AwardWallet receives compensation from advertising partners for links on the blog. Terms Apply to the offers listed on this page. Enrollment is required for select Amex benefits. The opinions expressed here are our own and have not been reviewed, provided, or approved by any bank advertiser. Here's our complete list of Advertisers.
Offers for the Citi Prestige® Card are not available through this site. Some offers may have expired. Please see our card marketplace for available offers
Travel credit cards are a hot market, which is one reason why so many card issuers want to get in on the action. Citi is one of those and offers some pretty decent mid-tier travel cards for consumers. However, it also used to provide its own version of a premium travel credit card. Though it's no longer open to new applicants, there are still plenty of people who hold the Citi Prestige® Card. Let's take a look at the earning rates and benefits of this card for those who are lucky enough to have one.
Citi Prestige Card Annual Fee
As a premium travel credit card, the Prestige Card incurs a pretty hefty annual fee of $495. However, this is lower than the annual fees of competitors such as the American Express Platinum Card® and Chase Sapphire Reserve®. Since the Prestige Card is no longer issued, it hasn't suffered the fee increases that affect these other premium credit cards.
Related: Comparison of Premium Travel Rewards Credit Cards
Citi Prestige Card Earning Rates
The Prestige Card earns ThankYou® Points that can be transferred to 21 hotel and airline partners. This includes an industry-leading transfer ratio of 1:2 to Choice Privileges (meaning one ThankYou® Point becomes two Choice points). Points earned by other competitors like American Express Membership Rewards and Capital One miles transfer at a 1:1 ratio.
Aside from superior transfer ratios, the Prestige Card also enjoys a very generous earning structure:
- 5X points on air travel, travel agencies, and at restaurants
- 3X points at hotels and on cruise line purchases
- 1X point per dollar on all other purchases
Those who hold the Prestige Card are likely already aware of how valuable its earning rates can be. While ThankYou® Points may be less popular than other flexible point currencies, they're worth a lot. In recent AwardWallet user redemptions, ThankYou® Points were redeemed at an average rate of 1.64¢ each. Compare that to Amex points (1.98¢), Chase Ultimate Rewards (1.97¢), and Capital One (2.04¢).
It's also impossible to find any other cards with an unlimited 5x earn on restaurants or flights. Two American Express cards come close to these earnings. The American Express® Gold Card has excellent restaurant rewards (Earn 4X points at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 per year, then 1X)), and the Platinum Card® earns 5X points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year) and 5X points on prepaid hotels (including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection) booked through American Express Travel®.
However, the 5x per $1 spent via the Prestige Card is uncapped, which is excellent for big spenders. It also accounts for travel agencies, which means you can book flights with online travel agencies (OTAs) like Expedia without sacrificing earnings.
Citi Prestige Card Benefits
Because it's a premium travel credit card, the Prestige Card does more than just offer the ability to earn points.
Statement credits
Annual travel credit
TheCiti Prestige Card offers up to $250 in annual statement credits good for travel purchases. Like the travel credit offered by the Sapphire Reserve, this travel credit is broad and easy to use. Simply charge travel purchases to your card and the credit will be automatically applied.
Citigold banking credit
Only available to those with a Citigold banking relationship, this credit gives you a $145 statement credit each year simply for maintaining the relationship. Note that you'll need to maintain a combined balance of $200,000 per month to qualify for Citigold banking.
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
Like many other travel credit cards, the Prestige Card offers up to $100 every four years towards either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. Simply pay for your application fee with the card to receive a statement credit offsetting the cost.
Fourth night free
The Prestige Card previously offered amazing value with its fourth-night-free benefit. In the past, these were uncapped, had the ability to earn points, and included the taxes and fees you'd paid.
These days, cardholders are entitled to just two uses of the fourth night free per year. They're also not able to receive elite night credit or benefits on these bookings (as hotels generally don't provide elite status perks when you book through a portal), nor does the fourth night free include taxes or fees. However, there's still value to be had. This is especially true with non-chain bookings, like you'll find at Walt Disney World hotels.
Here's an example of a four-night stay over Christmas using the fourth-night free benefit.
You'll pay $1,305.60 for this stay in Citi TravelSM (which is where you must book to utilize the fourth-night-free benefit). Meanwhile, here's what it looks like when booking directly via Disney's website.
That's a cost of $1,572, so you'll save nearly $275 from this credit card perk. Do that twice a year and you've recouped the card's annual fee just from this benefit.
Airport lounge access
The Prestige Card offers a Priority Pass Select membership, which allows users to gain airport lounge access at more than 1,400 locations worldwide. The membership provided by the Prestige Card is one of the most generous around: Enrolled members can bring up to two guests with them to the lounge. Authorized users also receive their own Priority Pass membership.
Finally, the Priority Pass Select membership offered by the Prestige Card includes access to non-lounge experiences (such as spas and restaurants), which is rather unique these days after other cards have removed this benefit.
Alternatives to the Citi Prestige Card
The Prestige Card is a great card if you've already got it. Unfortunately, since it's not open to new applicants or product changes from another Citi credit card, those who are looking for similar benefits will need to search elsewhere. Here are a few good alternatives.
American Express Platinum Card®
- You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you're approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount - all with no credit score impact. If you're approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
- More Value! With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection®, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations), Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges. * As of 07/2025.
- More Value! $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
- More Value! $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $25 in statement credits each month after you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card® at participating partners. Enrollment required.
- More Value! $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel® using the Platinum Card®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- New! $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy: When you use the Platinum Card® to pay at U.S. Resy restaurants and to make other eligible purchases through Resy, you can get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter with the $400 Resy Credit benefit. Plus, with Platinum Nights by Resy, you can get special access to reservations on select nights at participating in demand Resy restaurants with the Platinum Card®. Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you, enrollment required.
- More Value! $209 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps get you to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR Plus Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR Plus with the Platinum Card®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card® Account*. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
- Start your vacation sooner, and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts® through American Express Travel®, enjoy noon check-in upon arrival, when available, and guaranteed 4PM check-out.
- New! $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That's up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
- $155 Walmart+ Credit: Receive a statement credit* for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with the Platinum Card®. *Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.
- $100 Saks Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue or saks.com on the Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits from January through June and up to $50 in statement credits from July through December. No minimum purchase required. Enrollment required.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- $895 annual fee.
- Terms Apply.
- Rates & Fees
- Earn 5X points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® (up to $500,000 in purchases per calendar year).
- Earn 5X points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®.
- Earn 5X points on Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings.
We've mentioned the Platinum Card® a few times already — and for good reason. Although it has a higher annual fee than the Prestige Card, it has correspondingly better benefits. These include hotel elite status, 5x points on flights booked directly with the airline or via American Express Travel® (up to $500,000 per year), and a $600 annual prepaid hotel credit. It also includes annual credits for Saks Fifth Avenue and Uber Cash.
Beyond this, the card offers airport lounge access via its Global Lounge Collection®, which includes a Priority Pass Select membership, Delta Sky Clubs®, American Express Centurion Lounges, Lufthansa Senator Lounges, Virgin Clubhouses, Plaza Premium lounges, and more.
Enrollment is required for select Amex benefits.
$600 hotel credit offered with American Express Platinum Card® applies to prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings made via American Express Travel®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
Related: Platinum Card® review
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Earn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Get more than $2,700 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve.
- Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠ and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases
- $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club with two guests. Plus, up to $120 towards Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck® every 4 years
- Get up to $150 in statement credits every six months for a maximum of $300 annually for dining at restaurants that are part of Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and more.
- Get complimentary Apple TV+, the exclusive streaming home of Apple Originals. Plus Apple Music - all the music you love, across all your devices. Subscriptions run through 6/22/27 - a value of $250 annually
- Member FDIC
- Rates & Fees
- 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠
- 4x points on flights and hotels booked directly
- 3x points on dining worldwide
- 1x points on all other purchases
The Sapphire Reserve is another strong competitor to the Prestige Card. Again, its higher annual fee comes with increased benefits. These include a $300 annual travel credit, Priority Pass membership, and the ability to earn 8x points per $1 spent on all purchases made through Chase Travel℠, 4x points per $1 spent on flights and hotels booked directly with travel companies, and 3x points on dining.
Related: Sapphire Reserve review
Citi Strata Premier® Card
- Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.
- Earn 10 Points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
- Earn 3 Points per $1 on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, at Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas and EV Charging Stations.
- Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
- $100 Annual Hotel Benefit: Once per calendar year, enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through CitiTravel.com. Benefit applied instantly at time of booking.
- No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases.
- 10X on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked through CitiTravel.com
- 3X – Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases
- 3X – Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Restaurants
- 3X – Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Supermarkets
- 3X – Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Gas and EV Charging Stations
- 1X – Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on All Other Purchases
If you'd like to earn transferable Citi ThankYou® Points on your purchases, your best bet is the Citi Strata Premier (Rates & Fees). This is a mid-tier card and has an annual fee of just $95, which means you won't be getting much in the way of statement credits. However, you will be earning 10X points per $1 on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com; 3X points per $1 spent on air travel and other hotel purchases; and 3X points at gas stations, EV charging stations, restaurants, and supermarkets
You'll also get a $100 hotel credit once per year when you spend $500 on a hotel booking through Citi TravelSM.
Finally, those who have the Citi Strata Premier also can take advantage of the industry-leading 1:2 transfer ratio to Choice Hotels, which can lead to some truly fantastic (yet cheap) redemptions.
Related: Citi Strata Premier review
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
- 10X miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked via Capital One Travel
- 5X miles per $1 on purchases through Capital One Entertainment (through 12/31/2025)
- 5X miles per $1 on flights when booking via Capital One Travel
- 5X miles per $1 on vacation rentals booked via Capital One Travel
- 2X miles per $1 on all other eligible purchases
Our last recommendation on this list is the newest and offers some excellent perks for its $395 annual fee: the Capital One Venture X. This includes a $300 annual travel credit, a 10,000-mile anniversary bonus, airport lounge access, and up to a $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit (available once every four years).
Although it only earns 2x Capital One miles on purchases, it's uncapped and not limited by category. This means you'll be able to get 2x on purchases that'd earn 1x with other cards. You'll also earn 10x on hotels and rental cars in the travel portal, plus 5x on flights in the portal.
The Capital One Venture X is also great for those seeking lounge access. This is thanks to the ability to bring unlimited guests (subject to space constraints at lounges) and to add authorized users for free — plus the fact that each authorized user gets their own Priority Pass Select membership. Members also get access to Capital One Lounges and Plaza Premium Lounges.
Related: Capital One Venture X review
Bottom Line
The Citi Prestige Card offers compelling rewards to those who already hold the card. However, if you don't currently have one, you're out of luck: It's no longer open to new applicants, and you aren't able to product change to the card. Happily, there are quite a few alternatives that can match or beat the Citi Prestige Card, including options from Amex, Chase, and Capital One.
Do you still hold the Prestige Card? What's your favorite benefit?
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: American Express Platinum Card® (Rates & Fees), Chase Sapphire Reserve® (Rates & Fees), and Citi Strata Premier® Card (Rates & Fees)
The comments on this page are not provided, reviewed, or otherwise approved by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.