Starting in November, my Citi AA Executive Mastercard has had payments issued via paper check from my bank. I've searched around and it looks like this is a general problem, where Citi isn't accepting electronic payments.
A real problem is that this month, they haven't processed my check, and they charged me interest on the account. I got the charges waived, but I am wondering how many other people are dealing with this. I'm sure that I'm not special here. Has anyone else been charged interest by Citi the past few months even though you made payment in full well in advance of your payment due date?
UPDATE:
After speaking with an account manager about the returned check fee that was applied on the 24th but posted on the 2nd (that'll get waived when my statement closes but not before), I learned that this issue is not expected to be resolved for "at least a couple of months." A memo has gone out to account managers detailing the problem, so Citi is aware, but there has been no proactive communication out to customers.
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If you have a Citi credit card and have set up a Virtual Account Number (a credit card number that shields your actual credit card number), be aware that Citi changed the whole process on August 24, 2025 and any VANs created before then are no longer active and will be denied. So if you have set up a VAN to pay your cell phone bill? Denied. Monthly prescriptions? Denied. Rent? Oh, so denied and here is a $50 charge because it was denied. (ymmv)
Citibank did not send out any communication about it, except to bury three sentences at the very end of your last statement between the copyright notice and to pay through text message. And a small banner at the top of the VAN Dashboard.
u/AnonHere2973 started an excellent thread over in r/CreditCards. Check it out for all the details, and rants about how bad an experience this is for everyone:
Recent CitiCard changes to their VAN (Virtual Account Number) program : r/CreditCards
(edited for formatting)
I was convinced by the 2 posts saying Citi bank customer service is better now.
I was convinced by AA(my most flown airline) being a transfer partner.
I was convinced by 80,000 TYP Sub.
It has been a struggle to use this card to pay for anything. I did not travel with this card, I made a local purchase near me with the physical card to "season" it but every time I try to do anything online this card stops me from paying.
Tried to use citi travel - declined.
Called them, they said it should be fixed
Tried again - declined
Tried to use ticketmaster - declined
Used card on paypal to get around this
Tried to use card on AA - declined
Called them. Talked to fraud early warning and they "cleared" account. Still on this call ~ has been about 45 minutes so far
Tried AA again while on the phone with them - declined again
This is my first mastercard and first citi card and I'm beyond frustrated. Do not get this shit.
FINAL EDIT: They just said call the merchant and make the purchase over the phone. Do not use this card online. What the fuck - this can't be real!