Whinge about Citibank / Emirates card

[ColinD]

The Citibank Emirates Platinum Mastercard has one comp limo trip to local airport per year, and one free lounge pass (for two people) per year. That's pretty sweet and more than pays for my card fee, as long as I actually use the benefits.

However, I discovered only recently that the limo is one per *calendar* year and the lounge access is per anniversary year. This can make it impossible to use both benefits on the same trip. Wouldn't you expect the two benefits to be synchronised? The T&C on Citibank site are explicit about the limo being calendar year, but say nothing about the lounge access other than "one per year". It's only after you receive the passes and see they have an expiry date that it becomes apparent.

I raised the matter on the Citibank customer web site, but they obviously didn't find it important enough to be worthy of an answer.

 

[Dalescott]

The Limo is paid for by Citibank, while the lounge access is by EK. That is why there is a difference.

 

[shan1983]

I'm in the process of cancelling this card. Was not impressed that from March or April this year the earning value of Skywards points is being lowered from 1.5 points/dollar spent down to 1 point within Australia. As I do most of my spending in Oz, I think its time to jump ship, especially when the annual fee ($229) is not being reduced.

I do agree with you though on the syncing of the limo drive and lounge access.

Citibank and Emirates need to smarten up all around I think.

 

[dajop]

Was not impressed that from March or April this year the earning value of Skywards points is being lowered from 1.5 points/dollar spent down to 1 point within Australia.

That is not the only problem, those points are actually worth less than they were 12 months ago too. The fuel surcharges have skyrocketed (before the QF partnership EK didn't charge fuel surcharges on award bookings), saver availability can be very difficult to find on both inbound and outbound (no saver 1 way bookings) and points cost of redemptions (for routes ex-Australia) has increased too (now matching QF). Only real advantage of accruing Skywards (over QF) is to use for upgrades on EK metal.

 

[DeKa]

I'm in the process of cancelling this card. Was not impressed that from March or April this year the earning value of Skywards points is being lowered from 1.5 points/dollar spent down to 1 point within Australia. As I do most of my spending in Oz, I think its time to jump ship, especially when the annual fee ($229) is not being reduced.

I do agree with you though on the syncing of the limo drive and lounge access.

Citibank and Emirates need to smarten up all around I think.

Rather than cancel, I'd save yourself another credit check and ask if you can switch to Citi fee free for life Platinum or Signature card. See the huge thread in the credit card promo section.

 

[Duffa]

Been with Emirates for 4 years or so. Had the fee waived for the last three. Still, even though I have 6 months to run I'm cancelling!
Redemption rates to Europe have skyrocketed. Fees are now huge.
Enjoyed the 2x runs in A380 F and the airborne shower (purely for the gimmick value really, as three minutes is barely enough time to get wet!) but Citi Emirates Card's time has come!

 

[dontwanttoregister]

I took up the card a few years back and have never paid an annual fee. Has been a hassle free phone call each year to get the fee waived.

I stopped using the card when Emirates and Virgin Blue ended their relationship but kept it for lounge passes and lounge access in Dubai. Now the Dubai lounge access is gone and points devalued, I've saved myself the annual phone call and transferred to the fee free for life Signature.

Now to find something to clear out the last of my Skywards points...

 

[Duffa]

Just redeemed all but 500 of my remaining Emirates points for a one-way J DUB-Dubai-MEL for a relative to come visit.
That's me done with Citi and Emirates!
Ridiculous taxes
Sky-high burn rates
"Enhanced" points earn on Citi

Bye Bye

 

[sydjetsetter86]

Can any one recommend a good alternative to the citi card if I want to continue to earn EK points? I know AMEX now offer something but dont know the rate.

 

[scwappy]

Amex has a 4:3 conversion. Whilst EK used to have a reasonable program it is pretty horrible now.

 

[evilbrian]

Can any one recommend a good alternative to the citi card if I want to continue to earn EK points? I know AMEX now offer something but dont know the rate.

Yep - Citi and Amex are the only options in this part of the world for EK. The Citi card is pointless now when you factor in the $229 fee unless you really hammer your card each and every month (absolute minimum 5-8K IMO)

 

[FlyingScot1]

Hi, I realise this thread is pretty old now but if any of the previous responders read this then what line did they use with Citibank to have the annual fee waived? Just "I'll leave if you dont waive the fee" or something more subtle. I only ever use my points for upgrades on EK and have never had significant problems doing so. Hadn't realised that the limo and lounge access were out of synch - you live and learn.