Citi Cards now offer rewards points program
Mar 24, 2002, 7:42 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Northern Virginia, USA
Posts: 105
Citi Cards now offer rewards points program
I just received an offer in the mail for free enrollment in a rewards program for my Citi Card Visa, called Citicardsavings. The system appears to be similar to Amex's Membership Rewards program in concept. One point is earned for each dollar spent. Then points are redeemed for merchandise, gift certificates, prepaid calling cards, travel certs, restaurant certs, cash credits to your Citi account, etc. One reward even allows you to buy down the APR on your account by a point or two.
The travel rewards are very limited in selection compared to Amex MR or a dedicated airline card. Rewards include a $50 generic airline cert for 10,000 pts for DL, NW, or UA. There is also a RT airline cert for 50,000 pts for NW or UA.
I'm pleased that Citi is finally offering a rewards program of some kind for its non-affinity cards. I haven't been using this Citi account much due to the lack of rewards. But I believe the Amex MR program or a dedicated airline card will offer better returns. MR has a far better selection of rewards, and in many cases, a far better point conversion.
PS - I haven't yet found any details of this program online, other than the cardmembers-only site (www.citicardsavings.com) to enroll in the points program and select rewards.
[This message has been edited by UpperDeck (edited 03-24-2002).]
The travel rewards are very limited in selection compared to Amex MR or a dedicated airline card. Rewards include a $50 generic airline cert for 10,000 pts for DL, NW, or UA. There is also a RT airline cert for 50,000 pts for NW or UA.
I'm pleased that Citi is finally offering a rewards program of some kind for its non-affinity cards. I haven't been using this Citi account much due to the lack of rewards. But I believe the Amex MR program or a dedicated airline card will offer better returns. MR has a far better selection of rewards, and in many cases, a far better point conversion.
PS - I haven't yet found any details of this program online, other than the cardmembers-only site (www.citicardsavings.com) to enroll in the points program and select rewards.
[This message has been edited by UpperDeck (edited 03-24-2002).]
Mar 24, 2002, 3:05 pm
#2
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Houston, TX, USA
Programs: UA 1K, AA Lifetime Platinum, DL Platinum, Honors Diamond, Bonvoy Titanium, Hertz Platinum
Posts: 7,969
I see we've now come full circle. Anyone here besides me remember CitiDollars? This was a similar program offered to cardmembers in the 80's, and was discontinued sometime in the early 90's if I remember correctly. You accumulated CitiDollars, and your balance was printed on your monthly statement. You could redeem them for merchandise, but it wasn't very compelling, as I never did anything with mine.
When they discontinued the program, they sent out a letter explaining that the program no longer met what the marketplace wanted. Now, 10 years later, since we're all much more interested in mileage/points program, the phoenix rises from the ashes.
When they discontinued the program, they sent out a letter explaining that the program no longer met what the marketplace wanted. Now, 10 years later, since we're all much more interested in mileage/points program, the phoenix rises from the ashes.
Mar 24, 2002, 8:41 pm
#4
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Portland, OR, USA
Programs: UA 1K 3 Million/ex-many year GS, AA PLT/2 Mil, AS MVPG, HH Dia, Starwood Life Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,401
Actually, the program on the Universal card is still there. They changed the name to Universal Savings but I still see a running total on that account and actually redeemed some points as recently as last fall.
Mar 27, 2002, 8:02 am
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Northern Virginia, USA
Posts: 105
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Steve M:
I see we've now come full circle. Anyone here besides me remember CitiDollars? This was a similar program offered to cardmembers in the 80's, and was discontinued sometime in the early 90's if I remember correctly. You accumulated CitiDollars, and your balance was printed on your monthly statement. You could redeem them for merchandise, but it wasn't very compelling, as I never did anything with mine.
When they discontinued the program, they sent out a letter explaining that the program no longer met what the marketplace wanted. Now, 10 years later, since we're all much more interested in mileage/points program, the phoenix rises from the ashes.</font>
I see we've now come full circle. Anyone here besides me remember CitiDollars? This was a similar program offered to cardmembers in the 80's, and was discontinued sometime in the early 90's if I remember correctly. You accumulated CitiDollars, and your balance was printed on your monthly statement. You could redeem them for merchandise, but it wasn't very compelling, as I never did anything with mine.
When they discontinued the program, they sent out a letter explaining that the program no longer met what the marketplace wanted. Now, 10 years later, since we're all much more interested in mileage/points program, the phoenix rises from the ashes.</font>
Another drawback of Citicardsavings is that the points expire three years after being earned.
Mar 28, 2002, 10:31 am
#8
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Tampa, FL USA
Posts: 467
The Citi Dollars program may have died but the CitiMiles program is still going strong. 1 mile for every $15 spent and they buy you an airline ticket on 21 days notice. It sounds expensive but in this case a mile is a mile which can sometimes be very cost effective.