May 17, 2013, 11:04 pm
Last edit by: beltway
- What are the most current working links?
- Is this card churnable?
- How frequently can I apply for these cards?
- Do I have to close my previous card before reapplying?
- I got the 60K card and bonus but when I finished the spend on my second 60K card I did not get the bonus. What happened?
[1] What are the most current working links?
There is a standard offer for 50K points after $1K spend in 4 months. (No landing page is available for this offer; lnik taken from wiki for http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/citi-...amex-citi.html.)
There are no known 60K offers available. The most recent one expired in late September 2014.
[2] Is this card churnable?
In the past, this card has been easily churnable. However, in December 2014 Citi began inserting language into some applications and landing pages disqualifying current Hilton Visa cardholders & requiring an 18-month wait from the date of the previous card's cancellation. The application link listed above does not include this restriction, and FTers have confirmed that they have been approved through this application despite being current or recent holders of another Citi Hilton card.
[3] How frequently can I apply for these cards?
You can only apply for ONE Citi card in a week or TWO in two months (60 days). To be safe, it is frequently suggested to wait 8+ days between ANY two Citi applications and 65+ days until your third Citi application of ANY kind. These are rolling dates, so you have to wait at least 60 days (65+) from your second application to your 4th applications, and so forth.
If math is not your strong suit, you can use: http://www.timeanddate.com/date/duration.html.
Example:
Day 0 - Citi HHonors Card #1
Day 8 - Citi AA Personal Card
Day 65 - Citi AA Business Card
Day 73 - Citi HHonors Card #2
Day 130 - Citi TY Card
[4] Do I have to close my previous card before reapplying?
Not if you use the application link above. As stated above, in December 2014 Citi began introducing new application pages requiring an 18-month wait since cancellation of the prior card.
Note that when you close an account, Citi may not "free up" the credit limit from that card for as long as 6 months. So if you're going to apply within 6 months, it's better to not cancel beforehand.
[5] I got the 60K card and bonus but when I finished the spend on my second 60K card I did not get the bonus. What happened?
There appears to be a problem with Citi crediting you with both bonuses but Hilton not crediting the second bonus because their system sees it as a duplicate.
You need to open up a case, preferably with Hilton, and explain that you have two separate cards (feel free to explain one is for business and one for personal if they ask why you have multiple cards and you feel like explaining). You also need to diligently check back with them and make sure that they do not close the case as you already got the bonus.
This is very much a YMMV situation. Depending on who you talk to and where, this can be a relatively short process or a particularly unpleasant and long one. Best advice: Be nice to the CSRs and get them on your side or HUACA until you find someone useful.
For some people it may be worth getting the 50K card instead, possibly trying to "bump the bonus" to 60K and getting it as a 10K adjustment instead.
Citi Hilton HHonors Visa [2011-2014]
Oct 29, 2012, 12:36 pm
#1021
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: DCA/RIC
Programs: HH LTD, AA LTG
Posts: 1,015
If you do not mind sharing notes: How long did you hold the two HH cards that you just CANX? And how many other new CC's accounts have you opened this year?
I have yet to be turned down for a Citi personal card, but cannot remember the last time that I was instantly approved for one either. I have 3 open Citi cards now including 2 new ones from this year (HH & TYR). I have 12 new apps in the last year for various other cards. The last two cards I applied for (Barclycard NFL and Chase Freedom) I had to call after applying (got the dreaded (norm for me) more processing required when applying). When speaking to the CSR's I was questioned as to why I opened so many new accounts this year.
My plan is to give it a break applying for cards for awhile since I am getting flagged all the time now when applying. I do not want to get blacklisted by any of the major issuers. It would be insightful for me to understand the app history of folks such as yourself who get approved automatically for recent churned cards.
Oct 30, 2012, 9:01 am
#1022
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Shanghai
Programs: BAEC (Gold), PC (Plat), HH (Gold), MR (Gold)
Posts: 2,729
Prior to this latest round of apps, I have opened 8 cards this year:
Chase United, INK Bold, BOA Virgin and Barclays US Airways (in April)
AMEX MB Platinum and Chase Southwest (July)
AMEX SPG personal (Aug)
AMEX Delta (Sep)
Oct 30, 2012, 10:14 am
#1023
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: DCA/RIC
Programs: HH LTD, AA LTG
Posts: 1,015
Nice haul in cards miles/points, I appreciate the info.
Oct 30, 2012, 7:04 pm
#1024
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,933
The best value of Hilton HHonors points in my experience is when you can find good cash + points rates (which use a lot less points than an outright points stay yet need a very reasonable amount of cash usually). I find these especially useful overseas.
Other than that, it's the occasional Hampton in the middle of the country which has high cash rates and yet is at a low redemption rate.
Oct 30, 2012, 8:34 pm
#1025
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Wine Country, Finger Lakes
Programs: LFFRS BOD
Posts: 1,355
If you're not interested in accumulating Hilton HHonors points, you're in the wrong thread. This thread is about a particular card which (in its signup bonus) quickly accumulates Hilton HHonors points (which are not of much value if transferred anywhere else, and thus are only of value if you need Hilton HHonors hotel stays).
The best value of Hilton HHonors points in my experience is when you can find good cash + points rates (which use a lot less points than an outright points stay yet need a very reasonable amount of cash usually). I find these especially useful overseas.
Other than that, it's the occasional Hampton in the middle of the country which has high cash rates and yet is at a low redemption rate.
The best value of Hilton HHonors points in my experience is when you can find good cash + points rates (which use a lot less points than an outright points stay yet need a very reasonable amount of cash usually). I find these especially useful overseas.
Other than that, it's the occasional Hampton in the middle of the country which has high cash rates and yet is at a low redemption rate.
Last edited by duranza; Oct 30, 2012 at 9:26 pm
Oct 31, 2012, 5:14 am
#1026
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: RDU
Programs: A few
Posts: 5,499
The best value of Hilton HHonors points in my experience is when you can find good cash + points rates (which use a lot less points than an outright points stay yet need a very reasonable amount of cash usually). I find these especially useful overseas.
Other than that, it's the occasional Hampton in the middle of the country which has high cash rates and yet is at a low redemption rate.
Other than that, it's the occasional Hampton in the middle of the country which has high cash rates and yet is at a low redemption rate.
Oct 31, 2012, 5:19 pm
#1027
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 25,933
Also, the exact redemption rates you mention only work if you want to stay there a full week. Not everyone wants to stay a full week everywhere they go.
At any rate, the general point is, you have to know where to look for value in Hilton HHonors. It doesn't just pop out magically at any property you try to book for any amount of time. But which ways to look for value depends on what you're interested in.
Oct 31, 2012, 6:24 pm
#1028
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Wine Country, Finger Lakes
Programs: LFFRS BOD
Posts: 1,355
You really need to read this particular forum more closely.
My family and I are taking a 9 day / 8 night vacation in March to Hawaii.
I just booked 4 nights at Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort in Oahu with 145K points and 4 nights at Hilton Waikoloa Village on Big Island with 145K points. I earned the required 290K points entirely within the last 18 months, and have points left over.
Did it all with a Citi Hilton (no annual fee), Amex Hilton - (no annual fee), BOA Virgin Atlantic ($90 annual fee), BOA Hawaiian Airlines ($79 annual fee), BOH Hawaiian Airlines ($79 annual fee). I did it with just 5 cards. The $248 I paid in annual fees was so worth it.
My income is modest. So if I can do it, anyone can.
My family and I are taking a 9 day / 8 night vacation in March to Hawaii.
I just booked 4 nights at Hilton Hawaiian Village Waikiki Beach Resort in Oahu with 145K points and 4 nights at Hilton Waikoloa Village on Big Island with 145K points. I earned the required 290K points entirely within the last 18 months, and have points left over.
Did it all with a Citi Hilton (no annual fee), Amex Hilton - (no annual fee), BOA Virgin Atlantic ($90 annual fee), BOA Hawaiian Airlines ($79 annual fee), BOH Hawaiian Airlines ($79 annual fee). I did it with just 5 cards. The $248 I paid in annual fees was so worth it.
My income is modest. So if I can do it, anyone can.
Last edited by duranza; Nov 1, 2012 at 9:14 am
Nov 1, 2012, 12:47 am
#1029
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: Hilton Gold, Club Carlson Gold, IHG Platinum
Posts: 112
Yes, the Virgin Atlantic 55K miles were converted to 110K Hhonors points. And the BoH and BoA Hawiian airlines miles (35K each, 70K total) were converted to a total of 140K Hhonors points.
Nov 5, 2012, 11:03 am
#1030
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: New Orleans, LA
Programs: AA Platinum, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 272
I just applied for 2 Citi Hilton cards using link in Post 141...instant approval for both. Will check on what I have to spend for the points when the card arrives.
Nov 5, 2012, 1:20 pm
#1031
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,431
There's a lot of word that Citi is the most aggressive in charging cash card/reload purchases as cash advances. I've read that if you buy AMEX gc via their website, it's billed as a cash advance. Has there been any evidence of gc purchases (V or MC or AMEX, for that matter) at brick-and-mortar facilities (supermarkets, office supplies, Target, etc.) being charged as cash advances? I need to meet my minimum spend, and I really don't think this card has good rewards at all. I'd like to reload a Target/AMEX, for example.
Nov 5, 2012, 1:36 pm
#1032
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: SEA
Programs: HH Gold, SPG Gold, AA Gold
Posts: 354
No.
If you purchase in store, the merchant name shows up as that store. If you purchase online, the merchant name usually is the name of a financial institution, which is what tells Citi to convert the purchase into a cash advance.
If you purchase in store, the merchant name shows up as that store. If you purchase online, the merchant name usually is the name of a financial institution, which is what tells Citi to convert the purchase into a cash advance.
Nov 5, 2012, 2:45 pm
#1033
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: New Orleans, LA
Programs: AA Platinum, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 272
With Citi, sometimes it's possible. Sometimes it's not.
However one thing that seems to be fairly consistent: if you are at or near your overall credit limit with Citi and you cancel a card, that extra credit limit does not immediately go back into the "pool" of available credit... maybe not for a few months...
However one thing that seems to be fairly consistent: if you are at or near your overall credit limit with Citi and you cancel a card, that extra credit limit does not immediately go back into the "pool" of available credit... maybe not for a few months...
Today, I applied for 2 Citi HHonors Visa and received $15k limits on each. Not sure how that happened, but I'll take it.
Nov 5, 2012, 2:50 pm
#1034
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: LAX
Programs: AA EXP, HH Diamond
Posts: 295
Just remember not to use Citi for Amex Gift Cards and/or any type of funding for financial institutions (e.g. brokerage accounts, initial bank funding, etc.)
Nov 6, 2012, 5:48 am
#1035
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 468
With Citi, sometimes it's possible. Sometimes it's not.
However one thing that seems to be fairly consistent: if you are at or near your overall credit limit with Citi and you cancel a card, that extra credit limit does not immediately go back into the "pool" of available credit... maybe not for a few months...
However one thing that seems to be fairly consistent: if you are at or near your overall credit limit with Citi and you cancel a card, that extra credit limit does not immediately go back into the "pool" of available credit... maybe not for a few months...
I have 2 Citi AA cards, opened in July, and have opened 3 other cards this year with a bank that actually pulls from a different bureau than Citi.Live and learn the hard way, or read FT more carefully is the lesson I learned.