Conrats!!!!! Happy dance for you......... I was feeling that same exuberance a week ago when I found out I was approved. You deserve it!!!! Marci: I upgraded to a Citi AA World Mastercard should I change it ! What is the biggest difference? Thanks, Cypri
Cyprigirl, It depends on what your needs are. The AA series has: pro: rewards card for American Airlines miles. The World Card in particular has no pre-set spending limit, and from what I remember some very nice benefits (i.e. concierge type services). It's trying to compete, to a degree, with AmEx membership rewards. con: annual fees for all three cards. The World card's annual fee is $85, I believe. Also - when I applied back in March, the purchase apr was 1.5 points higher than for the regular Plat Select. con: balance transfer rates are available on request, but they are not nearly as good as what the regular card has (i.e 6.9% apr for 6 months is what I and my parents got after we asked on the AA series). The regular Plat Select card: pros: no annual fee, and lower purchase APR. pro: nice BT offers (I'm at 3.9% for 9 months, though I got this from the get go). I don't know what it is if you have to ask, but I think you could easily argue for a competitive BT offer based on what they are now giving new customers (1.9 to 0% for some recent offers). con: no rewards or other fancy stuff with the Platinum Select other than basic platinum benefits. No Citi "membership rewards". Ultimately, it depends on what you need at this time on your life. I don't need rewards (or an annual fee); I want to get out of debt fast. So, for me, the regular Plat Select is giving me what I want. If you want a rewards card - you should really look into the Hilton Hhonors card (Citibank USA) posted on this board. That is a great deal, has a decent purchase apr, and NO annual fee. I want that card as soon as I erase my debt. Hope this helps,
Doc, That's great news! I'm so glad you appealed Citi's decision and everything worked out. You'll enjoy the card. The customer service reps at Citi are nice. Keep calling until you get one that will let you upgrade to the Plat Select. Donna
Wow, thanks everybody!!! Gulp. Doc P.S. Thanks for the tip regarding Platinum. When the card arrives, I'll give it a try and post the results. Hopefully, more good news will follow, but if not, I'm just grateful for what's occurred so far.
Platinum select products from CITI require a $1000 limit. Just call up before they send you the card and switch. Make sure you get a good apr, and ask for a balance transfer consideration while you are on the phone. Congrats! I'm glad to see the CITI AA is still alive and kicking. Last time we brought this topic up it was very abusive..
With Roni's initiative, Moms persistence, and Marci's lingo you were all set! Couldn't fail. LOL Congratulations Doc, nice work. -Dave
UPDATE: Got my Citibank AA classic card in the mail today. Per everyone's suggestion here, I immediately called Citibank and said something like this: "Well, my wife has been teasing me about applying for an American Airlines card, because that airline doesn't even fly to Knoxville, Tennessee where I live. I think we would benefit more from having a no-fee Platinum card than accruing American Airlines reward miles." (That "benefit more from having a no-fee Platinum card" line is lifted practically verbatim from Marci's suggestion!) Result: she immediately upgraded me to the Platinum. Dropped the annual $50 fee. Lowered my APR by 1.9% (down to 14.75%). My first Platinum card is on the way. Moral of the story: CreditNet people know all the strategies. Heed them well. I would have never qualified for a Platinum card at this point if it wasn't for everyone's help here. (Equifax FICO now stands at 649. Getting closer but no cigar.) To paraphrase Gomer Pyle, thank you, thank you, thank you. Sincerely! Doc
Hay you dont need to beat around the bush with their reps. last time i called my words were. "Please change my product line to platinum select dividend, thank you." "Ok we'd be glad to check... okay will do.." "Please make sure my interest rate goes down.." "hold on sir... Yes it will go down to 14% based on prime+whatever.." "Thanks! you're a great rep and i appreciate your service.." "Anything else?" "Nope!" "blah blah blah our credit protection service." "No. but thanks for asking. goodbye" "Goodbye ..blah blah" Best customer service i've ever had, Retention is JUST as nice!
Changing to another card doesn't require a dog & pony show a simple request would do w/ 99% of CS reps. Retention is BEYOND nice But they do play the retention game: - "So, sir, I understand you'd like to close your account today?" [They won't close it at this point, they just try weakening your leverage first]. - "Nope. Just a product that's competitive enough for me to use." - "Okay. How can I help?" You know the rest: For 6 months, purchase APR down to 9.9%, BT APR down to 6.9% (no fees). Once I establish a little history w/ them, they'll make a permanent APR reduction. I believe card holders w/ tenure can get even better deals. At the time my card wasn't even activated! Saar
the correct and exact words to give citibank CSR: Assuming a balance: "I would like to speak to someone in retention, i have received a card with a better offer and am considering "transferring out" my balances and closing my account, I would like to see if citi can do anything for me." Say the words, worked for me. I'm at prime+0.9%
But I like dog and pony shows. Anyway, my main point was to say thank you to Marci and the others who were so helpful. Everything they said turned out to be 100% true. Doc
Doc, Thank *you* for your graciousness in sharing your success. You're a true gentleman. I'm glad I could be of help. And, congratulations on your new card...
