Question
Do the miles driven have to be matched with dollars spent. There has to be a catch. Citibank isn't going to pay you for driving around when you don't use your drivers edge card.
Answer
I do not that your points expire if you don't use the card for 12 months. But the acquisition T&C's don't say anything about needing to match driving points with purchase points....
"Earn up to $1,000 in rebates during any 12 consecutive months, starting from the date you become a Citi Driver's Edge Options Platinum Select cardmember. Rebates are not earned on returned purchases, cash advances, convenience checks, transferred balances from other accounts, fraudulent/unauthorized transactions, credits, fees and finance charges. The maximum rebates you can redeem on any vehicle you purchase or lease is $5,000, and the minimum is $25. Rebates will automatically expire if you do not make a transaction on your Driver's Edge account (such as a purchase, balance transfer, or cash advance) for 12 consecutive months, or if you do not redeem your rebates within five years from the date the rebates are earned. To be eligible to earn and redeem rebates, your Driver's Edge Options account must be open and current and must not be in default. Citibank may revise or terminate the Driver's Edge Options Rebate Program at any time with 30 days prior written notice.
Complete details regarding the Citi Driver's Edge Options Rebates Program will be included in the Directory of Services you will receive if you are approved for a card. "
FOr comparison, on PremierPass they call the Flight Points by a different name than Purchase Points. They do not make this distinction for Driver's Edge. Just my interpretation
Answer
I should utilize this option on my account. Although I end up maxing out the annual benefit just with my daily spend in about 3-4 months. Therefore, the work of filling out the form and sending it in is just not worth it to me. Though, it is certainly beneficial to others, I am sure.
P.S. I am one of the charter member of this card, though recent new versions of the physical card do not reflect this.
Answer
Do the miles driven have to be matched with dollars spent. There has to be a catch. Citibank isn't going to pay you for driving around when you don't use your drivers edge card.
Yes, they have to be "matched".
Here's the language from the Terms & Conditions:
"Drive Rebates may only be redeemed when you redeem an equal or greater number of Options Rebates."
Here's an URL to the Terms & Conditions: https://www.accountonline.com/ACQ/DisplayTerms?sc=4TZZ52H60000000000W&app=UNSOL&siteId=cb&langId=en&BUS_TYP_CD=consumer&DOWNSELL_LEVEL=0&BALCON_SC=&B=M&DOWNSELL_BRANDS=