas purchases
Up to 1% Cashback Bonus on all your other purchases
Unlimited cash rewards that never expire

USAA offers a 10% cash back MC for gas purchases, the only catch is you have to be in the military.

Also note that many grocery stores and gas stations don't accept Amex.

Except for a VERY small percentage (under 1%) of grocery stores and gas stations that I've been to (in different parts of the country), all have taken AX (along with the usual MC/VI)!

USAA offers a 10% cash back MC for gas purchases, the only catch is you have to be in the military.

Well, not IN the military, but somehow connected to the military including prior service or service of a parent. I suspect at least a quarter of the readers of this board qualify.

I myself received that offer, and I recall there was a catch (benefits were reduced after a few months). I threw out the mailing, but I guess I'll now call to learn the details.

It's easy to get more Cashback Bonus every time you fill up at the pump with our Discover Platinum Gas Card.

Full 5% Cashback Bonus on gas purchases
Up to 1% Cashback Bonus on all your other purchases
Unlimited cash rewards that never expire

Note the 5% is ONLY on gas (not groceries or drugstores). And Discover is less accepted than VI/MC/AX.

Note the 5% is ONLY on gas (not groceries or drugstores). And Discover is less accepted than VI/MC/AX.

I have this card and it's been great for gas purchases, but I received a letter with a change in terms. I think from November you'll get the 5% for the first $1,200 in gas purchases and 1% for all purchases beyond this amount per year. I guess I'll have to keep track of this limit every year and switch over to Starwood for the rest of the yearly gas purchases.

I called USAA and the best offer they apparently have is on their new AMEX card. It's 5% on gas, groceries and drugs, but only for 6 months. After that, the rebate is pretty lame (i.e., would not appeal to an AMEX Starwood card holder).

I am a USAA member. The 5% is only for gas. There is no 10% rebate, not sure where the poster is pulling this info from.

I am a USAA member. The 5% is only for gas. There is no 10% rebate, not sure where the poster is pulling this info from.

And only for 6 months, right?

It would be worth carrying the card (for free) if you could get 5% off gas (like $2.50 a fill-up) indefinitely.

This has really upset mesince i have been a loyal card user since the card was introduced and I will cancel this card because of this cutback


I too have had my Dividend card for some time--since about 1992 when it was 2% on everything with no cap (at least not that I ever hit). Over the years I have milked the card for about $7K. Thanks Citibank, but alas, I will not be using your card much anymore.

It will fall under the "What have you done for me lately." category. If the answer is "nothing" then I'll fire you.

OK, so I will still keep the card open only because of the huge impact that average account age has on a FICO score, but I don't see myself using it more than once a year on the dollar menu at the McDonalds drive-through.

OK, so I will still keep the card open only because of the huge impact that average account age has on a FICO score, but I don't see myself using it more than once a year on the dollar menu at the McDonalds drive-through.

Does it make that much of a difference? I've been a continuous AMEX card holder for a couple decades, but I tend to shuffle my Visa/Mastercards pretty regularly. I haven't noticed an impact on my credit score because of it.

I don't really blame Citibank for changing the rules. I mean, it's pretty nutty to offer a 5% rebate, and I'm sure they had LOTS of people (like the readers of this board!) who simply took the rebate at the pumps and the grocery store, paid their balances off in full every month, and then used another card for their other purchases.

So it's just business. I'll be promptly cancelling my card (I guess I'll have to see what the rules are regarding claiming my rebate -- they might require you to have at least $50 owed, and coincidentally I just had a check cut last month), and we'll see if they're willing to sweeten the rebate when I call to cancel.

for those who are canceling, what are next best options out there? I had been using a spg amex for most of my purchases; using citi div for groceries and fidelity for other visa/mc. With the recent change, maybe it'll be a push between amex or citi div for groceries, gas, et.al. but i don't really see a much more compelling visa/mc option out there or am i wrong?

thanks
DrG

If you got a Chase Cash Rewards Plus or Chase Rewards Plus card both are still earning 5% back in everyday spending. CS claims people who got the cards before they stopped offering them are grandfathered. Some people on Fatwallet.com claim Chase has started talking apps over the phone again for Chase Cash Rewards Plus again. But no one is sure as it maybe possible the call center in india is paid based on apps taken and thoses people are just lieing and people really wont recieve thoses cards. Also people on Fatwallet.com has reported threating to cancel Chase cards and the retention department has offered to switch them over to Chase Cash Rewards Plus program.

There is also some hidden apps links to get both cards except some people who have applied for the card via thoses links seems to be getting Chase Flexiable Rewards card which is a straight 1% now while others are getting the card they applied for so maybe depending on the credit person who handles your account opening determines if he noticed you applied for a card no longer offered or gives you a differnt card or lets you get the card you applied for.

Chase Flexiable Rewards Plus card earns 6%/1% first year and then becomes 3%/1% after first year. Not sure how long this card will last as it no longer even on Chase Webpage but can be applied for over the phone still.

Then HSBC has 5%/1% card which is still accepting new application just not sure how long this card will last or stay in it current form as HSBC is a sub prime lender.

The Grandfather idea is very possible. When Chase First intruduced Prefect Card it was a straight 1% no tiers. Then they re-launch it with tiers and old cards members where grandfathered with no tiers. Then chase re-launched it again as 3%/1% card no tiers 3% at gas stations. People who had older chase cards had to call to enroll in newer version if they wanted it or could keep there older program. Then it was re-launched as 3%/1% in all EDS. Same thing again. Then it was re-launched as 1% no tiers card.

So Chase has a record of letting people keep the rewards program they signed up and grandfathering them in that program as long as they keep there accounts current and in good standing. I know past history means nothing as Chase has no obligation to do so but atleast it gives some credibility to CS reps telling people they will be grandfathered in with there current offers.

for those who are canceling, what are next best options out there? I had been using a spg amex for most of my purchases; using citi div for groceries and fidelity for other visa/mc. With the recent change, maybe it'll be a push between amex or citi div for groceries, gas, et.al. but i don't really see a much more compelling visa/mc option out there or am i wrong?

Read the whole thread. There are some good links.

If you got a Chase Cash Rewards Plus or Chase Rewards Plus card both are still earning 5% back in everyday spending. CS claims people who got the cards before they stopped offering them are grandfathered.

There's a link post #10 above that seems to still be active for these Chase cards.


Then HSBC has 5%/1% card which is still accepting new application just not sure how long this card will last or stay in it current form as HSBC is a sub prime lender.

HSBC is NOT a subprime lender. They are one of the world's foremost financial institutions. They recently acquired some credit card issuers in the US that specialize in lending to folks with bad credit, but HSBC itself is a solid bank, not some fly-by-night operation.

The HSBC 5% card is also linked above in Post #10 of this thread.

i closed my chase bank account this weekend after getting my $50 for opening the account and holding it for a year. they branch manager was telling me about the chase cash rewards card - still 5% back and still taking applications. he said chase corporate has been getting a lot of people signing up since Citi starting informing customers of the change.

There's a link post #10 above that seems to still be active for these Chase cards.
As dolmar mentioned, there have been several reports of people applying through those links (even though they state Cash+ or whatever) and getting the Flexible Rewards card instead. YMMV situation.

they branch manager was telling me about the chase cash rewards card - still 5% back and still taking applications.
Yes, it's been mentioned before (not sure if in this thread or on the one in MilesBuzz) that this card is definitely still available in branches. Just not over the phone (maybe, see dolmar's post) and not over the web (maybe, see above).

HSBC is NOT a subprime lender. They are one of the world's foremost financial institutions. They recently acquired some credit card issuers in the US that specialize in lending to folks with bad credit, but HSBC itself is a solid bank, not some fly-by-night operation.

The HSBC 5% card is also linked above in Post #10 of this thread.

Not to argue with you at all. While I know HSBC is world 2nd largest bank after Citibank. They did not start issuing cards in USA till they bought Orchid Credit Cards which was the largest sub prime issuer of credit cards in USA. While after buying that Credit Card company they have switch names over to HSBC and started issueing prime credit cards. I am sure they did not fire all older manager, CS rep or higher ups in Orchid as reported by many people on fatwallet.com, credittalk.com and cardnews.com forums most CS reps seem to treat everyone like lieing scum.

Unlike card issuers like Citi, Chase, Amex, BofA and MBNA who never issued sub prime cards seem to treat there customers nicer when they have an honest mistake in not paying your bill on time. For example online bill payment error, lost check in the mail etc.

HSBC CS always take the standance your lieing and never made the payment end of story as they are used to dealing with sub prime borrowers who i guess call up and lie all the time trying to get thoses fees waived.

Are they going to get rid of the dividend Amex? I still see that on the site, at 5% and everything.

Are they going to get rid of the dividend Amex? I still see that on the site, at 5% and everything.

See post #12 in this thread.

Another GREAT alternative to the Citi Dividend Platinum Select is the Chase Rewards PLUS card. Officially it has been removed from the website, but I've found one link that still works. With this card you get 5 points for gas/grocery/drugstores which can be redeamed for cash or REAL miles on United.

This is how it works:

10,000 points = a $100 check
or
6,0000 points = a 5,000 mileage plus miles
(plus MANY more redemption choices)

So basically you can get a little over 4 miles per $ on gas/grocery/drugstores and .8 miles per $ on everything else all with no annual fee.

But remember this card is officially off the Chase website, so this link probably won't work for much longer.

http://www.firstusa.com/cgi-bin/webcgi/webserve.cgi?partner_dir_name=chase_rewardsplus_ch 01

Check out these forums for more info on this card:

http://www.firstusa.com/cgi-bin/webcgi/webserve.cgi?partner_dir_name=chase_rewardsplus_ch 01

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=502398&highlight=chase+rewards+plus

By the way, the VISA version DOES allow you to transfer points to United (and Continental and BA, albeit at higher ratios) despite what one poster says.

10,000 points = a $100 check
or
6,0000 points = a 5,000 mileage plus miles
(plus MANY more redemption choices)


By which you mean of course 6,000 (not 6,0000). Note that given that 10,000 points = $100 and 6,000 points = 5,000 UA miles, you're effectively purchasing miles at 1.2 cents per mile. This can be a very good value if you use your UA miles wisely, but for many people, the cash is a better deal.

Not to argue with you at all. While I know HSBC is world 2nd largest bank after Citibank. They did not start issuing cards in USA till they bought Orchid Credit Cards which was the largest sub prime issuer of credit cards in USA. While after buying that Credit Card company they have switch names over to HSBC and started issueing prime credit cards. I am sure they did not fire all older manager, CS rep or higher ups in Orchid as reported by many people on fatwallet.com, credittalk.com and cardnews.com forums most CS reps seem to treat everyone like lieing scum.

HSBC CS always take the standance your lieing and never made the payment end of story as they are used to dealing with sub prime borrowers who i guess call up and lie all the time trying to get thoses fees waived.

Quote:
Originally Posted by dolmar
If you got a Chase Cash Rewards Plus or Chase Rewards Plus card both are still earning 5% back in everyday spending. CS claims people who got the cards before they stopped offering them are grandfathered.



There's a link post #10 above that seems to still be active for these Chase cards.



Quote:
Then HSBC has 5%/1% card which is still accepting new application just not sure how long this card will last or stay in it current form as HSBC is a sub prime lender.



HSBC is NOT a subprime lender. They are one of the world's foremost financial institutions. They recently acquired some credit card issuers in the US that specialize in lending to folks with bad credit, but HSBC itself is a solid bank, not some fly-by-night operation.

The HSBC 5% card is also linked above in Post #10 of this thread.



Does HSBC offer 5% on thier cash back card? This link only says it is 1% unlimited. I know the unlimited feature is a rare thing in cash back cards.

https://www.hsbccreditcard.com/ccssa/HSCustomerCare?cmd_Redirect=AboutCard

Does HSBC offer 5% on thier cash back card? This link only says it is 1% unlimited. I know the unlimited feature is a rare thing in cash back cards.

https://www.hsbccreditcard.com/ccssa/HSCustomerCare?cmd_Redirect=AboutCard

See post #10 in this thread.

I have a perferred reward card that suppose to give 5 thankyou points for the same kind of purchases dividend card gets. Is that also going to change? I figured 1 thankyou point is equal to 1c.

BTW, I have a dividend card as well but have not received the change notice. Was it in the bill?

BTW, I have a dividend card as well but have not received the change notice. Was it in the bill?

It's a separate mailing. I received mine 2 days ago.

I got a Citi/Amex Dividend card a couple of months ago just to snag the signup bonus. I called and asked if that was affected and was told no--just the Visa and MC. The Amex will still get 5%.

Just got the reply from the CSR that the Oct 13, 2006 date is set for 2% cash back for the Citi Dividend card.

The research shows that the Citi Dividend Amex is still being offered with the "full" 5%. I will be content to use my Amex Blue Cash which gives me the same 5% on gas/groceries now that I have crossed theie limit ..

I got a Citi/Amex Dividend card a couple of months ago just to snag the signup bonus. I called and asked if that was affected and was told no--just the Visa and MC. The Amex will still get 5%.

Uh, except when you click on the "apply" button to apply for the card, you get a message saying that applications are not being accepted because there are changes being made to the card. I wonder what the changes are? Goodbye 5%.

Discover also has a "GetMore" program that gives you 5% cashback (which can be doubled to get GCs with certain companies) if you purchase things from certain categories. The categories change every quarter but are usually quite good. There is a cap I forgot what it is but it is fairly high (I believe $100 per quarter). Also, discover will be accepted virtually everywhere in 1-2 years because of a new contract agreement (that is when a merchant signs up for credit card acceptance it will be included with MC and VI).

Example from oct-dec:

Restaurants—From fast food to fine dining

Movies—From movie tickets to movie rentals

Books, Music and Everything Else
In-store or online from these specific retailers:
AMAZON.COM
Barnes & Noble
Borders®
Circuit City
Crutchfield®
Napster®
Waldenbooks®

I got a Citi/Amex Dividend card a couple of months ago just to snag the signup bonus.

What signup bonus and how do I get it ? :p

I called yesterday to cancel my Citi Dividend card based upon the rebate percentage reduction. I'm going to switch my spending to my Chase Rewards Plus card which still offers the 5%. The Citi CSR tried everything to get me not to cancel including adding an additional 1% to all purchases for the next three months. In the end, I still cancelled.

I called yesterday to cancel my Citi Dividend card based upon the rebate percentage reduction. I'm going to switch my spending to my Chase Rewards Plus card which still offers the 5%. The Citi CSR tried everything to get me not to cancel including adding an additional 1% to all purchases for the next three months. In the end, I still cancelled.

I called 2 days ago to cancel that card too. When the CSR asked what she could do to keep me as a member, I requested speaking with retention rep. Got transferred and she switched me to a Diamond Preferred with 5% rebate for gas/grocery for 1 year. This is the same as what you apply as new member, minus the signup bonus. I took it because I need to save hard pulls for my other apps.

I called last week to convert but they couldn't give me a 5% card to convert to. All require new apps. So that's why I asked to speak with retention dept when I called again 2 days ago.

It's easy to get more Cashback Bonus every time you fill up at the pump with our Discover Platinum Gas Card.

And you'll receive 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months and no annual fee.

You get these great features with the Discover Platinum Gas Card:

America's #1 Cash Rewards Program*

Full 5% Cashback Bonus on gas purchases
Up to 1% Cashback Bonus on all your other purchases
Unlimited cash rewards that never expire


The recent changes to the cash back rewards of the Citi Dividend MasterCard prompted me to do some personal analysis to find the best mix of cashback cards for my spending patterns.

That personal analysis inspired me to build a general-purpose tool to help anyone determine the single best card or mix of N cards that will maximize their cashback rewards. You just plug in how much you spend each month (broken out by categories for best results) and you're presented with a list of recommended cards sorted from best to worst by your expected annual reward. If having more than one card and using each card to its strengths could yield a greater total reward, then each combination of the Best N cards is presented as well.

You can see the tool at http://www.creditcardtuneup.com/ .

I'm certainly interested in any suggestions you might have to make it better.

The recent changes to the cash back rewards of the Citi Dividend MasterCard prompted me to do some personal analysis to find the best mix of cashback cards for my spending patterns.

That personal analysis inspired me to build a general-purpose tool to help anyone determine the single best card or mix of N cards that will maximize their cashback rewards. You just plug in how much you spend each month (broken out by categories for best results) and you're presented with a list of recommended cards sorted from best to worst by your expected annual reward. If having more than one card and using each card to its strengths could yield a greater total reward, then each combination of the Best N cards is presented as well.

You can see the tool at http://www.creditcardtuneup.com/ .

I'm certainly interested in any suggestions you might have to make it better.

Thanks for this helpful tool. One additional item I can think of is travel-related expense. Specifically airfare, which can earn rewards using Citi PP card.

Thanks for this helpful tool. One additional item I can think of is travel-related expense. Specifically airfare, which can earn rewards using Citi PP card.

Thanks for the feedback! Though I have to confess I'm not aware of which Citi card you're referring to that earns extra rewards on airfare. I'm guessing that "Citi PP" refers to the Citi Professional card. I know that card earns 3% on vehicle rentals, but not on other travel-related expenses like airfare. (The terms and conditions for that card can be seen here: https://www.accountonline.com/ACQ/DisplayTerms?sc=6E4ZE266&app=UNSOL&DOWNSELL_LEVEL=0&langId=en&siteId=CB&BUS_TYP_CD=consumer&B=G.)

Am I misunderstanding something?

Thanks again for your help.

+Joel

Thanks for the feedback! Though I have to confess I'm not aware of which Citi card you're referring to that earns extra rewards on airfare. I'm guessing that "Citi PP" refers to the Citi Professional card. I know that card earns 3% on vehicle rentals, but not on other travel-related expenses like airfare. (The terms and conditions for that card can be seen here: https://www.accountonline.com/ACQ/DisplayTerms?sc=6E4ZE266&app=UNSOL&DOWNSELL_LEVEL=0&langId=en&siteId=CB&BUS_TYP_CD=consumer&B=G.)

Am I misunderstanding something?

Thanks again for your help.

+Joel

PP = Premier Pass. You earn one Thank You point for every three miles of air travel when you buy the ticket with a Premier Pass Card.

I have not gotten my letter of the changes and my T&C say they must notify cardholders at least 30 days before changes to the T&C go into effect. If the effect date is Oct 13 today is Sep 17, it is less than 30 days. I presume the rewards program details are part of the T&C of all our cards. Might they be staggering the effect dates?

Might I be lucky in that I am not effected by the changes? My parents have this card too and they have not gotten thier letter. [[And under seperate matter--don't get me started on the credit protector feature of this card --they signed me up and charged me without even telling me until I get the statement and then the "activation" and enrolment materials in the mail. I think they had some computer error since I have not spoken to or called a CSR for months about this card.]]

I have not gotten my letter of the changes and my T&C say they must notify cardholders at least 30 days before changes to the T&C go into effect. If the effect date is Oct 13 today is Sep 17, it is less than 30 days. I presume the rewards program details are part of the T&C of all our cards. Might they be staggering the effect dates?

I only got mine this past week, considerably after many others got the letter. But mine said 10/13 was the date the 5% goes away, too. It'll be interesting to see if you get the letter.

And under seperate matter--don't get me started on the credit protector feature of this card --they signed me up and charged me without even telling me until I get the statement and then the "activation" and enrolment materials in the mail. I think they had some computer error since I have not spoken to or called a CSR for months about this card.

If you get paper statements, there's often a thing at the bottom that looks like you're supposed to sign it when you mail in your payment, but if you read what it says, you're actually signing up for credit protector. Such a scam, but it seems all the cc companies are doing this now.

Still have not received the letter.

I signed up for the Discover Gas Card

"Full 5% Cashback Bonus on gas and auto maintenance purchases"

link (http://www.discovercard.com/apply/gas/?icmpgn=200512_dc_wp_hu_drpdwn_acq_nap_gas_1)

I also did not request a check from Citibank when the rebate topped $50 last month. I did not want to be caught in a situation where my rebate was less than $50 and I could not get iit--or something stupid like that. I'll request it after my last fill-up.

Still have not received the letter.

Nor me. Nor the friend from OH I had dinner with last night who has the card too.

Called Citi customer service today to ask about the cash rebate change. She said my card will continue to accrue the 5% at supermarkets, gas stations, and drug stores. She said that not all accounts were switched away from the 5%; that there were no "notes" on my account so I will continue accruing as before. Hopefully this is true. We'll see.

Called Citi customer service today to ask about the cash rebate change. She said my card will continue to accrue the 5% at supermarkets, gas stations, and drug stores. She said that not all accounts were switched away from the 5%; that there were no "notes" on my account so I will continue accruing as before. Hopefully this is true. We'll see.

that would be great. I have several 5% cards and have not received any letters yet, neither has Mrs. Psychtobe.

I wonder if their decision is based on actual usage. I used mine for gas/groceries/pharmacy only. I got the letter. They were probably losing big money on my account.

Oh well, I just moved that spending somewhere else.

Called Citi customer service today to ask about the cash rebate change. She said my card will continue to accrue the 5% at supermarkets, gas stations, and drug stores. She said that not all accounts were switched away from the 5%; that there were no "notes" on my account so I will continue accruing as before. Hopefully this is true. We'll see.

Do you carry a balance? What percentage of your spending is on non-5% category stuff?

Do you carry a balance? What percentage of your spending is on non-5% category stuff?

Never carry a balance. Less than 1% on non-5% purchases (and then, only by mistake).

I have a citibank Drivers edge card that is still earning 2% for all purchases even though they changed the earning structure for it a year ago. I often wonder if I would be better in the new structure. I figure changes are usually to screw the customer not to help him.

I wonder if their decision is based on actual usage. I used mine for gas/groceries/pharmacy only. I got the letter. They were probably losing big money on my account.

Oh well, I just moved that spending somewhere else.

Me too. I used to use it for everything, but since I got an AAdvantage MC, I only used the Dividend Card for gas and groceries. I have about $26 of cash reward there. If I close the account, will I be able to get the $26 or will I lose it?

"we are adding convenience stores and utilities including cable,* to the above list."

What is the definition of convenience stores?

The recent changes to the cash back rewards of the Citi Dividend MasterCard prompted me to do some personal analysis to find the best mix of cashback cards for my spending patterns.

That personal analysis inspired me to build a general-purpose tool to help anyone determine the single best card or mix of N cards that will maximize their cashback rewards. You just plug in how much you spend each month (broken out by categories for best results) and you're presented with a list of recommended cards sorted from best to worst by your expected annual reward. If having more than one card and using each card to its strengths could yield a greater total reward, then each combination of the Best N cards is presented as well.

You can see the tool at http://www.creditcardtuneup.com/ .

I'm certainly interested in any suggestions you might have to make it better.
Can you have it auto decimal the dollar figure?

Me too. I used to use it for everything, but since I got an AAdvantage MC, I only used the Dividend Card for gas and groceries. I have about $26 of cash reward there. If I close the account, will I be able to get the $26 or will I lose it?

If you close the account I'm pretty sure you'll lose it. I believe you need to keep spending until your account hits $50 to retrieve it.

The recent changes to the cash back rewards of the Citi Dividend MasterCard prompted me to do some personal analysis to find the best mix of cashback cards for my spending patterns.

That personal analysis inspired me to build a general-purpose tool to help anyone determine the single best card or mix of N cards that will maximize their cashback rewards. You just plug in how much you spend each month (broken out by categories for best results) and you're presented with a list of recommended cards sorted from best to worst by your expected annual reward. If having more than one card and using each card to its strengths could yield a greater total reward, then each combination of the Best N cards is presented as well.

You can see the tool at http://www.creditcardtuneup.com/ .

I'm certainly interested in any suggestions you might have to make it better.

Can you have it auto decimal the dollar figure?
Yeah, I'm pretty sure I can have the CreditCardTuneUp tool do that, but I want to first be sure of what "auto decimal" means. I'm thinking it means that the user never actually has to enter the decimal point. As the user enters the numeric dollar amount, the entry field keeps adjusting the position of the decimal point in the entered value so that there are always two digits to the right of the decimal point. (Plus, I suppose it should make sure that the user is only entering numerals by ignoring non-numeric keystrokes.)

That's a good idea. But is that what you were thinking Dr. Bond?

+Joel

Yeah, I'm pretty sure I can have the CreditCardTuneUp tool do that, but I want to first be sure of what "auto decimal" means. I'm thinking it means that the user never actually has to enter the decimal point. As the user enters the numeric dollar amount, the entry field keeps adjusting the position of the decimal point in the entered value so that there are always two digits to the right of the decimal point. (Plus, I suppose it should make sure that the user is only entering numerals by ignoring non-numeric keystrokes.)

That's a good idea. But is that what you were thinking Dr. Bond?

+Joel
Well, I actually experimented with the the auto-decimalling as I described above. I didn't like it because there are so few web user interfaces that work that way -- I thought it would annoy people more than help them. Instead, I beefed up the input field validation so that it would only allow numeric keystrokes, would not allow negative numbers, would only allow one decimal point to be entered (or no decimal point at all), and would only allow two digits to the right of the decimal point.

It's possible that what I'd implemented for "auto-decimaling" was not what you had in mind. If you could point me to an example of what you had in mind and it is not as annoying as the auto-decimaling functionality I prototyped, I'll reconsider auto decimaling.

Thanks again for the suggestion.

From what I hear elsewhere, the people who have not gotten the letter from Citi have had the card for about 14 months or less. Does that jibe with the experiences here?

From what I hear elsewhere, the people who have not gotten the letter from Citi have had the card for about 14 months or less. Does that jibe with the experiences here?

Yes for me. I think I got the card around 9/2005.

I didn't want it to come to this, but I'm not happy with the changes, and there are other cards to use. I've had my card for about 2 1/2 years.

The recent changes to the cash back rewards of the Citi Dividend MasterCard prompted me to do some personal analysis to find the best mix of cashback cards for my spending patterns.

That personal analysis inspired me to build a general-purpose tool to help anyone determine the single best card or mix of N cards that will maximize their cashback rewards. You just plug in how much you spend each month (broken out by categories for best results) and you're presented with a list of recommended cards sorted from best to worst by your expected annual reward. If having more than one card and using each card to its strengths could yield a greater total reward, then each combination of the Best N cards is presented as well.

You can see the tool at http://www.creditcardtuneup.com/ .

I'm certainly interested in any suggestions you might have to make it better.

Very interesting tool, thanks for sharing this. I would be interested to see what happens when you add in the Fidelity 529 Mastercard, which gives 2% cash deposit on all spending into a Fidelity 529 account, for those of us saving for college. Also, another consideration would be that the Starwood Amex card gives points that are typically valued at 2.5 cents each for hotel stays.

Very interesting tool, thanks for sharing this. I would be interested to see what happens when you add in the Fidelity 529 Mastercard, which gives 2% cash deposit on all spending into a Fidelity 529 account, for those of us saving for college. Also, another consideration would be that the Starwood Amex card gives points that are typically valued at 2.5 cents each for hotel stays.

That's a great suggestion. I have been contemplating expanding the Credit Card Tune-Up decision support tool to include rewards that are more difficult to value such as airline frequent flyer miles, Starwood points, etc. That will require the ability of people who use the tool to assign values to these other kinds of points since people tend to assign widely varying values to points. I've added this suggestion to the enhancement list.

I'll add that Fidelity 529 2% MasterCard as well.

I'll let you know when the changes are made. Thanks again for your suggestions.

You can again apply online for the Citi Dividend Platinum Select and earn a whopping 2% cash back https://www.accountonline.com/ACQ/Chooser/LearnMore?siteId=CB&CARD_KEYS=4T4Z56A6-M :td:

A doubt just occurred to me about my earlier posting. Is the card being discussed in this thread the Citi Diamond Dividend Master Card? I just noticed that "Diamond" has not been used in the OP and other posts.

A doubt just occurred to me about my earlier posting. Is the card being discussed in this thread the Citi Diamond Dividend Master Card? I just noticed that "Diamond" has not been used in the OP and other posts.

I'm not completely sure, but I believe the diamond card gives you thank you points instead of cash back. You can get gift cards, so it's almost like getting cash back.

It's over boys and girls. Let's let the thread die of natural causes while it still has dignity.

It's over boys and girls. Let's let the thread die of natural causes while it still has dignity.

Well, if the Citi Diamond Dividend card is what this thread is about, then you're wrong if you are implying that the 5% for drug/gas/supermarket has been eliminated for all. As of yesterday, I confirmed with customer service that nothing has changed on my card; that I still receive the 5%. In response to another posting, the 5% is a cash--not points-rebate.

Well, if the Citi Diamond Dividend card is what this thread is about, then you're wrong if you are implying that the 5% for drug/gas/supermarket has been eliminated for all. As of yesterday, I confirmed with customer service that nothing has changed on my card; that I still receive the 5%. In response to another posting, the 5% is a cash--not points-rebate.

I've never heard of the Citi Diamond Dividend card. This thread is about the Citi Dividend Rewards Card. Other people thought you were referring to the Citi Diamond Rewards Card, which gives points (not cash back).

Where/when did you get this Citi Diamond Dividend card?

I've never heard of the Citi Diamond Dividend card. This thread is about the Citi Dividend Rewards Card. Other people thought you were referring to the Citi Diamond Rewards Card, which gives points (not cash back).

Where/when did you get this Citi Diamond Dividend card?

When Citi discontinued the ATT Universal Card that paid 5% cash rebates (gas, groceries/drugs) I called Citi and switched. At the time I thought the name of the card I was switched to was the Citi Diamond Dividend Platinum Select card. Now, when I pulled the card out of my wallet, it says, "Citi Dividend Platinum Select". I am not confused that my card still pays the 5% rebate as I have checked that a couple of times, including yesterday with Citi customer service. As to the designation "Diamond" I am almost certain that's what I was told by Citi when I switched. But the face of my credit card just says "Citi Dividend Platinum Select". The "member since" language on the face of the card shows a date from the early 1990's, when, I assume, I secured my original ATT Universal card.

The reward structure is points earning whereby you can choose either a cash rebate or gift cards at designated merchants. The customer has to initiate the rebate process by having enough points for at least a $50 rebate check. The points convert to rebate cash at 1%, but you earn 5 points per dollar at the usual grocery/gas/drug stores.

Trying not to confuse. Hope this is helpful.

You got converted to the Dividend Platinum select card (not Diamond Preferred).

Not everyone with the DivPlat card has gotten downgraded to 2% status. Supposedly new cardholders aren't being converted (yet). And I know of a few people personally who use their DivPlat card for everything (instead of only in the 5% category) and have had the card for a number of years and they are still on 5%. It could be random or it could be they're keeping the profitable customers at 5% and kicking everyone else to the curb. Or it could be a little bit of both.

You got converted to the Dividend Platinum select card (not Diamond Preferred).


So, is this the card that this thread is about?

So, is this the card that this thread is about?

My card doesn't offer "points." It accrues "Dividend Dollars" and when I have fifty or more on the account I can request a check for the exact amount.

My card doesn't offer "points." It accrues "Dividend Dollars" and when I have fifty or more on the account I can request a check for the exact amount.

Yep. That's what I get. (I think my 5% cash rebate Chase Rewards card calls them points.) Two different names for the same thing.

Yep. That's what I get. (I think my 5% cash rebate Chase Rewards card calls them points.) Two different names for the same thing.

There's an important difference between "points" and "Dividend Dollars." With the "points" systems like Chase's, when you get enough points you can go shopping for giftcards, checks, etc. Some Chase cards allow you to redeem for frequent flyer miles.

The advantage to the "points" systems is you have a bit more choice (although it's beyond me why anyone would order a $50 gift card you can only use at one store instead of a $50 check you can put in your bank account and use for anything). The disadvantage is that you can only order checks in specific denominations. With Chase, it's denominations of $50. So if you want to close your account, and you have 8,809 points, you can only get a $50 check. The other 3,809 points go to waste.

With the Citi Dividend system, as long as you have at least 50 Dividend Dollars, you can cash out the whole amount (to the penny). So if you want to close your account, and you have $88.09 in Dividend Dollars available, you can simply request a check for $88.09 and then close your account.

There's an important difference between "points" and "Dividend Dollars." With the "points" systems like Chase's, when you get enough points you can go shopping for giftcards, checks, etc. Some Chase cards allow you to redeem for frequent flyer miles.

The advantage to the "points" systems is you have a bit more choice (although it's beyond me why anyone would order a $50 gift card you can only use at one store instead of a $50 check you can put in your bank account and use for anything). The disadvantage is that you can only order checks in specific denominations. With Chase, it's denominations of $50. So if you want to close your account, and you have 8,809 points, you can only get a $50 check. The other 3,809 points go to waste.

With the Citi Dividend system, as long as you have at least 50 Dividend Dollars, you can cash out the whole amount (to the penny). So if you want to close your account, and you have $88.09 in Dividend Dollars available, you can simply request a check for $88.09 and then close your account.

themicah; I don't dispute what you're saying as to the rules of the two rebate programs. But calling them "points" or "Dividend Dollars" is really not the point (so to speak). Either bank can define the points or DDs as they choose and can set the rules of the program as it chooses. So if Citi wanted to force you to redeem its DDs in $50 amounts only, they could, no matter whether they call them points or DDs. So too, Chase could redeem their points to the penny, if they so chose, and still call them points. If Citi decided to let you buy gift cards with dividend dollars, they could do that also and still call them DDs. The rules set by the banks are what's significant, not what they call the currency.

What's, to me, of far more interest, is why both programs have decided to change the rebate structures for some customers but not for others.

Not everyone with the DivPlat card has gotten downgraded to 2% status. Supposedly new cardholders aren't being converted (yet). And I know of a few people personally who use their DivPlat card for everything (instead of only in the 5% category) and have had the card for a number of years and they are still on 5%. It could be random or it could be they're keeping the profitable customers at 5% and kicking everyone else to the curb. Or it could be a little bit of both.

Yes and No. There are 2 Div cards in our household. The one with long history (literally from the beginning when they put out such card). got downgraded in earning - however, that card is being used for everything, including sizable charges in booking cruises, rental cars and hotels. None that matters, it got downgraded on the same Oct 13 date. The other Div card was a conversion from an AA card few months ago - that one remains earning 5%.

Did anyone get a call from Citi that their Dividend card had been compromised? I did last week and they sent me a new one with new account numbers. (I have not used it since June and it has not been out of my house since then either since I have maxed out the benefit, so I have not idea how they think it had been "stolen" unless they had a breach themselves.) I saw nothing in the press about this.

I think they gimmicked me too since it seems per the caption below my cards that I get 2% and not the 5% as I had before-----and I never got a letter of the changes to the reward program as many had said they too did not get a letter.

Isn't Citi supposed to give 30days notice before the effective date of change based upon the currect T&C agreement that they and I are under?

Did they just say my account was compromised to "switch" me to the new reduced rebate program?

Did anyone get a call from Citi that their Dividend card had been compromised? I did last week and they sent me a new one with new account numbers. (I have not used it since June and it has not been out of my house since then either since I have maxed out the benefit, so I have not idea how they think it had been "stolen" unless they had a breach themselves.) I saw nothing in the press about this.

I think they gimmicked me too since it seems per the caption below my cards that I get 2% and not the 5% as I had before-----and I never got a letter of the changes to the reward program as many had said they too did not get a letter.

Isn't Citi supposed to give 30days notice before the effective date of change based upon the currect T&C agreement that they and I are under?

Did they just say my account was compromised to "switch" me to the new reduced rebate program?
Actually, I got the same call that *one* of my two Dividend cards had been compromised. When I spoke to a customer service representative, she indicated that MasterCard had informed them that my card was one of many that had been "possibly compromised". I asked if it was one of those situations where a whole bunch of credit card numbers get stolen out of someone's database. She affirmed that it was something like that. So who knows what really happened...

I was one of the people who got the notice of changes a couple months ago. My first post-10/13/06 statement closed a couple days ago, and I can now confirm that they're definitely only giving 2% back for drugstore purchases--at least on my account.

Meanwhile, mrs. themicah applied for and received a Direct Rewards Card (directrewardscard.com), which gives 5% on the same categories. The division of HSBC that issues it (formerly Direct Merchants' Bank) is a bit sketchy. They gave us a very low credit limit and tried very hard to sell us their credit protection "service." I don't think they have an autopay feature like Citi's or Chase's (which I find a much more effective credit protection measure), the card only pays its cash back once a year and there doesn't seem to be a way to track cash back. It also only gives 0.5% cash back on the first $3000 of non-groceries/gas/drugstore purchases (then 1%).

On the positive side, it has an annual limit of $500 cash back, which is pretty decent compared to the Citi/Chase $300 caps. So we're now using the Direct Rewards Card exclusively for 5% category purchases since our Citi Dividend card is only paying 2% and we've maxed out our Chase cash back for the year.

Actually, I got the same call that *one* of my two Dividend cards had been compromised. When I spoke to a customer service representative, she indicated that MasterCard had informed them that my card was one of many that had been "possibly compromised". I asked if it was one of those situations where a whole bunch of credit card numbers get stolen out of someone's database. She affirmed that it was something like that. So who knows what really happened...

I got my "reduced" notice in August/September.

I also got the call from Citibank last week saying my card has been compromised. The first CSR refused to discuss w/ me why they thought so after I told her I did use my card in several places (CA, OR, MI) and didn't want them to make any mistake. (This is one of the oldest credit cards I have). She insisted she didn't have to disclose anything with me and threatened it would be my full responsibility if I didn't close it on the same day. I told her “I will check with consumer bureau for my right if the credit card company can just close my account without telling me why”. She responded “that’s your call” and hanged up :mad:

After calling back to complain to the supervisor, I got the same answer that it was MasterCard who told them to close my account. Some database with my credit card number in it has been compromised. This also surprised me since I’ve been using Virtual Account Number after it was launched long time ago.

It's easy to get more Cashback Bonus every time you fill up at the pump with our Discover Platinum Gas Card.

And you'll receive 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months and no annual fee.

You get these great features with the Discover Platinum Gas Card:

America's #1 Cash Rewards Program*

Full 5% Cashback Bonus on gas purchases
Up to 1% Cashback Bonus on all your other purchases
Unlimited cash rewards that never expire

Citi Driver's Edge
Earn
border=0 6% rebates on supermarkets, drugstores, and gas stations for 12 months, 3% after that§
border=0 1% rebates on other purchases
border=0 Rebates for the miles you drive

Plus the Fidelity Visa Signature, this is probably the best combo, of curse this can also be a 3 card combo of Citi Drivers,Fidelity,and Costco True Earning Amex which gives 2% on travel,3% on dining and 1% rest.

An update, I got a letter recently that said when they sent me my new card ---this was after when they called me to say it had been compromised---that they had sent the wrong T&C and wrong info on rebate program. and that this letter serve as the new T&C and rebate program details--- naturally it was the 2% downgrade

the problem is they never sent me before what they just sent, and the only thing they sent before (new card mailer) was a little 8pt font blurb on my new card paper that said 2% for x merchants, but I assumed that did not apply to me as they had not given me 30dayd notice.

So did they properly notify me in 30 days before change to T&C with this follow-up error letter, could I complain to them?

Did anyone else get this error correction follow-up letter?

P.S. Don't go for the Juniper Bank Gulf Platinum Mastercard with no max rebate (gas rebate at Gulf), they are violating federal reserve EFT law and not crediting payments promptly, but delaying them such that they post close to or after the due date. I menton this as this card is one for the few with a no max cash/gas back feature (3% Gulf only, 1% all else except other gas which you get nothing)

I still have the 5%. I have the college version and I never received a letter from them in the mail or a phone call. Statement of a few days ago still reflects the 5%.

Still getting 5%. Still no letter.

This is Citibank's reply from today, Jan 1, 2007:

Customer Service Wrote:

Our records indicate that your account is eligible to earn 1% Dividend Dollars on all purchases and extra 4% on purchases made at gas stations, supermarkets and drug stores.

I have had the card for about a year and a few days now.

I got mine this week. Pretty much the same as the OP. Instead of 5% on gas, groceries, and drugstores, 2%. The "enhancement" spin is still that you get 2% at convenience stores and utilities (but not phone).

My effective "enhancement" date is 4/15.

It is my intention to cancel this card as soon as my Dividend balance exceeds $50 again so that I may request a check. I will then start using my Chase 5%-back card that has been sitting idle for 18 months ready for just this situation.

:td: to Citi.

I got mine this week. Pretty much the same as the OP. Instead of 5% on gas, groceries, and drugstores, 2%. The "enhancement" spin is still that you get 2% at convenience stores and utilities (but not phone).

My effective "enhancement" date is 4/15.

It is my intention to cancel this card as soon as my Dividend balance exceeds $50 again so that I may request a check. I will then start using my Chase 5%-back card that has been sitting idle for 18 months ready for just this situation.

:td: to Citi.

I don't use this card, but my parents do and they got the same letter yesterday. Any suggestions on a new card for them with a similar benefit?

I don't use this card, but my parents do and they got the same letter yesterday. Any suggestions on a new card for them with a similar benefit?
The quick answer (for me and your parents) is to use the rewards calculator at Credit Card Tune-Up: Maximize Your Rewards (http://www.creditcardtuneup.com/) to see which rewards card will pay them the most for their spending profile. You just plug in how much you spend on gas, groceries, restaurants, travel, etc. and it calculates your earnings with the various rewards cards. It also calculates the best combinations of cards for your spending pattern.

I ended up replacing my Citi Dividend card with the Citi Driver's Edge card.

Thanks. I will take a look at it tomorrow.

I got around to calling Citi to cancel my Dividend card (I haven't used it since the 5% rebate went away last year). The cancel desk lady offered to "upgrade" my card to some new product: I forget what she called it, but it will pay me 5% back on the gas, groceries and drug store purchases for a year (when the bonus will apparently be reduced). It's no fee, of course. Instead of saving up credits for a check, you can get the savings taken off your bill as an adjustment (you can also take it in gift cards, but I don't know why you would).

While I don't like to sign up for short term promotions, I figured a year with the 5% rebate would be worthwhile. So I did it. The complete rules are supposed to come with the card, and I'll let folks know what they're calling this card.