I've no issue clearing the balance. Usually we as the credit card holders will use cancellation as a leverage to seek for the waiver, hence I asked to be transferred to the cancellation department as they would have the authority for such waiver. I just want to get the waiver done ASAP. Holding me off by asking me to clear the balance first before they can actually transfer me to someone with the authority to waive my annual membership fees is a hassle, I would need to wait for another working day for them to record the payment.

I've called in yesterday around 5.50pm, that customer service officer understand my situation and directly patch me through but unfortunately they don't work 24 hours. Hence, they arranged for a callback within two working days.

I wouldn't want to wait and called in again today and encounter the "no waiver" customer service officer.

Anyways, I trust in Citibank and I've called in again just now. The customer service officer said he need to transfer me to another colleague for the waiver. I was patched through and the officer did the waiver for me, no hassle.

Sometimes you just need to call in again to get someone helpful.