Once again I feel proud of myself for surviving Christmas. It wasn’t easy, and the simple act of getting decent gifts for people you love is an accomplishment.
Everyone got what they wanted, why shouldn’t I?
Sure, the basketball shorts I got from my mom were a nice present and the long-sleeved shirt I got from somebody else made a perfect backup in case the many others I had previously been gifted with suddenly disappeared.
But honestly, I really wanted something else.
So just like last year, I turned to my Citibank credit card rewards catalogue for relief — use your card, earn points and redeem the reward of your choice.
The math is actually simple: With CitiRewards, cardholders earn rewards points for every P30 spent on Citibank Silver Visa and MasterCard, Citibank Gold Visa and MasterCard or Citibank Visa Platinum card. The points do not expire and can be accumulated for as long as one remains a Citibank cardholder.
This year, however, cardholders like me can browse through the rewards catalogue and redeem merchandise online.
Citibank cardholders who log onto www.citirewards.com are able to view and experience the most revolutionary and technologically advanced rewards portal in the industry.
The new CitiRewards site, with on-screen videos, should inspire new ideas on how to plan a party, help a favorite charity or make the most of a vacation. The CitiRewards portal allows cardholders to easily navigate the selection of rewards categories including glamour, culture, well-being, family, and charity.
“Other rewards programs nowadays are commoditized and generic, with identical items being offered through similar processes,” says Bea Teh-Tan, Citibank Cards business director. “At Citibank, our goal is to make our cardholders feel truly rewarded. We believe that our redemption process should be fun, engaging and exciting — not tedious.”
The new CitiRewards portal is a convenient way for credit cardholders to redeem rewards. The experience is made easier by providing each rewards category additional information and tips on how to use the items offered.
“Innovations,” for example, gives cardholders ideas on smart dieting and why they should take their iPod Nano on their next run; “Adventure” provides cardholders with ways to explore the great outdoors; and “Glamour” suggests how to look good and be the life of the party.
“What’s more, Citibank cardholders can earn bonus rewards points when they redeem any gift item online,” says Bea. “Valid until April 30, 2008, the bonus points will be given as follows: first-time online redemption earns 200 bonus points; second to 10th time earns 100 bonus points; and first time use of Citibank online earns 300 bonus points.”
There are other perks for redeeming selected items online. This year, Citibank added as a free gift silicon cases for those redeeming iPod Nanos, a tank griller for GE air-cons, a mini vacuum cleaner for every Cuisintec hotdog station and a Victory flask for the Cuisintec family of doughnut makers. The gift items redeemed online are delivered for free.
First-time redeeming cardholders are always advised to opt for gift certificates since they offer the most value for the fewer number of points.
Bea offers a few other tips on getting the most out of the rewards experience:
• Avail of promotions that entitle you to earn rewards points faster. The more points you earn, the more rewards you can redeem;
• Use your Gold Citibank credit card when you travel and get double rewards points for all your purchases abroad, you get triple points if you’re a Platinum cardholder;
• Check Citibank online for the latest promotions for rewards redemption.
The launch of the new CitiRewards website will be followed by the introduction of more exciting offers for Citibank customers in the coming months.
“The portal will serve as a platform for new ideas and updated information to complement Citibank’s customers’ lifestyles,” Bea says. “Expect us to get better and better.”
“Our cardholders are now spoilt for choice. In the ‘90s, we started by offering mostly appliances, personal accessories and gadgets,” says Bea. “Since then, the selection has grown to cover air miles, membership fee waivers, travel packages, shopping and dining certificates. The items are also constantly being updated. We take pains to ensure that our catalog features the latest must-have gadgets like the iPod Touch and new destinations like travel packages to Macau.”
Bea points out that this holiday season, most cardholders opted for gift certific-ates and small appliances they can give as gifts.
“A number of cardholders redeemed toys and gadgets like Barbies and Sony PSPs as presents for their kids. One cardholder even instructed us to ensure that his kids do not see the items upon delivery. Some cardholders redeem big-ticket items as gifts for themselves. The Samsung LCD TV and Sony Digital Camera are two of those rewards,” she says.
Only one question now remains. What reward should I get this year?