November 3rd, 2008 — Banking
Another week, another Citibank checking promotion for those who don’t already have a checking account with them and are current Citi cardmembers. The terms are the same:
- Just open a qualifying Citibank regular checking account and fund it with a minimum of $1,000 by 12/31/2008.
- Within the first month after your account is opened, make at least one direct deposit into your account or make at least two electronic bill payments from your account each month for three consecutive months and get $100 deposited into your new account.
Apply online or over the phone by calling 1-800-374-9500 – remember to use promotion code CY72 to get the offer.
Terms & Conditions:
This offer is only available to Citi® cardmembers who are the primary credit card account holders. Offer is not valid for existing Citibank checking customers. All accounts are subject to approval. Participation limited to United States (“U.S.”) citizens or resident aliens with a valid U.S. taxpayer identification number. Customer is responsible for taxes, if any. Persons under 18 years of age are not eligible. Offer may be modified or withdrawn at any time without notice, is not transferable and cannot be combined with any other offer. Checking account must be funded with $1,000 or more by 12/31/2008 and must be in a Citibank Account, Citibank Everything Counts® or Citigold® account relationship package. Fees may apply to the checking account. Within the first month after account opening, customer must complete at least one direct deposit to, or at least two electronic bill payments from, the checking account each month for three consecutive months to get $100. Electronic bill payments are those you make using Citibank® Online, Citi MobileSM or CitiPhone Banking®, excluding bill payments made to Citibank credit cards and transfer payments made to accounts with Citibank or its affiliates. $100 will be deposited to your Citibank checking account within 120 days from the end of the statement period in which you met the qualifying requirements. Your checking account must be in good standing at the time each bonus payment is deposited. Checking accounts are offered by Citibank, N.A., an affiliate of Citibank (South Dakota), N.A., the bank that issues your credit card.
July 25th, 2008 — Credit Cards
Have you ever heard of the Citi mtvU card? If not, it’s one of the only cards that gives you 5% cashback as ThankYou Network reward points at restaurants, movie theaters and bookstores, including Amazon.com.
That’s right, the coveted 5% cashback.
The card is designed for students but when I got it I wasn’t a student. I don’t know how it is now but it’s always worth a shot.
June 3rd, 2008 — Credit, Credit Cards
Building and maintaining a strong credit history is a must these days. In the past, only lenders cared about your credit score and your credit history. Now, everyone from landlords to employers are checking your credit history and using it as a proxy for reliability and trustworthiness. They believe that someone with a low credit score and a weak history is less trustworthy, which may or may not be true, so it’s important for you to build and maintain a strong credit score and history. This is best accomplished when you’re a student because you’re finally on your own.
The first step is to try to apply for a student credit card such as the Citi mtvU credit card. The Citi mtvU card isn’t just the non-student card with higher interest rates and more fees, it’s actually a tailored card with features a student would like like 5% cashback at bookstores, points for good grades and on-time payment. It also means that students are more likely to be accepted. If you try to get a regular consumer credit card, the rules are going to be more stringent.
If you don’t qualify for that card, consider getting a credit card from a store you shop at in the mall. These cards often have low limits and zero benefits (make sure you get a card with no annual fee!) but you’re looking to build credit, not get access to easy debt. If you can get the mtvU card, or some other student card, don’t bother with getting a store card.
Don’t sign up for a credit card at some random table at school. 95% of these tables are legitimate, but you always run the risk of giving out all that sensitive data to a complete stranger that you shouldn’t trust. That person could use that information to steal your identity. Not worth it.
Good luck!
May 29th, 2008 — Credit Cards
Did you know that many credit cards offer a price protection program? Yep. If you notice that a particular item you’ve purchased has gone on sale or is cheaper somewhere else, you can contact your credit card company for a refund of the difference. Usually stores will not honor online prices and require the price to appear in print.
With Citi cards that have Citi Price Protection, you can get up to $250 per transaction if you notice a price drop within 60 days, with a maximum benefit of $1,000 a year.
With American Express, the program is called the Best Value Guarantee. Coverage is up to $250 per item, excluding taxes, shipping, and handling, for up to 60 days and up to $1,000 a year.
Other card issuers may also have similar programs.
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Also, be sure to check out this week’s Carnival of Personal Finance in which DMH article Don’t Quit Jobs for Less Than an 8% Raise was included.
May 15th, 2008 — Credit
Quick and easy 100 ThankYou Network points:
