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November 7, 2008 8:03 AM PT

Citi Platinum Select MasterCard Review



The Citi Platinum Select MasterCard provides the exclusivity of a platinum card with a few great benefits. One of the most significant benefits of the Platinum Select card is that it offers 0% Annual Percentage Rate (APR) on any transfers and purchases for the first 12 months. If you have other high rate cards or need to make a large purchase, you can do it with this card at the 0% APR to save money and future interest charges. After the first year, the APR becomes variable but could be as low as 8.49% depending on your credit. In addition, you can get the Platinum Select card with no annual fee.

The Platinum Select MasterCard offers a variety of perks in addition to the APR and no annual fee. When you’re approved, you’ll be enrolled in the “Extra Cash” program, which gives you 10% rewards for purchases. The rewards are good for discounts on travel, entertainment, and merchandise. Your initial 0% purchase or balance transfer will also begin earning rewards right away.

If you travel heavily for pleasure or business, this card also offers benefits that can be extremely useful. When you charge your tickets on the card, you automatically receive one million dollars in travel insurance. Additionally, car rentals charged to the card provide you with insurance even if you decline the insurance offered by the car rental company. Be sure to rent through Hertz, as the company provides discounts to Platinum Select cardholders. Card members have access to travel assistance programs such as medical and legal referrals, lost luggage help, and even translation services.

Security is an important issue to any credit user today, and the Citi Platinum Select MasterCard offers important security features. First, you’ll have zero liability for unauthorized charges. Some card companies will hold you liable for a certain amount of fraudulent charges in case your card is lost or stolen. You won’t have to worry about that with this card. You’ll also receive 90 days of retail purchase protection, which means that your purchases of major retail items are protected against breakdown or malfunction for the first 90 days. Another security feature for this card is Citi’s virtual account number program, which allows you to obtain an alternate account number for each online or phone purchase you make. With this program, you don’t have to worry about giving your real card number out on the Internet or over the phone. You can also obtain a photo card for this account, which displays your photo directly on the card – a sure deterrent for theft or loss.

Citi offers its Pay Pass program to Platinum Select cardholders, which gives you the ability to wave your “mini-card” over a Pay Pass reader for purchases under $25. This means no worries about slowing down to sign receipts.

If you are a frequent traveler the insurance and assistance benefits offer added security when you are out of town or out of the country. Best of all, if you are looking for a way to lower your interest costs, the extended 0% APR is a fantastic benefit. If you have good credit and need a basic card with numerous built-in perks, consider the Citi Platinum Select MasterCard.

Write to Chris Anderson at chris@creditdonkey.com

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Citi Platinum Select MasterCard
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Citi Platinum Select MasterCard

  • Extra Cash from Citi - a free benefit that gives you access to discounts online
Intro Purchase APRIntro Balance Transfer APRAPR as low asAnnual Fee
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7.99%
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