How to avoid Citi maintenance fee?

Eliminate Citi Maintenance Fees: A Comprehensive Guide

Citibank imposes monthly maintenance fees on certain accounts, which can be a drain on your finances. However, there are several strategies to avoid these charges and keep your hard-earned money in your pocket.

Maintain Minimum Enhanced Direct Deposits:

The most straightforward way to waive Citi maintenance fees is to maintain a minimum of $250 in Enhanced Direct Deposits each month. Enhanced Direct Deposits include:

• Salary or paycheck payments
• Government benefit payments (e.g., Social Security, Veterans Affairs)
• Pension or annuity payments

Simply setting up automatic direct deposits from a qualifying source will trigger the fee waiver.

Become a Citi Priority or Citigold Member:

Citi Priority and Citigold are premium account tiers that offer exclusive benefits, including waived maintenance fees. To qualify for Citi Priority, you need to maintain an average monthly balance of $50,000 or make a combined $150,000 in Citi deposits and purchases each year.

For Citigold, the average monthly balance requirement is $200,000 or combined deposits and purchases of $500,000 per year.

Other Options:

If you don't qualify for Enhanced Direct Deposits or premium account tiers, there are a few other options to consider:

• Keep a High Balance: Maintaining an average daily balance of $600 or more can waive the maintenance fee.
• Maintain Debit Card Purchases: Making at least $1,000 in debit card purchases each month will trigger a fee waiver.
• Use a College Checking Account: If you're a student, you may be eligible for a College Checking Account, which offers waived maintenance fees until you turn 24.

Conclusion:

Avoiding Citi maintenance fees is possible with a little planning and strategy. By maintaining Enhanced Direct Deposits, qualifying for premium account tiers, or utilizing alternative methods, you can keep your finances in check and save money in the long run. Remember to regularly review your account statements to ensure that you're meeting the requirements for fee waivers.