Money Tips: Why are most CitiBank credit cards MasterCard?

Posted On: May 1, 2006

Guest: Signature
Post subject: Why are most CitiBank credit cards MasterCard?
Posted: Sun Apr 30, 2006 12:24 pm

Rookie question - Why is the majority of Citibank’s cards in the U.S. all Mastercards? I only see the one Visa which is for Students..

Guest: davidfronue
Posted: Sun Apr 30, 2006 3:07 pm

Hilton Honors is a visa signature card

Guest: jlrdc909
Posted: Sun Apr 30, 2006 3:12 pm

Good question. In Asia they advertise Citi Visa, in the US (Years ago) you had your choice of which card you wished to have.

Guest: beyond platinum
Credit Expert (100+ Posts)
Posted: Mon May 01, 2006 1:49 am

Citibank signed a special contract with MasterCard allowing Citibank more flexibility in the branding of their cards and a reduction in fees. Here is a good article that goes into more detail about the relationship between these two and how Visa was cut out:

http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/rfi/press/card.htm
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Guest: db619196
Posted: Mon May 01, 2006 9:20 am

I seem to recall someone on this board who owns both a Citi Dividend Mastercard and Visa. I don’t recall who it is though.

Guest: multiplierx
Posted: Mon May 01, 2006 1:02 pm

I seem to recall somewhere it stated you could specify whether you wanted a Visa or Mastercard. I think all you have to do is call them and ask for the change.

They also have several Amex cards