Oct 28, 14, 2:34 pm
Last edit by: tonei
Transition-Related Notes
Members are starting to receive Priority Pass Select cards in the mail. These are sent by Collinson via USPS, separately from the rebranded Prestige cards.
There was a decimal rounding error in the ThankYou point accounting on October statements. Remove a 0 from each of the totals reported - it should then match
Members who signed up prior to 10/18 still only receive a $250 airline credit for the year; if you previously used the $200 incidental credit, you can get another $50 in airline purchases reimbursed through December.
If you signed up before 10/18/14 you are eligible to receive the 15% discount and companion benefits for a year after your signup date. Call Citi at 877-288-2484 and ask to speak with a travel specialist, rather than letting them send the information to Spirit Incentives for an email quote. There are mixed reviews as to the efficacy of this service.
Members are starting to receive Priority Pass Select cards in the mail. These are sent by Collinson via USPS, separately from the rebranded Prestige cards.
There was a decimal rounding error in the ThankYou point accounting on October statements. Remove a 0 from each of the totals reported - it should then match
Members who signed up prior to 10/18 still only receive a $250 airline credit for the year; if you previously used the $200 incidental credit, you can get another $50 in airline purchases reimbursed through December.
If you signed up before 10/18/14 you are eligible to receive the 15% discount and companion benefits for a year after your signup date. Call Citi at 877-288-2484 and ask to speak with a travel specialist, rather than letting them send the information to Spirit Incentives for an email quote. There are mixed reviews as to the efficacy of this service.
CITI Prestige changes effective 10-18-14
Jul 24, 14, 5:19 am
#166
Join Date: May 2011
Location: North Carolina
Programs: AA exp(6mm), United Silver, Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 152
I've tried to use the companion pass a number of times. I had a last minute flight that I had to book yesterday and I FINALLY found a fare that worked. I saved about 400. Their partner, spirit incentives, isn't all that easy to work with. That said, I won't complain too much as the companion pass turned out to be a good value for me. This is the prestige card.
Jul 24, 14, 5:50 am
#167
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: SE Asia
Posts: 1,274
I've tried to use the companion pass a number of times. I had a last minute flight that I had to book yesterday and I FINALLY found a fare that worked. I saved about 400. Their partner, spirit incentives, isn't all that easy to work with. That said, I won't complain too much as the companion pass turned out to be a good value for me. This is the prestige card.
Jul 24, 14, 8:34 am
#168
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: East Coast
Programs: All major Airlines, Hotel Chains, Credit Cards and Car Rentals
Posts: 1,253
Jul 24, 14, 9:05 am
#169
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 46
Didn't see this up in the thread, but i had to admit i didn't thoroughly search.
As I've had significant savings using the flight benefit amongst the primary and 2 AU at least 3k in savings, i'm interested in when that really does go away.
It looks like all the AUs gets separate card enrollment dates specific to that AU.
If i have the primary annual renewal in September for the main account, will the main account renew with the current benefits? or the new benefits? Will all the later AU card enrollments renew with the benefits of the AU (each getting 1 more annual companion)? or the new benefits..
As I've had significant savings using the flight benefit amongst the primary and 2 AU at least 3k in savings, i'm interested in when that really does go away.
It looks like all the AUs gets separate card enrollment dates specific to that AU.
If i have the primary annual renewal in September for the main account, will the main account renew with the current benefits? or the new benefits? Will all the later AU card enrollments renew with the benefits of the AU (each getting 1 more annual companion)? or the new benefits..
Jul 24, 14, 4:58 pm
#170
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: DCA
Programs: Bonvoy Ambassador, Amtrak S+, AA Gold, UA*S, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 628
I've tried to use the companion pass a number of times. I had a last minute flight that I had to book yesterday and I FINALLY found a fare that worked. I saved about 400. Their partner, spirit incentives, isn't all that easy to work with. That said, I won't complain too much as the companion pass turned out to be a good value for me. This is the prestige card.
Jul 24, 14, 7:43 pm
#171
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: East Coast
Programs: All major Airlines, Hotel Chains, Credit Cards and Car Rentals
Posts: 1,253
Didn't see this up in the thread, but i had to admit i didn't thoroughly search.
As I've had significant savings using the flight benefit amongst the primary and 2 AU at least 3k in savings, i'm interested in when that really does go away.
It looks like all the AUs gets separate card enrollment dates specific to that AU.
If i have the primary annual renewal in September for the main account, will the main account renew with the current benefits? or the new benefits? Will all the later AU card enrollments renew with the benefits of the AU (each getting 1 more annual companion)? or the new benefits..
As I've had significant savings using the flight benefit amongst the primary and 2 AU at least 3k in savings, i'm interested in when that really does go away.
It looks like all the AUs gets separate card enrollment dates specific to that AU.
If i have the primary annual renewal in September for the main account, will the main account renew with the current benefits? or the new benefits? Will all the later AU card enrollments renew with the benefits of the AU (each getting 1 more annual companion)? or the new benefits..
Jul 24, 14, 8:24 pm
#172
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: SFO
Programs: OZ *G; HH Diamond;
Posts: 1,632
I've tried to use the companion pass a number of times. I had a last minute flight that I had to book yesterday and I FINALLY found a fare that worked. I saved about 400. Their partner, spirit incentives, isn't all that easy to work with. That said, I won't complain too much as the companion pass turned out to be a good value for me. This is the prestige card.
It has been consistent ly over $500, making redeeming 25k miles even reasonable value. But of course, no award seats are readily available.
Jul 24, 14, 10:38 pm
#173
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 46
(PS it does show according to spirits website both Primary and AU have different enrollment anniversaries as to when the benefit will reactivate)
Jul 25, 14, 7:18 am
#174
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 319
the prestige T&C on citi's website is now clearly stating the change that's happening and when that'll happen. the only "positive" change is now we get $250 air travel credit instead of $200. and all the good things like companion tickets and flight points are going away... I don't know how citi can justify the hefty $450 annual fee with the very limited new benefits...
I'm having a hard time convincing myself to get card.... get it or not???
I'm having a hard time convincing myself to get card.... get it or not???
Jul 25, 14, 7:44 am
#175
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend; Moderator: American Express, Capital One, Citi, Chase, Credit Card Programs, Diners Club, Signatures
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 47,830
Prices don't need to be justified. If it meets your needs better than other cards. apply. Otherwise, do not apply or cancel.
The direct competitors are American Express Platinum ($450 - $200 = $250), and JP Morgan Chase Palladium ($595, I don't recall that they have a formal fee reimbursement feature.) There are others contenders: Delta Reserve, American Executive, United Club, Ritz Carlton.
Jul 25, 14, 7:53 am
#176
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: DFW,OVB (Russia)
Programs: AA HH Gold SPG Gold BA
Posts: 1,823
the prestige T&C on citi's website is now clearly stating the change that's happening and when that'll happen. the only "positive" change is now we get $250 air travel credit instead of $200. and all the good things like companion tickets and flight points are going away... I don't know how citi can justify the hefty $450 annual fee with the very limited new benefits...
I'm having a hard time convincing myself to get card.... get it or not???
I'm having a hard time convincing myself to get card.... get it or not???
(i am still holding out hope that citi will add BA or at least a more usual airline transfer partner to their list in the coming months
Jul 25, 14, 8:55 am
#177
Join Date: May 2014
Posts: 47
the prestige T&C on citi's website is now clearly stating the change that's happening and when that'll happen. the only "positive" change is now we get $250 air travel credit instead of $200. and all the good things like companion tickets and flight points are going away... I don't know how citi can justify the hefty $450 annual fee with the very limited new benefits...
I'm having a hard time convincing myself to get card.... get it or not???
I'm having a hard time convincing myself to get card.... get it or not???
I think they finally realized with all the free ticket, 15% discount and flight points on top of lounges, $200 air fees, and global concierge, they have been offering a bit too much.
Jul 25, 14, 9:08 am
#178
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: BOS
Programs: Delta Platinum, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 308
The $100 limit on the airline fees seems to be gone, and the language now includes air fares.
Jul 25, 14, 9:10 am
#179
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend; Moderator: American Express, Capital One, Citi, Chase, Credit Card Programs, Diners Club, Signatures
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 47,830
It's still poor marketing execution. The answer to the question, "What will Citi do to offset the loss of X?", is that they have already added the replacement feature, but we thought it was a gift. They should have announced all the changes (positive and negative) simultaneously. The impact of the positive changes: AA lounge access, $0.016 AA/US redemption value, airline transfers, increased fee reimbursement, (confirmed) change from Airport Angel to Priority Pass Select, will be diluted when they implement the benefit reductions. It adds to my perception that Citi is constantly tinkering with ThankYou Rewards, and it undermines my confidence in accumulating points for the long term.
Last edited by mia; Jul 25, 14 at 12:11 pm Reason: Update new lounge access arrangement
Jul 25, 14, 11:08 am
#180
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: New York, NY
Programs: SPG Plat. AA Plat. UA Gold
Posts: 233
The terms & conditions here https://online.citibank.com/US/JRS/p...CTermsBenefits explicitly mention Priority Pass Select as available starting on Oct 19.
I parsed through them and it seems to confirm everything we've been discussing:
Interesting that authorized users get Priority Pass Select but not AA lounge access.
Definitely not bad at all. I currently pay $125 for the Premier card.
For a $75 difference in annual fee ($450-250 credit = $200 annual fee), it's very tempting to upgrade to get AA lounge access. I currently have the Amex Plat that I never use apart from for the Lounge Access and SPG Gold but this could eliminate the need for that as this now includes Priority Pass Select as well. Especially with the 1.6x multiplier on AA as cherry on top.
I parsed through them and it seems to confirm everything we've been discussing:
- 3x airline/hotel/travel agencies
- 2x on dining - now includes entertainment and sports
- Annual Spend bonus goes away unless you have a banking relationship. The card alone won't give you anything. Also, it's no longer tiered. It's fixed at 15% for CitiGold, GlobalClient & Employees and 25% for Private Bank.
- $250 Air Travel Credit (now explicitly states air fare as eligible)
- Priority Pass Select (both Primary and AUs are eligible and can bring 2 guests in)
Interesting that authorized users get Priority Pass Select but not AA lounge access.
Definitely not bad at all. I currently pay $125 for the Premier card.
For a $75 difference in annual fee ($450-250 credit = $200 annual fee), it's very tempting to upgrade to get AA lounge access. I currently have the Amex Plat that I never use apart from for the Lounge Access and SPG Gold but this could eliminate the need for that as this now includes Priority Pass Select as well. Especially with the 1.6x multiplier on AA as cherry on top.
Last edited by islandguy84; Jul 25, 14 at 11:18 am
