Reduction in Transfer Rates to Velocity/Krisflyer

[CJEMNMAC]

Also said no compensation in points would be issued and wasn't aware that any points had been given in compensation. I was after 30K points for everyone for all the wasted time.
I have heard from people who received 10K points but I'm obviously on the 'don't want to keep' list in their CRM system now!

I got 2k points on my first original phone rant.. i said I don't accept that as compensation. Phone operator says too late its in your account..I checked and it is

My third phone rant the operator offered me 10k points as compo.. I said that is not compensation.. My phone back today, I asked even though the conversion has been adjusted back will he still honour the extra 10k... he says yes.. Wont see for 48 hours..Hope it comes through..

 

[Spizz]

Right this minute there are probably computer boffins at SQ scratching their heads and wondering what the hell is going on..

Very true.

FWIW I personally won't be making any hasty transfers - I think it would be prudent to just let the dust settle and assess all scenarios.

I do think Citi will at some point not too far down the track reinstigate these changes to the conversion rates - but they will indeed be giving the required 90 notice.

You would hope they would of learned their lesson but the T&Cs that pop up when you do a transfer may show otherwise.

This will give all of us plenty to time to fully investigate 'best usage' of Citi rewards. Personally I might shunt to several FF programs rather than all to SQ.

If you have a Prestige card then the options of transfer partners are numerous (17 of them). But for people with a Signature card their are only 3 options so I would recommend transferring now to SQ or VA.

Might I suggest that ALL Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer members send off an email to SQ regarding the 3 year expiration period for points. SQ are quite out of date here - probably the only major top tier carrier who still have this archaic system in place. Who knows - people power brought sufficient pressure to Citi to change their minds - a whole bundle of emails to SQ feedback might possibly bring sufficient pressure also.

Totally agree.

If they just gave 90 days notice so many fewer people would have taken notice or transferred their whole accounts.

Agreed, though I'm glad that alot more people are aware of this now.

I mentioned this in my post above (how they might make the term 'transparent')... it may be enough. But no real way of knowing for sure until reviewed by a court.

And if you don't transfer the points to see the pop up message then you are unaware?

 

[vae086]

Also I'm wondering if they change the conversion again and also apply it retrospectively to points already earned, wouldn't that go against the ACCC media release that says:

"Loyalty program promoters risk misleading consumers and breaching the fair-trading provisions of theTrade Practices Act 1974 if they:

• advertise awards that are not available as represented

• hide in the fine print or fail to disclose the truth about the restrictions imposed on the redemption of those rewards

• seek to retrospectively change programs or offers to the disadvantage of consumers.

 

[CJEMNMAC]

... Please not so soon

 

[edman]

I have heard from people who received 10K points but I'm obviously on the 'don't want to keep' list in their CRM system now!

I got offered 20k on Monday and 1/2 fee on the prestige, when they rang today they enquired whether I was still going to cancel or if I would take up their offer. I took it, but was surprised seeing as the redemption had gone back to normal

 

[infinity]

Thanks all concerned

My 1.5m Citipoints are now off to SG

 

[Arrow29]

Good to see they reverted to the old rate. Really leaves a sour taste but I am surprised (and pleased) that things have gone back to how they were in such a short timeframe. For now, at least.

I received a reply in my secure inbox today. They essentially said that they feel that they acted within the T&Cs and to note that the interchange fees for Visa were recently reduced and so this review was made accordingly (so they've admitted that's the real reason for the reduction). But as a good will gesture towards their customers they have decided to revert the changes and go back to the old transfer rate.

 

[Isochronous]

I mentioned this in my post above (how they might make the term 'transparent')... it may be enough. But no real way of knowing for sure until reviewed by a court.

The fact that a term is transparent does not automatically mean that it cannot be unfair. It is merely one factor that the Court takes into consideration in considering whether a term is unfair.

It is also questionable whether this can properly be said to be transparent - when you go to the Citibank Signature or Prestige page it advertises the Rewards programme and the earn rate/benefits etc, but its not obvious that they can change it at their sole discretion - its buried in the T&Cs. Whether that is linked to or even provided may not be relevant - it can still be unfair or misleading because of the way the card is advertised.

 

[Spizz]

Thanks all concerned

My 1.5m Citipoints are now off to SG

I have transferred mine over to Singapore Airlines a few hours ago as well leaving only a small enough balance there to do small transfers or to exit Citi if I need to without leaving points behind. If I can't use them within 3-4 years with SQ then I shouldn't be collecting points in the first place.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The fact that a term is transparent does not automatically mean that it cannot be unfair. It is merely one factor that the Court takes into consideration in considering whether a term is unfair.

It is also questionable whether this can properly be said to be transparent - when you go to the Citibank Signature or Prestige page it advertises the Rewards programme and the earn rate/benefits etc, but its not obvious that they can change it at their sole discretion - its buried in the T&Cs. Whether that is linked to or even provided may not be relevant - it can still be unfair or misleading because of the way the card is advertised.

But the pop up box, and further explicit communication from Citi to its customers may be sufficient to resolve the transparency issue. The issue of whether the company may have been misleading is separate.

 

[halogen]

Is there a case to transfer to VF as their points do not expire if you have regular point sweeps?

Only downside would be the 1.35 loss when transferring to KF when you want to book your flight but at least there is no 3 year limit / risk of CB devaluing again without notice.

I've just about accumulated enough for two suites flights, now to decide on the time and destination!

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Did my first SQ F flight yesterday.
Can't say SQ makes it into my top 5 airlines for First Class, but redemption value seems reasonable.

Why are you redeeming into SQ rather than other programs?

 

[cove]

Well ttr it is the A380 Suite that we are hot for rather than First Class.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Did my first SQ F flight yesterday.
Can't say SQ makes it into my top 5 airlines for First Class, but redemption value seems reasonable.

Which route? Which metal? Which other 5 F products do you rate higher?

 

[yohy?!]

transfer rates online have reverted to 0.667 for SQ and KF (Sig Card)

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Which route? Which metal? Which other 5 F products do you rate higher?

SFO-HKG 777-300 ER

Just clunky things like the recline and not being able to fully stretch out give it negative points in my view. I'm 195cm and it wasn't long enough.

Still great, but I wouldn't call it an aspirational award redemption.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

SFO-HKG 777-300 ER

Just clunky things like the recline and not being able to fully stretch out give it negative points in my view. I'm 195cm and it wasn't long enough.

Still great, but I wouldn't call it an aspirational award redemption.

yeah... that is a major problem with sq F seats for tall folk... having to lay on the diagonal just to fit in. Suites are slightly better, but narrow.

 

[Foreigner]

transfer rates online have reverted to 0.667 for SQ and KF (Sig Card)

Great news. Which of partner airlines would be better to transfer Citi points to:

SQ

QF

Or others (not sure if there are others)

Someone summarizing options will be helpful.

If above is covered in one of the posts, please tell me post no.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

SFO-HKG 777-300 ER

OK and I am seriously not trying to be a smart cough but which 5 airlines have better F?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

OK and I am seriously not trying to be a smart cough but which 5 airlines have better F?

if we're talking about the bed, for someone tall.... take your pick... OZ, LH, JL, NH, CX, UA, EY etc etc

In terms of service... the top 5 or 6 or 7 are all fairly much neck and neck, so if the bed makes a difference, Sq could easily be down the list. Even if you take the bed out, personal preferences could put Sq out of the top five.