On-line account with Bonus - free money
Written: Oct 09 '05 (Updated Oct 09 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: easy to use, bonus for opening account
Cons: I live in Atlanta and there are no branches around here.
The Bottom Line: A good account, some limitations. Web site has improved in recent months.
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| jack49a's Full Review: Citibank |
They did it. Yes, I was sucked in by one of those ads that seem to be everywhere that say open an account with us and get $50 (sometimes I see a $100 promise). Well my experience is that there are conditions but if you meet them you do get the bonus. In my case I think the conditions were a $1500 dollar minimum to open the account and then do 2 bill pays. So I did it and got the credit. I've also seen ads without the credit. Citibank seems to change this from time to time.
The thing you have to be careful about is meeting the conditions they specify. And it would also be a good idea to read about minimums needed to avoid the monthly service charge. Since they combine your balances in your accounts to meet the service charge minimums, I tend to keep very little in basic checking (which gets zero interest) and enough in savings (which gets a little interest) or a CD (which gets decent interest).
In the first few months I had the account, a Citi representative called several times to make sure everything was OK and to answer questions if I had any. Some people would like that, I didn't. It really only was a few calls but they called me at work and I wasn't really prepared then to discuss anything then so it seemed bothersome to me. I usually do stuff on the website or make a call from home if I really can't figure it out. Also I was a bit surprised by their need to mail in paper documents but I suppose those are banking regulations. Nothing hard, but more than I expected.
I've never had trouble with the bill pay or any accounts. When I first started the website seemed kind of confusing but they have improved in the past few months. Part of that may be that I've gotten used to their way of doing things but the website has definitely improved.
I live in Atlanta and there are no branches around here. So I mainly use the account for on-line bill-pay and writing the occasional check. It was great the one time I need a certified check on short notice while I was in New York City.
So I do like the bill-pay but my main banking is done with a credit union close to home. I really can't speak to how it would be if Citibank was my main bank.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
jack49a
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Member: Jack Reidy
Location: PA, USA
Reviews written: 10
Trusted by: 2 members
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