Thread: Citi CashReturns -> World Elite -> MC/Amex... Confused

Hello:

First post. Yay!

So, I've been a Citi card holder for many years. A few years ago, I switched to CashReturns Mastercard. Then, some time last year, they dispatched me a CashReturns World Elite Mastercard. I had no idea what this card is. Did some research and found it to be a good deal as it provides concierge without annual fee or change in terms not that I ever used the concierge service. But, it's free and available if I ever want to use it. So, I activated the card.

Today, I received two cards in a single envelope from Citi. First card is to replace the World Elite CashReturns card with a standard CashReturns card. It has a silver MC logo instead of the orange and yellow if that makes any difference. Second card is an add on card that can be used and is linked to the first card. So, it's like a second card except it's not a Mastercard but an Amex!

I am confused. I am confused. I searched online and found nothing about this deal anywhere. What in the world is this? Should I activate it or ignore it assuming I have the option to ignore it and stay with my current card. The way they word it in the letter sounds like this is my new card replacing the old one. My current card doesn't expire for another 3 years though. I'd rather hold onto the World Elite card than get an Amex add on which I will never use.

Help!

Weird. Call Citibank and ask

Well, I found this link last night.

Citi, AmEx launch pilot rewards card program: Two cards, one account, one statement

I guess it's a NEW test program. The link shows the AAdvantage program whereas I have the CashReturn.

So, should I go for it or do nothing? I can use the Amex for Costco but will be losing the World Elite?

I suppose I should give Citi a call but sorta doubt they have my best interest at heart.

First post as well; couldn't resist.

To etane: the silver MasterCard logo signifies that your new CashReturns credit card is World Elite. I had something similar happen to me when my Diamond Preferred Rewards was first upgraded to World Elite status via correspondence from Citibank, and then completely switched to a ThankYou Preferred card, complete with a weird silver MasterCard logo that I thought very little of until a few months back.

Hope this helps.

Sounds like you answered your own question, but yes, they have been doing the dual card, one account thing for a while now on the AAdvantage program. I am surprised that they would bother with this for the Cash Returns program as the Dividend is overall a better deal and I am wondering why they didn't transition you to Dividend or Thank You.

The holographic MasterCard logo is sweet and it does mean that it is a World (Elite) card. Chase started doing this a few years ago and now other banks are following suit.

Here is another article about someone who received both the MC and Amex version of the Dividend:

Surprise: Citi Dividend American Express Card

As long as both do not report to the bureau's I don't see any reason why it would be a bad thing to have both. It is a bit odd though since only about two merchants only accept Amex (Costco and Neiman Marcus) hardly worth issuing a second account number...

It would have been nice to have been included in this test. Consider yourself kind of fortunate to have been a test subject My Dividend turned 11 this year and was upgraded to World like everybody else, but I didnt get World Elite...go figure