Originally Posted by
ellinj
I suspect its dependent on property, the concierge must call to verify the stay and the card used. I can imagine that there are some properties who may not be willing to send a folio to a third party.
I've always assumed that Citi is getting the travel agent booking commission on these stays - and that would cover a large part of their cost. (If they get 10% of 4 nights, that's 40% of the free night cost, at least after next month's changes). And if they're getting commission, the payment of that would be sufficient to verify that the stay occurred. So maybe that's what triggers the statement credit?
To verify the payment card, they could check with the hotel, but couldn't they also just check with Citi to see if the charge posted to the Prestige?
Verifying commission could easily be automated. Checking with the hotel likely can't; I suspect with the much quicker credits over recent months, there must be some additional automation compared to last year.
(FWIW, both my stays were domestic, one at a Marriott brand, one at an IHG).