Recieved email on this offer today Exclusive offer available to first-time Citibank checking account customers and existing Citi credit card members.
Open and fund a Citibank checking account with a minimum deposit of $1,500 and enroll your checking account in ThankYou Network by 11/30/2006.
Make a direct deposit or make 2 bill payments per month at citibankonline.com for six consecutive months.
Get 20,000 bonus ThankYou points!
You can earn faster and bigger rewards when you combine the ThankYou Points you receive from your Citi relationships.
To apply by phone call: 1-800-374-9500
Please mention offer code: CESF
To apply by phone call: 1-800-374-9500
Please mention offer code: CESF
When you apply for your new checking account, please identify the special offer code of CESF to receive 20,000 bonus ThankYou Points. Below are the terms and conditions that you must meet in order to obtain the benefits of this special offer.
Terms & Conditions
?This offer is only available to first-time Citibank checking account customers and existing Citi? credit card members.
This offer is not available at Citibank Financial Centers.
IMPORTANT: By submitting an application pursuant to the offer details below for promotion code CESF you acknowledge and agree that: (1) The satisfaction of all the terms and conditions of the offer is required in order to qualify to receive and keep the 20,000 ThankYou Points and, (2) If, for any reason, you fail to satisfy all requirements of the offer, unredeemed ThankYou Points will be debited from your ThankYou Member Account.
To receive this offer: (1) Open and fund a Citibank checking account with a minimum deposit of $1,500 and enroll in ThankYou Network? by 11/30/2006. (2) Within the first calendar month after the account is opened make a direct deposit to the enrolled account or make two bill payments per month from the enrolled account at www.citibankonline.com for six consecutive months.
To ?pay? a bill online means that funds are debited from your account during the applicable time period. The 20,000 ThankYou points will be awarded to you within 120 days of your initial direct deposit or first two qualifying monthly bill payments. Your Citibank checking account and Citi credit card must be in good standing at the time the 20,000 ThankYou Points are posted to your ThankYou Member account.
Eligible debit card purchases are subject to qualifications and annual point accrual limits in Citibank Program Terms & Conditions. Points will be rounded down to the nearest whole dollar on a transaction-by-transaction basis. All accounts are subject to approval. One offer per customer. Only available for first-time Citibank checking account customers and is valid only once for any individual. Offer is only available to primary cardholders on the Citi Credit Card account. Customer must be a citizen or resident alien of the United States (U.S.) with a valid U.S. taxpayer identification number. Taxes, if any, are the customer?s responsibility. Accordingly, we recommend that the customer consult their tax advisor. Persons under 18 years of age are not eligible. Offer may be modified or withdrawn at any time without notice and is not transferable. No fees for account enrollment or participation in ThankYou; regular account charges apply. Separate enrollment of checking account in ThankYou Network required. Enrollment eligibility, qualifying accounts and services, point accrual and redemption are subject to Citibank program terms and conditions; other terms and conditions apply. ThankYou membership and ThankYou Point redemption are limited to the primary (first) checking account signer as established by Citibank.
††Citibank EZ Checking package is free of monthly maintenance fees and per-check fees with 2 or more qualifying electronic bill payments from, or a direct deposit to, a Regular Checking account during the monthly statement period. Otherwise, when the $1,500 minimum balance requirement is not met, your package will be subject to a maintenance fee and a per-check fee. Qualifying electronic bill payments are individual or recurring bill payments that you make to a third party: by preauthorized transfer; using Citibank Online; or using CitiPhone Banking bill payment service. Check payments do not qualify. Charges for other account-related services apply.
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posted: Nov. 7, 2006 @ 9:50a
fallenangel99
Shopaholic Member
posted: Nov. 7, 2006 @ 9:55a
So, do you get the 20,000 points AFTER 6 months (2 online bill payments/month for 6 months)??
spade87
Senior Member
posted: Nov. 7, 2006 @ 10:01a
I haven't done it yet ,call citi to find out fallenangel99 said: So, do you get the 20,000 points AFTER 6 months (2 online bill payments/month for 6 months)??
jmorgan947
Member
posted: Nov. 7, 2006 @ 10:43a
Good find.
Just went to a branch yesterday to open an account with the other code for $200 and they would not accept it saying it was targeted and tried to give me a lunch box. 20K points is like the same thing guess Ill have to sign up for an account Signed up for chase, gmac, BOA in the last 12 hours whats another
autologic
Cranky Member
posted: Nov. 7, 2006 @ 10:50a
OP please put "w/ new citibank account" in your thread title.
BankofGreed
Greedy Member
posted: Nov. 7, 2006 @ 10:51a
Citi will do a hard pull when you open an account (regardless of whether or not you are a new or existing customer).
Joe1690
Senior Member
posted: Nov. 7, 2006 @ 10:57a
From information posted by original poster it will be within 120 days of completing your 1st bill pay or direct deposit.
"To ?pay? a bill online means that funds are debited from your account during the applicable time period. The 20,000 ThankYou points will be awarded to you within 120 days of your initial direct deposit or first two qualifying monthly bill payments. Your Citibank checking account and Citi credit card must be in good standing at the time the 20,000 ThankYou Points are posted to your ThankYou Member account."
If cash incentives get reported as income (ING did it for me!), this thank you points is perhaps much better than getting the same in cash (almost twice as good, if your marginal federal+state tax is near 40% like we in CA have)
ProfessorEd
Senior Member - 1K
posted: Nov. 7, 2006 @ 12:52p
I wished I had seen the points offer earlier since it may have been better for my circumstances if the local branch would give it to me. It appears only one of these is possible, and as someone there points out (foobart), you may get better tax treatment if you get Thank You points rather than cash. People may want to consider which offers is in their own best interest (tax bracket may make a big difference). Students in low tax brackets and those who prefer cash may like the cash offer (which may be less targeted also).
I opened accounts for the cash offer at a local branch and my experience may be useful to some of you.
The paper work could have been burdensome since they wanted two forms of ID, and then wanted a utility statement since my driver's license was from out of state (be warned and bring one). They also look to see if the license expired (even though it still shows who you are). My state puts a sticker on the back to permit renewal by mail, but he missed it the first time and raised the issue (I have had this be a problem in opening an account by mail where the copy of the driver's license front did not show this).
Because of a fraud warning on my credit report (even though I had requested it be removed a few weeks ago) he had to get branch manager approval.
I can see how if all this was done by phone and then mail it would get badly fouled up and take forever (possibly tying up an initial deposit in a blocked account).
I then tried to open online the 5% Saving Account (which cannot be opened in a branch but must be opened on line) but which can be linked to your checking account and serviced from a branch (and gives them much higher saving rates than most local brick and mortor banks will give without large minimums or fees). For some reason this could not be done directly on line, but required a phone call to customer service (such a message appeared )and will then require returning a mail signature card, etc.
I did learn that they do request second credit report for this account (not being able to use the one they requested just a couple of days earlier for the B & M account). Thus, getting the package of services most will want will take two or three credit inquires (I think they will do another for the overdraft protection).
I probably made a mistake in giving them a check to cover the $1500 since they then put a hold on it for at least several days (I had have read complaints in other threads of problems leaving funds tied up for longer). Probably better would be to open the account with a small amount and then transfer the 1500 in later. If you are planning on having the 5% account, you might be slightly better off to wait till it is set up, and then put the money into it so you earn the higher interest on it during any holds, and then meet the $1500 funding for the saving account (possibly transferring most of the money back to the saving for the higher interest until you use it elsewhere). While I put the $1500 into the saving account, it will be in the low interest account while they wait for the money to be good funds, and I can use it elsewhere.
It does appear that transferring money to pay CITI cards is not a bill pay, so watch out for that (i.e. pay your CITI cards via FIA service or BOA/MBNA net access and then use the CITI bank to pay these cards or other bills via their Bill pay). If your affairs are complex you may wish to just set up a couple of small automatic payments to your favorite credit card or utility (say for the minimum payment or for $1.00) and have enough money in the account to cover this for the next few months. It looks like you could schedule automatic transfers from a savings account so you earn interest on this money. If for the minimum payment on a credit card, you will prevent accidentally failing to pay it.
fallenangel99
Shopaholic Member
posted: Nov. 7, 2006 @ 1:03p
Cool, 120 days is not that bad. 20,000 points is a lot, that means I can get a PS3 using my ThankYou points (Once they are in stock!)
This is a great deal. I'll be opening an account for me and my wife for 20K ThankYou points apiece. This will bring her total to 65,000 ThankYou points for sign-up bonuses, not to mention the free 0% interest.
Minimum deposit is $1500, but you can fall below that amount if you do a direct deposit every month and still get the bonus (and not pay maintenance fees).
aoLhaTer
Broke Member
posted: Nov. 7, 2006 @ 2:17p
So will this fly at a branch or no?
Ive tried signing up for an account online and it was a huge hassle and they ended up not accepting me since they claimed they couldn't verify my identity
jmorgan947
Member
posted: Nov. 7, 2006 @ 2:29p
Why not call them to sign up as op posted
This offer is not available at Citibank Financial Centers.
Anyone call and sign up yet? How long did it take if you did and did they try to get you to sign up for other offers or hassle you about anything else? Haven't had the best experience with CITI CSR's. TIA.
Sweet, this is better than the $200 since I can use it for flights. Plus its not as though they can deny that I signed up under a legit promotion (unlike what seems to be endless problems in previous threads).
InterestedOnlooker
Senior Member - 1K
posted: Nov. 7, 2006 @ 7:10p
lakefish
Member
posted: Nov. 8, 2006 @ 7:18a
2 Questions:
1) Do you need to have a citi credit card to qualify? (yes?) 2) If you close this account after redeeming the points, will this affect your credit score in any negative way? (no?)
Any comments?
spade87
Senior Member
posted: Nov. 8, 2006 @ 8:08a
1) yes you need a citi card with Thankyou network 2) You have to close after 180 days account opening , otherwise they will charge those points back. It will not affect your credit score , it's a checking account(but they do hardpull just like BOA)
lakefish said: 2 Questions:
1) Do you need to have a citi credit card to qualify? (yes?) 2) If you close this account after redeeming the points, will this affect your credit score in any negative way? (no?)
Any comments?
lakefish
Member
posted: Nov. 8, 2006 @ 8:32a
Good to know this.
I don't like citi but I do like the TY points and my good credit score. My plan is to open one each for me and my wife (20k x 2) and follow rules to get the TY points. I will close them eventually (say one year?) but definitely not within 180 days.
Now I have to open an citi CC first...
spade87
Senior Member
posted: Nov. 8, 2006 @ 9:35a
get the citi dimond preferred card , you get another 6000 points for that( it was 10,000 but they lowered it)
If you are going to take advantage of this offer then you should try using the promotional code to open an eSavings account with Citibank EZ Checking, in theory you should then have an account that is indefinitely free of monthly service fees without having to make any special direct deposits or bill payments. Keep in mind you still have to do the bill payments to get the 20,000 ThankYou points.
zzyzzx
Senior Member - 3K
posted: Nov. 8, 2006 @ 9:55a
If I understand the offer correctly, I can:
1. Open the checking account with $1500.00 2. Enroll checking account in ThankYou Network by 11/30/2006. 3. Set up my direct deposit to directly deposit (something like) $10 every pay period. 4. Remove $1500 from the checking account. 5. Wait 120 days after first direct deposit to get 20,000 points added to account.
Maybe steps 2 & 3 might be reversed, but you get the idea. A substitute for #4 would be to put the $1500 in a linked Citi savigns account earning 5%. Sounds easy. I'd do that for two $100 gift cards!
spade87
Senior Member
posted: Nov. 8, 2006 @ 10:01a
#4 you may get your points earlier because it said after the first direct deposit/bill payment within 120 days... so anytime in day 1-120
zzyzzx said: If I understand the offer correctly, I can:
1. Open the checking account with $1500.00 2. Enroll checking account in ThankYou Network by 11/30/2006. 3. Set up my direct deposit to directly deposit (something like) $10 every pay period. 4. Remove $1500 from the checking account. 5. Wait 120 days after first direct deposit to get 20,000 points added to account.
Maybe steps 2 & 3 might be reversed, but you get the idea. A substitute for #4 would be to put the $1500 in a linked Citi savigns account earning 5%. Sounds easy. I'd do that for two $100 gift cards!
glackey77
Frivolous Member
posted: Nov. 8, 2006 @ 11:36a
My wife and I currently have and regularly use a Citi TY rewards card. Does anyone know if my wife and I can open seperate Citi checking accounts with this offer and each get the 20,000 TY points back on the same card?
lakefish
Member
posted: Nov. 8, 2006 @ 11:38a
I doubt it. Primary card holder counts but not the AU.
AcuraTL
Shopaholic Member
posted: Nov. 8, 2006 @ 2:09p
I just opened the checking account with the code and confirmed the offer with CSR.
glackey77
Frivolous Member
posted: Nov. 8, 2006 @ 3:13p
Just signed up! Will also sign my wife up for her own TY card on this thread which gets 10,000 TY points after 1st purchase. Then will open open a checking account for her as well.
welphd
Tired Member
posted: Nov. 8, 2006 @ 3:24p
I opened and closed a citi checking a year ago. Can I still do this deal?
glackey77
Frivolous Member
posted: Nov. 8, 2006 @ 3:32p
Doesn't hurt to call the 800 number and try. The CSR I spoke to only confirmed that I did not currently have a savings or checking account. He did not ask if I had ever had one.
After a closer look:
Terms & Conditions
?This offer is only available to first-time Citibank checking account customers and existing Citi? credit card members.
welphd said: I opened and closed a citi checking a year ago. Can I still do this deal?
lakefish
Member
posted: Nov. 8, 2006 @ 5:56p
FYI. I called citi line and gave them the code. However, CSR told me this is for targeted existing card holder. IOW, they don't guarantee I will get 20k TY points if I never received the email promotion myself.
Anyway, I walked away knowing this might not work out in the end.
donthvname
Senior Member
posted: Nov. 8, 2006 @ 9:51p
It is a targeted offer. I got an email of the same offer, with my name and the last 4 digit of my Diamond Preferred card shows on the right hand top corner of the email. So it definitely is targeted.
Not sure if you can get the bonus pts if you are not targeted.
Paying Citi cards from the Citi Checking does not count as bill pay.
They would do a hard pull anyway, I would rather get a new card for 10K or 15K TY pt bonus every 2 to 3 months without having to remember to maintain this checking account. Besides in the past it was such a pain at the butt to close a Citi online checking account.
get the citi dimond preferred card , you get another 6000 points for that( it was 10,000 but they lowered it) One would be better off getting the AT&T Universal Card.. 10k Thank You Point bonus for opening and they are presently giving 5* Thank You Points indefinitely for gas, grocery and pharmacy..
lakefish
Member
posted: Nov. 8, 2006 @ 10:32p
donthvname
Agree. The only attractive thing is to close checking without affecting CS, but you said it is pain. Anyway, I guess dealing citi is pain
spade87
Senior Member
posted: Nov. 9, 2006 @ 6:01a
you can't, because you wife needs a thank-you network under her name to get the points , she would not be elegible as a authorized user
glackey77 said: My wife and I currently have and regularly use a Citi TY rewards card. Does anyone know if my wife and I can open seperate Citi checking accounts with this offer and each get the 20,000 TY points back on the same card?
labmonkey
Happy Member
posted: Nov. 9, 2006 @ 10:46a
What did you have to do to close the account?
donthvname said: It is a targeted offer. I got an email of the same offer, with my name and the last 4 digit of my Diamond Preferred card shows on the right hand top corner of the email. So it definitely is targeted.
Not sure if you can get the bonus pts if you are not targeted.
Paying Citi cards from the Citi Checking does not count as bill pay.
They would do a hard pull anyway, I would rather get a new card for 10K or 15K TY pt bonus every 2 to 3 months without having to remember to maintain this checking account. Besides in the past it was such a pain at the butt to close a Citi online checking account.
cgmatthe
New Member
posted: Nov. 9, 2006 @ 10:45p
I called and opened it today. Took the CSR a little while to find the deal, but eventually confirmed it. Thanks OP!
spade87
Senior Member
posted: Nov. 15, 2006 @ 9:34a
for some odd reason they didn't approve my account.. now i'm waiting for their letter of denial and the 'reason' for not aproving
PS. I have good credit score and payments with Citi
cgmatthe said: I called and opened it today. Took the CSR a little while to find the deal, but eventually confirmed it. Thanks OP!
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