We posted earlier today with some additional clarifications to the upcoming Citi Prestige changes, some which are positive and some negative. The biggest news was that all of us who are grandfathered with the $350 fee as Citi Priority will NOT keep that – our fee will go up to $495; only those who maintain Citigold or Citi Private Banking will remain at $350.
Many readers have pointed out another huge negative change that Citi made here.
In July 2017, Citi added the ability to book 4th-night-free bookings online. BUT they retained the ability to book it over the phone with Citi Concierge. However, they now snuck by in the fine print that beginning September 1, 2019, Citi Concierge bookings will no longer be an option:
Cardmembers will enjoy a complimentary fourth night with no black-out dates (“Fourth Night”), when booking at least four consecutive nights at any hotel only through Thankyou.com or by phone at 1-800-ThankYou (powered by Connexions) or the Citi Prestige Concierge (the “Citi Prestige Concierge” is Aspire Lifestyles) and subject to additional requirements stated below. Beginning 09/01/19, Citi Prestige Concierge will no longer be available for Fourth Night bookings and bookings must be made either online at ThankYou.com or by phone at 1-800-ThankYou in order to be eligible for the Fourth Night benefit.
When using Citi Concierge, the booking is done directly with the hotel; plus, the full charge shows up on your card and gets refunded later. On the other hand, when booking online or through ThankYou, it’s like booking through an online travel agency. Here’s why that Citi Concierge is advantageous:
- You get hotel points and earn elite status for the stay.
- You can use special rates and corporate discounts.
- Those booking business travel can get reimbursed for the 4th night since the initial charge is for the full amount.
- You get credit card points (3x travel) for the cost of the fourth night since the initial charge is for the full amount.
As some readers note, this change alone is enough to neuter the card for a lot of people. We’ll add this change to the original post.
Keep in mind, you can still book with Concierge until September 1, 2019, plus you can book out beyond that date too.
