Citi Custom Cash Rewards Are Changing and Nobody Knows What's Next
98 posts across 3 communities in the last 30 days; 95% from r/CreditCards.
“never thought about the extended warranty thing, that alone pushes me toward citi. I got burned once with a tv that died right after manufacturer warranty ended and my card at the time didn't cover it the hertz status match sounds nice too but I almost never rent cars so…”
“Hey everyone, looking to see if anyone has run into this same issue with Citi recently. I was just instantly denied for the AAdvantage Platinum Select (80k offer) and am trying to figure out why before I call recon. My Profile: - Score: 792 - Velocity: 1/24 - Bureau: Experian…”
“Little confused here, why are you being forced into changing the freedom visa into a CFU? I havent heard anything about that as a freedom og cardholder [re: CF OG to CFU Forced Conversion - To keep or not keep?]”
Customers are experiencing frustration and uncertainty due to frequent changes, denials, and potential discontinuation of Citi credit card products and rewards programs. This includes difficulties with point coding, product change restrictions, approval denials, and concerns about tax implications and long-term viability of rewards.
SOURCES (60)
“You can’t plan because there will be changes. Also Citi is only letting people change to the ATT from another card [re: Mapping out the next ~2 years of cash bonuses, what am I missing?]”
“Yeah. Apparently they're letting new signups forgo the Robinhood Gold requirement, and just get 3% with no annual fee. Much to my dismay , but congrats to you. I think the only thing you won't get is a metal card, but I'm pretty sure that's purchasable for less than what a year of Robinhood Gold costs anyway. [re: I think I may be settling in with RH Gold for now]”
“Previous multiplers: 3x back on top category 2x back on second highest 1x back on everything else New multiplers: Earn 3% on all Eligible Purchases made in Dining & Nightlife • tarn 3% on all Eligible Purchases made in Entertainment • Earn an Additional 1% Split Bonus on all Eligible Purchases made in Entertainment or Dining & Nightlife where the "Split Transaction" feature of the Card Account is used • Earn 3% on all Eligible Purchases made when using your Card Account as your”
“Title. Great if anyone knows else I'll just try it with a small amount. submitted by /u/ded_diabolical [link] [comments]”
“I got the Citi Custom Card to get 5% on groceries and realized it’s been coding everything to ‘merchandise’ the entire time. This includes grocery stores like Safeway and Kroger’s (not box stores like Target). Have I been getting only 1% on groceries this entire time due to the merchant code? Edit: I’ve only been using the CC to buy food items at grocery stores. No other types of purchases on the card. The website just shows that 100% of my purchases are ‘merchandise.’ submitted by /”
“dang, good to know. I've been dumping all convenience stores on my fidelity card instead of citi premier not knowing they code as groceries. [re: Notes on the Chase Trifecta from a recent trip to Japan]”
“never thought about the extended warranty thing, that alone pushes me toward citi. I got burned once with a tv that died right after manufacturer warranty ended and my card at the time didn't cover it the hertz status match sounds nice too but I almost never rent cars so probably wasted on me amex blue business is tempting but the 50k cap might be an issue since I put everything through one card. might just grab the double cash and stop overthinking this [re: Trouble deciding on unlimited 2%”
“Can confirm I was offered an upgrade from Plat Select to the globe. [re: Hoping for exception to Citi's rules regarding AA product change - am I wasting my time?]”
“Hi everyone. I’d like some guidance on something. I’m short about $1,000 for a purchase I want to make. I have a Citi Strata credit card and was thinking about getting a cash advance (my first time doing so). I couldn't find a specific "cash advance" option in the app, but I did see a "Transfer" feature that allowed me to move funds from my credit card to my bank account (internally). I tried that, and the bank confirmed the transaction would be treated as a cash advance.”
“I'm a Barclays-Citi transferee, and like many others, was told by a CSR last month that I couldn't product change my Platinum Select to a no-AF card (or any other card for that matter). So I'm about 27 days past my AF, called to outright cancel as I was approved for a Double Cash last month and didn't need the Platinum Select credit line. The offers now available for the card were: 3,000 AA miles after $500 in 3 months Transfer of up to $12,500 of the credit line (was $14,500 CL)”
““I'd rather get a Citi Double Cash with a $200 signup bonus with a much lower spend and then convert it to a Custom Cash.” Custom Cash is no longer obtainable via product change [re: Aven Rewards 7% cashback card on category (up to $5000 spend, then unlimited 2%)]”
“Hey everyone, looking to see if anyone has run into this same issue with Citi recently. I was just instantly denied for the AAdvantage Platinum Select (80k offer) and am trying to figure out why before I call recon. My Profile: - Score: 792 - Velocity: 1/24 - Bureau: Experian (hard pull confirmed) - Current Cards: Chase Sapphire Preferred, Cap1 Venture, Cap1 Venture X (all paid in full, zero missed payments). My only other recent activity was backing out of an Amex Delta Gold application due to”
“My wife applied but wasn’t approved as she has only 2 years of CH, and 2 account. Mine is similar, wonder if i should try getting the card as i could use the SUB with holidays coming. submitted by /u/Due-Data-580 [link] [comments]”
“this is my same exact bookmark as well. [re: Citi Thankyou Mastercard Problems]”
“They removed purchase security coverage? [re: What is a good 2% cashback card with an easy rewards system, preferably one that lets you direct deposit to your bank?]”
“Can you post the login link you are using? Citi has scrubbed everything for this card from google search . [re: Citi Thankyou Mastercard Problems]”
“no,i was able to log in the past month with no issues. [re: Citi Thankyou Mastercard Problems]”
“Want to add a note to the citi double cash. Always go for the direct deposit over statement credits, so you get the full 2%. Statement credits will lower your 1% back on payments. [re: What is a good 2% cashback card with an easy rewards system, preferably one that lets you direct deposit to your bank?]”
“Request a product change for the Diamond Preferred card. Maybe get a Strata card for the 3X points. This way, if you do get accepted, you’ll end up with different cards rather than two of the same type. [re: Can I apply for a second Citi Diamond Preferred card if I already have one?]”
“Does the diamond preferred card allow the balance transfer amount to be deposited into my bank account so I can then pay my original balance card? If so has anyone done it recently? EDIT: my original card is a discover card submitted by /u/KingGGs29 [link] [comments]”
“Fidelity, Citi double cash offer 2% cash back and Robinhood gold credit card gives back 3% cash back [re: What is a good 2% cashback card with an easy rewards system, preferably one that lets you direct deposit to your bank?]”
“Yea i heard too many crazy stories about citi bank. Nah. I will stick with Navy Federal & Amex [re: worst service on the planet - Citibank credit card]”
“For anyone who considered both, what made you choose the Wells Fargo Autograph vs. Autograph Journey? Did the Journey’s travel protections play a big role in your decision? I like that the regular Autograph has no annual fee and still earns 3x on travel/Airbnb, but I’m wondering if the Journey is worth it for the stronger trip cancellation/interruption and baggage protections, especially for international trips or more expensive Airbnb bookings. Would love to get some insights. submitted b”
“I did finally get my money- like the person below. I really miss that 5% and $5/week on the subway. [re: Future Card officially shutting down!]”
“Little confused here, why are you being forced into changing the freedom visa into a CFU? I havent heard anything about that as a freedom og cardholder [re: CF OG to CFU Forced Conversion - To keep or not keep?]”
“Have you guys ever heard of a rug pull? The rewards redemptions are vague. Getting above 3% is a gimmick, you lose money if you hold a deposit with them to earn extra points. They can change the terms at any time. See this all the time in the fintech world. Unless you have provided your vendor spend profile to an issuer, don’t trust anything above 2.4% and then really 2.75% would be the absolute max. And that’s for someone who spends millions a month AND can demonstrate a large majority of that”
“They're offering 3% at (what seems to be) $0 though That can't be sustainable unless they severely limit who can apply or they require 250k which I did not see [re: New Flex Elite Credit Card]”
Is there any minimum deposit to get 3%? [re: New Flex Elite Credit Card]
Ugh. I got this card on 09/01… 50K for $2500 spend in 3 months 🥲
“The problem isn’t the card, t’s Citi’s service. Mine has been declined repeatedly abroad: Maldives, Singapore, Greece, Tokyo. Their fraud department is awful. Since I have no other way to verify my identity, their solution is to MAIL a letter to my address and have me call back with a code to unlock the card. Insane for a bank this large, especially when getting someone on the phone takes forever. What kind of travel card is this if you can't use it when you're traveling?”
“I did. But embarrassingly I thought the Flex only had the rotating categories and not the Dining and Pharmacy 3x. Once they removed the foreign transaction fees, it was a no brainer for me since it goes well with my Sapphire Preferred.”
“I just wanted to share I called in after 5 months with the travel card. The rep said I qualify for a product change to second ccr card so I am pumped about that. They said the process could take 1-2 weeks and could change the card number. Does that sound right? Appreciate any help/discussion. submitted by /u/bigbubba_123 [link] [comments]”
“By the time I got off the waitlist, I had Smartly giving me 4% on everything. Even if that gets totally nerfed in the future, I can still milk 3.28% out of my PRE.”
“Hi all, I'm trying to figure out the best card to use for UberEats orders placed through Instacart. I accidentally selected the wrong two 5% categories for my U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa, and therefore have only 2% this quarter for Grocery stores and Grocery Delivery through the end of the year. I thought I would be okay, since I have Citi Custom Cash to use for my highest spend category which would be Food Delivery / Restaurants. However, upon investigation, Instacart will not code UberEats orders”
“By you having the cards that got nerfed isn’t fair comparison to new Citi cc people who can’t get it. So you and select few have it”
“Not sure about getting a second one but just be aware you can’t balance transfer within the same bank.”
“Citi has a 48mnth rule for each card except the Strata cards which are now bonus once per lifetime. So you would be eligbile for a SUB on the Citi Exec card if you add it new. You would also get bonus LP retroactively for your current milestone level.”
“It’s just odd to me since I’ve had these specific limits for a couple years now and my income has only increased (currently $30k over my CL across all accounts) so it just feels random. It seems to just be tied to low utilization in my case.”
“I’m eyeing opening PRE in the next 2 years. currently have the venture x. which is fine for me right now. and I don’t get to muse the capital one lounges or landings. imma need more pp lounge access once I marry my fiance. don’t want to make her get her own credit card just for lounge access.”
“My capital one card just got declined via Apple Pay for some food and I ended up here LOL I'm finding "we don't take discover" everywhere lately and I'm pissed now. I just wanted to see if USAA had early direct deposit like capital one does”
I would focus on the plat sub. The BBP will most likely come back
“They saw something they didn't like from a risk perspective when they soft pulled you for review”
“As of October 1st, Citi has reduced my 2 credit card limits by the following amounts: Citi Simplicity $30,000 --> $21,330 Citi Strata $22,000 --> $15,410 The documents I received for each account state that "Based on your current credit limit usage, we've decided to lower your credit limit". As far as purchases, I do periodically use the Simplicity but never carry a balance. Since converting my Diamond Preferred to the Strata, I have not used it for purchases. Over the last 3”
“Not being able to get the value out of this card if you travel domestically every other week and international 2-3 times a year is hilarious”
“Downvoted for sharing my own travel cadence is hilarious. The dining credit is not “easy to use” since it’s limited specific restaurants that I don’t go to. Similarly the hotel credit requires specifically limiting myself to the hotels. My recent trip to Atlanta the options for the area I was in didn’t have a suite like I needed. Just because you’re willing to limit your options to use their credits doesn’t mean it makes sense to other people.”
“This. I (sadly) use WF as my main bank and do not want to change routing and account numbers for 40+ credit cards. The Premier status was just unexpected for me as I was only taking advantage of an APY offer. I’ll definitely downgrade the Autograph Journey that I got before the Autograph Premier for my second Autograph, that primary CDW is something I’m putting to use when I go to Vegas.”
“they will catch this eventually yeah. citi is pretty strict with refunds counting against the spend requirement, saw someone got their bonus clawed back 3 months later. not worth the headache”
“The strata premier earns points in rest and groceries worldwide. Problem with savor is the discover network i believe. I dont think its as wide spread as visa or mastercard. Buuuuut venture x (if you ever do delve into this) is still on the visa network is accepted more widely internationally. But we are talking about higher AF etc which is sometimes not something we want. Not 100% sure on the ink premier. I would double check the redemption and see if you business spend may be better allocated”
“i don’t know about Citi specifically, but I know other some credit cards will count it as total $0 spent.”
“Yeah that’s what I’m worried about with upgrading to csr. If I do the 75k points, does that count as the one sub? At that point I might as well apply for a new card.”
“Interesting. I already have the old business card and got an email on 10/1 telling me I lost my World Elite Mastercard status for World Mastercard along with the updated benefits. Frankly, I’m pretty pissed off about the $200 af. I don’t eat at the hotel often if at all so I couldn’t care less about $25 per quarter. But I stay at an IHG about once every 60-90 days or so… it might be worth it adding the $150 af card. I’m a little confused though: $200 for $500? Not sure what he meant by that. Any”
“Ah ok that's what I thought. Was misled or misunderstand the comment you replied to. Wish I got in on that when it was still available.”
“I PCed a CF (Visa) to a CFF (MC) last week, points stayed in my account. I asked the representative today when downgrading my CSP, they also said the points would stay in my account. (I still see them there, the account is already showing as CFF in my app)”