Citi Hilton Honors Reserve Card [Ends Dec 2017]

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Quote: I did do all that spend for both myself and DW, so we got the 2 certs. But that was when I could do totally free MS with Redbird and T-M, neither of which work for me anymore. Now being so close to 18 months, and having already paid the AFs, we are holding on, and will reapply for new cards.

But what to do after that is a dilemma, since the cost to MS $20K is so high now. I may very well decide to cancel the old cards as soon as we get the new ones. And then cancel the new cards as soon as the sign up certs post, so as to reset the clock as soon as possible without paying a second set of AFs.

Anyone have thoughts on this?
Yea I may start closing citi accounts right after bonus posts to avoid having to pay AF in order to keep clock from resetting. I am a little wary about how citi will react if I start doing this with multiple cards.
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Quote: Yea I may start closing citi accounts right after bonus posts to avoid having to pay AF in order to keep clock from resetting. I am a little wary about how citi will react if I start doing this with multiple cards.
Can't predict the future, of course. But in the past, many of us applied for a dozen or more EXEC cards, did the spend immediately, and quickly canceled the cards as soon as the miles hit our AA accounts, thus avoiding paying the AF even once. What did Citi do about that? They instantly approved our next app for another EXEC.
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If I cancel the card after I received the cert and paid the annual fee. Will I receive a pro-rated amount of the AF or will I loose the cert?
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5th night free
Can I combine points and a certificate in order to take advantage of 5th night free? I see the wiki states:

"3. Reward Certificate may not be combined with other certificates, discounts, packages or promotional offers, or Hotel Reward stays beyond Standard Room Rewards, unless otherwise specified in writing by Hilton HHonors."
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No you can't combine them, even though the cert res will look like a points res.
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Quote: No you can't combine them, even though the cert res will look like a points res.
Bummer...thanks.
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I do not remember starting this thread... cool.
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has anyone had any success getting an expired cert extended? I just realized my cert expired 2/21
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I wanted to use one for a stay 6 days after expiry, so researched it pretty thoroughly and never saw a report of successfully extending the expiry. There were isolated reports of booking before expiry and staying after, however, it was rare and you wouldn't want to rely on it. Unfortunately, even that small chance isn't available to you because you would need to get a phone rep to book from an expired cert. I don't think your chances are good.
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Has anybody tried applying for the card over 18 months after last applying, but less than 18 months after canceling? Didn't pay attention to the new rules before canceling mine.
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Quote: Has anybody tried applying for the card over 18 months after last applying, but less than 18 months after canceling? Didn't pay attention to the new rules before canceling mine.
Here is the problem with that question. Even if there are a few reports of that resulting in an approval with a cert, the risk is that Citi may well approve your app and give you a card. Then after you do the min spnd they could refuse to give you a cert. And that will still count as having opened a card, and would reset the 18 month clock. So if you just recently canceled the last card, and can easily meet the spend, you might want to try that. But if you canceled, say when the AF came up 3 months ago, you might be putting yourself 15 more months away from another sign up bonus.
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Based on my recent experience, it seems they send the free anniversary night certificate immediately after you pay the statement that comes after the one your annual fee is charged on.

AF posted on February statement. Paid.
Only regular charges on March statement. Paid March 4.
Certificate in my email this morning. March 5.

I'm using the cert for a stay in May, so I may try to cancel for a prorated refund after that, or I may keep it just for Hilton stays depending on what my travel schedule looks like this year.
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Hello,

I received the Citi Hilton Reserve card on 3/10. I have already met the minimum spend. I'd like to get the certificates as soon as possible to make the bookings that I want (which are far out Feb 2017, but still want to lock it down). Has anyone had any success in getting the certificates expedited. I was thinking about calling Citi and seeing if they would move up the statement close date.

All of my other Citi bonuses (prestige, thank you, AA) have posted right when the statement during which min spend was met closed. I would prefer not to wait until 4/12 when it closes, and also with the reports that it sometimes tkaes longer I want to get the process done asap.

Thanks for any advice.
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Quote: Same thing happened to me last week. Only one cert # in one email. I called in and they were able to see two. I had them applied to a king superior I had "on hold" at the WA Amsterdam for next NYE :-)
Were you able to get Hilton to actually hold a room, or did you just make a points booking and then have them swap the certs? Thanks!
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Quote: Hello,

I received the Citi Hilton Reserve card on 3/10. I have already met the minimum spend. I'd like to get the certificates as soon as possible to make the bookings that I want (which are far out Feb 2017, but still want to lock it down). Has anyone had any success in getting the certificates expedited. I was thinking about calling Citi and seeing if they would move up the statement close date.

All of my other Citi bonuses (prestige, thank you, AA) have posted right when the statement during which min spend was met closed. I would prefer not to wait until 4/12 when it closes, and also with the reports that it sometimes tkaes longer I want to get the process done asap.

Thanks for any advice.
In my experience, issuing the certs is not related to statement date, it was about two weeks after the spend date, regardless of the statement closing date. That is from the 4 cards that my wife and I have. There are often some hinky things that go on with them, so no guarantees. My wife's first two certs were issued to my Hilton account. All of the points from the card went to hers (and the renewal cert), but the first certs went to me. I was generous and let her stay with me

Edit: I just looked at the Wiki and it contradicts my experience, so YMMdefinitelyV
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