I don’t usually write about targeted bonuses. Maybe that’s because I almost never get anything good, and it pisses me off when people brag about the offers I can’t get anyway But this Citigold 50K Bonus is interesting and I think you need be on a lookout for it (like don’t shred your junk mail without looking at it first). If you haven’t gotten your Citigold account yet, and especially if you are interested in the Citi Prestige card, you really need to grab it if you can for both, the bonus and the $100 Annual Fee discount.

Why I find it interesting

Citigold appears on a downward spiral for all our goals and purposes. First, they eliminated credit card funding, then they began rejecting bonuses to those who weren’t targeted, and now they want to give it to the rich only. Chuck from DOC did a comprehensive write up about this.

Effective November 1, 2016, if you do not maintain a minimum combined average monthly balance of $200,000 in eligible deposits, retirement accounts, and investment balances, your Citigold Account Package will be converted to a different banking package and your accounts will be subject to the terms and conditions then in effect for that package.

This makes me wonder why my wife and I receive the invitations in the first place and especially why now. My wife works part-time and doesn’t nearly have income that would qualify her for keeping this account, and nothing about me should tell them that I’m going to park $200,000 either. The only thing we have in common (as far as Citi is concerned) is the Citi Premier card. So something’s probably going on. They might’ve realized they’ve gone too far, otherwise I don’t see much sense in it.

Anyway, whatever this is, if you have a Citi Premier card, you might be up for a nice surprise. Since I haven’t found much discussion about this bonus, it makes me believe that Citi has just begun sending these invites to Citi Premier cardholders.

Citigold 50K Bonus Letter

Five things to keep in mind

1. You can’t transfer your bonus points to airlines.
2. You will get a $100 discount off your Prestige card annual fee.
3. If you decide to close the Citigold account, you must transfer your points out before that and use them within 90 days.
4. If you get more than $600 out of this offer (like an AA ticket), you might get a 1099.
5. You will incur at least $60 in monthly fees ($30 a month) before you receive the bonus and can cancel or downgrade your account, although there are some reports that you can avoid the second fee.

Citigold 50K Bonus Letter: Disclosure

It’s like a cash bonus

That’s what it is. I don’t see a lot of value in buying an AA ticket if you get a 1099. Get a popular gift card, a $100 discount, minus $60 fees — you should clear around $500 after you sell the gift card. That’s a great bonus, especially that it doesn’t involve a hard pull or spending requirement.