platinum citibank
i really don't understand what all the fuss is over a citibank platinum, issues i have are:
- $250 / granted there are benefits such as the conceirge, and the upgrades, but i already qualify for HH gold anyway and I really don't stay at other properties at all, or if i do, rarely. let's be realistic - we on here do our own research and know where we want to go, where we want to stay - we're 'informed'.
- if I did have this card, i'd always need a backup card anyhow, and my aim is to consolidate into a minimal amount of cards - why? if I want to do cash advances (ie overseas), the citibank card charges an upfront 1.5% of the cash advance amount - is this correct? there are alternate cards which don't have this, which I prefer to use for overseas travel.
- the rewards - is it also 1:1 into QF and are there any other airline or hotel programs for transfers?
- does the travel insurance cover you for reward redemptions earned on the card as well?
- the restaurant list for sydney as my base is pretty mediocre and only assures priority reservation, with one exception.
- how proactive are citibank likely to be with bonus offers etc on the card?
- limit on 120,000 points to be earned on the card p.a.
i'm currently very happy with my westpac altitude as my primary card, the gold covers travel insurance with a $200 excess including on award redemptions earned from the card, a range of exciting offers - ie bookings on air nz earns me 2 for 1 via airnz or $3 for 4 points on flightcentre who beat anyprice, redemption transfers into QF, NZ or MH. overseas cash advances are 1.5% so I avoid this card. I pay off the amount due every month. I just can't justify bumping up another $150... ?? when westpac gives me more choice, more proactive ways to earn, ease of consolidating all my banking with westpac with a large branch network through australia and nz with westpac trust and excellent travel insurance, loss insurance (90days), extended warranty insurance.