CitiBank Credit Card Promo - Oct 2021 Issue of LVA

Decided to sign-up for CitiBank card and earn the 80,000 points reward.  Spent over $4,000 within 3 months as outlined to earn the promotion points.  Customer Service said the $95 annual membership fee is not considered a purchase so their website said I purchased $4,055 but their customer service system said we purchased $3,960.  So an appeal was made over the $45 variance and they sent a letter stating they have denied the award.  Boo-hiss on CitiBank N.A.

They have lost me as a customer and will tell every person I meet for the remainder of my life to never signup for a CitiBank credit card.  So over $45 (basically a pizza and a beer) they should lose approximately $1M as I plan to live to be 100 years old and have my tombstone read at the bottom 'And though I rest in a box that's cold and hard, it's still better than signing up for a CitiBank card'.

-Paperman

As you are telling everyone, don't forget to mention that you did not fulfill your part of the agreement.

I have completed this offer, as has ny wife and business with no problems. 

I love free points.

CitiBank never stated their annual membership fee would not be honored in the aggregrate purchases.  In my opinion, I did fulfill the agreement and entitlement for the program's award, CitiBank did not fulfill their agreement to try and work with customers and not lose their business.

But thanks for sharing your success with this program Doufous and seizing the opportunity to use the bold and underline text features.  Enjoy your free points with Mrs. Doufous.

Anyone that is doing these promotions should ALWAYS charge a little extra. $hit happens.

Citibank will not miss you at all.

I would have approached it the opposite way.  I would have made sure I had more than enough purchases, say $100-150, over the goal, so that it would cover any issue like returns  (or assuming annual fee was a charge).   I've done that with other card deals.   It's not like you are giving up a lot for charging a bit extra with the card.   Not surprised they denied you.  And yes, Citibank will survive, especially without a customer who was trying to charge the bare minimum to earn a perk!

"CitiBank never stated their annual membership fee would not be honored in the aggregrate purchases."

Where did they state that would count the fee in the purchases?   You assumed so!  

Your own language highlights the difference.  A FEE is not a purchase.  Period!