*DEAD* Citi Thank You Preferred 5 points groceries, drug stores, gasoline 12 months + bonus

If your 6k spend is on grocery/drug/gas, then you'd net more points with the OP deal, plus 0% APR and you wouldn't have to make sure to split it evenly between the two semesters. Just sayin

Does anyone know if GC purchases at, lets say, safeway would count as a grocery purchase? I figure they would try to differentiate between GC and other purchases, but really have no idea.

chrislk1986 said:   Does anyone know if GC purchases at, lets say, safeway would count as a grocery purchase? I figure they would try to differentiate between GC and other purchases, but really have no idea.

I've pre-bought a year's worth of safeway gift cards to later spend myself, once on a Citi and once on a Citizen's bank. No surprises either time.

Edit: Also included some 3rd party gift cards in there and they were no different. I did always buy groceries too at the same time... I've read people say that some banks take action if they see exactly the amount of a VS or MC gift card plus the activation fee for that gift card, like $504.95 or whatever it is.

Thanks OP!

T&C for card looks like unlimited 5% grocery, gas & drug store spend for first 12 months - PLUS - an annual bonus based on length of time card is open. Year 0-1 is a 1% points bonus and should get you total of 6% on grocery & drug store spend, if I am reading this correctly. I did not see it stated that the annual or monthly earnings are capped. Can someone else take a look and advise if I am reading this correct? This might be a good one year play.

update: I just applied for the card and received a "further review necessary" message.

The 1% annual bonus should be on the 1% base that you earn, not on the 4% bonus. So it is only worth 0.01%. That makes this a 5.01 TYP/$ card. With a Premier used for flying, the CashBack would be worth 5.01 * 1.33 = 6.66%

In for one. I've needed a good 5%. Thanks OP.

has anyone heard of $25 Shell cards costing only $20, if you redeem 5 thank you points? Does anyone have link to this (I wonder what the limit is, I need $1,000 of gascards for NY-FL-NY Xmas trip)?

Anyone try converting the citi Ty premier card to this one for the 5% cb?

SinglePapa said:   has anyone heard of $25 Shell cards costing only $20, if you redeem 5 thank you points? Does anyone have link to this (I wonder what the limit is, I need $1,000 of gascards for NY-FL-NY Xmas trip)?

I've heard of such a thing from an old bag lady wandering aimlessly through the snow covered streets of New York. I could tell you of this mysterious woman, but she also gave me another tip. She said, should someone ask you of this day, tell them about the google.

Did anyone save the link for OP's card. When you click on the very first link, it only shows $150 and not the 5 points per dollar.

Never mind. Googled everywhere and all offers were the 15,000 but only 1 point. Called Citibank, told them the offer I was looking for and they offered it to me. They did the application over the phone and approved me on the spot emphasizing over and over about the 5 points for gas, grocery, drug for 12 months. That means I go back to buying gift cards at the grocer or CVS for Home Depot, restaurants, etc. to get the 5% on those type of purchases.

I do not see the additional points for gasoline etc at the link in the OP.

Do I have to be logged in to the citibank site to see that?

remmymom said:   i only use all my cc bonus points for CashBack. when i called to find out how the thank you preferred card worked for this option, i found that you only get a $50 check for 10,000 points or a $100 credit card for 14,000 points, so not so great

If you bank with someone other than Citibank, you can request the Mortgage Payment option (1:1) and they will send you a check you can deposit. I have my "mortgage payments" made out to Chase Bank.

Edit: Checks do NOT mention anything about a mortgage. I've had no problems depositing my checks directly to savings/checking account using both the ATM and the Chase iPhone check deposit app. Checks ARE made out to the name of the bank you tell when you request the mortgage payment.

twofacelady said: Googled everywhere and all offers were the 15,000 but only 1 point. Called Citibank, told them the offer I was looking for and they offered it to me. They did the application over the phone and approved me on the spot emphasizing over and over about the 5 points for gas, grocery, drug for 12 months. That means I go back to buying gift cards at the grocer or CVS for Home Depot, restaurants, etc. to get the 5% on those type of purchases.

OP-I explained how I got Citibank to offer me the 5%. I had seen your actual link yesterday morning showing the 5% and by lunchtime it was changed to 1%. I'm good for 12 months of 5% plus the $150. I don't need Cash Back as I can always use the points for cruises ($100=10,000 points), WalMart, Home Depot etc. Same as Cash Back for me as I frequent these places all the time.

naas said:   I've pre-bought a year's worth of safeway gift cards to later spend myself, once on a Citi and once on a Citizen's bank. No surprises either time.

Edit: Also included some 3rd party gift cards in there and they were no different. I did always buy groceries too at the same time... I've read people say that some banks take action if they see exactly the amount of a VS or MC gift card plus the activation fee for that gift card, like $504.95 or whatever it is.

I bought some safeway gift cards (at Genuardi's) last year for the same purpose to max out my Grocery store reward for a quarter, but I took my time using them. Luckily I found out beforehand that safeway was closing all local Genuardi's stores and selling them to Giant. I had less than two weeks to spend $400 in gift cards, which isn't that easy for just two people. There are no other local stores that I would have been able to use those cards for and would have probably had to sell them online. So just be careful on how much you stock up on gift cards to Any store.

I applied for this card (thanks, OP) and was approved after an online chat rep moved some of my credit line from another Citi card. He confirmed the 15K bonus after spending $1K, as well as the 0% for 12 months, but he was unable to confirm the 5X on gas, groceries, Drugstore. He said there would be more information in the materials that came with the card. I hope I end up getting the 5X, as it was clearly stated on the application page at the time I applied.

RagingBull said:   How did u get the online chat? I can't seem to find it?

Immediately right after you submit your application, sometimes Citi doesn't approve you instantly but will give you an option to chat or a phone number to call.

Pick one (probably the 1st one):

Citibank Credit Card
800-763-9795 (Credit Dept.)
888-201-4523 (? Business New App Approval Status)
888-662-7759 (AA)
800-645-7240, 800-288-4653, 800-750-7453 (App Status)
800-444-2568 (Retention Dept BEST#)
866-713-5028 (Credit Bureau Dispute Fax)
866-606-2961 (? Business Apps)
Citi: 866-606-2787 (Account Analyst)
Citi: 800-763-9795 (Credit Dept.)

echip said:   RagingBull said:   How did u get the online chat? I can't seem to find it?
Immediately right after you submit your application, sometimes Citi doesn't approve you instantly but will give you an option to chat or a phone number to call.Yes, what happened for me is that after I applied, Citi sent me an email saying further processing was needed, and giving me a link to check my application status. A couple days later, when I checked the link, I got a message asking me to call them, and at that time, a link popped up with the chat.

mjoply said:   I reckon they noticed a slew of applications so may cancel it soonCITI can and will kill posted links