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Citi Cuts Back on Credit Card Benefits

Don’t you hate those credit card notices that announce “important updates” or “changes,” but don’t tell you what the old terms were so you can compare?

Citi sent out an email last week announcing revised terms for many of its credit card benefits starting July 29. But without referring to the old brochure, you would have no idea if the particular benefits were improved or cut back. (Hint: those notices rarely contain good news.)

So Mouse Print* looked up the old benefits to compare them with the new changed ones.

*MOUSE PRINT:

Citi benefit changes

As you can see, some benefits like roadside and travel assistance were eliminated. Other benefits were cut back substantially, but not eliminated (thank goodness).

One of the benefits that has remained the same is Citi’s extended warranty. Unlike any other credit card, Citi (at least on its Double Cash card) will add 24 months of extended warranty coverage free to almost every manufacturer’s warranty. So a one-year warranty becomes a three-year warranty. This benefit is substantially better than other cards that merely promise to double the manufacturer’s warranty for up to an additional (one) year.

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6 thoughts on “Citi Cuts Back on Credit Card Benefits”

  1. I have a Citi card and I received this email in my inbox. I don’t use most of the features that changed and I wouldn’t want to depend on a credit card for such services.

    Credit card benefits seem to change at least once a year, and as mentioned in the article, the changes are rarely configured to offer MORE benefits to consumers.

  2. Do you know if this applies to the Costco Citi card and if so, what Costco has to say about the changes? I got a Citi card when Costco ended its partnership with AMEX and I have never been happy with the change.

    Edgar replies: Sorry, Eileen, I only know about the popular Citi Double Cash card, but the benefits brochure seemed to be generic. You might call customer service to find out.

  3. Thanks for doing the leg work. Citi Double Cash had/has an amazing set of features when you consider that you aren’t paying anything for them, and they are actually paying you a 2% rebate.

  4. I doubt the Costco card is affected as much as Citi’s Double Cash card. Costco pissed off a few members with their not so great switch over to CITI (though my conversion from Costco Amex to Citi MasterCard went pretty smooth.

    I never knew the Citi’s Double Cash card was two years of extended warranty they offered. Thought it was only one year, so that’s a nice surprise.

    Shame they’re reducing many of the benefits of the Citi Double Cash card now.

    Maybe it’s time to start shopping for another card. As a fan of cash back reward programs, the Citi Double Cash was one of the better all around cards that I could find. Nice benefits and 2% cash back IF the balance is paid. Used the card for 90% o my purchases.

    Edgar replies: The Citi Double Cash card is my primary credit card because of the 2% cash back feature and the other benefits.

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