Citibank Credit Card EMI

1. Deferred Payment - One might find it difficult to pay their credit card bills in full. They might even want to make expensive purchases. In such instances, they can convert their purchases into EMI and pay them off gradually throughout the credit period.

2. Reduced upfront Financial Strain - Since customers pay off the amount over an extended period, the financial burden is reduced to a large extent. This is beneficial for salaried individuals or even others wanting to purchase an item without straining their monthly budgets.

3. No-cost EMI - This is the best option when one applies for EMI conversion. This option involves providing credit to customers without charging an interest rate or processing fees.

Disadvantages of Citibank Credit Card EMI conversion

1. Interest Accrual - The EMI conversion facility is however not free, as the cardholders are charged interest. The Citibank Credit Card EMI interest can be around 1.5% (Monthly Reducing Balance) for post-purchase EMIs or 14% for Merchant EMIs.

2. Blocked Credit Limit - When customers utilize the credit limit the amount is blocked against the total available credit limit. The limit is released only when the amount is paid. The unlocked limit is equal to the EMI paid every month.

3. Increased Credit Utilization - Since a part of the credit limit is blocked, the available credit limit is reduced and thus, customers who continue to use their cards similarly will use most of their credit limit. This will lead to an increase in their Credit Utilization Ratio, which reduces their credit score

Credit Utilization is the ratio between the total credit limit and utilization.

Points to Remember about Citi Credit Card EMI conversion

• Tenure - Banks generally offer a low-interest rate on EMIs with longer tenures. This makes them look attractive, especially when compared to short loan tenures with higher interest rates. However, this is not true as the cardholder ends up paying more interest with the longer tenure option.
• Credit Card - All Credit Cards do not charge the same interest on EMI conversion. At times even cards from the same bank charge different rates of interest. Customers must thus compare interest rates before applying.
• Lost Benefits - Another important consideration is that the customer might not earn reward points or discounts for merchant EMI conversion. If the benefits offered are significant then customers should save for the purchase.
• Timely Payments - Customers are also required to ensure that they are capable of making timely payments every month to avoid credit card bill overruns. The reasons for the same are:
• Lost Interest-free period - The interest-free period offered during the EMI payments period is lost if the customer misses a payment.
• Credit Card Interest rate - Citibank's credit card interest rate will come into effect when the outstanding amount is not cleared. The interest rate is about 42% p.a. This may lead to an insurmountable interest burden for the customer.
• Credit Score - Any default or missed payment lowers the credit score.

CitiBank Credit Card Facility

• Citi PayLite - It facilitates the conversion of their transactions into EMIs. Eligible purchases must exceed Rs. 2500/- and must be converted before the due date for payment.
• Citi FlexiBill - It allows users to convert their outstanding amount into monthly payments. The outstanding amount should exceed Rs. 2500/-.

Ways to opt for Citibank Credit Card EMI Conversion

There are two ways through which customers can apply for EMI Conversion

Merchant EMI Conversion

Post-purchase EMI Conversion

Netbanking

• Login into CitiBank Internet Banking
• Go to Accounts
• Select My Credit Cards
• Select the option Convert to EMI
• Select the statement type from current/unbilled
• Select the transactions to be converted.
• Enter the EMI details

Mobile Application

• Login to CitiBank NetBanking Account
• Tap on Credit Cards
• Click on Convert to EMI
• Select the transactions through Statement/ Unbilled Transactions.
• Enter EMI details
• Agree to the Terms and Conditions
• Validate the transaction.

Customer Care/ Phone Banking

SMS

• The cardholders are required to send an SMS to 52484/9880752484 to avail of various service requests
• Citibank Credit Card EMI calculator, processing charges, can be used to determine the exact amount of EMI to speed up the process.
• Upon confirmation of the request, the bank will proceed with your application.

Are there any Foreclosure Charges for prepayment

Are any Tenure options provided on EMI Conversions?

For Normal EMI tenures- 6, 9, 12, 18 , 24 months.

Also, an additional condition for the above amounts over Rs. 30,000 can be converted into 18 & 24 months EMIs only.

Considerations while Applying CitiBank’s EMI Conversion on Credit Card

• The Conversion option is not available for purchases involving gold, and jewelry and also for cash withdrawals, balance transfers, and card fees.
• Once the convert to EMI option is availed, any reward points on the card will be reversed.
• The cardholders cannot close their cards during the EMI tenure.
• Any requests by add-on cardholders will be billed to the primary cardholder.
• Corporate credit cards are ineligible for EMI conversion
• Foreclosure and cancellation charges are applicable if the user wants to foreclose or cancel the EMI facility before the end of the tenure.

Factors to keep in mind for an optimal choice for EMI Conversion

Conversion of outstanding credit card bill

They can repay the unpayable portion of credit card bills in smaller tranches through EMIs

Conversion of select transactions

This option facilitates users to convert beyond a specified predefined threshold amount set by the card issuers into EMI. Exercising this option can be beneficial to users who wish to convert only specified card transactions into EMIs.

Credit Card balance transfer on EMI

FAQs of Citibank Credit Card EMI