Originally Posted by
saranyc
When I try for card two in 8 days I'd like to not have to call in to avoid them asking why I just applied for a card a week ago. Has anyone been asked this? If so what's your answer? I already have a few citi AA cards so I'm running out of reasons why I need so many lol!
I think we need to be honest with ourselves and get over the perception that these companies don't know what's up, and that our "little group" (tens of thousands of people) is pulling a fast one over these guys. They know EXACTLY what is up, I can guarantee you. These companies pull in billions, with a "B". They hire the best quants out of the ivies and tech schools to do their analytics. They have entire social media teams. And we think that we're keeping some secret from them here on FT? No way.
You and I can see our accounts with all our cards; the CSRs clearly can too. The reason why they are letting us get more cards is because
someone is telling them to let us. If Citi told them to cut us off it would stop tomorrow. This is a calculated effort they are allowing for some reason, whatever that reason may be.
This is no different than playing at the casino, the house may appear to lose now and then but in the net the house always wins. So just as at the casino, when you're on a hot streak, ride it until it runs out. This game will be up when Citi says it is, not a day before or a day after.
Originally Posted by
callmedtop
The rep sounded pretty aware of what I was doing from a churn perspective, and commented that "he would do the same if he could."
This. They know what's up and have some reason, somewhere, to be allowing it.
Kicking around thoughts - I'd appreciate any insight from people who know the financials and business models of these companies and their agreements with FF programs - but could there be anything in it for Citi to flood the market with AA miles before the merger? Would it make their program look stronger in an effort to compete for AA's business going forward (though folks claim they already have it in the bag)? Do they want to burn through their existing mileage stockpile so they can renegotiate after the merger for a new deal? Are they anticipating a devaluation of AA miles and looking to get what they have off their hands? I am just of the belief that when these huge companies do something, they do it for a reason.