Free round-trip ticket (20K TYP) w/ $25K Citi MM+ deposit

Essentially there are either 2 or 3 different promotions out there. In the banking center they are offering 40,000 points for new customers who open a checking with minimum $1000 and a money market plus account with $25,000. For existing customers if you open a new money market plus account with minimum $25,000 you get $20,000. Also, it looks like some people got an offer for 40,000 points with new checking and Ultimate Savings Account (for new customers).

What I am trying to figure out is if you need to maintain the $25,000 in the account or not as the wording doesn't seem to indicate which way although one poster claimed CSR said they could withdraw the money. Also, I am trying to figure out how they qualify new money meaning if I have $30,000 with citibank today and withdraw $25,000 tomorrow and then show up about 2 weeks later and open this new account will it be considered new money since the funds are now being drawn from a bank outside citibank. I know with bank of America if you take money out and then add it back a few days or weeks later it is now considered new money.

Joe1690 said: What I am trying to figure out is if you need to maintain the $25,000 in the account or not as the wording doesn't seem to indicate which way although one poster claimed CSR said they could withdraw the money. Also, I am trying to figure out how they qualify new money meaning if I have $30,000 with citibank today and withdraw $25,000 tomorrow and then show up about 2 weeks later and open this new account will it be considered new money since the funds are now being drawn from a bank outside citibank. I know with bank of America if you take money out and then add it back a few days or weeks later it is now considered new money.

1) T&C do not say anything about keeping $25K in in order to qualify.
2) "New money" means that at the time of the initial funding money should come from a source external to the bank ... which, in particular, may mean that a CITI credit card may not be used for funding purposes.

BTW, it would be extremely helpful if those who tried funding with a credit card posted their experiences.

Hmm, I need a one-way ticket from NYC to CPH end of august. I currently have Citi mtvu card, ~6000 TY points balance, and an ultimate savings account (was a huge pain to open for that $200 bonus). From what it looks like, is it possible for me to get 40k points on this and combine with existing points to get to the ~52k points I need for that ticket in a reasonable time frame?

henrybb said: I am in IL. The banker in my local branch told me that I can get 20k bonus points for opening a new money market account even though I am a existing customer. Should I believe her?

refer to joe1960 above, same at my branch there are also two offers, 20k points offer with for existing customer, and 40k points for new checking account customer, although she said i need to keep the $25k for 3 months

Can I apply online through this link to get the bonus? There is no citi branch nearby. Or should I apply through phone call?

The email that was sent to me states this in the fine print. "* This offer is only available to individuals to whom this communication is addressed, and is only available through citibank.com or via CitiPhone Banking®"

I too have an existing account

1. Can I use this offer with existing accounts? if so, how?

2. Can I open a new account for my spouse (she's a co-signer in the existing account)?

3. I did not receive any promotion email but can I still make use of this offer?

Thanks in advance

mm04 said: In order to obtain a correct response to your inquiry, why not call Citi at 1-866-424-5335 and mention code: CYFEI have already done that. Promo CYFE is available only to people who have actually received the email.

Here's some info that you might find helpful.

I live in Illinois. At the branch, they have all sort of advertising material marketing this promotion.

I have not gone in but will tomorrow and report back on the existing customers issue as I myself opened a checking & savings account with Citibank last summer when they had the 25k point promotion (very limited roll out, only in Chicagoland area).

I wonder if I close my checking account and re-open one, it might work. I will investigate.

Lastly, for those wondering about the 25k minimum. When I did it last summer, it was that you had to open certain checking accounts, and those checking accounts had a minimum combined balance clause. Thus, I had to keep 10k in the linked savings account for 4 months to get the points. I'm not sure which specific checking account this promotion requires, as that will dictate how much money you must keep with them until the points are awarded.

EDIT: I went in today, banker told me I can do it again. I will go back tomorrow to open a new checking / MMA. I have pictures of the brochure, but how to host on FW?

Brochure front
Brochure Back

hguy229 said: ...As for the 25K deposit, I believe you can withdraw it after depositing...

I opened mine in-branch yesterday. There's an 8-day hold on my 26k in initial deposits. There's also a 14-day period during which I'm not authorized to set up any bill payees or outside bank transfers with the on-line banking!

fattie123 said: here are the flyers i picked up in the bank, there is even a big poster on the front window so i doubt it's targeted, i don't know how to do a direct link, so you have to download them hope it helpsThank you so much. It really helps and gives us ammunition to fight with Citi if they create issue with the reward.

I just got a mailer with the same deal - 40,000 TYP with the MM+ account. Code is CE2A in case anyone wants to use it.

mojoshtudd said: I don't get what you mean by "They just revert to regular Thank You points".

What's the difference between "regular" TY points and the points we get for the first six months? I don't think it matters where the TY points came from. As long as there are enough TY points in my account, I am able to redeem them for fixed point flights (done this twice so far).

This is the relevant section: 20,000 ThankYou Points will be awarded within 120 days from the date of satisfaction of offer terms. Customer must redeem points within six (6) months after receipt of written confirmation that the promotional qualifications have been met to receive one (1) round-trip airline ticket to anywhere in the continental U.S., valued at up to $400. Points required for this promotion are subject to increase after this time as provided in terms and conditions.

I think what this means is that (and maybe this is what you meant too): If you are redeeming the 20k points within 6 months of receiving them, they can redeem at the rate of up to $400/20k points. After this time is over, the maximum $ value of tickets you can buy with the 20k points can change.

Am I reading this right?

Once you open the account, you will get the 20k/40k points - you then have 6 months to do either of the following; (1) use the points for the free airline tickets or (2) transfer the points to your Thank You account, from there on, the points have a 5 year life.

The fine print with some highlights bolded...looks like you make the required transactions then you can close it after about 90 days.

PROMOTION DISCLOSURE

Promotion Code: CSZ2

When you applied for your Citibank® Ultimate Savings Account, you identified the special offer code of CSZ2 to receive one round-trip airline ticket. Below are the terms and conditions that you must meet in order to obtain the benefits of this special offer.

Terms and Conditions:

•This offer is only available through www.citibank.com or via CitiPhone Banking®. To qualify for this offer you must deposit a minimum of $25,000 into a new or existing Citibank® Ultimate Savings Account with funds not currently held at Citibank or its affiliates. New Citibank® Ultimate Savings accounts must be opened by 03/31/08. Accounts funded remotely via www.citibank.com or CitiPhone Banking® must be funded by 4/30/08. The Citibank® Ultimate Savings Account must be linked to an active regular checking account enrolled in ThankYou® Network. Citibank Access and Basic Banking accounts are not eligible. Customers must within 60 days of account opening (1) enroll their checking account in ThankYou® Network and (2) complete at least one direct deposit to, or at least two electronic bill payments from, the checking account each month for three consecutive months. Electronic bill payments are those made using Citibank® Online, Citi MobileSM or CitiPhone Banking®, excluding bill payments made to Citibank credit cards and transfer payments made to accounts with Citibank or its affiliates.

• 20,000 ThankYou Points will be awarded within 120 days from the date of satisfaction of offer terms. Customer must redeem points within six (6) months after receipt of written confirmation that promotional qualifications have been met to receive one (1) roundtrip airline ticket to anywhere in continental U.S. valued at up to $400. Points required for this promotion are subject to increase after this time. Points can be redeemed after this time as provided in terms and conditions. Ticket does not include applicable taxes, fees and surcharges which must be paid by customer at time of redemption. ThankYou enrollment and participation is subject to terms and conditions. Participation limited to United States (U.S.) citizens or resident aliens with a valid U.S. taxpayer identification number. Customer is responsible for taxes, if any.

•Offer can be modified or withdrawn at any time without notice, expires 3/31/08, is not transferable and cannot be combined with any other offer. Limit one offer per customer. Consumer accounts only.

©2008 Citibank. Citibank, N.A. Member FDIC. Citibank, Citibank with Arc Design, Citibank Everything Counts, Citigold, ThankYou and CitiPhone Banking® are registered service marks of Citigroup Inc. Citi Mobile and Lets Get It Done are service marks of Citigroup Inc.

What's The Citibank Account?
It's a Citibank account Pricing Package that offers Interest or Regular Checking —plus free services including online bill payment.

Here's a quick rundown:

Balance. To avoid monthly fees, you need to maintain a $6,000 combined average balance — an easy goal to reach. Why? Because so many accounts go toward it: Checking, Savings, CDs, Money Market, Lines, Loans, Mortgage and Brokerage (to qualify, accounts must be linked to your ATM/Debit Card.)1
Monthly Fee. None if you meet the required balance OR you have a stand-alone Ultimate Savings Account.
If not, in NY, NJ and CT, it's $9.50 for Regular Checking and $12.50 for Interest Checking. In all other states, it's $12.50 for Regular Checking and $15 for Interest Checking.
Checks. Free if you meet the required balance. If not, $.50 per check.
ATM Use. Free unlimited use of Citibank ATMs. Use of non-Citibank ATMs is also free if you meet the required balance. If not, $1 per use.2
Fee Rebates. Save up to $24 a year just by using Electronic Bill Payment or Automatic Deductions!
Free Services. Online bill payment, online bank statements, wireless and e-mail banking alerts.
1 Other Citibank products may contribute to your combined balance. Call 1-800-374-9700 for details.
2 Fees charged by other institutions for your transactions on non-Citibank ATMs are beyond Citibank's control and are in addition to this fee.

exsynner said: mm04 said: xxjt said: Another question for anyone who has done this is: I'm pretty sure Citi pulls credit on opening those accounts - which agency do they pull?

A quote from BankDeals...

"Some important notes regarding Citibank checking accounts:

Update 12/09/07: A reader reported being told that Citibank has a new policy in which they only do a ChexSystem check with no hard credit pull when there is no overdraft protection."


In NYS, they pull Transonion if you do decide to get the overdraft protection.

I heard if the account do not have overdraft protection, Citi will only do a soft inquiry. Is this true? Can I choose no-overdraft protection in this offer? Thanks!

cameron2003 said: kgkg said: exsynner said: mm04 said: xxjt said: Another question for anyone who has done this is: I'm pretty sure Citi pulls credit on opening those accounts - which agency do they pull?

A quote from BankDeals...

"Some important notes regarding Citibank checking accounts:

Update 12/09/07: A reader reported being told that Citibank has a new policy in which they only do a ChexSystem check with no hard credit pull when there is no overdraft protection."


In NYS, they pull Transonion if you do decide to get the overdraft protection.

I heard if the account do not have overdraft protection, Citi will only do a soft inquiry. Is this true? Can I choose no-overdraft protection in this offer? Thanks!

I just did this one over the phone. At the end they asked about overdraft, which I declined. They also offered my a credit card.

Did you get a soft pull instead, right?

cameron2003 said: I believe so, yes.

Well, I got a hard inquiry on my Equifax. I am in Hawaii. I applied online, and there is no choice for overdraft protection. I assume that even if there is no overdraft protection, there will still be a hard inquiry.

After faxing in a utility bill and my employment letter, my account was approved within 1 business day.

miserly said: looks like i just missed the $200 for checking account bonus. any other new deals for opening the checking account?
tia
m

A reader writes in (from another source)...

"I just opened a new account on March 5 2008 and they accepted the MVS4 promotion. So the promotion didn't expire! It's still going on>

Based on this, I would call and see if you can still get the bonus.

I just got a call. I was apparently approved, but they need a "letter from my employer" according to this phone call. They also need 2 utility bills. What the heck is this "letter from my employer" they need? I didn't ask any questions because it was obvious the caller would not have the answers.

Ders said: I just got a call. I was apparently approved, but they need a "letter from my employer" according to this phone call. They also need 2 utility bills. What the heck is this "letter from my employer" they need? I didn't ask any questions because it was obvious the caller would not have the answers.

They asked me to do this a while back. I had a hard time opening an account because I had recently moved. Just pray you don't have to call India a lot. Thats what I had to do.

Ders said: Well, when I tried to open the Citi Online Savings account last year, I eventually gave up. I had faxed documents a few times and made call after call. I even went into a branch and had them do some faxing. It took long enough that finally closed the app and told me I'd have to reapply. Hopefully this won't happen again... I want these points!

Thats the same thing that happened to me. I am kind of glad now. This is a better deal for me.