Less Than Three Months to Maximize Your Citi Prestige Benefits
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Last July, Citi announced some major changes to one of our favorite cards, the Citi Prestige. The changes include modifications to card's signature benefit, 4th Night free. Thankfully, this perk isn't going away completely — like some of the other benefits. But, there are actions you can take now to get the most out of the card, both before and after the change.
Date of change: July 23. This is the date to note on your calendar. On this date, four significant benefits are either being modified or removed entirely. Let's look at what's changing:
Changes to 4th Night Free
Current benefit: If you book at least a four-night stay at a qualifying property — now including hostels — through the Citi Concierge, you'll get a statement credit for the cost of the fourth night. This statement credit includes the taxes on the fourth night.
New benefit: Instead of getting a statement credit for the cost of the fourth night, you'll get a statement credit for the average nightly rate. The new benefit doesn't include a credit for taxes.
What to do now: As the changes affect reservations made on or after July 23, book future hotel stays before July 23. That is, unless the fourth night is much cheaper. Check the hotel rates by night. If the fourth night is around the average cost for the stay or more expensive than average, you definitely want to book now. If the fourth night is cheaper than average, you'll want to do some math to see if it'll be better to get the fourth night free (including taxes) or the average nightly rate (not including taxes).
Eliminations of Admirals Club Access
Current benefit: If you're flying on American Airlines and have the Citi Prestige, you get access to the Admirals Club. And, you can bring your immediate family or two unrelated guests into the lounge with you. The rules state that the guests must be traveling with the cardholder on the same itinerary. However, I have found that this is not uniformly enforced.
What to do now: Relish the benefit until July 23. Unlike other changes, there isn't anything that you can do now to maximize this benefit after this date. In July, you can get the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard to continue to be able to use the Admirals Club.
Lower Rate for Airfare Redemptions
Current benefit: Redeem ThankYou Points for 1.6 cents per point toward American Airlines flights or 1.33 cents per point toward other airfare booked through the Citi travel portal.
New benefit: Flat 1.25 cents per point toward all airfare redemptions.
What to do now: Book upcoming American Airlines travel. For those of us who are American Airlines loyalists, this is a big blow. I was recently able to book a trip on AA to Europe for just 24,091 ThankYou Points. Thanks to the Special Fares chart and my Executive Platinum status, I'll earn 13,245 AAdvantage miles; 12,041 EQMs and 1,204 EQDs from this redemption. I'd still get these earnings if I had made the same booking after July 23, but I'd have to pay 28% more TYP for the ticket.
The impact isn't as bad for other airlines (6.4%), but it's still worth booking any trips you know you'll be taking after July 23 before this change goes into effect.
Elimination of the Free Golf Benefit
Current benefit: Three free rounds of golf per calendar year.
What to do now: Book your golf rounds now. Any reservations made before July 23 will be honored by Citi. Note that only one round can be active at a time. So, you're only going to be able to use one of these after July 23.
Remaining Citi Prestige Benefits
- $250 airfare credit per calendar year. If you pay for at least $250 in airfare a year, you're effectively dropping the annual fee to $200 per year.
- 3x ThankYou Points per dollar spent on airfare and hotels. Although, this isn't as great now that the Chase Sapphire Reserve earns 3x on all travel purchases.
- 2 ThankYou Points per dollar spend on dining, restaurants and entertainment. Again, the Chase Sapphire Reserve has the Citi Prestige beat on this.
- Priority Pass Select membership — which includes up to two free guests
- Transferable points: You'll still be able to get plenty of value out of your ThankYou points by transferring them to one of 15 transfer partners (13 airlines, 1 hotel, 1 retail).
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit (up to $100 every five years)
Bottom Line
The Citi Prestige is getting a lot less valuable for those who golf, fly American Airlines and have expensive fourth-night stays. However, it's not the end of the line for this card; it's still a valuable pick for many frequent travelers.
If you plan on canceling, be aware that any ThankYou Points earned through the Citi Prestige will expire 60 days after you close your account — even if you have another ThankYou Points-earning card. So, make sure to spend your points down before canceling. Also, be aware that Citi has been offering a retention offer of 4x additional ThankYou Points (meaning 7x total) on airfare, hotels, car rentals and travel agencies — up to 35,000 additional points. So, that might affect your decision.
Are you keeping the Citi Prestige despite these changes?
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| 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. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
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.
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. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
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.