Reminder: Citi Prestige Benefit Changes Kick In On September 1st (4th Night Free Restriction & More)

This is just a reminder that a number of Citi Prestige changes come into effect on September 1st. They are as follows:

  • 4th night free benefit can be used twice per calendar year
  • Annual fee will be increased to $495 (from $450) and $75 per authorized user, including cardmembers with a Citi Priority account. You will receive official notice of this change at a later date. This change will be effective at your account anniversary after September 1, 2019. If you maintain a Citigold or Citi Private Bank account, these annual fee and authorized user fee increases will not apply to your account. (Most of us who are grandfathered at $350 will be increased to $495.)
  • When redeeming points for air travel you’ll no longer receive a 25% bonus (meaning points are only worth 1¢ instead of 1.25¢ when redeeming through Citi’s travel portal)
  • Card will no longer earn 2x points on entertainment beginning September 1, 2019
  • Relationship bonus will be removed. You will receive your final relationship bonus on your account anniversary. For example, if your anniversary is October 1, 2019, you will receive your final bonus during that statement cycle.
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

17 Comments
newest
oldest most voted

VML
VML (@guest_837905)
November 7, 2019 19:18

Has anyone had luck downgrading this to Dividend? I talked to a rep today and they said that card is no longer allowing applications or product switches. My only no-fee option is the Rewards+ but I don’t want to use that up since I can apply for it and get 30k TYPs as a new product….

Ders
Ders (@guest_806434)
September 5, 2019 10:25

I’m a citi private bank customer and applied in the end of July. My AF just posted today and it’s $495. CSR is claiming that there is no longer a discounted annual fee

WG
WG (@guest_805307)
September 1, 2019 12:25

They have removed or will remove essentially any useful benefit of the card come soon enough by Sept 24. Then go all the insurance and travel insurance benefits.

I did confirm with Citi Insurance that if the Prestige card is used to charge an air ticket into the future ,before the cancellation of the insurance benefits on Sept 24, then that future trip/ air ticket will still have the benefit of the trip delay, bag delay and other insurances until complete.

Otherwise, finish charging your future air tickets, finish filing your broken cell phone claims and flush the turd. No longer a Prestige.

JimT
JimT (@guest_805166)
August 31, 2019 15:37

The only Citi card worth keeping is the Costco card – maybe. Cancelled Citi Double Cash based on 9/22/2019 benefit changes even though card has been used extensively since inception. Myriad reward program changes and poor customer service makes one glad to pay the 0.5% difference on many 1.5% no annual fee cash back card options and the 2% Citi Double Cash just to not have to deal with Citi anymore. Will not consider Citi credit cards for the foreseeable future. Startling to contemplate the negative attitude adjustment from Citi Double Cash inception to today. Citi Double Cash used to be the best all around no annual cash back card on the market – no more.

Rob
Rob (@guest_805052)
August 30, 2019 23:03

This card was my daily driver for 3 years. My only regret was never taking advantage of the free golf and the 4th night. Just cashed my remaining points and PCd it to a Double Cash.

lorem ipsum
lorem ipsum (@guest_805045)
August 30, 2019 21:39

I just called the concierge. A recording said that there is heavy call volume and that email requests received before Sept 1 will be honored. Address is [email protected]

aubergine
aubergine (@guest_805129)
August 31, 2019 12:21

took 80 min to book a small stay on Thursday 8/30 night.

chaser123
chaser123 (@guest_805134)
August 31, 2019 12:30

I usually just email with all the details (including loyalty info) and best price i find. Very seamless.

Paul
Paul (@guest_805030)
August 30, 2019 20:53

Such a sad decline for what was once one of the best travel credit cards.

Jeff
Jeff (@guest_805009)
August 30, 2019 19:26

Once upon a time, the best premium travel card on the market….now a shell of it’s former self.

Not even barely talked about anymore anywhere. FT, Reddit, etc. I forget it even exists, tbh.

Jeremy
Jeremy (@guest_805035)
August 30, 2019 21:05

I use it at restaurants and full priced flights. You don’t?

Nick
Nick (@guest_805051)
August 30, 2019 22:50

Many previous perks like unlimited 4th night free with SNP, AA lounge access are unique.

Restaurants and flights? Both AMEX and CHASE (and many others) have card(s) that cover these pretty well already, and it is pretty clear that paying another $500 AF to gain another 1% is not worth it for many/most.

What’s more, while no good thing stays forever in this game, Citi’s rate and degree of card nerfing over the years must still have left a vivid impression (and not a positive one) for many.

aubergine
aubergine (@guest_805132)
August 31, 2019 12:27

don’t forget that its also good for 5x at travel agencies, which they don’t talk about much on their web site, but its in the T&C, and it does work. Not just at Connexions either. I’ve had it work at all kinds of places. Shows up on the statement as Air Travel TYP earnings though. One thing to note – some agencies like Costco will end up booking your travel direct to the vendor – so your hotel stay may not end up as 5x but just 3x. Its not consistent how they do this, depends on offer/promotion, and the reps don’t really know either since it happens on the back end for them. This can happen even on prepaids or deposits.

It was a great card years ago (and I’m sure a money pit for Citi and MC) but just a shell now. pour one out for it. i got lots 4NF, lots of roadside assistance, lots of travels delays, purchase protections, 1.6 cpp redemptions on AA code shares, Admiral Lounge drinks, Priority Pass visits with all the kiddos…. And the the SO made sure never to put a dime of any non bonused spend on the card. Only uplift categories, as our passive aggressive way to get back at Citi for all the other betrayals over the years.

Andy Shuman
Andy Shuman (@guest_805154)
August 31, 2019 14:12

You might want to switch to Amex Gold for 4X at restaurants and stop paying for full priced flights. 🙂

chaser123
chaser123 (@guest_805133)
August 31, 2019 12:29

This is still my go to card at restaurants. I still will be able to utilize the 4th free night at high end hotels, that the only time i used it anyway. I am surprised the unlimited 4th free night lasted so long. So easy tu use with business travel, expenseing all 4 nights.

Greg
Greg (@guest_805003)
August 30, 2019 18:56

Looks like my $350 annual fee posted in the nick of time. Nice to have 1 final year where the benefits outweigh the fee.

the_shek
the_shek (@guest_805002)
August 30, 2019 18:49

RIP, citi killed what was arguably once one of the best credit cards available