Jan 19, 2015, 5:54 am
Last edit by: beltway
Major changes coming into effect April 19, 2015:
- Annual fee reduction from $125 to $95 (with refunds for the difference to existing cardmembers)
- Increased earning on a new broad Travel category (rather than only Airfare and Hotels), but reduced earnings on Dining and Entertainment
Effective April 19th, 2015, unless you are participating in a limited-time offer, you will earn:
-- 3 ThankYou Points for every dollar you spend on purchases at airlines, hotels, car rental agencies, travel agencies, gas stations, commuter transportation, taxi/limousines, passenger railways, cruise lines, bridge and road tolls, parking lots/garages, campgrounds and trailer parks, time shares, bus lines, motor home/RV Rental and boat rentals;
-- 2 ThankYou Points for every dollar you spend on purchases at restaurants and on select entertainment merchants, including sports promoters, theatrical promoters, movie theaters, amusement parks, tourist attractions, record stores and video rental stores; and
-- 1 ThankYou Point for every dollar you spend on other purchases.
Airlines are classified as merchants that provide air travel. Hotels are classified as merchants that provide sleeping or meeting room accommodations, and may include goods and services that are on a bill for these accommodations by a hotel, motel or inn. Car rental agencies are classified as merchants that provide short-term or long-term rentals of cars. Travel agencies are classified as merchants that provide travel information and booking services, and include travel aggregators and tour operators. Gas Stations are classified as merchants that sell fuel for consumer use and may or may not be attended. Commuter transportation is classified as merchants that provide suburban and local mass passenger transportation over regular routes and on regular schedules, including ferries, commuter railways and subways. Taxi/limousine are classified as merchants that provide passenger transportation services for hire and includes horse-drawn cabs and carriages, bicycle taxis, aerial tramways, airport shuttles or cable cars. Passenger railways are classified as merchants that primarily provide long-distance transportation and may include overnight accommodations on the train. Cruise lines are classified as merchants that provide passenger transportation on the open sea or inland waters for the purpose of vacation or pleasure and operate predefined and advertised routes. Bridge and tolls are classified as merchants who collect fees associated with toll roads, highways and bridges. Parking lots/garages are classified as merchants that provide temporary parking services for automobiles, usually on an hourly, daily or monthly contract or fee basis. Campgrounds and trailer parks are classified as merchants that provide overnight or short-term campsites for recreational vehicles, trailers, campers, or tents. Timeshares are classified as retailers that sell, lease, and rent timeshare real estate and arrange timeshare condominium exchanges. Bus Lines are classified passenger bus transportation services that operate on a regular schedule over predetermined routes. Motor Home and Recreational Vehicle Rental are classified as merchants that rent motor homes, RVs, pop-up campers, tent trailers, and other recreational vehicles on a daily, short-term, or extended-term basis. Boat Leases and Boat Rentals are classified as merchants that primarily provide boat rental and leasing services, including fishing boats, non-crew houseboats, sail boats, powerboats, jet skis, and yachts. Restaurants are classified as dining establishments that primarily prepare food and drinks for immediate consumption by consumers, either on the merchant’s premises or packaged for takeout, and include bars, cocktail lounges, discotheques, nightclubs, taverns and fast food restaurants. Sports promoters are classified as merchants that operate and promote live sporting events (professional or semi-professional), and may also include sports stadiums. Theatrical promoters are classified as merchants that operate live theatrical productions or concerts, and include ticketing agencies. Movie theaters are classified as establishments that sell tickets and refreshments for movie productions. Amusement parks (including zoos, circuses and aquariums) are classified as establishments that operate parks or carnivals and offer mechanical rides and games and/or live animal shows. Tourist attractions and museums (including art galleries) are classified as establishments that operate attractions and exhibits for tourists.
We do not determine how merchants or establishments are classified, however, they are generally classified based upon the merchant's primary line of business. We reserve the right to determine which purchases qualify for this offer. Purchases not eligible to receive the additional ThankYou Points include, but are not limited to, purchases made at warehouse clubs, discount stores, department stores and convenience stores.
• You may earn ThankYou Points as long as your Card Account is open and current. If your Card Account is closed, you will not be able to earn ThankYou Points and you will lose any accumulated ThankYou Points that have not been transferred to your ThankYou Member Account. Balance transfers, cash advances, convenience checks, returned purchases, disputed or unauthorized purchases/fraudulent transactions, finance charges, Card Account fees, and fees for services and programs you elect to receive through us do not earn ThankYou Points unless otherwise specified.
• If you do not already have a ThankYou Rewards Member Account ("ThankYou Member Account"), one will be set up for you. ThankYou Points earned from purchases post to your Card Account at the close of each billing cycle, and at that time we will transfer the ThankYou Points you earned to your ThankYou Member Account. (Bonus ThankYou Points may take one to two additional billing cycles to post to your Card Account.) ThankYou Points are not eligible for redemption until they are transferred to your ThankYou Member Account. ThankYou Points may not be redeemed
-- 3 ThankYou Points for every dollar you spend on purchases at airlines, hotels, car rental agencies, travel agencies, gas stations, commuter transportation, taxi/limousines, passenger railways, cruise lines, bridge and road tolls, parking lots/garages, campgrounds and trailer parks, time shares, bus lines, motor home/RV Rental and boat rentals;
-- 2 ThankYou Points for every dollar you spend on purchases at restaurants and on select entertainment merchants, including sports promoters, theatrical promoters, movie theaters, amusement parks, tourist attractions, record stores and video rental stores; and
-- 1 ThankYou Point for every dollar you spend on other purchases.
Airlines are classified as merchants that provide air travel. Hotels are classified as merchants that provide sleeping or meeting room accommodations, and may include goods and services that are on a bill for these accommodations by a hotel, motel or inn. Car rental agencies are classified as merchants that provide short-term or long-term rentals of cars. Travel agencies are classified as merchants that provide travel information and booking services, and include travel aggregators and tour operators. Gas Stations are classified as merchants that sell fuel for consumer use and may or may not be attended. Commuter transportation is classified as merchants that provide suburban and local mass passenger transportation over regular routes and on regular schedules, including ferries, commuter railways and subways. Taxi/limousine are classified as merchants that provide passenger transportation services for hire and includes horse-drawn cabs and carriages, bicycle taxis, aerial tramways, airport shuttles or cable cars. Passenger railways are classified as merchants that primarily provide long-distance transportation and may include overnight accommodations on the train. Cruise lines are classified as merchants that provide passenger transportation on the open sea or inland waters for the purpose of vacation or pleasure and operate predefined and advertised routes. Bridge and tolls are classified as merchants who collect fees associated with toll roads, highways and bridges. Parking lots/garages are classified as merchants that provide temporary parking services for automobiles, usually on an hourly, daily or monthly contract or fee basis. Campgrounds and trailer parks are classified as merchants that provide overnight or short-term campsites for recreational vehicles, trailers, campers, or tents. Timeshares are classified as retailers that sell, lease, and rent timeshare real estate and arrange timeshare condominium exchanges. Bus Lines are classified passenger bus transportation services that operate on a regular schedule over predetermined routes. Motor Home and Recreational Vehicle Rental are classified as merchants that rent motor homes, RVs, pop-up campers, tent trailers, and other recreational vehicles on a daily, short-term, or extended-term basis. Boat Leases and Boat Rentals are classified as merchants that primarily provide boat rental and leasing services, including fishing boats, non-crew houseboats, sail boats, powerboats, jet skis, and yachts. Restaurants are classified as dining establishments that primarily prepare food and drinks for immediate consumption by consumers, either on the merchant’s premises or packaged for takeout, and include bars, cocktail lounges, discotheques, nightclubs, taverns and fast food restaurants. Sports promoters are classified as merchants that operate and promote live sporting events (professional or semi-professional), and may also include sports stadiums. Theatrical promoters are classified as merchants that operate live theatrical productions or concerts, and include ticketing agencies. Movie theaters are classified as establishments that sell tickets and refreshments for movie productions. Amusement parks (including zoos, circuses and aquariums) are classified as establishments that operate parks or carnivals and offer mechanical rides and games and/or live animal shows. Tourist attractions and museums (including art galleries) are classified as establishments that operate attractions and exhibits for tourists.
We do not determine how merchants or establishments are classified, however, they are generally classified based upon the merchant's primary line of business. We reserve the right to determine which purchases qualify for this offer. Purchases not eligible to receive the additional ThankYou Points include, but are not limited to, purchases made at warehouse clubs, discount stores, department stores and convenience stores.
• You may earn ThankYou Points as long as your Card Account is open and current. If your Card Account is closed, you will not be able to earn ThankYou Points and you will lose any accumulated ThankYou Points that have not been transferred to your ThankYou Member Account. Balance transfers, cash advances, convenience checks, returned purchases, disputed or unauthorized purchases/fraudulent transactions, finance charges, Card Account fees, and fees for services and programs you elect to receive through us do not earn ThankYou Points unless otherwise specified.
• If you do not already have a ThankYou Rewards Member Account ("ThankYou Member Account"), one will be set up for you. ThankYou Points earned from purchases post to your Card Account at the close of each billing cycle, and at that time we will transfer the ThankYou Points you earned to your ThankYou Member Account. (Bonus ThankYou Points may take one to two additional billing cycles to post to your Card Account.) ThankYou Points are not eligible for redemption until they are transferred to your ThankYou Member Account. ThankYou Points may not be redeemed
Mostly positive changes coming to Citi ThankYou Premier 4.19.2015
Jan 21, 2015, 10:17 pm
#46
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 503
I was considering the Premier specifically for the 3x on dining. I spend ~1k/month eating out which goes on my CSP. I was planning on closing my CSP and getting Prestige + Premier so I could get 3x on travel and dining, now I'm not sure.
Thanks for the info OP. Does anyone know of any other cards that give 3x on dining?
Thanks for the info OP. Does anyone know of any other cards that give 3x on dining?
That's what I currently do with my Amex Everyday Preferred since it also gets 3x MR at gas stations. Every day spending goes on a Visa gift card from the gas station. Obviously for larger purchases where I want the purchase protection a real CC provides, I don't use a gift card. For dining out though I'm lucky enough to have a grandfathered Forward card that gives me 5x TYP on restaurants.
Jan 22, 2015, 11:18 am
#47
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
How much of your dining spend is at national chain restaurants whose gift cards are sold at supermarkets, drug stores, office supply stores etc?
More discussion here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/credi...rd-dining.html
What denomination gift cards are you buying, and what is the purchase fee? Typically it's $5.95 or more per card, which is eroding the value of the rewards.
Jan 22, 2015, 2:28 pm
#48
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 503
If you do not already have a Chase Freedom card you could apply for one to use to earn 5X dining during April, May and June 2015. This bonus is capped at $1,500 spend which would cover about half your restaurant spending for the quarter. Not a permanent solution, but it buys you time to identify a better strategy.
How much of your dining spend is at national chain restaurants whose gift cards are sold at supermarkets, drug stores, office supply stores etc?
More discussion here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/credi...rd-dining.html
What denomination gift cards are you buying, and what is the purchase fee? Typically it's $5.95 or more per card, which is eroding the value of the rewards.
How much of your dining spend is at national chain restaurants whose gift cards are sold at supermarkets, drug stores, office supply stores etc?
More discussion here: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/credi...rd-dining.html
What denomination gift cards are you buying, and what is the purchase fee? Typically it's $5.95 or more per card, which is eroding the value of the rewards.
One other thought: does OP frequently dine at the same location(s) many times throughout the month? You could always go on the first Friday of the month to frequently visited restaurants and buy enough restaurant gift cards with his CSP to cover his spending there for the rest of the month since he'll be getting 3x on the first Friday of the month.
If OP eats at enough national chains he could consider the Chase Ink, like you were going to suggest. Even if they don't carry gift cards to the restaurants there, there's a good chance Amazon will and he could just purchase Amazon gift cards at office supply store and by the gift cards on Amazon to the restaurant.
Jan 22, 2015, 4:41 pm
#49
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: TYS/BNA/ATL
Programs: UR, TYP, MR, C1, AA, UA, WN, BA, AS, AV, AC, Choice, Hyatt, IHG, Hilton, Wyndham, Marriott
Posts: 1,973
One thing worth noting is that Citi is really focusing their products on different net worth/income clients. Citi heavily promotes the Prestige to a different customer than some of Citi's other cards. For example, the Prestige has an annual TYP boost for Private Bank (PB) members. So, for PB Prestige cardholders interested in AA flights, 1 point is worth 2 cents on AA (1.25 x 1.6 cents), 2 points are worth 4 cents (2.5 x 1.6 cents) and 3 points are worth 6 cents (3.75 x 1.6 cents). I diversify my points in different programs, but I do a lot of leisure travel on AA, so my dining (2x), flight and hotel (3x) spend on Prestige are worth way more to me than UR or MR.
Jan 22, 2015, 4:44 pm
#50
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: TYS/BNA/ATL
Programs: UR, TYP, MR, C1, AA, UA, WN, BA, AS, AV, AC, Choice, Hyatt, IHG, Hilton, Wyndham, Marriott
Posts: 1,973
Same boat, have the premier and just wound down all the legacy flight points, was looking at a combo premier and prestige for the 3x in both dining and travel (given that nearly all by forward dining purchases has not counted for 5x lately).
As someone who doesn't fly AA (unless for some magical reason i can buy AS flights through AA for 1.6c/pt), this change is interesting.
The Prestige has value to offer, but now there is little differentiation between the two products outside of annual fee for additional travel benefits. I wonder how sensitive Citi's target market for these cards are to an AF difference between $95 and $200 (net of airline fee benefit)?
As someone who doesn't fly AA (unless for some magical reason i can buy AS flights through AA for 1.6c/pt), this change is interesting.
The Prestige has value to offer, but now there is little differentiation between the two products outside of annual fee for additional travel benefits. I wonder how sensitive Citi's target market for these cards are to an AF difference between $95 and $200 (net of airline fee benefit)?
Jan 22, 2015, 4:56 pm
#51
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: TYS/BNA/ATL
Programs: UR, TYP, MR, C1, AA, UA, WN, BA, AS, AV, AC, Choice, Hyatt, IHG, Hilton, Wyndham, Marriott
Posts: 1,973
I buy $500 $4.95 fee OVs (Vanilla OneVanilla for the non MS lingo literate). While that $9.90 in fees per $1000 will cut in to your margins you're still coming out a decent amount ahead over 2x that I think it's worth it.
One other thought: does OP frequently dine at the same location(s) many times throughout the month? You could always go on the first Friday of the month to frequently visited restaurants and buy enough restaurant gift cards with his CSP to cover his spending there for the rest of the month since he'll be getting 3x on the first Friday of the month.
If OP eats at enough national chains he could consider the Chase Ink, like you were going to suggest. Even if they don't carry gift cards to the restaurants there, there's a good chance Amazon will and he could just purchase Amazon gift cards at office supply store and by the gift cards on Amazon to the restaurant.
One other thought: does OP frequently dine at the same location(s) many times throughout the month? You could always go on the first Friday of the month to frequently visited restaurants and buy enough restaurant gift cards with his CSP to cover his spending there for the rest of the month since he'll be getting 3x on the first Friday of the month.
If OP eats at enough national chains he could consider the Chase Ink, like you were going to suggest. Even if they don't carry gift cards to the restaurants there, there's a good chance Amazon will and he could just purchase Amazon gift cards at office supply store and by the gift cards on Amazon to the restaurant.
There are certain restrictions with Amazon.com Gift Cards, such as not being able to purchase gift cards using a gift card and not being able to transfer them to another account once the claim code has been redeemed.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/custom...deId=201138990
http://www.amazon.com/gp/help/custom...deId=201138990
Jan 22, 2015, 5:15 pm
#52
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: TYS/BNA/ATL
Programs: UR, TYP, MR, C1, AA, UA, WN, BA, AS, AV, AC, Choice, Hyatt, IHG, Hilton, Wyndham, Marriott
Posts: 1,973
Premier now becomes real competitor to CSP, even better than CSP. The only missing feature is primary rental car insurance, and I'm not sure whether Citi covers insurance in such countries like Israel, which are usually excluded.
Now will they match the same benefits for Prestige?
Is Premier free for CitiGold customers? They do give $100 discount for Prestige cards.
Now will they match the same benefits for Prestige?
Is Premier free for CitiGold customers? They do give $100 discount for Prestige cards.
Jan 23, 2015, 5:56 pm
#54
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 17
Premier now becomes real competitor to CSP, even better than CSP. The only missing feature is primary rental car insurance, and I'm not sure whether Citi covers insurance in such countries like Israel, which are usually excluded.
Now will they match the same benefits for Prestige?
Is Premier free for CitiGold customers? They do give $100 discount for Prestige cards.
Now will they match the same benefits for Prestige?
Is Premier free for CitiGold customers? They do give $100 discount for Prestige cards.
In other news I called to complain/get my annual fee refunded since I just paid it and it's going down. The very nice rep hadn't even heard of the changes! She had to research and call me back!!! So crazy there is already a 4 page convo here and their reps don't even know changes are coming.
Jan 23, 2015, 6:27 pm
#55
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 258
My letter about the changes said they are adding primary rental car coverage up to $100k and including luxury cars all over the world.
In other news I called to complain/get my annual fee refunded since I just paid it and it's going down. The very nice rep hadn't even heard of the changes! She had to research and call me back!!! So crazy there is already a 4 page convo here and their reps don't even know changes are coming.
In other news I called to complain/get my annual fee refunded since I just paid it and it's going down. The very nice rep hadn't even heard of the changes! She had to research and call me back!!! So crazy there is already a 4 page convo here and their reps don't even know changes are coming.
Anyone else seeing a bug where the thank you points shows only the amount posted from the previous statement? I only see my entire total now if I click on the link to take me to thankyou.com
Jan 23, 2015, 10:58 pm
#56
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: New York, NY
Programs: Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 241
One thing I didn't see mentioned here is the expansion of the 25% more value feature to more than just flights.
So they've increased both the earn rate to 3x on travel and also expanded the redemption category as well.
https://online.citibank.com/JRS/popu...ierchanges.pdf
Here's hoping these changes make it over to the Prestige as well but at the 33% level.
If they don't apply to the Prestige, I currently have both Premier and Prestige, will be interesting to see if they calculate everything properly and give me the 25% more value rate for a hotel redemption while giving me 33% / 60% for travel.
25% more value when you redeem your points through the
ThankYou Travel Center for more types of travel, including
flights, hotels, cruises and car rentals, as compared to gift cards
ThankYou Travel Center for more types of travel, including
flights, hotels, cruises and car rentals, as compared to gift cards
https://online.citibank.com/JRS/popu...ierchanges.pdf
Here's hoping these changes make it over to the Prestige as well but at the 33% level.
If they don't apply to the Prestige, I currently have both Premier and Prestige, will be interesting to see if they calculate everything properly and give me the 25% more value rate for a hotel redemption while giving me 33% / 60% for travel.
Jan 23, 2015, 11:34 pm
#57
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: TYS/BNA/ATL
Programs: UR, TYP, MR, C1, AA, UA, WN, BA, AS, AV, AC, Choice, Hyatt, IHG, Hilton, Wyndham, Marriott
Posts: 1,973
Wow! This coverage is even better than Prestige. I verified that prestige does cover all the countries. That makes CSP useless for me. I will cancel it and get Premier instead.
Jan 24, 2015, 12:00 am
#58
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: TYS/BNA/ATL
Programs: UR, TYP, MR, C1, AA, UA, WN, BA, AS, AV, AC, Choice, Hyatt, IHG, Hilton, Wyndham, Marriott
Posts: 1,973
One thing I didn't see mentioned here is the expansion of the 25% more value feature to more than just flights.
So they've increased both the earn rate to 3x on travel and also expanded the redemption category as well.
https://online.citibank.com/JRS/popu...ierchanges.pdf
Here's hoping these changes make it over to the Prestige as well but at the 33% level.
If they don't apply to the Prestige, I currently have both Premier and Prestige, will be interesting to see if they calculate everything properly and give me the 25% more value rate for a hotel redemption while giving me 33% / 60% for travel.
So they've increased both the earn rate to 3x on travel and also expanded the redemption category as well.
https://online.citibank.com/JRS/popu...ierchanges.pdf
Here's hoping these changes make it over to the Prestige as well but at the 33% level.
If they don't apply to the Prestige, I currently have both Premier and Prestige, will be interesting to see if they calculate everything properly and give me the 25% more value rate for a hotel redemption while giving me 33% / 60% for travel.
Jan 24, 2015, 9:09 pm
#59
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: DFW,OVB (Russia)
Programs: AA HH Gold SPG Gold BA
Posts: 1,823
+1
Now If only we could have AA as a transfer partner...
wouldn't it be great, if Citi finally got AA as a transfer partner, and thus bit not only Chase in the rear, but also Barclays, with their Aviator Silver cards...? (i know its a long shot)
Now If only we could have AA as a transfer partner...
wouldn't it be great, if Citi finally got AA as a transfer partner, and thus bit not only Chase in the rear, but also Barclays, with their Aviator Silver cards...? (i know its a long shot)
Last edited by rgAAFT; Jan 24, 2015 at 9:16 pm