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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Reviews
Citi Prestige Card review: No longer available but potentially worth keeping
Chris was a reporter at The Points Guy, where he covered the intersection of credit card rewards and travel. At TPG, he wrote a broad array of stories ranging from in-depth features and reports to trending travel news as it related to loyalty, card benefits and consumer behavior.
Credit card writer Danyal Ahmed is an avid traveler, averaging about 100,000 aeronautical miles per year. He regularly applies that knowledge and his expertise in credit cards to his role as a credit card writer at TPG.
also contributed to this story
July 9, 2025 • 10 min read
MLADENBALINOVAC/GETTY IMAGES
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Editorial note:
Quick summary
A premium travel rewards card discussed is no longer open to new applicants but remains valuable for current holders due to strong earning rates and flexible travel credits.
Notable benefits include a fourth-night-free hotel perk (usable twice per year), annual travel credits, lounge access, and periodic statement credits for expedited airport security programs.
The card lacks travel protections and is only worth keeping if users maximize its benefits before the next fee posts.
A potential new premium travel card may launch in 2025, offering an alternative for those who missed this product.
What to consider
The fourth-night-free benefit requires booking through a specific travel portal and does not include taxes and fees; it is limited to two uses per calendar year.
Annual travel credits apply broadly to purchases coded as travel, but maximizing these credits is essential for offsetting the card's cost.
Bookings made through the required portal typically do not earn hotel loyalty points or elite benefits.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of premium travel cards and in-depth guidance on maximizing hotel and travel credits.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
Citi is a TPG advertising partner.
Citi Prestige Card overview
The Citi Prestige® Card is no longer open to new applicants, but its valuable earning rates and useful perks still make it an attractive travel rewards credit card for some existing cardholders. Card Rating*: ⭐⭐⭐
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
The Prestige is Citi’s most premium travel rewards credit card and stopped accepting applications in mid-2021. The card offers impressive earning rates and travel credits but lacks travel protections.
Cardholders who were approved had a credit score of 740 or higher. Although this card isn’t open to new applicants, current cardholders can continue to use and benefit from the card.
With a high $495 annual fee, this card is only worth keeping if you know you’ll take full advantage of its benefits before your next annual fee posts. So, let's dive in.
The information for the Citi Prestige has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Citi Prestige pros and cons
Pros
Cons
High earning rates
Annual travel credit
Fourth-night free awards
Priority Pass lounge membership
Not open to new applicants or product changes from existing Citi cards
Lacks travel protections
Citi Prestige welcome offer
The Citi Prestige isn’t currently available to new applicants. So, you can’t apply for this card and earn a welcome bonus.
THE POINTS GUY
However, you could apply for the Citi Prestige’s lower annual fee sibling, the (see rates and fees) and earn a welcome bonus after reaching a certain spending threshold.
Citi Prestige benefits
Despite lacking travel and shopping protections, there is still much to love about the card’s offerings.
The fourth-night-free benefit works like this: Citi will pay for the fourth night of your stay at virtually any hotel when you book through the Citi ThankYou travel portal. However, you can only use this benefit twice each calendar year. The fourth night free is based on your average nightly rate, excluding taxes and fees.
The Royal Suite living room at The Savory. SIMON JOHN OWEN/THE SAVORY HOTEL
Remember that because bookings must be made through the Citi ThankYou travel portal, you generally won’t earn hotel loyalty points or receive elite benefits. And be sure to compare prices with several other booking methods, as the fourth-night free perk won’t always provide the best value.
Annual travel credit
Citi Prestige cardholders get an annual travel credit for travel purchases. Specifically, you’ll automatically get a statement credit for the first $250 of travel purchases you make each calendar year.
This credit applies to a wide variety of travel purchases, including purchases from airlines, hotels and car rental agencies. If your purchase codes as travel, it will more than likely qualify for this travel credit. That makes it one of the most flexible credits offered by any premium travel card.
If you maximize this credit, it effectively lowers the $495 annual fee to $245.
Citi Prestige cardholders receive a credit every four years that can be applied toward a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee. This saves members time when waiting in security and in immigration lines in the U.S..
SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
Several other cards also offer a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry statement credit. But if you’ve already enrolled in either of the two programs, you can use the credit for a family member or friend’s application.
Priority Pass lounge access
As a Citi Prestige cardholder, you’ll also get access to the Priority Pass lounge network. The Priority Pass network includes more than 1,700 airport lounges worldwide.
Citi Prestige cardholders get a Priority Pass Select membership that provides complimentary lounge access for the cardholder, immediate family members and up to two guests. There are some excellent Priority Pass lounges in the U.S., but most of the best Priority Pass lounges are outside the U.S.
When you pay your monthly cellphone bill with your Citi Prestige Card, you’ll get protection against theft and damage for up to five phone lines. While there is a $50 deductible per claim, you can get up to $800 of coverage per claim.
D3SIGN/GETTY IMAGES
The Citi Prestige doesn’t offer bonus points on cellphone services, but you may want to pay your monthly cellphone bill with your Citi Prestige to take advantage of this protection.
An essential part of evaluating a card is assessing how easily you can earn points through spending. Luckily, earning is one area where the Citi Prestige doesn’t slack for a premium travel card. It earns:
5 points per dollar spent at restaurants (including takeout and delivery), airfare and travel agencies (9.25% return based on TPG’s July 2025 valuations)
3 points per dollar spent at hotels and cruise lines (5.5% return)
1 point per dollar spent on other purchases (1.85% return)
Citi ThankYou points can be redeemed in various ways, but the most valuable option is to transfer them to an airline or hotel partner.
You can also use your Citi ThankYou points to redeem for travel through Citi’s travel portal. Doing so will usually provide less value than transferring to airline partners. But, depending on your travel goals, there may be times when doing so works best for you.
JUSTIN PAGET/GETTY IMAGES
Additionally, you can redeem points for gift cards, use them to pay at select online retailers, get cash back or make charitable contributions.
Transferring your points to one of Citi’s 21 airline and hotel partners will likely give you the most value.
MOHAMED EL KAHLOUT/QATAR AIRWAYS
If you’re unsure which transfer partners are best, TPG credit cards writer Danyal Ahmed has transferred ThankYou points to Air France-KLM Flying Blue for business-class flights from the U.S. to Europe for as low as 60,000 points one-way. This is a great way to use your ThankYou points.
The most direct competitors to the Citi Prestige are three other premium travel rewards cards.
If you want to maximize travel points earning: The (see rates and fees) charges a huge $795 annual fee but offers high earning rates on airfare and hotel purchases, plus benefits like lounge access and credits for travel, luxury hotels and Global Entry. To learn more, read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
If you want loads of extra perks: charges a high $895 annual fee (see ) but offers a suite of luxury travel benefits like unparalleled lounge access, an annual up to $200 airline fee statement credit and elite status with Hilton and Marriott. (Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply.) To learn more, read our full review of the Amex Platinum.
The card can be worth the cost for those who use most of the Citi Prestige’s benefits. When used strategically, the fourth-night-free benefit can still provide hundreds of dollars in value. The annual travel credit is easy to use, plus the card’s earnings on dining and flights provide significant value.
Bottom line
The Citi Prestige isn’t a clear-cut winner for everyone. While it offers valuable perks like bonus points on flights and dining, many of its benefits overlap with other premium cards. If you already carry similar products, it’s worth reassessing whether the Citi Prestige still earns its keep when the annual fee posts.
If you missed the boat on applying, don’t worry — Citi has hinted at launching a new premium card. While there’s no official word yet, the issuer could make an announcement at any time, so it’s worth keeping a close watch.
