Citi Diamond Preferred Rewards Card

[goodtosave]

Originally Posted by Sweepsplayer

Jen, yes, there is a $300/year limit on rewards. However you can also get the Chase Cash Plus card which is essentially the same card and same limit. Once I hit the max on the Citibank, I switch over to the Chase.

Actually, Chase has another cash plus card that has a $750 limit per year.

[goodtosave]

Originally Posted by goodtosave

Actually, Chase has another cash plus card that has a $750 limit per year.

This is actually the cash rewards plus card. Even though they give 5 points for gas, groceries and drug stores, it doesn't translate into 5% CASH rebate. It's 6000 points for $50 cash back or 3500 points for $25 cash back.
So beware.

If you just want 5% cash back, stick with the cash rebate card.

[thriftymom]

Another good card is the AT&T Universal Cash Rewards card- it's just like the Citi Dividend Card. Except, in addition to 5% on gas, drugstores & grocery and 1% on all other purchases- You also get 30 min of free long distance on the calling card each month.

[Russell]

I just found out that the 5 bonus points on supermarkets, gas and drugstore purchases only apply for the first 12 months - this is according to the Citibank customer service whom I was talking to in regard to their calculation error on my bonus points - but that's another topic.

I also signed up for their Dividend card since most here seemed to like it better.

[JoyJoy]

I signed up for the CitiDividend card too, Russell. Not only is it a favorite on this website, but the people on the cardratings.com site really like it too!

[BTC]

I received a pre-approved offer from Chase yesterday for a 3% Cash Back rewards card. It was of the business flavor and I can't remember precisely what purchases would qualify, but I know that gas stations were on the list. How does 3% stack up against what's available these days?

How do these cash rewards cards work? Do they send you a check or just credit your account?

[sweeps]

The Citibank Dividend Platinum Select and Chase Cash Plus Rewards cards are better. 5% cash back at gas stations, grocery stores, and drugstores. 1% elsewhere.

Once you earn $50, you call and request a check. It arrives in about a week.

[BTC]

Originally Posted by Sweepsplayer

The Citibank Dividend Platinum Select and Chase Cash Plus Rewards cards are better. 5% cash back at gas stations, grocery stores, and drugstores. 1% elsewhere.

I wonder if I could just call and request to apply for one of those cards. I don't believe I've received an application for either of those and I currently have accounts with both Citibank and Chase.

[sweeps]

They don't advertise those cards as much because they don't make as much money from them.

You can call them, or you can apply online:
Citibank card
Chase card (Notice this is technically a First USA card.)

does a Wal-Mart / Target "Superstore" count as a discount store or a supermarket? anyone know?


I just don't spend that much money, the only way I could approach the max value ($300) on the Citi card would be to buy cheap money orders for my rent from one of the superstores, cash it back into my account and then send the check


actually come to think of it, assuming that worked and provided the money order fee wasn't too high, it might just make sense to buy a money order each payday for most of the amount of my check and then deposit the thing back into my bank account. I think Wal-Mart charges around .45 for money orders or so so that would be around $12 a year in money order fees.

hmm, also assumes my bank wouldn't charge me to cash the money order either.


ouch, headache

[thriftymom]

I've always thought of discount stores as BJ's, Costco, & Sam's Club kind of places. And, I think only a regular Supermarket, (Stop & Shop, Shaws, etc.) would count for that. Not completely sure though. Maybe you could call and ask them on that? But, that's really interesting what you're planning with the money orders- never thought of that! Can you use a credit card for a money order? We actually ended up buying money orders to get the money off the H&R Block Debit card we got from our tax refund. We got the card in order to avoid paying for the H&R Block online tax program. What a headache trying to get the money off of it, though! We wanted to get it off of there ASAP because after 3 months they start charging all sorts of fees! We'll never go that route again! Can you imagine a company charging you to speak with customer service????

if it goes through a Wal-Mart register (which the money orders they sell do) then it can be bought with a credit card as far as I know.

the determination is made by the "merchant code" I believe it's called attached to the transaction. the question then being, does a super Wal-Mart have a different merchant code than a regular Wal-Mart. that is the only way the rewards program can detect any difference. if all the transactions come through on the same merchant code and that merchant code is in the "discount store" family, then no dice.


and for what it's worth, Sam's, Costco, BJ's and the like are generally referred to, in the retail industry that is, as "warehouse clubs." Discount stores are Targets and Wal-Marts.


Their agreement reads as follows:

"Supermarkets are defined as stand-alone merchants that primarily sell a complete line of food merchandise for home consumption."


to the letter that would rule out super Wal-Marts and Targets, but again, I believe in the end it all comes down to the merchant code attached to the transaction.


there is also the fact to consider that the 5% cash back is unlimited when the card is used at a Citi Dividend Merchant Network retailer but I can't seem to find a list of who exactly that might be.

[sweeps]

Walmarts and Targets are rarely eligible for the 5%.

Certain grocery stores that offer general merchandise (such as Meijer) ARE eligible for the 5% though. That's been great for me.

The money order approach sounds like a good idea, but I think you'll find you'll be charged either a convenience fee or a cash advance fee. Otherwise the merchant would lose a lot of money in transaction fees.

[twoanddone]

I have a Dividend card through Citi bank and just got a balance increase so I called yesterday to transfer over a higher rate cc balance. I didn't use much so I wouldn't utilize over 30% of the balance and the guy on the phone asked if this would pay the other card off I said no but I don't want to max out my card. He says oh okay.

This morning I have an email welcoming to the Diamond Preferred Rewards card saying my card should be in the mail. It provided a different account number than I have on my other card. I only applied for one. WHile I don't mind getting another great card it kinda makes me wonder where it came from??? Did this maybe happen to anyone else?

[eisor]

I have the Citi mtvU Platinum Select Visa. It is a student card, but it uses the same rewards program (ThankYou Network). Instead of getting 5 points at the grocery store, gas stations, etc. I get 5 points at restuarants, bookstores (including my college bookstore), movie theaters, video rental stores and music stores. This works great for me because I spend over $400 a semster in the bookstore and I spend lots at restaurants (I don't have a meal plan). I can also get up to 2000 points a semester (2 semesters a year) for getting good grades.

I'm thinking about trying to get the Driver's Edge student visa as well, because it gives 5 points at grocery stores and gas stations. So, then almost all of my major purchases will earn me 5 points. And the points from both cards can go into the same ThankYou Network account.

If you are a student, I strongly suggest this card!

[DivaJen]

I applied this morning for the Citi cashback card. I will be glad to be done with the other one! I can't cancel it yet, as we need to use it for the hotel we booked using a reward certificate, but after that it is history.

[JoyJoy]

I heard today that the Chase Rewards Plus Card, which also gives 5% on gas, grocery and drugstores and 1% on everything else, gives you a $600.00 yearly rebate limit, compared to Citi Dividend and Chase Cash Plus card. The structure is a little different however.

[DivaJen]

The new Citi card arrived today and I have officially begun using it. Once I close the old card, I'll look into applying for the Chase dividend card, to have a backup if/when we hit the $300 max on the Citi card.

Thanks, everyone, for the great input on all of this. It has been a very helpful thread for me.

[DivaJen]

I've got a question:

The dividend card is supposed to pay 5% on groceries, drugstores and gas, right? When I look at my unbilled activity online and check my current reward activity, it's being calculated at 1%. Will this change as my unbilled activity becomes billed or something?

[sweeps]

Jen, yes, it only shows 1% until you get your bill. But even when you get the bill, it doesn't break out for you which purchases were 5%. You have to kinda figure out by looking at the total points earned during the period.