CB Rewards Platinum 2:1 VA, SQ KF / VA now [was 15K:10K]

[DeKa]

I redeemed 45000 citi rewards points today on the mobile app, which is still being processed. The app still states the 1.5:1 ratio and calculated I would receive 30000 velocity points. Can anyone take a screenshot of the 1.5 ratio for velocity on the app? (Android doesn't permit screenshots readily).

I've just tried to transfer some in the iOS app but it gives an error that I have to call customer support when I hit redeem..

 

[burmans]

I've just tried to transfer some in the iOS app but it gives an error that I have to call customer support when I hit redeem..

Well I have interesting feedback. I complained as CBG, first they referred me to the T&C's, then I referred them to the ACCC market release. Now I have received a message

Our records indicate that your email was sent under your Citibusiness
Gold Visa.

Please be advised that the changes to our redemption rate for KrysFlyer
is not applicable for Citibusiness Gold customers. The redemption rate
for your card ending in xx_X remains at 1.5 points for one KrisFlyer
mile.

Just tried a dummy conversion and sure enough it now appears to be 1.5:1 but this was not what happened when I looked last time. So is it just me or have any other CBG cardholders that have been moved back to the old ratio (the landing page still has the new rate of 2:1 displayed!!). Very strange but as long as I can take a snapshot of the page may just transfer the money out! The mail plus the snapshot surely has to be usful if they don't actually honour in any dispute with them (when/if I escalate).

 

[deka2]

The plot thickens

I too had a phone call from Citibank, telling me that the change in points conversion did not apply to Citibusiness Cards.

The man was adamant even after I pointed out what I know to have happened to me and others.

Not able to test this as I transferred all points to Qantas in case that rate changed.

 

[asterix]

How did you guys submit your complaint? I sent a fax to the complaint number on the website, because I tried using the online messaging to send a message but it kept telling me that my message contained illegal characters, even after I had removed them. I haven't heard from Citibank yet, I sent my fax last week, on the day this thread was started. I've got a platinum card.

 

[deka2]

My phone call came one week after I complained that the conversion rate they were using was incorrect.

The lady didn't know why and wasn't aware of any changes, so she put in an email to the rewards department.

I also rang three other times as to why I had not received a call back.

 

[burmans]

How did you guys submit your complaint? I sent a fax to the complaint number on the website, because I tried using the online messaging to send a message but it kept telling me that my message contained illegal characters, even after I had removed them. I haven't heard from Citibank yet, I sent my fax last week, on the day this thread was started. I've got a platinum card.

Online message but from within the web site, i.e. while I was signed onto Internet banking!

 

[DeKa]

I just called Citi. I only have just over 15k points on my Platinum card, and I pushed the fact I wanted 10k Velocity points in my account today or tomorrow.
They told me the change was made on 1 May, but was locked into the system on 8 May. I said I didn't think it was fair as I had no notification, and I would have transferred them 3 days ago if I'd known of this change. He said the solution was to give me 5000 points (ie compensating me for the devaluation) and then transfer me 20k Citi points (which will end up being the 10k Velocity points).

The guy asked me if I was notified, and I said no. He said I should have received a written letter about it.

I said OK, the extra 5k points are acceptable in this situation but I wasn't happy with the change. I won't be using this card much unless they upgrade me to Signature though.

 

[Formal Hall]

redeemed 45000 points from citibusiness gold on 9th May and hit my Velocity account today at the old 1.5:1 ratio, using the android app. Checked last night and the app is still showing the old ratio (perhaps a ruse to make us use an awful app over an equally bad website!)

 

[Spizz]

Just spoke to CSR. I'm a Platinum and she said that according to what she could see on her internal system it is still the old 1.5:1. I told her what the website says (online calculator and all) and she told me that she works in rewards and if I wanted to transfer any points it would be at this 1.5 rate and not the new 1:2 rate on the website. I could confirm the transfer with her now if I wanted and she guaranteed me the old rate. Maybe for customers whom have held the card for over a year are kept on the old conversion rate? Or maybe the typical Citi internal miscommunitcation.

Either way I didn't want to take any chances as my next phone call could be oh well yes it has changed and got her to move me up to the Signature Card. She reinbursed me my Platinum yearly fee in the process and I accept the increase in yearly fee for a higher point earn with the Signature Card either way. I purchase a bit overseas and the conversion to KF still is the best IMO for SQ Suite Redemptions (even with the 3% overseas fee). YMMV.

 

[burmans]

Just spoke to CSR. I'm a Platinum and she said that according to what she could see on her internal system it is still the old 1.5:1. I told her what the website says (online calculator and all) and she told me that she works in rewards and if I wanted to transfer any points it would be at this 1.5 rate and not the new 1:2 rate on the website. I could confirm the transfer with her now if I wanted and she guaranteed me the old rate. Maybe for customers whom have held the card for over a year are kept on the old conversion rate? Or maybe the typical Citi internal miscommunitcation.

Either way I didn't want to take any chances as my next phone call could be oh well yes it has changed and got her to move me up to the Signature Card. She reinbursed me my Platinum yearly fee in the process and I accept the increase in yearly fee for a higher point earn with the Signature Card either way. I purchase a bit overseas and the conversion to KF still is the best IMO for SQ Suite Redemptions (even with the 3% overseas fee). YMMV.

Am considering this option myself, have accepted fee reversal on the Platinum for both myself and my wife in last month. But the reality is that with the new transfer structure am unlikely to use the card. Signature/Selcet seem more attractive but I don't really think they justify the fee (in fact my assessement of the value of the fee is slight below half what they charge).

So am considering writing to them and essentially statis the above and asking whether they can offer any retention bonus, options would seem to be transfer to enhanced card (Signature/Select) at same yearly or at least a significantly discounted yearly fee. My thinking is what's to lose, they will probably lose us as customers on the Visa Plat otherwise and you can only ask!

 

[auriga]

This is extremely disappointing. I transferred to KF last week, so that was OK, but what to do in the future? Also do not know where to put my (relatively modest) ATO bills. This game is getting less fun!

 

[spentan]

Interestingly enough, someone called me from Citibank, and advised that the 2:1 which I transferred at last week was an "issue with their system", and therefore they credited the points back to me

Great to see that the Citibusiness Gold keeps the 1.5:1

 

[DeKa]

This is extremely disappointing. I transferred to KF last week, so that was OK, but what to do in the future? Also do not know where to put my (relatively modest) ATO bills. This game is getting less fun!

Not on any Citi card, as they don't give points anymore for ATO!

 

[zzyss]

I'm intending to do the same but also include the reference to their previous market release just to remind them they have gone public with this stance. ACCC ends investigation of proposed retrospective point value changes to the NAB Rewards Program | ACCC

In my complaint to Citibank have also referenced this and that I will be raising with the ACCC.

I wasn't aware of that. However, I couldn't find anything that indicated whether or not the NAB Rewards Program only allowed redemption towards QFF, or if they also had other rewards. I'm just thinking that because Citibank Rewards allows redemption for other things, and those redemption rates have not changed, the argument that the points value has been "devalued" might not be as strong.

 

[Arrow29]

Received a new Rewards Signature card for myself and a new supp card for my wife in the mail today with an offer to upgrade free of charge from my current Rewards Platinum. Quite a nice surprise. Not sure if it's because I wrote in a complaint about the reduced transfer rate or if it was just a coincidence, but happy either way!

 

[asterix]

Received a new Rewards Signature card for myself and a new supp card for my wife in the mail today with an offer to upgrade free of charge from my current Rewards Platinum. Quite a nice surprise. Not sure if it's because I wrote in a complaint about the reduced transfer rate or if it was just a coincidence, but happy either way!

I complained via fax on May 2nd, I hadn't heard from Citibank earlier in the week so I sent a followup via online messaging, they've said they will get back to me. Would be nice to get upgraded too.

 

[oz_mark]

Received a new Rewards Signature card for myself and a new supp card for my wife in the mail today with an offer to upgrade free of charge from my current Rewards Platinum. Quite a nice surprise. Not sure if it's because I wrote in a complaint about the reduced transfer rate or if it was just a coincidence, but happy either way!

I'd be onto that offer in a flash!

 

[Arrow29]

I'd be onto that offer in a flash!

I've already called in, accepted and activated the new card!

Hope others here get a similar offer

 

[asterix]

Hope others here get a similar offer

Nothing in today's mail. *fingers crossed for sometime next week*

 

[kamchatsky]

I will wait for a week, and if no special offer from CB then I will lodge a formal complaint!