Credit Tips: Citi Simplicity Rewards Credit Card Review

Posted On: November 1, 2006

Author: hdporter
Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2006 5:30 am
Post subject: Interesting Citi Application

I applied for a Citi Simplicity Rewards a/c for my wife online. She has a non-Rewards Simplicity that we pay in full; decided to start getting rewards … plus, they’ve been stingy on a CLI for the existing account that’s been open a little over a year. Original line was $1700, they bumped it to $2900 after an online request. (She has a Div Plat with a 19,700 limit and Diam w/ 7,700.)

The applic was immediately approved with a limit of $3600. Plan is to consolidate the two cards for a $6500 limit on the new one. This was Friday; on Monday I received an email asking her to call to provide more info. WTF?

No big deal we figured. It wasn’t. The rep merely asked if she was self-employed (uh, read the app guys). When she said she wasn’t, they offered up a Citi Prof card, either in place of or in addition to the Simp Rew.

We don’t need another card right now, nor are we looking to transfer a bal presently, so I shake my head no to Bev. Rep counters with “let me see what line we can offer”. She comes back with $6K (so why only $3600 on the new Simp?) She also notes that a BT can be initiated anytime in the next 12 months and it will carry a 0% for a full 12 mo. from the time of the transfer (not a/c opening).

Ok, that’s cool! We just bought $3500 of furniture for which the 0% financing will expire in 12 mo. Accepted the card, the rep read the card provisions. One item of note: She says that the card is considered to be a business card and therefore isn’t subject to the consumer protections of the law.

I presume that we’re talking the “50-mile” purchase dispute rule and proection for liability on lost cards. I assume Citi allows some leeway on these items for the Prof card, but it’s definitely going to be worth checking out to get the details down.

Author: spjoink
Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2006 11:28 am
Post subject:

so , did you take the offer??
spjoink

Author: Sporty
Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2006 2:27 pm
Post subject: Citi Simplicity Rewards Credit Card Review

Same thing happened to me a few months back, except since I am self-employed they offered a citibusiness card with a 15 month 0% that can start anytime within 15 months. The down side of the Professional and CitiBiz cards is that you can’t reallocate credit lines from your personal cards. It is possible to reallocate from personal cards when only at the time of application on the phone or activation with a credit analyst.

One thing to note: the Professional card will show up on your personal credit report, whereas the CitiBiz card will not report.

Author: hdporter
Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2006 6:57 pm
Post subject:

Quote:
so , did you take the offer??

In a heartbeat.

Author: Polonius
Posted: Wed Oct 25, 2006 7:04 pm
Post subject: Citi Simplicity Rewards Credit Card Review

Quote:
It is possible to reallocate from personal cards when only at the time of application on the phone or activation with a credit analyst.
No–you can reallocate from personal to business cards by calling within a month of receiving the new business card. You do have to call a “special” number to do that–the typical CSR doesn’t know how to do it or know even that it can be done. It’s a one-time accommodation which can’t be reversed.
_________________
Polonius
“Neither a borrower, nor a lender be; For loan oft loses both itself and friend”