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City National Bank Crystal Visa Infinite (USA); NY GA TN NV CA MA DC & MN

Old Nov 6, 2015, 11:03 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: mia
Current welcome offer is 50,000 30,000 Crystal points with $5,000 $3,000 spending in the first 90 days. First annual fee not waived. (as of telephone call with bank employee 8/7/2019)

Past bonuses were:

***** #1502 - signup bonus 1/16/18 BUT ANNUAL FEE NOT WAIVED ******

100,000 points after spending $5,000 in first three months. Offer expires 30 December 2015. EXPIRED

A 70,000 points offer was offered back in March 2017 and expired March 31st, 2017. EXPIRED

The requirements for the application process varies from bank to bank based on various online data points collected from FlyerTalk, Doctor of Credit, etc.

Some banks require that you go into a branch and apply personally. Other banks want you to have another account open for 90 days before you can get this card. Some banks (if you already have a relationship with them) let you apply via mail. Sometimes you have to be a resident of the state they operate in, while some were able to get the card without living in those states. It is very much YMMV. You will need proof of income (W2, check stubs, etc). The only states City National Bank operates in are: NY, DE (only trust office, no go), DC, GA, TN, MN, NV & CA. The bank is looking for high net worth individuals, but that's not exactly consistent either.

The card has no foreign transactions fees and is fee-free the first year, then $400 annually.

Register your card for online access (cno.cnb.com). This changed on Sept 19 2019.
Register separately for the award page (www.cnbrewards.com).
Register for Visa Infinite info and access at https://myvisainfinite.com/cnb/en_us/home.html
Click "my info" to see details on points awarded.
Best* redemption found to date is $1,000 prepaid visa for 105K pts. It's now 125K pts for a $1,000 prepaid visa. Link to catalog
*(other than spending for flights etc. & getting 1.2 cents each in value)

To set-up spending alerts, create an account here : http://citynationalbank.digitalcardservice.com

Point redemptions for flights have been reported as being as high as 1.35cpp (see here) by calling the Concierge service at +1 800 595 8950 and having them book direct from airline website for you

Significant benefits:

$250 per calendar year airline incidental credit - works on AU card as well - STARTING JAN 1ST, 2020 THE CREDIT WILL BE $350 PER ACCOUNT
$100 Global Entry fee credit - works on AU card as well Per DDResq post 842
Priority Pass lounge membership for up to 2 people. No fee for any number of guests, but lounge policy may limit the number of guests admitted.- STARTING JAN 1ST, 2020 EACH ADDITIONAL GUEST BEYOND ACCOUNT HOLDER WILL BE CHARGED $32
12 GoGo inflight passes - create an account at myvisainfinite.com/cnb. Once the account is created, you enter, then search for GoGo passes. You then input your card number again, create a GoGo account if you don't have one, and the 12 passes post to it ready to be used when you fly again on a participating airline. - works on AU card as well
$100 off when you book a qualifying airline itinerary via visa discount air portal (https://www.visadiscountair.com/CNB/default.aspx - STARTING JAN 1ST, 2020 THIS WILL NO LONGER BE OFFERED AS A BENEFIT
$30 off GroundLink car service (works with AU cards as well) plus instant 15% off rides. There are $25 current user referrals to go for first.

Airline fees are reimbursed up to $250 per calendar year. Fees must be from domestic carriers. There is no need to declare a carrier, and fees can be reimbursed from multiple carriers. Partial Ts and Cs:

Qualifying Airline Purchases are defined as incidental airline fee transactions made at eligible US Domestic Airline Carriers and include: ticket change/cancellation fees, checked baggage fees, inflight entertainment, onboard food and beverage charges, airport lounge membership fees and day passes, onboard wireless charges (excluding Gogo Wireless), and TSA Pre✓® membership application fee.


What works
AA: Award Fees/Taxes, Award Redeposit Fees ($150)
AA: e-Gift cards $250 including AUs (1x per card max 4)
AS: Award ticket fees, $16
AS: In flight food, entertainment.
AS: Premium Class Upgrade, $59

HA: Interisland Flight, $48.80
UA: award ticket fees, $51
WN: Award Fees/Taxes, Award Redeposit Fees (limit unknown, but it's between $75 and $80 per transaction), Early Bird boarding fees ($15)
DL: Baggage fees
B6: $53.30 airfare

What doesn't work
AS: Award ticket fees, $130ish
DL: GC; PGGM (reports of not working since April/2016)
DL: Just about anything. Don't use on Delta
UA: MPX, Award Fees (~$170)
UA: Gift card registry (up to $75) (No longer working as of 11/25/17)
UA: Seat Selection Fee
WN: GC
EY: Award Fees
TW: Change fee
UO: Seat fee
AA: Award Fees/Taxes on an itinerary originating outside the US.

To Be Confirmed
UA: Award Redeposit Fees ($200)


Global Entry reimbursements: (works on AU also)

user - mnsweeps ( https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29336509-post1549.html )

Used mine and a AU card to register for GE for in laws
01/17/201801/18/2018USCUSTOMS TRUSTEDTRAVELER$100.00
01/17/201801/18/2018USCUSTOMS TRUSTEDTRAVELER$100.00

Credit posted today for both cards.
01/20/201801/24/2018GLOBAL ENTRY STMT CREDIT $100.00
01/20/201801/24/2018GLOBAL ENTRY STMT CREDIT $100.00

In 2016, 2017 AND 2018 airline incidental credits for transactions on-or-after January 1st did not start posting until the third week of January. In 2019 they started posting on Jan 11th.

For further information, see this

STARTING JAN 1ST, 2020 there are going to be major changes to this card, these being:[/s]
  • $350 airline incidental credit per account (was $250 per AU)
    • $95 Annual Fee per AU
      • $32 per guest using PriorityPass (used to be free & unlimited)
        • Elimination of $100 Visa Air Discount Benefit
          • Groceries and Gas only earn 1x (used to be 3x)

Sources:

discussion starting here

https://www.cnb.com/content/dam/cnbc...ewards2020.pdf
https://www.cnb.com/content/dam/cnbc...rystal2020.pdf


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City National Bank Crystal Visa Infinite (USA); NY GA TN NV CA MA DC & MN

Old Jan 22, 2020, 9:08 pm
  #3181  
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 692
Originally Posted by ValueAdd82
I had my banker submit a manual request for the credit since it has been over two weeks, and the request was denied. I submitted receipts and my charges included pet fees and seat upgrade fees. Apparently those don't qualify for reimbursement anymore, only change/cancel fees, in flight food, checked bags and a few other very limited options are reimbursable. I think you all waiting for AA GC reimbursements are SOL. I'm just going to cancel, this card is totally worthless now.
what airline were your charges from?
compddd is offline  
Old Jan 23, 2020, 4:10 am
  #3182  
 
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 47
Originally Posted by ValueAdd82
I had my banker submit a manual request for the credit since it has been over two weeks, and the request was denied. I submitted receipts and my charges included pet fees and seat upgrade fees. Apparently those don't qualify for reimbursement anymore, only change/cancel fees, in flight food, checked bags and a few other very limited options are reimbursable. I think you all waiting for AA GC reimbursements are SOL. I'm just going to cancel, this card is totally worthless now.
Back this up with some evidence or all you’ve done is read the benefits guide.
AlertPenguin is offline  
Old Jan 23, 2020, 5:57 am
  #3183  
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Flyover Country
Posts: 157
Originally Posted by AlertPenguin
Back this up with some evidence or all you’ve done is read the benefits guide.
haha "evidence"? Legit fees that were reimbursed last year aren't going to be reimbursed this year according to my banker and the back office. I hope that everyone here, myself included, ends up getting the reimbursement, I'm just relaying the info that I've received. Evidence? You guys are ridiculous.
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ValueAdd82 is offline  
Old Jan 23, 2020, 6:51 am
  #3184  
 
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 47
Originally Posted by ValueAdd82
haha "evidence"? Legit fees that were reimbursed last year aren't going to be reimbursed this year according to my banker and the back office. I hope that everyone here, myself included, ends up getting the reimbursement, I'm just relaying the info that I've received. Evidence? You guys are ridiculous.
If you've got an email, show us the body of the email.
AlertPenguin is offline  
Old Jan 23, 2020, 11:42 am
  #3185  
pjs
 
Join Date: Mar 1999
Location: Alpharetta, GA, USA
Posts: 939
Originally Posted by ValueAdd82
I had my banker submit a manual request for the credit since it has been over two weeks, and the request was denied. I submitted receipts and my charges included pet fees and seat upgrade fees. Apparently those don't qualify for reimbursement anymore, only change/cancel fees, in flight food, checked bags and a few other very limited options are reimbursable. I think you all waiting for AA GC reimbursements are SOL. I'm just going to cancel, this card is totally worthless now.
Thanks for the data point. Ignore the people asking for "evidence" like this is CSI. I went ahead and downgraded to the no annual fee Visa Signature version. If you could trust CNB to value the points consistently, this card actually has better bonus categories. Had to contact my banker and he sent me a form to sign via email for the downgrade. Interestingly, my AF hit last year on 1/18 but has yet to hit this year.
pjs is offline  
Old Jan 23, 2020, 11:42 am
  #3186  
 
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 31
Originally Posted by ValueAdd82
I had my banker submit a manual request for the credit since it has been over two weeks, and the request was denied. I submitted receipts and my charges included pet fees and seat upgrade fees. Apparently those don't qualify for reimbursement anymore, only change/cancel fees, in flight food, checked bags and a few other very limited options are reimbursable. I think you all waiting for AA GC reimbursements are SOL. I'm just going to cancel, this card is totally worthless now.
Guess I will just order $350 of food next time in flight.
g4indigo is offline  
Old Jan 23, 2020, 11:51 am
  #3187  
 
Join Date: Oct 2018
Posts: 47
Originally Posted by pjs
Thanks for the data point. Ignore the people asking for "evidence" like this is CSI. I went ahead and downgraded to the no annual fee Visa Signature version. If you could trust CNB to value the points consistently, this card actually has better bonus categories. Had to contact my banker and he sent me a form to sign via email for the downgrade. Interestingly, my AF hit last year on 1/18 but has yet to hit this year.
it’s not asking too much to ask for the body of an email. I, too, can and do read the benefits guide and everything they emailed about is specifically listed as not eligible. Not sure what they were expecting.
AlertPenguin is offline  
Old Jan 23, 2020, 12:01 pm
  #3188  
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 9,982
FWIW, I have a Global Entry that hasn't been reimbursed yet. I think they just haven't done any credits at all this year.

(sorry - not gonna post proof)
josephstern is online now  
Old Jan 23, 2020, 1:30 pm
  #3189  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,663
I think the "proof" requested was not proof that anyone made the charge (why would anyone fabricate that story??) but rather a written document or email from CNB stating that as of X date they will no longer reimburse AA GCs or alternatively that they will only reimburse fees specified in the benefits guide. While it is helpful to hear anecdotal stories about communications with the bankers and the "back office," they are not considered authoritative sources.

That being said, one cannot ignore the "evidence" that AA GC charges which posted after January 1 have not been reimbursed during the normal time frame. This suggests that CNB may have changed its policy for such charges, or perhaps has either changed the coding (as AMEX did) to exclude GCs and/or instructed its personnel to deny reimbursement.

If that is the case then the card has become less than worthless to many of us who rarely pay baggage, cancellation and other fees that fall with the specified category. Particularly compared to Chase CSR which automatically refunds $300 in a broadly defined category of charges coded as travel including airfares, car rentals, hotels etc. I will definitely cancel and demand a pro-rata refund of the AF.

One thing I will not do is roll the dice and charge $350 in GCs at aa.com because I really don't need to bank any more credits on American as I rarely fly that airline. But thanks to everyone who continues to test this concept.
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Last edited by Boraxo; Jan 23, 2020 at 1:37 pm
Boraxo is offline  
Old Jan 23, 2020, 1:31 pm
  #3190  
 
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 48
Originally Posted by josephstern
FWIW, I have a Global Entry that hasn't been reimbursed yet. I think they just haven't done any credits at all this year.

(sorry - not gonna post proof)
Global Entry transaction posted on 1/2/20 and credit received on 1/4/20.
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mocarey is offline  
Old Jan 23, 2020, 2:48 pm
  #3191  
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 9,982
Originally Posted by mocarey
Global Entry transaction posted on 1/2/20 and credit received on 1/4/20.
Hmm. Mine has been on there for about 10 days. I wonder if they put certain accounts on manual review.
josephstern is online now  
Old Jan 23, 2020, 3:22 pm
  #3192  
 
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Flyover Country
Posts: 157
Originally Posted by pjs
Thanks for the data point. Ignore the people asking for "evidence" like this is CSI. I went ahead and downgraded to the no annual fee Visa Signature version. If you could trust CNB to value the points consistently, this card actually has better bonus categories. Had to contact my banker and he sent me a form to sign via email for the downgrade. Interestingly, my AF hit last year on 1/18 but has yet to hit this year.
AFs are charged on the last billing day of your anniversary month, so if you opened the card any time in January, your AF will post on Jan 31.
ValueAdd82 is offline  
Old Jan 23, 2020, 5:25 pm
  #3193  
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Western US
Programs: Costco Executive Member, Amazon Optimus Prime
Posts: 1,251
Originally Posted by ValueAdd82
I had my banker submit a manual request for the credit since it has been over two weeks, and the request was denied. I submitted receipts and my charges included pet fees and seat upgrade fees. Apparently those don't qualify for reimbursement anymore, only change/cancel fees, in flight food, checked bags and a few other very limited options are reimbursable. I think you all waiting for AA GC reimbursements are SOL. I'm just going to cancel, this card is totally worthless now.
They've never really gotten reimbursement to work properly for Delta, even on legit fees covered by T&C.
akr1970akr is offline  
Old Jan 23, 2020, 5:36 pm
  #3194  
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: ATL, BHM, DUB, County Wexford
Programs: DL DM, AA ExPlt, Diamond HH, HY, BW, & Titanium Elite Marriott
Posts: 4,850
Banker just told me that they are blocking all reimbursements and manually looking at them, so it will take a while. They are looking to see who abused the program last year. (ABUSED? REALLY?) Those that abused are not going to receive reimbursement this year for any amount. They are also not going to reimbursement any suspected GC or other charges that do not meet the the exact wording. I asked how that would work and the response was any even dollar amounts will be denied. Now I wait to see if it holds true in the long run or I may just cancel.
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EasternTraveler is offline  
Old Jan 23, 2020, 6:20 pm
  #3195  
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: ATL, BHM, DUB, County Wexford
Programs: DL DM, AA ExPlt, Diamond HH, HY, BW, & Titanium Elite Marriott
Posts: 4,850
Originally Posted by g4indigo
Guess I will just order $350 of food next time in flight.
good luck with that
EasternTraveler is offline  

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