Citi Prestige Card review: No longer available but potentially worth keeping
Quick summary
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Citi Prestige Card overview
The Citi Prestige® Card is no longer open to new applicants, but its valuable earning rates and useful perks still make it an attractive travel rewards credit card for some existing cardholders. Card Rating*: ⭐⭐⭐
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG's editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
The Prestige is Citi's most premium travel rewards credit card and stopped accepting applications in mid-2021. The card offers impressive earning rates and travel credits but lacks travel protections.
Cardholders who were approved had a credit score of 740 or higher. Although this card isn't open to new applicants, current cardholders can continue to use and benefit from the card.
There is potential for the launch of a new premium Citi card that could replace the Citi Prestige in 2025. Online data points show a filed trademark for a 'Citi Strata Elite', so for those who missed out on the Prestige, this could be the next premium card to jump on.
With a high $495 annual fee, this card is only worth keeping if you know you'll take full advantage of its benefits before your next annual fee posts. So, let's dive in.
The information for the Citi Prestige has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Citi Prestige pros and cons
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Citi Prestige welcome offer
The Citi Prestige isn't currently available to new applicants. So, you can't apply for this card and earn a welcome bonus.
However, you could apply for the Citi Prestige's lower annual fee sibling, the Citi Strata Premier® Card (see rates and fees) and earn a welcome bonus after reaching a certain spending threshold.
Citi Prestige benefits
Despite lacking travel and shopping protections, there is still much to love about the card's offerings.
Fourth-night-free perk
The Citi Prestige's fourth night free perk has long been considered the most valuable benefit of the Citi Prestige.
The fourth-night-free benefit works like this: Citi will pay for the fourth night of your stay at virtually any hotel when you book through the Citi ThankYou travel portal. However, you can only use this benefit twice each calendar year. The fourth night free is based on your average nightly rate, excluding taxes and fees.
Remember that because bookings must be made through the Citi ThankYou travel portal, you generally won't earn hotel loyalty points or receive elite benefits. And be sure to compare prices with several other booking methods, as the fourth-night free perk won't always provide the best value.
Annual travel credit
Citi Prestige cardholders get an annual travel credit for travel purchases. Specifically, you'll automatically get a statement credit for the first $250 of travel purchases you make each calendar year.
This credit applies to a wide variety of travel purchases, including purchases from airlines, hotels and car rental agencies. If your purchase codes as travel, it will more than likely qualify for this travel credit. That makes it one of the most flexible credits offered by any premium travel card.
If you maximize this credit, it effectively lowers the $495 annual fee to $245.
Related: How credit card issuers classify travel and dining purchases
Global Entry statement credit
Citi Prestige cardholders receive a credit every four years that can be applied toward a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee. This saves members time when waiting in security and in immigration lines in the U.S..
Several other cards also offer a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry statement credit. But if you've already enrolled in either of the two programs, you can use the credit for a family member or friend's application.
Priority Pass lounge access
As a Citi Prestige cardholder, you'll also get access to the Priority Pass lounge network. The Priority Pass network includes more than 1,700 airport lounges worldwide.
Citi Prestige cardholders get a Priority Pass Select membership that provides complimentary lounge access for the cardholder, immediate family members and up to two guests. There are some excellent Priority Pass lounges in the U.S., but most of the best Priority Pass lounges are outside the U.S.
Related: Is a Priority Pass lounge membership actually worth it?
Cellphone protection
When you pay your monthly cellphone bill with your Citi Prestige Card, you'll get protection against theft and damage for up to five phone lines. While there is a $50 deductible per claim, you can get up to $800 of coverage per claim.
The Citi Prestige doesn't offer bonus points on cellphone services, but you may want to pay your monthly cellphone bill with your Citi Prestige to take advantage of this protection.
Related: Credit cards that cover cellphone loss and damage
Earning points on the Citi Prestige
An essential part of evaluating a card is assessing how easily you can earn points through spending. Luckily, earning is one area where the Citi Prestige doesn't slack for a premium travel card. It earns:
- 5 points per dollar spent at restaurants (including takeout and delivery), airfare and travel agencies (9.25% return based on TPG's July 2025 valuations)
- 3 points per dollar spent at hotels and cruise lines (5.5% return)
- 1 point per dollar spent on other purchases (1.85% return)
However, despite the effective 9.25% return on airfare, it's better to use a credit card that provides travel protections when booking flights.
Redeeming points on the Citi Prestige
Citi ThankYou points can be redeemed in various ways, but the most valuable option is to transfer them to an airline or hotel partner.
You can also use your Citi ThankYou points to redeem for travel through Citi's travel portal. Doing so will usually provide less value than transferring to airline partners. But, depending on your travel goals, there may be times when doing so works best for you.
Additionally, you can redeem points for gift cards, use them to pay at select online retailers, get cash back or make charitable contributions.
Related: The complete guide to Citi ThankYou Rewards: How to earn, redeem and transfer points
Transferring points on the Citi Prestige
Transferring your points to one of Citi's 21 airline and hotel partners will likely give you the most value.
If you're unsure which transfer partners are best, TPG credit cards writer Danyal Ahmed has transferred ThankYou points to Air France-KLM Flying Blue for business-class flights from the U.S. to Europe for as low as 60,000 points one-way. This is a great way to use your ThankYou points.
Related: Best ways to redeem your Citi ThankYou points
Which cards compete with the Citi Prestige?
The most direct competitors to the Citi Prestige are three other premium travel rewards cards.
- If you want to maximize travel points earning: The Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) charges a huge $795 annual fee but offers high earning rates on airfare and hotel purchases, plus benefits like lounge access and credits for travel, luxury hotels and Global Entry. To learn more, read our full review of the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
- If you want loads of extra perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express charges a high $695 annual fee (see rates and fees) but offers a suite of luxury travel benefits like unparalleled lounge access, an annual up to $200 airline fee statement credit and elite status with Hilton and Marriott. (Enrollment is required for select benefits; terms apply.) To learn more, read our full review of the Amex Platinum.
- If you want a premium travel card with a lower annual fee: The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has a moderate $395 annual fee and provides lounge access to Capital One lounges and an annual travel credit. To learn more, read our full review of the Capital One Venture X.
For additional options, check out our full list of the best travel cards.
Read more: The best premium credit cards: A side-by-side comparison
Is the Citi Prestige worth it?
The card can be worth the cost for those who use most of the Citi Prestige's benefits. When used strategically, the fourth-night-free benefit can still provide hundreds of dollars in value. The annual travel credit is easy to use, plus the card's earnings on dining and flights provide significant value.
Bottom line
The Citi Prestige isn't a clear-cut winner for everyone. While it offers valuable perks like bonus points on flights and dining, many of its benefits overlap with other premium cards. If you already carry similar products, it's worth reassessing whether the Citi Prestige still earns its keep when the annual fee posts.
If you missed the boat on applying, don't worry — Citi has hinted at launching a new premium card. While there's no official word yet, the issuer could make an announcement at any time, so it's worth keeping a close watch.
Related: How to decide if a credit card's annual fee is worth paying
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here.