Question
New member pardon the lack of education on this product.
Can someone please fill me in on the current status of this card (no longer on Citi's website) as well as the annual fee ($395?) and steps to aquisition.
P.S.
Any insight to the posts on v2 and v3 Chairman cards would also be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
Answer
The card is currently not available. It is expected to be reintroduced this year with tougher membership requirements, a higher fee, and "better" benefits. There is a thread in this forum for speculation on V2 and V3.
Answer
Welcome to Flyertalk.
Now a few things to keep you from getting jumped on and ignored to help you out. Do a search on any topic and read existing information before starting a new thread. You can start by reading these threads:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=429495
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=615342
http://flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=649341
After reading the above, I really doubt that you will have any questions as every piece of information is included. As for you getting a Chairman Card, FORGET IT. It is no longer offered and when it is reintroduced later this year, you will have to be a current chairman cardholder to get it and then later on you would have to be a high volume smith barney client. You'll have more luck getting a Centurion. :D
Answer
"high volume" meaning what exactly?
Personal puts me >175MM, Fam >>300MM, my company (with venture cap, etc...) ~350MM [in SB/Citi Private]
Edit --
Nonetheless, I do NOT think that I will be prompted soon. My FA has called on my behalf to the AMEX version and NO RESPONSE has been given, whatsoever...
Answer
As for you getting a Chairman Card, FORGET IT. It is no longer offered and when it is reintroduced later this year, you will have to be a current chairman cardholder to get it and then later on you would have to be a high volume smith barney client. You'll have more luck getting a Centurion. :D
When Citibank first launched the Chairman Card almost 3 years ago it was for "Smith Barney High Networth Clients and Citigroup Private Bank balance quified customers". That policy lasted exactly 1 year because they gave the card pretty much to all Smith Barney clients with $500K+ and all Private Bank clients fee free first year. Then after first year when mass amount of clients canceled the card they opened the applications to anyone on this card. Citigroup only sucess on this card has been with mass market as most SB and PB customers canceled there cards once the annual fee renewal come up. I am willing to bet Citigroup has a repeat of the above sitution again. For the following reason:
1. In general wealth people do not fly coach nor do they want to start. And even by your own admission Citigroup has not made changes to the program to allow miles to be redemed directly into FF programs nor have you said they are willing to match FF awards structures.
2. Unless they get programs like Amex Centurion no way they going to compete ie Fine Hotel and Resorts(upgrades at time of booking), Cruise Shipboard credits ($2-3K depending on the cruise line), upgrades at the time of booking car rentals etc. I pay for my Centurion only because I get more benfits from them than the card cost me. Most wealthly people who are not nevo rich people are not stupid and do not piss away money or need or want a status card to impress waiters and sales person.
I am sure I missed a lot of others things. 99% of the benfits you listed the new card has are geared to people who dont get access to travel lounges for free based on class of travel. Are interested in redeming either over priced business class awards or cheap coach awards. Chairman hotels partners are lower end hotels in general which are more geared to towards the middle class and lower upper class. Alot of the benfits are geared towards frequent flyers who in general are not "Super Wealthy". And finally Citigroup does not have the "Pop culture Nuvo rich" following like Amex has for the last 20 years.
Answer
You are correct at some point, some day invitations will flow to others but not this year. Let us let this thread die as it is mis leading and would make someone think there is a link to an application here. We already have a thread on v2, let us continue to use that one. That is my opinion and yours may differ.
Answer
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