Consumer complaint received 2019-06-13
Product: Credit card or prepaid card — General-purpose credit card or charge card
Issue: Advertising and marketing, including promotional offers — Didn't receive advertised or promotional terms
Company: CITIBANK, N.A. (GA)

Complaint:
In XX/XX/19, I was purchasing a ticket online from XXXX XXXX, then they offered me a Citibank credit card promotion. The promotion was " if you apply with us, you will get {$250.00} bonus in your first purchase ''. So, I applied to the card, but unfortunately my application didn't work, I received an error message, I tried to call the customer service ; it was almost midnight, they put me on hold for almost 45 mins, but then I hang up. In the next day, I applied again, and it works then I purchased the ticket.. Then I received a message from them saying that I will receive the physical credit card to my home address. After a week, I received two credit cards that looks the same, but with two different account numbers under my name. I contacted the costumer service, I asked them " why did I receive two cards that look the same? they said " It's because you applied twice, that's why you received two cards ''. I tried to explain to them that the first time I applied didn't work, and there was an error code, it didn't let my apply. They didn't believe me, and it was hard to approve it since I didn't take no screen shot or other evidence. Also, they told me that the bonus {$250.00} was on the first card, and the purchase that I made was on the second card. I told them to merge the card or transfer the balance to other card so I can get the {$250.00} bonus, they said no we can't!! 
At the end, I gave up. Then I went to their website and sign up. I added the second card that has ( my airline ticket purchase ) and it works fine, then when I went to link the other card, I couldn't. I received an error message says that the information is mismatch their records. I called the costumer service yesterday around XXXX on XX/XX/2019, they told me " Oh, it's because both cards under two different SSN, but they both under my name!!! '' So, they transferred me to a technical support, and the lady told me there was a technical issue, I told her my situation, she said okay give me a minute, then told me " don't worry I just updated your SSN on your first card '' I never authorized to her to do so, because that card I never applied for, also how come they approved something under my name that doesn't have my SSN?!!!!! I told her that, she said there's nothing I can do for you, I will transfer you to customer service specialist. At the end, they really didn't do anything, they said if you want, we could cancel the card and that's all!! 

In conclusion, why did they approve a card at the first time that doesn't have my SSN? secondly, I did not give them the an authorization to update my SSN on the first card that I never applied for!. Thirdly, they playing a game with me, they doing all this to avoid getting my {$250.00} thats they promoted to me at the first time. Finally, I read something all over the internet talking about their policy says '' Theres an additional restriction for business cards : You can only get one business card in a 95-day period. Here again, the rule is officially 90 days, but its best to wait 95. 

Wait 95 days before applying for a second business credit card Its important to note that business cards also apply to the 8/65 portion of the rule. Under no circumstances can you get two cards in eight days or three cards in 65 days, even if one of them is a business card.

In other words, dont apply for a new Citi card if any of these statements are true : 1. Youve been approved for any Citi card in the last eight days.

2. Youve been approved for any two Citi cards in the last 65 days.

3. Youre considering a Citi business card and youve been approved for a Citi business card in the last 95 days. " source https : //www.rewardexpert.com/blog/citi-credit-card-application-rules/. I tried to mention this to their costumer service, but they said it's not true. I'm wondering how did I get approve within 24 hours for two cards! according to this!

Thank you!!

Company public response: Company has responded to the consumer and the CFPB and chooses not to provide a public response
Company response to consumer: Closed with monetary relief