Citibank Plus Account - Open an Account

bluedufflecoat on 08/04/2017 - 17:07
Last edited 10/04/2017 - 13:02

I'm late to the party but want to open a Citibank plus account. I already have the Citibank signature credit card.

Just wondering if anyone has ever experienced difficulty with their website in submitting the application? I'm up to the last page, and every time I press submit, it just reloads the page.

I called Citibank yesterday and they said to wait 24 hours so their data is updated today… tried to continue from where I left off, and submit the application and it still didn't work.

Anyone have ideas?

10/4 Update: I went to a Citibank branch in the CBD. Showed them how I could not get past their submit application form stage. Started a whole new application (with no information pre-filled) and at Step 4 - suddenly(!!!) there is a whole part about entering another OTP before submitting the application form. This has never appeared on any of the different browsers I have used. So … now I've submitted the application, yay!

Hopefully every other step won't be so painful, i.e. internet banking setup, linking to another bank account etc etc.

Thanks for everyone's help and feedback (even the anti-Citibank ones! I understand your pain, but for the moment, these guys look like they are the best way to go for international travel / withdrawals without applying for another credit card!)

Financial

Related Stores

Citibank Australia
Citibank Australia

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 08/04/2017 - 17:12
    +1

    Absolute nightmare
    Opened an account, took 3 goes to get the account open and then my card never arrived
    ended up giving up and went with someone else

    • bluedufflecoat on 08/04/2017 - 17:16

      Who did you go with? And why?

      • [Deactivated] on 08/04/2017 - 17:48

        I ended up going with macquarie bank
        been very happy
        platinum features, no account fees, no atm fees

        • bluedufflecoat on 08/04/2017 - 18:09

          Credit card?

        • [Deactivated] on 08/04/2017 - 18:10

          @bluedufflecoat:

          I don't have credit
          but yes they do offer this feature
          I refuse to use any money that I "don't own"
          cash is king

        • bluedufflecoat on 08/04/2017 - 18:44

          @shawncro 222: international atm? Or just local atm?

        • citygal on 08/04/2017 - 20:06

          @bluedufflecoat:
          Just local ATm

        • bluedufflecoat on 08/04/2017 - 20:19

          @citygal: Thanks. I am looking for an international atm option.

        • [Deactivated] on 08/04/2017 - 20:46
          -2

          @bluedufflecoat:

          Good luck
          The benefits of having a local bank
          Good banking
          Quality android app
          Vs
          Piss poor support
          Poor quality app
          Crap website
          Citibank are trash
          Go with them at your own risk

        • KitchenSink on 09/04/2017 - 15:49
          +6

          @shawncro 222: i think the OP is just signing up for the Citibank plus because of the benefits of the Citibank card for overseas use and travel. Not for everyday banking. Its a good travel card for withdrawing cash from ATMs, even better than the local bank issued travel card or other travel cards. People on Whirlpool rave about it like they did with the 28 Degrees (before it changed to Latitude).

          Benefits include:
          1. You get close to the actual exchange rate (like 1 to 2 cents off the actual rate). Good for EFTPOS or online overseas transactions. Although sometimes locking in an exchange rate can be better if the currency keeps dropping.
          2. No conversion rate fee
          3. no ATM charge on any branded Citibank ATMs (which is global and found in many major cities). Withdraw as much or as little as you want without worrying about the ATM fees that come with withdrawing from other non Citibank ATMs.

          I've used the App, sure its not the best, but works fine. Its now got support for TouchID. I've had no major issues. Website works fine for me, but I don't use it often. I use the phone app to check balance for when I'm travelling. I dont use this card for everyday banking. I use another local bank. This is just purely for travel

        • Bargain4U on 11/04/2017 - 06:02

          @KitchenSink096: I have both the Citibank and Macquarie accounts. The Macquarie account also has no international purchase fee. I have done tests and the exchange rate on the Macquarie account is always better (probably because one is Visa the other is Mastercard).

  • kipps on 08/04/2017 - 17:59
    +2

    Their website is hopeless. I tolerated it only because they have the only product which has no FX charges for overseas cash withdrawals.

  • KitchenSink on 08/04/2017 - 19:28
    +1

    OP it could be your browser/extensions/cookies that are affecting the website submission. I had no issues when I signed up years ago.

    have you tried
    different browser
    delete cookies/cache
    disabling extensions
    run in private/incognito mode ;)
    different PC
    try signing up through your phone

    as a last resort, just call them and sign up through the phone. Since you already have a credit card with them, the process should be a little faster.

    • bluedufflecoat on 08/04/2017 - 20:18

      I've tried signing up on phone, iPad and work computer.

      I have not tried incognito mode though.

      Called them yesterday and they said it's only available online.

      • KitchenSink on 08/04/2017 - 23:00

        that's weird, I would suspect it could be their end then or maybe there's something in your submission that's throwing it off like a character such as '-' or 'è' 'ä' in a name for example.

        I have a hyphenated name and sometimes when I put it into some booking sites for flights, i get rejected by the submission because of a '-' character. So I just use a space between the names instead or join them up. Still works when checking in.

        • bluedufflecoat on 10/04/2017 - 08:00

          I've now tried incognito mode…

          Also used chrome, firefox (on ipad) and safari (on ipad).

          I think I'm going to have to go in person.

  • Neilzy on 08/04/2017 - 21:39
    +1

    Its an absolute nightmare. I had an older account i opened and used in 2012 to travel to the US. They closed the account in early 2016 due to inactivity. even kept the $11 or so tht i had still in there.

    Only realized they cllsed the account 2 months before i was travelling again to SE Asia. applied again 1.5 months out before taking off thinking it had ample time. jumping through all the hoops again even though i also held a CC with them. Long story short; the card new card was 'lost' and never made it. replacement card was due to arrive the day after I departed. They said they could express ship it to my place of stay OS but i told them to get stuffed. the card arrived AFTER i got back from my trip which was 3 weeks since i was on the phone with them.

    Hopeless.

    • bluedufflecoat on 08/04/2017 - 22:55
      +1

      Did you find an alternative?

      • Neilzy on 10/04/2017 - 09:57

        Was fortunate enough to borrow my brothers Plus account/card. Transferred cash via my everyday account and off I went.

        despite the pain, its a really good card for travel.

    • starburstyellow on 09/04/2017 - 01:21
      +1

      Did you have the free for life before it went inactive? And if so, was it the same card you got 1.5 months after?

      • Neilzy on 10/04/2017 - 09:59

        yeah it was free for life but was closed due to inactivity and the couldnt simply 'reactivate' it. stupid. Its the same account with the same features when i reapplied.

        • bluedufflecoat on 10/04/2017 - 10:17

          isn't it still "free for life"? Or at least, for the moment, looks to be free to me?

        • Neilzy on 10/04/2017 - 10:29

          @bluedufflecoat: Its 'free for life' if the account is serviced and is used. they will close your account if you dont use it. I had left the account dormant for ~2 years, probably why they closed it

    • Emli on 09/04/2017 - 08:53
      +1

      Similar experience. Card never arrived. Had to be resent. Pin never arrived. What they were asking for paperwork wise had been given. Never got a pin in the end so didn't deposit money we couldn't get withdraw later. Was really keen for the card as we travel twice a year. Bank cancelled the card due to inactivity.

    • kiitos on 09/04/2017 - 19:40
      +1

      They closed the account in early 2016 due to inactivity. even kept the $11 or so tht i had still in there.

      How long was it inscribe before they closed it? Did you get the balance refunded?

      • Neilzy on 10/04/2017 - 09:52

        No balance refund. No communication. nothing. When queried them about it, they asked for a statement and I had told them they should still have the record of the card and transactions etc. In the end I just gave up as it was going back and forth.

    • peterpeterpumpkin on 11/04/2017 - 07:08

      I had the same problem with me leaving the country soon so they told me to go into a branch to print the card on the spot. This was before Paywave or even chip and pin though.

  • Peck on 08/04/2017 - 22:24
    +6

    Stick with it. Once you have an account their website is fine!

    • bluedufflecoat on 08/04/2017 - 22:55

      Thanks. I have a few months before my trip. :)

  • justaverage on 08/04/2017 - 23:23

    When i tried to activate my card. It keeps asking for linked bank account and i cant do that until i login

    • bluedufflecoat on 08/04/2017 - 23:29
      +1

      Excel circular error.

      • justaverage on 08/04/2017 - 23:52

        So how can i fix it?

      • justaverage on 16/04/2017 - 16:30

        Did you experience the same?

        • bluedufflecoat on 16/04/2017 - 18:46

          I have an existing citibank login with my credit card. So I don't think I have the same problem. Still waiting for my card though.

  • wako on 09/04/2017 - 08:02
    +1

    Yep I had massive problems also I think I applied 4 times and then never got a card and resent card… Ok now, but a nightmare to setup initially I only want for international also…

    From memory I had issues on one browser more think it was chrome… Try Firefox or God forbid INternet explorer

  • Brisxr6t on 09/04/2017 - 09:04

    Never had anything good come from Citibank. They are the most useless and underhanded financial company out there. I would seriously recommend taking your business elsewhere to avoid future problems. MeBank, ING, Suncorp (though Suncorp unfortunately uses Citibank for their credit cards, so definitely don't go there for creditC) and even Woolworths (for credit cards) are a lot better banking institutions. Just google search the fines citigroup have to pay every year for the underhanded "dealings" they do.

  • rake on 09/04/2017 - 10:52

    I opened mine at the branch on George St Sydney. They have limited number of branches, see if there's any that is close by - https://www.citibank.com.au/aus/static/contactus_findus.htm

    • bluedufflecoat on 09/04/2017 - 17:42

      Did they need any supporting documents? And if so, what do they need?

  • HardQuiz on 09/04/2017 - 11:50

    Try another browser

  • HeWhoKnows on 09/04/2017 - 13:55
    +1

    Minor issues 2 times but everything sorted eventually. Best card for overseas cash withdrawal and purchases.

  • Yola on 09/04/2017 - 16:21
    +4

    Most horrible bureaucratic Bank ever. Yes its painfull opening the account. I have done it 3 times for different family members.But best card for overseas travel. Save around $5 every time you use an ATM overseas and stops the temptation to carry too much cash. Great rate, I had reason to compare and it was better than NAB with all their charges. I do not know how they do it. Once I had to replace a card and it came quickly. Once you set it up everything works well just allow plenty of time. I would never have any other product with them.

    • bluedufflecoat on 09/04/2017 - 17:44

      Thanks. I'll try every avenue!

    • Neilzy on 10/04/2017 - 10:01

      Their web portal is horrid

      Their smartphone app is even worse.

  • RocketSwitch on 10/04/2017 - 11:54

    I didn't have an issue when I applied online.

    They linked it to my account (have a credit card with them) and got my card within 10 business days.

    I had issues initially, I had wrong mailing address and didn't know one of my reference numbers, so that was me.

    Other then that, used card overseas, not one fee.

    No issues really.

  • horsome on 10/04/2017 - 13:02

    There's a bit of hate here, takes some effort with applying and providing verified copies of docs but once you are in its great, will save you hundreds in ATM and conversion fees OS. Do you want user friendly or save $$$?

    Got my wife a card for the same account and we use as a weekly budgeted small expense account to keep it active, it's been a year now and have had no problems with it.

  • ueno on 10/04/2017 - 14:12
    +1

    I didn't realise that there is a bank account with minimised int'l txn fees. Thanks for sharing OP. I had also applied just now using Chrome and everything is good so far.

    I got a message on the screen with my new BSB and account number, "In the meantime take note of your account details, but please do not start using your account until you receive an email confirming it's open."

    Everything seems to be good on my end. I guess the only thing to watch out for is to keep the account active. Hopefully I will be receiving my debit card in a few days time.

    • bluedufflecoat on 10/04/2017 - 14:20

      I'm so insanely jealous!! I've tried so many times to open the account and kept getting nowhere. :P

      All the best.

      • ueno on 10/04/2017 - 14:25

        Beginner's luck perhaps? Thanks for sharing this, I am going overseas in a few months time so hopefully the account will live up to the expectation. :)

  • benderz on 10/04/2017 - 15:02

    Opened a joint account with the wife in a branch.

    They made me sign my name 3 times because it "doesn't match" my licence. 3 times I signed the exact same thing before they accepted it.

  • ml17 on 10/04/2017 - 15:58
    -1

    Can anyone confirm that this card is still fee-free for International transactions?

    From the updated T&Cs it seems that it's now 2.5% from March 31st.

  • Godric on 11/04/2017 - 11:07
    +1

    I applied for a CB+ account yesterday, received 2 emails today from them no issues as yet

    • Godric on 11/04/2017 - 17:24

      My acc been created and card on its way, personally a smooth process

  • [Deactivated] on 11/04/2017 - 12:33

    They have the shitest website ever

  • nix1016 on 11/04/2017 - 12:43

    Their app is great though, only app I know that shows transactions seconds after they occur.

    • based on 11/04/2017 - 12:58

      I've got to disagree with that, a purchase from last Thursday only showed up today.
      Although the available and on deposit amounts varied straight away after making it.

      • nix1016 on 11/04/2017 - 16:37

        Maybe you're right and it's only the ATM withdrawals. I know every time I withdraw some money overseas, I'm able to instantly check the app to see how much I was charged in AUD.

  • lemons4lime on 11/04/2017 - 12:51

    I just last week applied and got through without any problems, which is now a surprise after reading everyone’s comments here. I am traveling to Europe in July, and all my research pointed to this card for my travels. One question tho, before I struggle my way through trying to talk to someone from Citibank, can you have 2 cards linked to one account? Just in case I misplace the primary card?
    Thank you!

  • based on 11/04/2017 - 12:52
    +2

    Activate the app to generate otp before you head OS. Pretty much everything you do in the app needs one and if you don't do this and can't receive SMS while OS you're stuck.

    I called them up and got into an automated loop of 'you need a phone banking pin to change your otp' followed by 'you need an otp to set your phone banking pin'

    After hanging up on me on my first few attempts the system gave up and put me through to an operator who sorted it out quickly

  • Ozbargainlyf on 11/04/2017 - 14:18
    +2

    they nearly stuffed our travel plans. Had cash ready to go in the account for our trip in Paris and our card got blocked. We had made one uber payment up till that point. It explicitly says you dont need to let them know you're heading overseas. Not happy with these arseholes

    • kiitos on 12/04/2017 - 13:31

      I was pretty sure they encouraged you to inform them of os travel, I rang them and they said it's good to do that so they don't block it.

      • Ozbargainlyf on 13/04/2017 - 14:23

        i looked into it and on their website they said it wasnt necessary

        https://www.citibank.com.au/aus/banking/travelling-overseas.…

        • kiitos on 13/04/2017 - 21:46

          That's interesting, different to what the guy said on the phone. He noted that we were traveling to Japan and the dates, and said we wouldn't be blocked. If I had followed the above of the page you posted, no doubt it would have been blocked as we didn't have a Travel or Japanese sim.

    • peterpeterpumpkin on 16/04/2017 - 17:08

      Yeah they said the same thing to me a while ago over the phone but said it's good to let them know the exact dates and locations anyway…? I just hope it reduces the chances of "automatic" rejection.

  • KitchenSink on 11/04/2017 - 15:23
    +2

    For any overseas tips with the Citibank card. I've used it and it comes in handy to know which ATMs overseas charge and dont charge for using the Citibank debit card or any other travel card

    https://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/citibank_plus_transaction_acco…

  • bluedufflecoat on 15/04/2017 - 14:16
    +1

    Ok… So the account is open but I haven't received the card yet… Fingers crossed.

    • victorwilson on 28/04/2017 - 18:48

      Did Citibank eventually send you your card?

      • bluedufflecoat on 28/04/2017 - 22:05
        +1

        Yes. Account opened and I put a dollar in the other day.

        Card received too.

  • Peck on 28/04/2017 - 19:29

    Hi Y'all. Just drawing your attention to my post re: 'Citibank Change to 6 Digit PIN In Thailand'
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/303535

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