Citi’s credit card for frequent travelers, the Citi Prestige Card, comes with a ton of premium benefits that will make each travel that much better. The sign-up bonus of 40,000 ThankYou points alone is worth $532 when you redeem it for a flight on any airline. Also included are such perks as complementary airport lounge access, free fourth night stay at any hotel, $250 annual airline fee credit, and the $100 Global Entry application fee credit. The card’s annual fee is $450, but we think it’s well worth the money. Keep reading to find out why…
- Sign-up bonus of 40,000 points is worth $532 when redeemed for a flight on any airline.
- Premium travel perks
- 4th free at hotels!
- 15.49% APR
- No foreign transaction fee
- $450 Annual Fee
How It Works
Points: With Citi Prestige, users get three points per dollar spent on air travel and hotels, double points on dining at restaurants and entertainment, and one point per dollar spent on all other purchases. Citigold members can earn an additional 15% in points, while a Private Bank relationship will earn an additional 25% in points. There is no limit to points you can earn and they don’t expire. Points can be redeemed for travel services, gift cards and merchandise. For instance, tickets for travel on American Airlines return 1.6 cents per point, while all other airline tickets can be redeemed for 1.33 cents per point. Also, points can be transferred to miles of 8 different frequent flier programs or Hilton HHonors points.
Sign-up offer: New cardholders receive 40,000 bonus ThankYou Points after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. These bonus points can be redeemed for a $532 flight on any airline.
Standard Citi card benefits: Including extended warranty coverage, Citi Price Rewind, damage and theft protection, and 90 day return protection. Also, there are several travel-related benefits such as Citi Prestige Concierge, medical evacuation insurance, lost baggage protection, and trip cancellation and trip interruption coverage.
Premium travel services: This is where it gets really interesting. With Citi Prestige, users get:
- $250 annual air travel credit that can be used for baggage fees, lounge access, in-flight purchases, and even for the payment of airfare.
- $100 credit towards Global Entry application fee credit. Once approved, you will be able to bypass the long lines and enjoy expedited entry into the U.S.
- Complimentary access to American Airlines Admirals Club lounges, as well as the lounges in the Priority Pass Select program. UPDATE: Admirals Club access is no longer available for new cardmembers.
- Complimentary fourth night stay at any hotel of your choice.
APR: 15.49%, meaning you are best off paying your balance in full and on time.
Annual Fee: $450; all those premium perks and benefits gotta cost something. Well worth the money, we think.
Costs
- $450 Annual Fee
- 15.49% APR
- 3% Balance Transfer Fee ($5 minimum)
- $0 Foreign Transaction Fee
Pros
- Sign-up bonus that’s worth up to $800 if you decide to redeem it as a flight on American Airlines. This bonus alone pays off your first year of card membership.
- Premium benefits for frequent travelers, including complementary airport lounge access, free fourth night stay at any hotel, $250 annual airline fee credit, and the $100 Global Entry application fee credit.
- Especially great for those living/working near an American Airlines hub airport (who can redeem their points for flights with the AA).
Cons
- Given all the benefits, we DON’T mind the annual fee. Those that will use all of the perks included with the Citi Prestige will easily pay off that $450 in just a few months.
- High APR, which is a “feature” of pretty much every travel credit card.
Is This The Card For You?
If you are a frequent international traveler who will be taking advantage of all the perks premium travel cards have to offer – the answer is “definitely yes” – go for the Citi Prestige Card. Said perks alone will easily pay of the $450 annual fee, all while making your travels that much better (and more premium). Plus, if you happen to live/work near an American Airlines hub airport, you’ll benefit even more due to airline’s close ties to Citi. Heck, even if you use other airline, the Citi Prestige has something for you…