Don't forget that places like Best Buy, toys r us, and Sears sell gift cards to other stores at the cash register. So if you run out of places to spend for these categories, buy some gift cards for places like eBay and Target that you do spend at.
bluechalk said: breaux124 said: There been any update on what the next categories are going to be?See this topic.do we really need a new thread each quarter?
I'm using this card to pay my Crossfit dues, Verizon Fios and I appear to be getting the 5%. I'm gonna charge my XM renewal to it as well in hopes of getting 5% off that.
This is a repost from the Q1 thread that I posted:
I sent a secure message to find out whether Lowes qualified for the 5% rotating CashBack categories and this is the response I got:
Our records indicate that your account is enrolled in the 2nd Quarter Bonus offer. You will receive an additional 4% Cash Back on all qualifying Home Depot, Home Furnishings and Home & Garden purchase between 04/01/12 through 06/30/12.
We apologize but Lowes is not a qualifying 2nd Quarter Bonus transaction.
I'm glad I found out since I'm looking to buy a new lawnmower today.
Just signed up for the Q2 bonuses from Citi and Chase, and called to get my Cash Back - over $100 has accumulated: Dividend Cash Back Redemption Line at 1-866-676-4672. However, you should look it up yourself! Trusting some random fatwallet poster - me - to not post a phishing scam phone # is a bad idea!
As for the buying gift cards idea - e.g. at safeway (hopefully, it counts as a Grocery store, per Chase* this quarter) - anyone confirmed that this works? The terms fine print includes "However, we do reserve the right to determine which purchases qualify for the additional 4% Cash Back." and "Home and garden purchases are those made at standalone merchants or service providers including florists, nurseries or landscaping services." which would be what they're using to likely get away with saying, deceptively, IMO, that Lowe's is NOT a 'Home and Garden" store!
*Chase fine print (sorry, don't mean to hijaack a Citibank thread) at https://creditcards.chase.com/freedom/FAQ.aspx#Efive5 says : "Merchants in the Grocery store category include supermarkets as well as smaller grocery stores and most convenience stores. Please note that some merchants that sell grocery items are not included in the Grocery store category; for example, smaller merchants such as drugstores and merchants that specialize in only a few grocery items, as well as larger stores that sell a wide variety of goods, such as warehouse clubs and discount stores. However, you will earn 5% Cash Back on your grocery purchases at Target® and WalMart®." So its still unclear to me whether gift cards at safeway would get 5%, but worth trying, while at Targed and WalMart, they clearly would not.
Does anyone know whether IKEA purchases qualify for the Q2 Citi 5% bonus offer? Thanks!
EDIT: I just checked my transaction history on the citi website and my recent IKEA purchase is classified as: Merchandise - FURNITURE,HOME FURNISHING / EQUIPMENT
Citi has improved their web site. Formerly they did not display the purchase category until after the statement was available. Now they display the purchase category of recent transactions. It used to be that if I wanted to determine the purchase category of a particular merchant, I would use a different bank's card for a test purchase (one of the other banks that do display the purchase category of recent transactions). Now I can do the test purchase with the same Citi card or VAN that I hope to use for the main purchase.
Received another email to sign up for 2Q Home-related category. In addition to 5% CB @ Home Depot, if you shop thru the Citi Bonus Cash Center you can earn an additional 6% CB @ Gardener's Supply Co. and 3% @ Pottery Barn.
I recommend stop using Citi Dividend. I am not gonna cancel this card since that gonna hurt my credit scores, but I did remove authorized users for minimizing the use. They are once again becoming greedy. Although they failed the Fed's stress test the last time, they start making money now; so the hell with customers. I wish customer service stop saying something like your satisfaction is our concern, bla, bla, bla when I call. They used to negotiate the 5% categories "easier" than competitors, but it's more difficult now.
My Verizon Wireless & OnStar were denied of the 5% of last quarter's catetories. For OnStar, I called twice before the purchase if it counts and both times they told me yes it does since I heard somewhere that it does...now they tell me they don't. I called in twice this morning about the last quarter's Cash Back. First time I spoke with a "supervisor", she denied my request completely. Second time I called and spoke with another "supervisor", she supposedly gave me 4% on the last statement for the Verizon & OnStar. She said she's not allowed to retroactively give me a Cash Back adjustment as a statement credit (first Verizon charge was in Jan) "ever" and nobody is allowed to do so; and I know that's bull since on the Q4 of 2011 categories, the "supervisor" did retroactively gave me a statement credit of $20. She did offer me $9 and whatever cents (4% on the last statement for the OnStar & Verizon) instead of $20.50 (includes retroactive Verizon bills), but I got angry and hang up. Now that I calmed down, I hope I'm getting $9. It's better than nothing. Perhaps, I give them another call, hehehe.
sjack827 said: I was wondering if a plumber would qualify as "home and garden". Would that qualify?
Most likely no unless you get one from The Home Depot. I think it'll be like private contractors of some sort if you use a local ones. I've done similar last year for the heating & cooling purchase from a small local company. Back then, they had "home improvement" as a qualifier, but I was denied of the 5% although in the end, they did give me full 5% on the purchase as a statement credit.
pupak said: Does anyone know whether IKEA purchases qualify for the Q2 Citi 5% bonus offer? Thanks!
EDIT: I just checked my transaction history on the citi website and my recent IKEA purchase is classified as: Merchandise - FURNITURE,HOME FURNISHING / EQUIPMENT
So it looks like it should qualify.
Good luck, my Verizon Wireless bills for the last quarter categories didn't count although online, they were showing up as telephone. They now tell me Verizon is categorized as "mastertelephone" something.
vagrants said: I recommend stop using Citi Dividend. I am not gonna cancel this card since that gonna hurt my credit scores, but I did remove authorized users for minimizing the use. They are once again becoming greedy. Although they failed the Fed's stress test the last time, they start making money now; so the hell with customers. I wish customer service stop saying something like your satisfaction is our concern, bla, bla, bla when I call. They used to negotiate the 5% categories "easier" than competitors, but it's more difficult now.
My Verizon Wireless & OnStar were denied of the 5% of last quarter's catetories. For OnStar, I called twice before the purchase if it counts and both times they told me yes it does since I heard somewhere that it does...now they tell me they don't. I called in twice this morning about the last quarter's Cash Back. First time I spoke with a "supervisor", she denied my request completely. Second time I called and spoke with another "supervisor", she supposedly gave me 4% on the last statement for the Verizon & OnStar. She said she's not allowed to retroactively give me a Cash Back adjustment as a statement credit (first Verizon charge was in Jan) "ever" and nobody is allowed to do so; and I know that's bull since on the Q4 of 2011 categories, the "supervisor" did retroactively gave me a statement credit of $20. She did offer me $9 and whatever cents (4% on the last statement for the OnStar & Verizon) instead of $20.50 (includes retroactive Verizon bills), but I got angry and hang up. Now that I calmed down, I hope I'm getting $9. It's better than nothing. Perhaps, I give them another call, hehehe.
Send citi a secure message from your account (logged in online). Specifying which transactions should have received 5% CashBack on which statements. I got them to confirm to me in writing that I would get 5% on my verizon wireless bill. it was not a statement credit, it was added into the CashBack.
If I were dealing with you, I might dismiss you too. You're rambling all over the place. Be clear, concise and polite, and it's easier to get the message across.
imbatman said: vagrants said: I recommend stop using Citi Dividend. I am not gonna cancel this card since that gonna hurt my credit scores, but I did remove authorized users for minimizing the use. They are once again becoming greedy. Although they failed the Fed's stress test the last time, they start making money now; so the hell with customers. I wish customer service stop saying something like your satisfaction is our concern, bla, bla, bla when I call. They used to negotiate the 5% categories "easier" than competitors, but it's more difficult now.
My Verizon Wireless & OnStar were denied of the 5% of last quarter's catetories. For OnStar, I called twice before the purchase if it counts and both times they told me yes it does since I heard somewhere that it does...now they tell me they don't. I called in twice this morning about the last quarter's Cash Back. First time I spoke with a "supervisor", she denied my request completely. Second time I called and spoke with another "supervisor", she supposedly gave me 4% on the last statement for the Verizon & OnStar. She said she's not allowed to retroactively give me a Cash Back adjustment as a statement credit (first Verizon charge was in Jan) "ever" and nobody is allowed to do so; and I know that's bull since on the Q4 of 2011 categories, the "supervisor" did retroactively gave me a statement credit of $20. She did offer me $9 and whatever cents (4% on the last statement for the OnStar & Verizon) instead of $20.50 (includes retroactive Verizon bills), but I got angry and hang up. Now that I calmed down, I hope I'm getting $9. It's better than nothing. Perhaps, I give them another call, hehehe.
Send citi a secure message from your account (logged in online). Specifying which transactions should have received 5% CashBack on which statements. I got them to confirm to me in writing that I would get 5% on my verizon wireless bill. it was not a statement credit, it was added into the CashBack.
If I were dealing with you, I might dismiss you too. You're rambling all over the place. Be clear, concise and polite, and it's easier to get the message across.
What more clear can I get with the Verizon Wireless bill? It's a freaking WIRELESS BILL. Plus, it was showing up as TELEPHONE when I expanded the charge for checking online--not a "mastertelephone" whatever Citi is telling me now. I used the Verizon's online payment service as I always do. Furthermore, now one of the Citi agents told me that utilities has to be "necessary to live", like gas, electricity, etc. Television and internet must be necessary to live since Comcast was getting 5%--so that's just nonsense. Here is copy & pate of my statement from the .pdf: (I have Master card + AMEX, so that's why there are two card numbers)
Card Number **** **** **** #### Card Number **** ****** #####
Transactions for Card beginning in #### (cont’d) 03/23 03/24 ONSTAR 888-4ONSTAR 149.00 03/24 03/24 VZWRLSS*WALCCRVN FOLSOM 96.65 03/24 03/24 COMCAST OF ********* 800-COMCAST 167.13
You must be the supervisor, Bobby from FL I talked this morning. At least, the second agent tried to give me the missing 4% on the last statement for the Verizon & OnStar unlike you Bobby in FL. Because I talked with you, you sat me in a bad place. If I talked to the second agent first, I wouldn't be so mad. In recent years, Citi supervisors had never adjusted the cash backs after the statement period ended. They adjusted as a statement credit for me.
***Edit*** Apparently OnStar has different way of categorizing themselves since that's what Citi told me. Some of the OnStar charges are qualified and some are not. Mine came up as business something.
I hadnt used this card in forever..... I had it when it was the 5% at Gas/Groceries/Drug Stores before the conversion.
I finally called the retention dept yesterday to state my case in wanting something to make me use the card, since I hadnt in years.
After talking a bit, I was offered 2% CashBack on all purchases with 5% on the rotating categories still in place for a whole year.
I accepted. I guess Ill use this as my everyday card for the 2% like a new-Schwab type of card while using my other cards for certain buys.
Not too shabby for those that want to try it out.
Only promotional plus not everyone will get the deal you got...why would you even want to "try it out" if there is a card like FIA. 2% on everything by default. Wasting inquiries on your credit reports if applying new.
CKritiv1 said: Received another email to sign up for 2Q Home-related category. In addition to 5% CB @ Home Depot, if you shop thru the Citi Bonus Cash Center you can earn an additional 6% CB @ Gardener's Supply Co. and 3% @ Pottery Barn.
Home Depot also has an additional 3% thru Citi Bonus Cash Center.
kb2120 said: CKritiv1 said: Received another email to sign up for 2Q Home-related category. In addition to 5% CB @ Home Depot, if you shop thru the Citi Bonus Cash Center you can earn an additional 6% CB @ Gardener's Supply Co. and 3% @ Pottery Barn.
Home Depot also has an additional 3% thru Citi Bonus Cash Center.
So as eBates and this site. Be careful using the Citi Bonus Cash Center. I made two purchases at the trysrus.com thru the Bonus Cash Center. The toysrus didn't qualify for the "toy" category automatically on the last Q4 2011. I had to call in to get the extra 4%. Even when I called in, they denied me at first, then a nice supervisor approved the extra 4% on both of the purchases.
I hadnt used this card in forever..... I had it when it was the 5% at Gas/Groceries/Drug Stores before the conversion.
I finally called the retention dept yesterday to state my case in wanting something to make me use the card, since I hadnt in years.
After talking a bit, I was offered 2% CashBack on all purchases with 5% on the rotating categories still in place for a whole year.
I accepted. I guess Ill use this as my everyday card for the 2% like a new-Schwab type of card while using my other cards for certain buys.
Not too shabby for those that want to try it out.
Only promotional plus not everyone will get the deal you got...why would you even want to "try it out" if there is a card like FIA. 2% on everything by default. Wasting inquiries on your credit reports if applying new.
I dont think I understand what youre trying to say.
No hard pull, no credit inquiry. Just called the retention Dept. I dont need to apply for a new card. And its hard to find a 2% card with 5% categories, in fact Id say its near impossible.
It was just some helpful information for people that may be in a similar situation that have the card sitting in a sock drawer..sheesh.
sjack827 said: So if you shop through the Citi bonus center, the discount would be 8%?
Yes, if Citi actually will give you 3%. I think I got 8% Cash Back from the MacConnection thru Citi Bonus Center on the Q4 2011 (3% thru the Bonus Center + 5% quarter categories). I rather want to not to deal with them. eBates or fatwallet option is probably better.
sjack827 said: So if you shop through the Citi bonus center, the discount would be 8%?
Go through bigcrumbs for 3.5% or Mr Rebates for 4% CashBack. Or, if you wanna risk it, Upromise for 5% so with 5% on Q2 promotion, you could get 8.5-10% CashBack.
The UR mall gives 4x UR points at Home Depot, which would be 5% CashBack+4X UR points. If you value Ultimate rewards points at more than 1.2 cpp, that will give you more than 10% in value.
imbatman said: sjack827 said: So if you shop through the Citi bonus center, the discount would be 8%?
Go through bigcrumbs for 3.5% or Mr Rebates for 4% CashBack. Or, if you wanna risk it, Upromise for 5% so with 5% on Q2 promotion, you could get 8.5-10% CashBack.
The UR mall gives 4x UR points at Home Depot, which would be 5% CashBack+4X UR points. If you value Ultimate rewards points at more than 1.2 cpp, that will give you more than 10% in value.
bw4747 said: imbatman, what is the "risk" of using Upromise?
I'm not imbatman, but I do have an Upromise account....the risk is it doesn't show up. I had a BestBuy purchase back in Jan or something, it's not showing up even now. Wal-Mart & Sears purchases which were made within a week of the BestBuy purchase posted though.
vagrants said: bw4747 said: imbatman, what is the "risk" of using Upromise?
I'm not imbatman, but I do have an Upromise account....the risk is it doesn't show up. I had a BestBuy purchase back in Jan or something, it's not showing up even now. Wal-Mart & Sears purchases which were made within a week of the BestBuy purchase posted though.
Agreed, I hear Upromise is finicky about giving their CashBack, and they can be difficult about it. I don't have any experience (never used Upromise CashBack before) with it, but since Upromise is 5% on everything, I may start using it soon.
Whoever mentioned "Send Secure Message to Citi", that Citi feature on Firefox 11.0 and IE 8.0 does not work for me. When I hit "Send message", I'm getting "Please enter your message in the box below" error. My message is 7 lines long and Citi tells me I can enter up to 20 lines. Please specify what browser and version of your browser.
MiaFLSurf said: I hadnt used this card in forever..... I had it when it was the 5% at Gas/Groceries/Drug Stores before the conversion.
I finally called the retention dept yesterday to state my case in wanting something to make me use the card, since I hadnt in years.
After talking a bit, I was offered 2% CashBack on all purchases with 5% on the rotating categories still in place for a whole year.For the rotating categories, does that mean you get 5%+2% = 7%, or is it just just 5% on the rotating categories, and 2% instead of 1% on other purchases?
From what she told me, its 2% base on all with a 5% BONUS on the rotating.... so presumably 7%... but in all honesty, the categories arent as spectacular as Chase Freedom that I would make a ton from that.
vagrants said: Whoever mentioned "Send Secure Message to Citi", that Citi feature on Firefox 11.0 and IE 8.0 does not work for me. When I hit "Send message", I'm getting "Please enter your message in the box below" error. My message is 7 lines long and Citi tells me I can enter up to 20 lines. Please specify what browser and version of your browser.
It was me. I used Firefox 11.0. I originally had problems submitting the message (I was copying and pasting from word). It worked just fine when I typed a short and concise message inthe the box. I was able to provide more detail later on.
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