Alternative to Citi Prestige
Jul 9, 2019, 7:39 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Southern Utah
Programs: Southwest, Delta, Alaska, United, Chase
Posts: 22
Alternative to Citi Prestige
With the continued devaluation of this card plus the forthcoming increase in annual fee I am looking for a substitute travel card.
We go on expensive trips and really value the Travel Insurance the card provided. But that among other features has been chipped away at. In any case I'm looking for another card that has really good travel insurance benefits.
Also we spend about $40-50K per year in travel but most of it to travel agencies. Some cards don't teat that as travel for points or miles or dollars back. You usually have to book airfare, hotel, cruise, etc. directly with the provided to get it to count.
Also we like the Priority Pass or some other lounge access feature.
A lower annual fee than the new Prestige $495/yr would also be preferred. No foreign transaction fees is a must.
Card is paid in full every month so the APR and other fees are inconsequential.
What suggestions do you have that would fit our needs?
We go on expensive trips and really value the Travel Insurance the card provided. But that among other features has been chipped away at. In any case I'm looking for another card that has really good travel insurance benefits.
Also we spend about $40-50K per year in travel but most of it to travel agencies. Some cards don't teat that as travel for points or miles or dollars back. You usually have to book airfare, hotel, cruise, etc. directly with the provided to get it to count.
Also we like the Priority Pass or some other lounge access feature.
A lower annual fee than the new Prestige $495/yr would also be preferred. No foreign transaction fees is a must.
Card is paid in full every month so the APR and other fees are inconsequential.
What suggestions do you have that would fit our needs?
Jul 10, 2019, 10:45 am
#4
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
I would also look at purchasing an annual travel insurance policy, rather than relying on one that is bundled by a card issuer. If nothing else it will allow you to attach a realistic dollar value to the insurance -and- you may find benefits that are a better fit for your circumstances.
Last edited by mia; Jul 10, 2019 at 12:26 pm
Jul 11, 2019, 6:57 am
#6
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,380
I agree with the above people,get a separate travel insurance policy (you can find annual policies that cover multiple trips, can be pretty cheap like under $300)
The ones included with credit card isn't that good for medical evacuations (I know amex does cover it well, chase somewhat covers it) or trip interruption (only prestige covers a new ticket under limited circumstances)
Keep prestige for 5x and priority pass
The ones included with credit card isn't that good for medical evacuations (I know amex does cover it well, chase somewhat covers it) or trip interruption (only prestige covers a new ticket under limited circumstances)
Keep prestige for 5x and priority pass
Jul 11, 2019, 3:21 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Southern Utah
Programs: Southwest, Delta, Alaska, United, Chase
Posts: 22
Interesting idea. I'll look into that.
4th night free maybe once or twice a year. Tend to not stay long in one place.
4th night free maybe once or twice a year. Tend to not stay long in one place.
Last edited by EmailKid; Jul 11, 2019 at 7:56 pm Reason: Back to back replies posted the very same minute
Jul 11, 2019, 6:02 pm
#8
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,380
For the amount you're spending, you may want to look at amex plat for their IAP (discounted intl airline program) and FHR (fine hotels&resorts)
May or may not work out for you (only limited airlines and business/first class, 2-15% discount). May get better unadvertised rates thru your travel agency
May or may not work out for you (only limited airlines and business/first class, 2-15% discount). May get better unadvertised rates thru your travel agency
Jul 11, 2019, 6:38 pm
#9
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
Jul 11, 2019, 11:13 pm
#10
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Western US
Programs: Costco Executive Member, Amazon Optimus Prime
Posts: 1,251
With the continued devaluation of this card plus the forthcoming increase in annual fee I am looking for a substitute travel card.
We go on expensive trips and really value the Travel Insurance the card provided. But that among other features has been chipped away at. In any case I'm looking for another card that has really good travel insurance benefits.
Also we spend about $40-50K per year in travel but most of it to travel agencies. Some cards don't teat that as travel for points or miles or dollars back. You usually have to book airfare, hotel, cruise, etc. directly with the provided to get it to count.
Also we like the Priority Pass or some other lounge access feature.
A lower annual fee than the new Prestige $495/yr would also be preferred. No foreign transaction fees is a must.
Card is paid in full every month so the APR and other fees are inconsequential.
What suggestions do you have that would fit our needs?
We go on expensive trips and really value the Travel Insurance the card provided. But that among other features has been chipped away at. In any case I'm looking for another card that has really good travel insurance benefits.
Also we spend about $40-50K per year in travel but most of it to travel agencies. Some cards don't teat that as travel for points or miles or dollars back. You usually have to book airfare, hotel, cruise, etc. directly with the provided to get it to count.
Also we like the Priority Pass or some other lounge access feature.
A lower annual fee than the new Prestige $495/yr would also be preferred. No foreign transaction fees is a must.
Card is paid in full every month so the APR and other fees are inconsequential.
What suggestions do you have that would fit our needs?
Jul 12, 2019, 12:30 am
#11
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
Priceline card comes very close. Redemption is at 1.67cpp. No AF, no FTF. I have a card which also earns 2x on everything else, but now only 1x version is available.
Last edited by yugi; Jul 12, 2019 at 12:36 am
Jul 20, 2019, 11:38 am
#12
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: LAX
Programs: AA Plat, UA Gold
Posts: 609
i'm in the same boat, I'm debating dropped citi prestige altogether or swap it out for CSR. I have the amex plat and value it for the purchase protections and try to eek out the credits where I can.
With the new prestige annual fee, lack of bag delay/flight travel insurance, and limiting the 4nf to their online system/2x per year, this card feels like death by a thousand cuts.
I know i still get value from the 5x dining/air and 3x hotels, but i also get the airfare portion with amex, albeit with formerly much less generous travel insurance.
basically, do i swap out the 5x hotels for 3x travel on CSR for less of annual fee and better insurance...
With the new prestige annual fee, lack of bag delay/flight travel insurance, and limiting the 4nf to their online system/2x per year, this card feels like death by a thousand cuts.
I know i still get value from the 5x dining/air and 3x hotels, but i also get the airfare portion with amex, albeit with formerly much less generous travel insurance.
basically, do i swap out the 5x hotels for 3x travel on CSR for less of annual fee and better insurance...
Jul 20, 2019, 12:32 pm
#13
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: Virgin Atlantic Silver, IHG Diamond, Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Diamond, AA Platinum Pro
Posts: 1,386
I'm one of those statistical anomalies that has never been in a situation that required the insurances, so I currently value the 5X more.
However, I am well aware that as soon as I find myself finally needing the insurance and not having it, my outlook may very well change.
But until then, earn earn earn as far as I'm concerned!
However, I am well aware that as soon as I find myself finally needing the insurance and not having it, my outlook may very well change.
But until then, earn earn earn as far as I'm concerned!
Jul 22, 2019, 9:17 am
#14
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 378
I would also look at purchasing an annual travel insurance policy, rather than relying on one that is bundled by a card issuer. If nothing else it will allow you to attach a realistic dollar value to the insurance -and- you may find benefits that are a better fit for your circumstances.
Jul 22, 2019, 9:55 am
#15
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,954
Most of the discussion seems to be in the Travel Products forum:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-products-639/
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-products-639/