Adam_Schwartz

I decided to apply for a Citi gasoline card that pays 5% on gasoline, grocery and drug store purchases. I actually got myself one and my wife a separate card, since the max cash back is $300/year. Just passing this info along to you guys and gals, as 5% is not a bad return for just buying gas and groceries. Shit, our damn money market barely yields 2%. Plus there is no annual fee on the card, which is nice.

Amoeba

Yes Adam I am thinking of applying for that card, I have the chase perfect card 3% on gas 1% on everything else, I am not sure if they have a limit on rewards im getting close to $300 for the year, so if chase doesnt have a limit Ill stick with them, otherwise Ill go with the citi cashback card if I get approved.

Adam_Schwartz

We have 2 main cards, a Discover and now this Citi. The Citi gives the 5% on gas/groceries and 1% on all else. The catch is that you can earn $300 on ALL purchases. So I only use the Citi on gas/groceries and the Discover on all other purchases. That's also why I got my wife and myself separate cards, so we wouldn't have to worry about maxing out our cash back award. It's easy enough to manage and helps me earn more money.

BEETROOT

I have a similar card. Its great. I got a $50 check a couple days ago.

rise

link to website to apply?

dabuda

i have the sony citibank card...ordered about $400 in blockbuster certificates for xmas presents last year

Adam_Schwartz

www.citi.com

Select the option to apply for a CC and you'll see the option to apply for this paticular card near the top of the list. They have at least a dozen different kinds of cards to apply for.

Slimey

I got the brochure for the same card but passed. The max at $300 did it for me. I annually recover more from our Discover (maybe $400+) so it didn't make sense for the downgrade, even if the per cent reimbursement is greater for certain purchases.

slo007

I received a 5% AMEX card in the mail, but never activated it. The fine print provided the details: 2% back on my purchases, 2% more if a carry a balance at 19% APR, and another 1% if I only paid the minimum.

No thanks!

Adam_Schwartz

Simple solution - pay for gas and groceries with this card and all else with a Discover card, which is exactly what I do. Do you spend over $6000 on gas and groceries per year? If not, then I wouldn't see why you'd not just use 2 cards.

KavexTrax

One caveat so far for Citi Dividend card holders, after December their computer likes to shift the payment date up by 10 days to pull a fast one on unsuspecting cardholders.

I had to call to complain about it and move it back to the original date. Stupid Stupid Stupid.

Slimey

Easily.

Adam_Schwartz

ok - I probably do too. I think I spend at least $500/mo on groceries and about $150/mo on gasoline, so I'd go past the $6000 on my own. I gotta make sure my wife buys some groceries for on now.

eve

What if you apply for a card, they send it to you but you never activate it. Will it show on a credit report?

Adam_Schwartz

I am thinking it will at least show that you applied for the card on your credit report, but it won't show that account as active until you activate it. Why do you ask?

eve

I applied for a Citi card because they were offering 0% on balance transfers for 12 months. I received it few days ago but they gave me only $500 limit and I need more than that. I could probably call and ask for a increase but I don't think they will increase it by much so I won't even bother with activating it.

Adam_Schwartz

That's why you lie about your salary to get a bigger limit. I'd be surprised if they wouldn't approve your transfer, unless your credit is super bad.

eve

My income is good, other cards have high limits and my credit score is in high 700s. I guess I'll call them to find out.

Adam_Schwartz

That's odd - I remember getting some low ball credit limit on another card a few years ago even though my Discover card had a much higher limit. I am sure they can correct the problem.

CLpower

I had the same card until I got one that gives me 0% on transfers and new purchases through the beginning of 06, after that it's only 4.99% APR. I figured that even w/ the cash back rewards this was a smarter idea.

Adam_Schwartz

It just depends on what your needs are - for us, we don't care abour APR because we always pay off our balances in full. For you, a low APR might make more sense.

JJ4Short

I believe so because I had 3 cards on my credit report just sitting there from my freshman year in college when I got free shit for filling out credit cards. The really good thing is that even cards that dont carry balance are good on your record. It reports the same way a card does that you pay on time every month. But if you have too much available credit then thats a bad thing so its a win/lose situation