Another successful data point:

Opened Citigold account 11/23 per DoC's instructions. Called new account 800# on 11/25 and told CSR I wished to fund new account with a CC. Used Citi AAdvantage Platinum MC. CSR explicitly stated it would be a purchase, not a cash advance, and gave me the exact time that I could expect the charge to show up (next day, 5:00-5:30AM). She then asked if it was a Citi CC, I said yes, and she transferred me to the Citi CC fraud department so I could pre-clear the large transaction. Charge appeared the next day as indicated and cleared with no issues.