One of our readers has agreed, without her name of course, to share her latest interaction with a Citicard application she just attempted.

This information should be of interest to all that are applying for Citicards credit cards.

And my personal thanks on behalf of all of us for sharing your story with us. You know who you are Here we go.

Hi Rick,

A few days ago I decided it was time to apply for 2 more Citi Cards (Personal MC and AMEX). I already have 3 Citi cards (MC – 2 personal and 1 business).
Yesterday I got the following email:

“Why we’re writing you

Thank you for applying for the Citi Select(SM) / AAdvantage(R)American Express(R) account.
Here’s what you should know
Unfortunately, we are unable to approve the application at this time because:

At the time of our review, our records indicated that you have the maximum number of accounts that we issue to an individual. We would be pleased to consider either closing your current account or dividing the credit line as indicated below:

$5,500.00 New Account
$10,500.00 Existing Citi(R) Platinum Select(R) /AAdvantage(R) World MasterCard(R) Account

You may call us at 1-888-201-4523, 8:00 AM to 8:00PM, ET, Monday through Friday. Our telecommunication number for the hearing impaired is 301-714-5973. Please have the reference number listed above available when you call. If we do not receive a response within 30 days from the date of this letter, your existing account will remain as it is today, and a new account will not be issued.

We appreciate your interest and we hope to have the opportunity to serve you in the future.
Sincerely,
xxxxxxx
Credit Operations Department”

End of correspondence

I called the number listed, explained the reason for my call and was transferred around until I got an “account specialist”. I told him I wanted to cancel my MC to open an AMEX. He started asking a lot of questions and did ask “are you doing it for the miles?” I panicked and said “no”. I was afraid if I said “yes”, Citibank might pull the plug on these deals.

He offered to change my existing MC to an AMEX number, offered me 3,000 AA miles to keep the card, offered me 5 miles per $1 spent to keep the card and I kept declining.

He wanted a reason for the cancellation so he could find a solution and I told him it was a “personal reason” and to please just do it. He finally got frustrated and canceled the MC. So my question is, when I apply next, do I admit that I am doing it for the miles? Have you ever had Citi ask you that question?

Thank you again for sharing this info.

Of Note: She had three cards and was told that was her limit, not by $$$ amount of credit, but by number of cards???? I have way more than that at present. This could be a new policy.

Why you want to cancel a card is none of their business. When they ask me why I want a new card I always tell them that I segregate my spending by credit card type. IE: Shopping goes on the Amex and utilities goes on the Visa and fun goes on the Mastercard.

They don’t need any more than that.

She was offered an out by mail that would allow for the approval of another card if she split up her credit lines. That does not square up with being the maximum number of cards, but looks more like she was at her credit limit to me.

The by mail option has never happened to me. They always have called me in the past with the same type of offers.

Those of you that have asked me: “Do I cancel my existing card first?” can now see exactly what happens when you reach their limit with you. They keep trying to give you more cards if you are paying on time and living up to your end of the bargain.

Again, my thanks to a fellow frugal traveller for sharing her story. I hope it will help you in the future.