It always worked for me but YMMV

What I meant to say, was , that I got the card recently, along with the bonus. The renewal fee will come up, before I have to make the redemption. Actually, I don't mind paying it, it seems fair, sort of like buying the miles from CITI at a discount rate. I don't mind taking advantage of the bonuses, but I try to play fair with the banks. Its my personal view, not judging anyone.

Lose the 'tude, bro.

I'm not your "bro," and we aren't surfer bums.

/end

Don't speak for me. I am such a surfer bum. Also, it took about 3 months for my annual fee to be billed to me on my Amex Platinum, so it doesn't always bill immediately.

You're choice but the banks aren't losing money on this ( churning deal) as they have a great deal of research that shows "X" percentage of people who get the card and spend the $3K will end up paying interest of 15% . Combine the interest some will pay and the fee they collect per charge and they are making $$, perhaps quite a bit

Even people who pay bills in full run into bad situations from time to time

The banks don't play fair, ask anyone down on their luck about the 25% plus interest rates they are being charged

I can totally see your point, and as I said, it's my personal choice.I don't have any illusions as to big banks compassion for those in trouble. Don't get me wrong, I have no problem taking them up on their juicy offers . It's sort of like, I would never walk away from a mortgage if I could pay it, without forgoing food for my family.

One thing to remember is this churn deal only comes around so often and until recently you had to wait 18 months between cards to get the bonus.

If you wait to get the next bonus you may find you will be denied the bonus because you haven't had your current card cancelled long enough. If you feel guilty and want to play fair you can always pay the annual fees and get the ( 10% up to 10K back on bookings ) 60k miles

Right now there are multiple AA cards, after the USAIR merger that may not be the case

Since you don't have many posts on this forum I'm not sure if you are aware of this

Good luck

Thank you for heads up, I really appreciate it! Yes, I am actually aware of the state of events with CITI AA cards at this time, but I am currently focusing on other cards, because of my travel plans. Also, CITI has been pulling 2 agencies on me every time in the last 2 years :Experian and Equifax. I still might do, what you suggested, but after I get the other cards taken care of. Also, even though I have only a few posts, I have been a lurker and "churner" for years. Still, I really do appreciate you taking your time and giving advice. Thanks!

In my experience you will have few problems with Citi as long as you follow the time between apps ( look in the AA thread if you not familiar with it) but Chase can be a pain in the ... so if you want those cards get them first

I paid my renewal fee for the Marriott cc in May, so my free nite certificate expires in November (6mos later). What if I want to book a room in December and haven't used my certificate? Do they send me a new one or am SOL with the expired one? Then when it renew next year, I am stuck with expiration in Nov again? If that's the case, can I cancel the card and ask for my annual fee back?

I was told by Marriott representative, that the stay has to occur within 6 months, so you would have to have a reservation before November. I don't think, they would renew it, but you could always try. I also don't think you could get your annual fee back from this year's renewal, as it's been too long since May. But you could always cancel it before the next renewal. That should not affect your current certificate. Yes, the 6 months expiration is a huge drawback of this scheme and one of the reasons I canceled my Marriott visa.

I'd probably pay for my Priority Club, Club Carlson, and CSP for the benefits and annual bonuses.

So true