Citi Facebook app allows friends to pool rewards points
Editor’s Note: Thank you for your interest, this offer expired and is no longer available.
On Jan. 3, Citi unveiled a new program, the first of its kind, that’s designed to allow those with the bank’s rewards credit cards to pool their points through Facebook. The innovation allows groups of Facebook friends to agree a goal, and then contribute Citi ThankYou rewards points that can be redeemed to achieve it.
Rewards credit cards making a difference
The most obvious use for this is probably charitable giving. You can imagine like-minded friends choosing to support their favorite causes, both over a period, and during times of domestic or foreign disaster.
However, Citi says that it offers “millions” of rewards, including travel and electronics. So you could see a band of your pals using the app for organizing a vacation or weekend break together, buying a wedding, graduation, retirement or anniversary gift for a mutual friend or relation, or just getting something you all could use together. You can show what they’d like to receive on their personal ThankYou Wishlist, which could be really useful for wedding, Christmas and birthday gifts.
To celebrate the launch of its innovation, Citi is giving away up to 10 million rewards points between now and 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 3, 2012. If you’re one of the first 4,000 ThankYou members to link the app to your personal Facebook page, you stand to receive 2,500 bonus points.
The mechanics
In order to participate, you must have an eligible Citibank checking account or one of the bank’s rewards credit cards. These include the Citi ThankYou® Preferred Card, and the Citi Forward Card. If you have another Citi-branded card, check to see if it’s eligible. You must also have enrolled with the ThankYou Rewards program, which you can do at the ThankYou.com website.
Next, visit the Citibank Facebook page, and click on the “TY Point Sharing” tab, toward the top-left. Follow the on-screen instructions to link the app to your page. You’ll need to enter your ThankYou user name and password during this process. You’re then set to:
- Start a pool of points and establish a goal.
- Invite as many or as few of your Facebook friends as you like to contribute points.
- Track how contributions are going.
- Contribute to others’ pools.
Credit card companies and social networking
Ralph Andretta, head of co brands and loyalty at Citi Cards, commented in a press release:
Citi is constantly listening to our clients as part of our commitment to deliver rewarding experiences that fit into their increasingly digital world. This new app is a first in the marketplace and a fun, flexible way to share ThankYou points – as well as rewarding experiences – with friends and family.
Many credit card companies are currently exploring ways to build customer loyalty and satisfaction through the use of social media. So far, this initiative is one of the most creative, but you can expect many more over the coming months and years. In the meantime, why not see if you can get those 2,500 bonus points?
Disclaimer:The information in this article is believed to be accurate as of the date it was written. Please keep in mind that credit card offers change frequently. Therefore, we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information in this article. Reasonable efforts are made to maintain accurate information. See the online credit card application for full terms and conditions on offers and rewards. Please verify all terms and conditions of any credit card prior to applying.
This content is not provided by any company mentioned in this article. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed here are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any such company. CardRatings.com does not review every company or every offer available on the market.
Published