Most Citi "Protection" benefits and Price Rewind discontinued September 22, 2019
Jun 25, 2019, 2:49 pm
#91
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: HHonors, TrueBlue, Delta SkyMiles, Hyatt Discoverist, Starwood Preferred Guest, American Airlines.
Posts: 2,035
Ummm... yea, no. Chase hasn't "taken advantage" from Amex cutting Priority Pass restaurant benefits. Chase did absolutely nothing. They had a benefit on offer and they haven't changed it years. Amex made an announcement but Chase didn't take any action whatsoever, and in fact their public statement was pretty non-committal; basically saying there were no changes to the program to share "at this time." That hardly qualifies as "taking the advantage" at Amex's expense.
I find it a little humorous that so many are talking about running into the arms of Chase Sapphire Reserve (full disclosure, I carry that card too) at this point. Over the last couple years, both on FT, and on the "usual suspect" travel blogs, many were asserting, quite vocally, that Chase had to "reinvigorate" the CSR and that they were "falling behind" Amex and Citi. Basically, Chase introduced the CSR several years ago and effectively have left it completely unchanged. People were saying it's time had past, and yet now, with no changes whatsoever, people are ready to go running back into their arms. Perhaps Chase has a better understanding for what the premium card market can bear than people have given them credit for...
I find it a little humorous that so many are talking about running into the arms of Chase Sapphire Reserve (full disclosure, I carry that card too) at this point. Over the last couple years, both on FT, and on the "usual suspect" travel blogs, many were asserting, quite vocally, that Chase had to "reinvigorate" the CSR and that they were "falling behind" Amex and Citi. Basically, Chase introduced the CSR several years ago and effectively have left it completely unchanged. People were saying it's time had past, and yet now, with no changes whatsoever, people are ready to go running back into their arms. Perhaps Chase has a better understanding for what the premium card market can bear than people have given them credit for...
I'm surprised the Prestige still exists to this day. I thought it would be permanently gone last year when they shelved it.
I wouldn't be surprised to see Citi drop the card entirely in the near future.
Jun 25, 2019, 2:58 pm
#92
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: AUS
Programs: BAEC Gold, AA PPro, Hyatt Globalist, Amex Plat
Posts: 7,043
I'm just saying that the canceling of benefits that most people have willingly acknowledged that they have never even used is not going to be the thing that pushes more over the ledge.
But you stated absolutely nothing that I would disagree with you on.
Regards
Jun 25, 2019, 3:06 pm
#93
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: BNA
Programs: Hyatt Explorist, Bonvoy Plat, HHonors Diamond, DL Gold
Posts: 383
Although I currently put nearly all of my flight spend on AMEX Plat, it is quite disturbing that Citi is removing what seem to be base insurance benefits to so many cards. When one wants a credit card as a long term keeper, there has to be consistency in benefits and trust. I still like the ThankYou points program, however I no longer feel that I can trust what benefits will exist long-term. The primary benefits to me for the Citi Premier card are the Entertainment bonus category and the ThankYou airline transfer partners. Because of deteriorating trust, I might consider canceling my Citi Premier card before renewal time next year. I may consider the Capital One Savor card for the entertainment bonus category spend.
Jun 25, 2019, 3:06 pm
#94
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 258
DH just called Citicard to voice his displeasure.
The phone rep was well-prepared and had scripted responses. They are inundated with calls.
The phone rep told DH that "95% of customers don't even know about the travel protection benefits, so nobody will notice."
We have used the trip cancellation and trip interruption several times and it is an important part of our travel planning.
I fail to see how anyone at Citi would have any quantifiable data as to how many people are utilizing the card for the travel protection benefits, but I would suspect it is more than 5% of card holders. Maybe I'm mistaken.
In our case---our $30-40K leisure travel spend will transition to Chase Sapphire Preferred so that we have coverage. The balance of our annual spend will be transitioned to other cards.
We will purchase Admirals' Club with $ or miles going forward and will cancel the Citi card--they are quite replaceable at $450/year for a travel card with no travel benefits.
The phone rep was well-prepared and had scripted responses. They are inundated with calls.
The phone rep told DH that "95% of customers don't even know about the travel protection benefits, so nobody will notice."
We have used the trip cancellation and trip interruption several times and it is an important part of our travel planning.
I fail to see how anyone at Citi would have any quantifiable data as to how many people are utilizing the card for the travel protection benefits, but I would suspect it is more than 5% of card holders. Maybe I'm mistaken.
In our case---our $30-40K leisure travel spend will transition to Chase Sapphire Preferred so that we have coverage. The balance of our annual spend will be transitioned to other cards.
We will purchase Admirals' Club with $ or miles going forward and will cancel the Citi card--they are quite replaceable at $450/year for a travel card with no travel benefits.
Jun 25, 2019, 3:52 pm
#95
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
Oh, you'll get absolutely no argument from me on that front! Agree completely. Citi is the relationship that we care the least about, without question. As I've mentioned, I'll keep it now for the 4th night free, as long as it remains in my favor, and we use the TYPs from that to just purchase airline tickets, but at the point the math is no longer in my favor, then it will absolutely be "buh bye..."
I'm just saying that the canceling of benefits that most people have willingly acknowledged that they have never even used is not going to be the thing that pushes more over the ledge.
But you stated absolutely nothing that I would disagree with you on.
Regards
I'm just saying that the canceling of benefits that most people have willingly acknowledged that they have never even used is not going to be the thing that pushes more over the ledge.
But you stated absolutely nothing that I would disagree with you on.
Regards
Jun 25, 2019, 4:26 pm
#96
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: 1,978
This makes me sad since the Prestige was starting to be my "Go-To" card for everything but it will shift my wallet once the AF comes up. If the AF increases like it is expected, then it's not worth it anymore and I will PC to Premier to keep my point bank and move my dining to Amex Gold / Travel to CIP / Big Ticket Items to Amex Plat.
If the AF stays at $350, then it's still worth it to stay at a net $100 AF just for the 5x dining.
If the AF stays at $350, then it's still worth it to stay at a net $100 AF just for the 5x dining.
I didn't use any single benefit from this card, except price rewind few times. I didn't use this card to book car rentals, first because it doesn't provide primary CDW in the US, second because it's awards only 1 point for car rentals, so not a big deal for me.
Jun 25, 2019, 4:44 pm
#97
Join Date: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,746
I'll give it the benefit of the doubt for now, but it seems that the Capital One Venture Card + Hotels.com bonus combo might provide better overall value. 10x Capital One points plus the 10% back from the hotels.com rewards program mean that your total value will be a minimum of "20% back" that doesnt require a 4 night stay to optimize. Unfortunately, this also can't be stacked and I haven't researched it extensively, so there may be different drawbacks.
I'll probably stick with my Prestige till the end of the year to make a final decision.
Only down side is that the Capital One program is only in effect through January 2020.
It's even available on the Capital One Venture One card, which is a no-fee card.
Last edited by BigFlyer; Jun 25, 2019 at 5:00 pm
Jun 25, 2019, 4:56 pm
#98
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Upper Sternistan
Posts: 10,044
Jun 25, 2019, 5:19 pm
#99
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Western US
Programs: Costco Executive Member, Amazon Optimus Prime
Posts: 1,251
Mine too. It went from being sockdrawered to daily driver for restaurants and airfare. The rest of travel goes to CSR.
I didn't use any single benefit from this card, except price rewind few times. I didn't use this card to book car rentals, first because it doesn't provide primary CDW in the US, second because it's awards only 1 point for car rentals, so not a big deal for me.
I didn't use any single benefit from this card, except price rewind few times. I didn't use this card to book car rentals, first because it doesn't provide primary CDW in the US, second because it's awards only 1 point for car rentals, so not a big deal for me.
But don't get me wrong - I'm irate about these changes too.
I upgraded my banking package with US Bank today, over the phone. They're not awesome either, and don't have the the global footprint, but I can start using them a little more too.
Jun 25, 2019, 6:53 pm
#100
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 258
Try booking car rentals through a travel agency, prepaid, and see if you get 5x that way. They hardly seem to mention it - certainly deliberately - but 5x via Expedia/Orbitz etc. could be useful too.
But don't get me wrong - I'm irate about these changes too.
I upgraded my banking package with US Bank today, over the phone. They're not awesome either, and don't have the the global footprint, but I can start using them a little more too.
But don't get me wrong - I'm irate about these changes too.
I upgraded my banking package with US Bank today, over the phone. They're not awesome either, and don't have the the global footprint, but I can start using them a little more too.
Jun 25, 2019, 7:30 pm
#101
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: stl
Programs: AA LT Plat/8.1mm now with 1350 miles left in my account and proud of it.. SPG LT Titanium.
Posts: 3,082
I have the exec card which is a world elite mastercard. I was looking on line and saw that mastercard added cell phone protection to cards with this label yet I don't see anything that says it specifically applies to the exec card. What I read says that as of July 1 if you pay your cell phone bill you are eligible for the coverage. Possibly the wrong thread but it may be a small reason to keep the card.
Last edited by abk; Jun 26, 2019 at 8:48 am
Jun 25, 2019, 8:06 pm
#102
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: DCA
Programs: AA PPro, Mariott Ambassador, B6 Mosaic, SBUX Gold, Best Buy Elite
Posts: 1,838
I have the exec card which is a world elite mastercard. I was looking on line and saw that mastercard added cell phone protection to cards with this label yet I don't see anything that says it specifically applies to the exec card. What I read says that as of July 21 if you pay your cell phone bill you are eligible for the coverage. Possibly the wrong thread but it may be a small reason to keep the card.
Jun 25, 2019, 9:31 pm
#103
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Rockies
Programs: UA Platinum, HHonors Diamond, Bonvoy occasionally Bonvoyed Mostly
Posts: 428
I just saw in the news (bloomberg etc) that citi announced today that they are adding a "pay with points" benefit where card holders can redeem TY points for 0.8 c for purchases instantly. really ????? they are calling that an added benefit 
and that too on the heals of removing all the other travel benefits.
I have an AmEx Plat and Citi Prestige and i used to use the Prestige for airfare mainly for the travel insurance. I only had to use it once in the past 4 years but that's what it is supposed to be. I had a flight cancelled due to weather and it cost me around 400 dollars for a hotel and other expenses. The travel insurance paid for it. So yes, i would say that benefit was very important to me and now that its gone, i'm going to use Plat for airfare and Gold for dining (at 4x). So time to move out of the TY currency.
and that too on the heals of removing all the other travel benefits. I have an AmEx Plat and Citi Prestige and i used to use the Prestige for airfare mainly for the travel insurance. I only had to use it once in the past 4 years but that's what it is supposed to be. I had a flight cancelled due to weather and it cost me around 400 dollars for a hotel and other expenses. The travel insurance paid for it. So yes, i would say that benefit was very important to me and now that its gone, i'm going to use Plat for airfare and Gold for dining (at 4x). So time to move out of the TY currency.
Jun 26, 2019, 4:58 am
#104
Join Date: Mar 2017
Programs: HHonors, TrueBlue, Delta SkyMiles, Hyatt Discoverist, Starwood Preferred Guest, American Airlines.
Posts: 2,035
I just saw in the news (bloomberg etc) that citi announced today that they are adding a "pay with points" benefit where card holders can redeem TY points for 0.8 c for purchases instantly. really ????? they are calling that an added benefit and that too on the heals of removing all the other travel benefits....
and that too on the heals of removing all the other travel benefits....
Jun 26, 2019, 7:16 am
#105
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: whatever comes with CCs
Posts: 1,082
I was using Prestige for my airfare/dining/hotels. I dropped CSR when the first renewal hit. I still have the Ritz card for getting insurance on award travel. Now I need to figure out if I can get an independent travel insurance plan to replace the benefits lost from citi prestige.
I spend about $10 -15k on flights every year with around 5-7k on dining. So I'm getting ~40k extra points by using Prestige over CSR. If I can get travel insurance for a lower amount then it still makes sense to stick with Prestige. Esp. if I can get a retention offer.
I spend about $10 -15k on flights every year with around 5-7k on dining. So I'm getting ~40k extra points by using Prestige over CSR. If I can get travel insurance for a lower amount then it still makes sense to stick with Prestige. Esp. if I can get a retention offer.