Breaking Free From Credit Cards

It’s rather startling, below are the number of credit cards that I owned so far. Not a complete set as 2 cards that I closed before, I have to return it back to the bank.

This is the very first credit card that I own. Yes. November 2001. The second month after I have been confirmed with my first job. I feel like adult that time, getting my very first credit card to use, not knowing the trap I’m heading to.

I pretty much able to close my other credit card, but the Citibank one is very hard to escape. They’ll do everything to keep. It’s all started with a single Citibank Clear credit card with the credit limit of RM3000. If you use this card to the max, 5% x RM3000 = RM150 – that’s what you expect to play monthly. Without me knowing, my credit limit is suddenly increased to RM5000 after a year. Young at heart, my spending on the credit card is always towards the card’s limit.

Then out of the blue, I got a call from Citibank salesperson, offering my Air Asia Credit Card. The soul of man is easily influenced, and I accepted the offer. I got RM4000 credit limit on this card, making the total credit limit from the both cards is RM9000 now. Month after month, and year after year, I got a Gold Citibank credit card in the mailbox. To activate the card (with the credit limit of RM10,000), I just need to call a single phone number.

I won’t fall for this again, and I just ignore the card. And guess what happened after that. With me knowing, the credit limit that I got from my clear credit card and Air Asia credit card is combined, and they raise the combined credit limit again. It’s like I accept the offer of gold credit card earlier. If I don’t do something, I will be trapped in this forever.

And finally, I have cleared out all the outstanding balance for my Citibank credit cards, and it’s just the time to call the customer service and terminate those before I start spending again on it.

During the call, I’ve been told that the card closing can be done by Citibank officer, of which the person will call me in 2 to 3 days time. But expect to receive a call from someone that is very good at persuading you to keep the card.

I’ve never feel privilege in the years that I’m using this card. The collection department will call and nag you every time you are late for the payment. And despite the nagging, RM25 late fee will be charge in the next bill cycle. But once you tell them that you want to close the card, suddenly, all sorts of good things come.

The officer told me that my card is free until November 2011. Since when that my card is free. I have to pay annual fee every single year. And the office also tell me, I’m eligible for cash reward. If I keep this card for 1 more month, I will get RM50 cash reward. Since I have 3 cards, that’s RM150. Hah. They are very good at this. But enough is enough. I still firm with my decision to close the card, even the officer is some sort of forcing you to stay. And for once in so many years, I have an ease of mind.