Before you read this whole thread, be aware there have been significant changes in the way Citibank handles customers accounts and applications. Basically, the program as we knew it is gone. Read this thread for current discussions on some that are finding some, very limited success

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/other...nk-jig-up.html




Here is a basic FAQ for most questions that have been asked and answered on this and other forums over and over again. It is not comprehensive and by no means a de facto standard. It is well known that doing this is highly subjective and many people have reported different conditions that are reported here.
I would like to remind those ready to start flaming that all of these questions have been asked and answered over and over in multiple threads here. There is no new information here that isn’t found in the threads.

What is the Citibank offer?
Generally you will receive bonus miles for spending $750+ within 4 months of approval for a personal MasterCard or American Express, or a Business MasterCard.

What is the Bonus amount?
Depending on the card and your credit it is typically 25,000 American Airlines Miles posted to YOUR American Airlines Frequent Flyer account.

How do I apply for these offers?

Annual fees waived first year:

15,000 Mile MC and AMEX offer (Expires 1/31/2010)

25,000 Mile MC, AMEX and Biz MC offer (Expires 11/30/09) http://creditcards.citicards.com/usc...DFA4648609B2A2

30,000 Mile MC, AMEX and Biz MC offer (Expires 11/30/09) http://creditcards.citicards.com/usc...s5/default.htm

30,000 Mile Visa offer (Expires 12/31/09) http://creditcards.citicards.com/usc...000CD2C2E1B08B


Annual fees NOT waived first year:

15,000 Mile MC and AMEX offer (Expires 1/31/10) http://creditcards.citicards.com/usc...1DFD79&BT_PC=1

25,000 Mile MC, AMEX and Biz MC offer (Expires 1/31/10)http://creditcards.citicards.com/usc...FB827C20CE14A2

30,000 mile Visa and Biz Visa offer (Expires 1/31/10) http://creditcards.citicards.com/usc...512B92842D5D55

* These offers do not waive the annual fee!


How will I know if I am approved or declined?
If you got the “Approved” page with the credit limit, well, you made it! If you got a message saying they will review your account and you get a reference number, you are generally approved, but your application needs a manual review by a CSR. You can call and have them review it with you on the phone and usually get instant approval, or just wait a few days and they will manually review the account and typically send you an approval letter. The third reply is basically, “thank you for applying, we will let you know”. This usually results in a denial letter being sent out.

Is this illegal?
No, as long as you comply with the offer and their terms and conditions, you are not breaking any laws!

Can I just get a $750 cash advance to hit the $750 limit?
No, any form of cash advances does not qualify as spending. There are many people getting creative on hitting the $750 such as a Wal-Mart Gift cards or the US Mint (Presidential Coins in the Miles Buzz Thread).

Can I fund someone else’s AAdvantage FF account with my credit card?
No, some have reported getting away with this, but at great risk to both accounts.

Will these miles apply to my AAdvantage status?
Yes, but they will only apply towards lifetime earnings which is 1 million for Lifetime Gold and 2 million for Lifetime Platinum. The bonus and spending miles do not help you qualify to meet or renew annual Elite Status qualifications.

How long does it take for me to get the bonus?
After you have spent the required $750, after the next billing closing date, you should see the miles in your AA account in a couple of days. Some have reported delays in excess of one month.

How long should I keep my card after I received the Bonus?
There is no need to keep the card after receiving the bonus and the payment has been applied, most cancel their card within a month after receiving the bonus.

If you have registered your personal card at Citicards.com, you can view a pdf of your bill on the day after your statement closes. It will show that Citibank has sent the miles to AA. It may take another day or two for the miles to post into your AA account. This does not seem to be an option for the business card.

How many cards can I have outstanding at a time?
Some have reported as many as 6 various Citibank cards outstanding at one time, however, it has been reported recently that Citibank will NOT approve more than 4 cards outstanding without direct supervisor approval. Some have reported that in order to get any additional cards, Citibank required a reduction in credit from an existing card to allow credit for a new card. Recently with the new laws regulating credit card companies, Citibank has made many changes that are intended to reduce the banks exposure to losses. This includes limiting the total number of cards and lines of credit. Many have reported that Citibank has stopped allowing consolidation of credit lines from multiple cards. So, having too many cards may limit your ability to get approved for additional cards from Citibank.

Do I have to cancel my old card before getting a new one?
No, but if you have reached a maximum lending limit by Citibank, they may require you to reduce your credit limit with an existing card first.

What effect does this have on my credit?
Generally it is understood there is little negative effect on your credit score. However, multiple inquiries and outstanding credit cards will affect your ability to get additional credit from other agencies, so be careful if you are planning any other financing anytime soon as this may set off alarms with some lenders.

What credit agency does Citibank report to?
Experian is generally used by Citibank for reporting, but some have reported that Citibank has reported to the other two as well.

If I submit two applications in one day, will that limit my credit inquiries to one?
Generally no, but some have reported to seeing only one on their credit report.

How many cards can I do at a time?
While this is truly YMMV, it is generally understood that you can have two applications within any 60 day window, including both personal AND business cards. Some have reported they are now limited to only one application every 60 days, and others still, report the ability to get 2 personal cards every 60 days AND one business card every 90 days.

What effect is there on the 60 day window if I am declined for a card?
Regardless if you are accepted or declined, Citibank considers both accepted and declined cards as applications and therefore part of the two applications in 60 days. However, some have reported calling Citibank and having a CSR “review” the application and have had some limited success in bypassing this requirement.

Is the 60 days from the application date or the date I got my card?
It is generally understood that it goes by the application date; however some have reported some variance to these dates. It is best to give the 60 days a few extra days to be safe.

Does the personal and business card both count against the 2 cards in 60 day generally accepted rule?
Well, kind of, for most people the business card AND personal card are both counted together in the 60 day count, however, as in nearly all cases YMMV.

Why was I declined if I met all the conditions because of “Too many inquiries?”
Citibank reviews your account and it is understood that Citibank will reject any application if your credit report has 7 or more hard pulls in the past 6 months.

What if I was denied, should I call Citibank? I read some people have called and persuaded Citibank to overturn denied applications.
While some have had some success calling Citibank, it is highly frowned upon in this community to call Citibank. Calling draws CSR attention to your account and possible unnecessary attention to the program itself.

How do I close/cancel my card?
Some cancel online by going to the Citibank online at Citicards.com and selecting the account you want to cancel and choose “Email Customer Service” from the “Help and Contact Us” drop down menu.

Business accounts can be cancelled by going to the “Help/Contact Us drop down menu and selecting “Contact Us” then clicking on “Send New Message”. Accounts are usually closed within one hour.

Or you can call Citibank at 888-766-2484 and ask to cancel your card. You will be transfer to a retention specialist that will try and make you an offer to retain the card.
Alternatively you can write to Citibank and request to cancel here:

Citibank Customer Service Center
P.O. Box 6500
Sioux Falls, SD 57117-6500

Why would I want to talk to the retention department?
They will usually offer you points, cash credit or promotional offers such as double miles for spending if you decide not to cancel the card while on the phone with them.