Hey there! Are you looking to pay your Citibank credit card bill using BDO? You've come to the right place! While Citibank Philippines' consumer business has been acquired by Union Bank of the Philippines (UnionBank), you can still pay your Citibank credit card bills using BDO. The key is to know which biller to select. Let's dive into a comprehensive guide to ensure your payment goes through smoothly.
Paying Your Citibank Credit Card via BDO: A Step-by-Step Guide
The most convenient way to pay your Citibank credit card via BDO is through their online banking platform or the BDO Pay app. This saves you time and the hassle of physically visiting a branch.
Step 1: Ensure You're Set Up for BDO Online Banking or BDO Pay App!
- Are you already a BDO Online Banking user or do you have the BDO Pay app? If yes, great! You can proceed to Step 2.
- If not, you'll need to get yourself set up. This is crucial as it's the gateway to convenient bill payments.
- For BDO Online Banking: Visit the BDO website and look for the "Sign Up" or "Enroll" option for online banking. You'll typically need your BDO account number and some personal details.
- For BDO Pay App: Download the BDO Pay app from Google Play, Apple App Store, or Huawei AppGallery. You can sign up using your BDO account or credit card. Remember, if you have a BDO account but no online banking yet, you'll need to enroll your BDO account in online banking first before fully utilizing BDO Pay for all features.
Step 2: Logging In – Your Digital Access Point
Once you have your BDO Online Banking credentials or the BDO Pay app ready:
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For BDO Online Banking (Website):
- Open your web browser and go to the official BDO Unibank website.
- Look for the "Online Banking Login" section, usually prominent on the homepage.
- Enter your username and password.
- Complete any security verification, such as a One-Time PIN (OTP) sent to your registered mobile number or email.
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For BDO Pay App:
- Open the BDO Pay app on your smartphone.
- Enter your BDO Online username and password (they are usually the same for both platforms if linked).
- You might be prompted for biometric authentication (fingerprint or face ID) or your 6-digit Passkey for quicker and more secure login.
Step 3: Navigating to the Bills Payment Section
Once logged in, you need to find the "Pay Bills" or "Bills Payment" option. The exact wording might vary slightly depending on updates to the BDO platform, but it's generally easy to spot.
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On BDO Online Banking (Website):
- Look for a menu item like "Payments & Transfers" or simply "Pay Bills" on the main dashboard or navigation bar.
- Click on it to proceed.
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On BDO Pay App:
- You'll often see a "Pay Bills" icon directly on the quick links section of the home screen.
- Alternatively, you can go to the "Pay & Request" menu and select "Pay Bills."
Step 4: Selecting the Biller – This is Key!
Here's the most important part, especially after the Citibank acquisition by UnionBank. You will no longer search for "Citibank Credit Card" as a biller.
- The Biller You Need to Select is "UNIONBANK".
- In the biller list, or using the search function, type "UnionBank" or look for "UnionBank of the Philippines."
- Select the appropriate UnionBank biller that corresponds to Credit Card payments. It might appear as "UnionBank Credit Card" or something similar.
Step 5: Entering Your Billing Details
After selecting UnionBank as the biller, you'll be prompted to enter your payment details.
- Reference Number: This is where you will input your Citibank Credit Card Number. Yes, even though you selected UnionBank, you will still use your existing Citibank credit card number as the reference.
- Account Name: Enter the name of the credit card holder exactly as it appears on your Citibank credit card.
- Amount to Pay: Enter the exact amount you wish to pay. This could be your statement balance, minimum due, or any amount in between. Double-check this figure carefully!
- Source Account: Select the BDO account (e.g., Savings, Checking) from which you want the payment to be deducted. Ensure you have sufficient funds.
Step 6: Reviewing and Confirming Your Payment
Before finalizing the transaction, a summary of your payment will be displayed.
- Carefully review all the details:
- Biller Name: Should be UnionBank.
- Reference Number: Your Citibank Credit Card Number.
- Account Name: Your name as on the card.
- Amount: The payment amount.
- Source Account: Your chosen BDO account.
- If everything is correct, proceed to confirm the transaction. You'll likely need to:
- Enter an OTP sent to your registered mobile number.
- Use your biometrics (fingerprint/face ID) or Passkey if using the BDO Pay app.
Step 7: Confirmation and Record Keeping
Once your payment is successful, you will receive a confirmation.
- You should get an in-app transaction receipt and/or an email confirmation from BDO.
- It's highly recommended to take a screenshot of the successful transaction page or save the confirmation email for your records. This serves as proof of payment.
- Posting Time: Payments usually reflect on your Citibank (now UnionBank) credit card account within 1 to 3 banking days. While the BDO platform confirms your payment instantly, the actual posting to your credit card account takes a little time for interbank processing.
Important Considerations:
- Migration Period: While the migration of Citibank's consumer business to UnionBank is complete, there might still be minor transitional issues or updates. Always refer to official announcements from both BDO and UnionBank/Citibank if you encounter any problems.
- Favorite Billers: Once your first payment is successful, you can often save UnionBank as a "Favorite Biller" within your BDO Online Banking or BDO Pay app. This will make future payments even quicker by pre-filling some details.
- No Enrollment Needed: For BDO Pay, you generally do not need to pre-enroll billers. You can simply enter the billing details and pay.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 related FAQs to help you further:
How to check if my BDO online banking is active?
You can check by trying to log in to the BDO Online Banking website or the BDO Pay app with your registered username and password. If you can log in and access your accounts, it's active.
How to enroll my Citibank credit card as a biller on BDO?
While you don't typically "enroll" Citibank specifically, you will select "UnionBank" as the biller. Your Citibank credit card number serves as the reference number for the payment.
How to find my Citibank credit card number for payment?
Your 16-digit Citibank credit card number can be found on the front of your physical credit card or by logging into your Citibank Online account or the UnionBank Online app (if your account has migrated).
How to ensure my payment is posted to the correct Citibank account?
Always double-check that you entered your correct and complete 16-digit Citibank credit card number as the reference number when making the payment via BDO. This is crucial for proper posting.
How to resolve a payment that hasn't reflected on my Citibank statement?
If your payment hasn't reflected after 3 banking days, first check your BDO transaction history for confirmation. If confirmed, contact UnionBank's customer service with your BDO transaction reference number and the payment date/amount.
How to set up an auto-debit arrangement for my Citibank credit card via BDO?
Direct auto-debit from BDO for Citibank credit cards is generally not available. You would typically set up an auto-debit directly with Citibank (now UnionBank) from your linked UnionBank account, or initiate manual payments via BDO.
How to pay my Citibank credit card if I only have a BDO ATM card?
You can still use BDO Online Banking or the BDO Pay app by linking your BDO ATM card/account. Alternatively, you can make over-the-counter payments at BDO branches by providing your Citibank credit card number, though online payment is more convenient.
How to get a payment confirmation for my Citibank credit card bill paid via BDO?
BDO provides an in-app transaction receipt and/or an email confirmation upon successful payment. Keep these for your records.
How to avoid late payment fees when paying Citibank via BDO?
Ensure you initiate your payment at least 2-3 banking days before your Citibank credit card's due date to allow sufficient time for interbank processing and posting. Weekends and holidays do not count as banking days.
How to find out my Citibank credit card's outstanding balance before paying?
You can find your outstanding balance by logging into your Citibank Online account or the UnionBank Online app, or by checking your latest credit card statement.
