FINALLY! - Citi launching Citi Prestige with Visa Infinite

[cove]

I flushed 1.5 M warehoused Citi Rewards points into VA to get a net 1.15 M points transfer (including the 15% bonus) so I am a multi but still holding my lovely red status card. VA Any Seat has never made sense to me so I just book J class flights mainly for my sons when QF have zilch. I have Asia Miles account opened with a zero balance but it is ready.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

See my previous post #449. We booked the limo service from HKG and had 3 large suitcases, a stroller, a portable cot, 2 4-wheeler cabin luggage bags, a baby bag and my wife's handbag, and we fitted into a sedan with luggage piled into the front footwell and seat, plus the rear middle seat. No additional charges were ever levied, and I would have refused to pay them had they been.

hound I appreciate your valuable post - but HKG is clearly not Australia.

Cruiserette and I will have 2 x large check in suitcases and 3pcs carry on luggage - goddam it I have even emailed them the pics of the particular luggage items in question - their response:

Dear Mr. Elite,

I trust this email find you well.

We have received a response from our Limo service provider regarding the additional charges for both the extra kilometers and the baggage.

Our supplier has advised that the additional kilometer cost will be $72USD each way. The cost for the upgrade for a larger vehicle will be $45.50USD each way. A grand total of $117.50USD each way for this limo service.

Citi Bank have set guidelines for the complimentary limo service where you have a certain number of kilometers free in each city. The allocated kilometers for Melbourne is 30km from the airport. The maximum number of luggage is two large suitcases and two carry on luggage as well. The limo service will not allow any baggage on seats or the floor of the vehicles so when you have extra luggage we must order a larger vehicle for you at an additional cost.

Can I ask you please let us know as soon as possible if you would like to go ahead with the booking? We will need your credit card details for the additional charges please.

I hope this information is clear but if you have any questions or concerns please feel free to call or email us at your earliest convenience.

Kind Regards,

Will Robem
Citi Prestige Concierge
+ 612 8225 0042

And my response to Citi Prestige Concierge:

No thanks Will
Your supplier is clearly a thief.
I can book airport limo transfer for A$130 – and I can take as much luggage as I require
Again your supplier is a thief
Rgds
Cruiser

Edit: Just had a call from Will at Citi (Not his real name) - he also agreed that these rates are exorbitant and he apologised profusely for their rates but said out of their control as they are locked into these suppliers. He went on to say that he has logged my discontent with Customer Feedback and did suggest any areas that Prestige Cardholders find unacceptable to please send in their feedback and they will pass it on up the line and hopefully get some changes going forward.

If you don't have Prestige Concierge email address then here it is: [email protected]

 

[quokka77]

I admire your persistence CE but surely your time is worth more than this? At some point do you cut your losses and move on?

 

[Kimster]

Thanks CE. I will send a similar worded letter to Citi Concierge today. Lets us see where this takes us.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

I admire your persistence CE but surely your time is worth more than this? At some point do you cut your losses and move on?

Well I have moved on - taking taxi to airport. And I don't mind doing a bit of ruck work for myself and others to benefit - I am not the type to just sit back and cop what I view as unfair practices without making my thoughts known to the other party - YMMV of course.

 

[quokka77]

if you don't ask, you won't get an answer, fair enough, but i guess the danger is getting flagged as "that guy" by your credit provider. Here in BNE our allocated km limit is 16km so at least some things are better in MEL (if not the weather).

 

[ermen]

The best place to use this benefit is in Japan. Cost saved viz the cost of a taxi is huge...
Wouldn't use it in other asian cities where the taxi is quite cheap (e.g. HKG, PEK, KUL, TPE, BKK)...

 

[Cruiser Elite]

if you don't ask, you won't get an answer, fair enough, but i guess the danger is getting flagged as "that guy" by your credit provider. Here in BNE our allocated km limit is 16km so at least some things are better in MEL (if not the weather).

No danger being flagged cough "that guy" - as I posted Citi Concierge contact actually called me and thanked me for the feedback in writing which he can now pass on up the chain - he agreed the pricing was horrific.

FTR: Last year when we used the transfers home to MEL / MEL to home it was totally FREE - now with the 'km restrictions' it has gone from FREE to USD117.50 EACH WAY - and that is for the last 17km with the first 30km being Citi's paid component - you don't think that change is worth bringing to their attention - you don't think that borders on thievery?

 

[Cruiser Elite]

The best place to use this benefit is in Japan. Cost saved viz the cost of a taxi is huge...
Wouldn't use it in other asian cities where the taxi is quite cheap (e.g. HKG, PEK, KUL, TPE, BKK)...

YES best to use it where one can greatest bang for your buck - unfortunately I never go to Japan.

 

[LadyC]

YES best to use it where one can greatest bang for your buck - unfortunately I never go to Japan.

I wouldn't use it in Japan anyway - the train is much faster!

 

[ermen]

I wouldn't use it in Japan anyway - the train is much faster!

Depends. Perhaps if your hotel was directly on a train line to the airport. Or you weren't travelling with a kid... or had a lot of luggage...
Used this service in Osaka to/from the airport.. was travelling with an infant so found much more convenient. and probably faster...

 

[quokka77]

I just wrote a long post about the value of time. My phone ate it, and it didn't upload. Haha. I also realise complaining about complaints is somewhat ironic. So I'll stop here until I have something positive to say.

 

[WA flyer]

Just renewed this for $350 for the next year. May struggle to make use of some of the benefits for a while as I have commitments which will limit my travelling this year

 

[k3nnis]

How did you get it for $350?

 

[DeKa]

How did you get it for $350?

In general, you can get this rate if you become eligible for Citigold (note, this is not a credit card).

 

[k3nnis]

Ok thanks.

 

[WA flyer]

I'm not Ciigold just called and said I was considering cancelling. They told be to call again next year to get the discount again!

 

[VAG newbie]

Well I have moved on - taking taxi to airport. And I don't mind doing a bit of ruck work for myself and others to benefit - I am not the type to just sit back and cop what I view as unfair practices without making my thoughts known to the other party - YMMV of course.

Thank you CE for your advice. I would have fallen for the trap if it wasn't for your sacrifice.

I called citi concierge and organized a limo service, they said for all Australian city is 30km, including Brisbane where I live, he said it is "100% OK". I actually live quite close to the airport and on google map it says the distance is 15km, which is just under 16km as you listed. But I wasn't sure is it 16km of the driving distance of the shortest route, or the actual distance driven, or the direct radius of 16km from the airport? What happens if the limo driver purposely take you for a ride and claim it's longer than your allocated distance?

 

[cove]

I have the card for $350 this year. I am doing pretty well running up points.

 

[k3nnis]

Do you guys think this card has better benefits than the Amex play charge? I used to have that Amex but never used any of the benefits! Except Virgin Australia lounge access