Citi Clarifies Eligible 4th Night Free Properties, Adds Hostels
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The Citi Prestige 4th Night Free benefit is one of the best credit card perks around. Just for booking your stay through the Citi Concierge, you'll receive the cost of the fourth night of your stay back as a statement credit. For better or worse, in July this credit will change to be based on the average nightly cost and won't include a credit for taxes.
There are no limitations on how much value you can get from this benefit, either annually or per stay. TPG's own Zach Honig scored a $1,490 rebate from one stay. However, that pales in comparison to the $4,554 rebate one cardholder got from this benefit during 2016. Even better, Citi has slashed processing times on the statement credit.
That said, there are limitations on the fourth night free benefit. You do have to book your stay through the Citi Concierge and must pay with your Citi Prestige card. You can't get the credit on multiple rooms and can't get two credits for an eight night stay at the same hotel.
Also, the Citi Concierge must be able to book it, so properties that require the traveler to book directly may be excluded. But, that's not the only type of property that's not eligible. The terms and conditions list the following properties as being ineligible: yachts, riverboats, cruises, campgrounds, castles, safaris, villas, apartment rentals.
Previous Limitations
Unfortunately, the property limitations seem to have been expanding over the last few months. During my recent trip to Japan, Citi wouldn't book a stay at an onsen — noting that "spas" weren't eligible for the benefit. In Taiwan, our stay at the sleek new Houze Hostel was similarly denied as it had the word "hostel" in the name.
But, this week, the denials hit a new low. After the Citi Concierge helped us find a hotel in Miami — even noting in an email about the amount of the 4th Night Free benefit — the Concierge followed up to say that the hotel is a "privately owned property and does not qualify for the 4th night benefit."
So, we reached out to Citi for clarification on what types of hotels fall under the "privately owned property" category or are otherwise ineligible for the 4th Night Free benefit. Today, we heard back.
New Clarifications
This afternoon, I received a phone call from a manager from Citi Concierge. First, he apologized that the Miami hotel was denied "in error" and clarified that this is "definitely a covered property." He noted that the agent believed this hotel was a hostel and thus ineligible for the benefit.
It seems Citi and the Citi Concierge used this situation to clarify which properties are and aren't eligible. Starting today, all hostels will now be eligible for the fourth night benefit. Also, independent hotels — like the one we were trying to book — are explicitly included.
Going forward, the only types of properties that aren't eligible should be those listed in the terms and conditions ("yachts, riverboats, cruises, campgrounds, castles, safaris, villas, apartment rentals"). Even if the property type doesn't fall under this list, the fourth night benefit won't apply to timeshares and properties listed on Airbnb, HomeAway, FlipKey or similar owner-to-renter rentals.
We also received guidance for what to do if a cardholder has an issue with the Citi Concierge applying the 4th Night Free benefit to a particular stay. The cardholder should ask for the issue to be escalated to a manager, who can verify whether the stay is indeed eligible within the terms and conditions.
Bottom Line
While frustrated about past denials, we're pleased about Citi's prompt action to clarify which properties do and don't qualify for this benefit. Frugal travelers carrying a $450-annual-fee Citi Prestige — like me — can celebrate the new inclusion of hostels and independent hotels within the 4th Night Free program.
Have you had a 4th Night Free benefit denied by the Citi Concierge?
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
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Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.