I've heard this story so many times over the years it's almost like a bad laugh track in the background now.
There are stories just like this on the various cc bbs all over the internet, about all the big cc issuers. They all do it sometimes, even Chase, even AmEx.
The best advice I can give is to always carry two credit cards for just such a situation.
No, I am not condoning raping Citibank, but I do understand the OP's justifiable frustration.
Last edited by jn in ca; May 30, 2014 at 6:00 pm