44 Benefits of the Citi Prestige Card [Lounge Access, Car Rental Perks]

Priority PassPremium travel rewards cards come with luxury travel benefits that make travel more convenient and more comfortable — ideally, with complimentary benefits the traveler would normally be paying for.

The Citi Prestige® Card stands out among rewards cards due to a few unique features that could elevate it on your list of cards to consider.

You’ll find a broad range of bonus earning categories, special lounge access that favors large families, and an easy way to score free hotel nights.

But these benefits are not all that make the Citi Prestige a potential match for the frequent traveler. We’ve dug deep into the fine print of the Citi Prestige benefits guide and uncovered the most important aspects of this card.

We’ll illustrate how the Citi Prestige combines up-front value with ongoing earning potential, and help you determine if it’s a card you’ll keep for the long term.

Hot Tip: At this time, the Citi Prestige card is no longer available for new applicants.

Table of contents

Lots of Ways to Earn ThankYou Rewards Points
Access to Over 1,300 Airport Lounges Worldwide
- Priority Pass Select Membership
- Share the Benefit With Others
Hotel and Car Rental Benefits
Redeeming Your ThankYou Point Rewards
Travel and Shopping Statement Credits
- $250 Travel Credit
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Credit
Recreation and Entertainment Benefits
World Elite Mastercard Benefits
Travel Protection and Benefits
- No Foreign Transaction Fees
Shopping Protections and Benefits
Final Thoughts

Table of Contents

Lots of Ways to Earn ThankYou Rewards Points
Access to Over 1,300 Airport Lounges Worldwide
- 9. Priority Pass Select Membership
- 10. Share the Benefit With Others
Hotel and Car Rental Benefits
Redeeming Your ThankYou Point Rewards
Travel and Shopping Statement Credits
- 20. $250 Travel Credit
- 21. Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Credit
Recreation and Entertainment Benefits
World Elite Mastercard Benefits
Travel Protection and Benefits
- 28. No Foreign Transaction Fees
Shopping Protections and Benefits
Final Thoughts

Lots of Ways to Earn ThankYou Rewards Points

The Citi Prestige shines when it comes to earning valuable ThankYou points. You’ll find that most of the travel purchases you make fall into a ThankYou points bonus earning category.

1. A Generous Welcome Bonus

When you’re approved for a Citi Prestige Card, you’ll be offered a welcome bonus worth hundreds of dollars when redeemed for travel. The bonus is earned after completing a minimum spending requirement in the first 3 months after card approval.

2. Earn on Purchases Made With the Airlines

Earn 5 points per dollar spent directly with airlines.

3. Earn on Travel Agency Purchases

Purchases made through travel agencies earn 5 points per dollar spent.

4. Earn When Dining Out

Purchases made at restaurants, cafes, bars, and even fast food establishments earn 5 points per dollar spent.

5. Earn on Hotel Purchases

Earn 3 points per dollar spent on hotel purchases.

6. Earn on Cruise Line Purchases

Purchases made with cruise lines earn 3 points per dollar spent.

7. Earn on Every Purchase

Every purchase you make on your Citi Prestige Card will earn at least 1 point per dollar spent.

8. No Limit on ThankYou Points

Many travel rewards credit cards have limits on earnings. But there is no limit on the number of ThankYou points you can earn with the Citi Prestige, even in bonus categories.

Bottom Line: The Citi Prestige offers frequent travelers a broad range of bonus earning categories that will make it easy to earn a lot of ThankYou points.

Priority Pass Lounge - The Club at San Jose, CA — Enjoy complimentary lounge access for you and your family or guests with a Priority Pass Select membership. Image Credit: Priority Pass

Access to Over 1,300 Airport Lounges Worldwide

9. Priority Pass Select Membership

The Citi Prestige card comes with a complimentary Priority Pass Select Membership. Cardholders can enjoy access to the Priority Pass worldwide lounge network, which has over 1,300 lounges, affiliated restaurants, and Minute Suite locations.

Affiliated Priority Pass restaurants offer up to $30 per person in credits when dining at these locations. Minute Suites offer Priority Pass Select members a free hour of service and discounted rates after that.

Cardholders can bring their entire immediate family into lounge properties, or they can bring 2 guests.

Hot Tip: There are several credit cards with Priority Pass lounge access, the Citi Prestige is certainly not the only one. However, the Prestige is the only card that earns Citi ThankYou points which offers this perk.

10. Share the Benefit With Others

Authorized users added to your Citi Prestige Card also receive complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, which includes the ability to bring immediate family or 2 guests.

The fee to add an authorized user is $75 annually.

Bottom Line: Having a credit card with airport lounge access can be a huge perk of the Citi Prestige if you travel frequently with more than 2 additional family members.

Hotel and Car Rental Benefits

11. 4th Hotel Night Free

Book any eligible hotel through thankyou.com or by calling 1-800-THANKYOU, and you’ll receive a credit for the average of the nightly rate when booking 4 consecutive nights or more. For example, if you booked 4 hotel nights at an average room rate of $200 per night (excluding taxes/fees), you would receive a $200 credit at the time of booking.

To receive the benefit you can no longer book through the Citi Prestige Concierge. You must book through the ThankYou portal.

You can use the 4th-night-free benefit twice per year.

12. Luxury Hotel and Resorts Benefits

Receive free spa sessions, upgraded rooms, hotel credits, late checkout, complimentary breakfast, and more at over 2,000 luxury properties worldwide. This benefit is provided via World Elite Mastercard.

13. Car Rental Program Benefits

Citi Prestige cardholders enjoy elite-level benefits with 3 major car rental programs, as well as complimentary World Elite Mastercard Car Rental membership.

Elite status with Hertz, Sixt, and National Car Rental programs
Complimentary World Elite Mastercard Car Rental membership

Westin Princeville Kauai Poolside Papa‘i — The complimentary Marriott Bonvoy Gold status you get with The Platinum Card from American Express may get you an upgrade here at the Westin Princeville Kauai on your next trip to Hawaii. Image Credit: Marriott

Redeeming Your ThankYou Point Rewards

14. Transfer Points to Airline Loyalty Programs

Receive the highest potential value for your ThankYou rewards points by transferring them to any of their airline partner frequent flyer programs. Points transfer at a ratio of 1 ThankYou point to 1 airline mile.

Hot Tip: For ideas on how to maximize your ThankYou points when transferring to airline partners, check out our list of creative redemption options.

15. Redeem for Travel Via the Citi ThankYou Travel Portal

ThankYou points can be redeemed for a variety of travel options via the ThankYou travel portal. You can book flights, hotels, cruises, rental cars, sightseeing excursions, and even experiences.

You’ll receive 1 cent per point in value on airfare when redeeming via the portal for travel.

16. Transfer Points to Sears Shop Your Way

Another option for using your ThankYou points is to transfer them to Sears Shop Your Way points. You’ll receive 12 Shop Your Way points for each ThankYou point — that translates into 1.2 cents per point to use at Sears and the Sears Marketplace (where you can find just about anything).

17. Make a Charitable Donation

Your ThankYou points can be used to make a charitable donation to the Red Cross or Smile Train. Points transfer at a rate of 1:1, so you’ll receive 1 cent in value for each point.

18. Redeem for Gift Cards

Redeeming ThankYou points for gift cards can occasionally result in a value of more than 1 cent per point when there are special deals.

19. Redeem for Cash Back or Shopping

While you’ll receive less value for your points when redeeming for cash-back or shopping, you have the option if you’re in a pinch. Expect to receive as little as a half-cent per point when using this redemption option.

You can also link your card to your Amazon or Best Buy account and use points for purchases — but once again, you will only be getting a half-cent per point in value (which we don’t advise).

Bottom Line: The best value for your ThankYou points is to transfer them to airline travel partners and purchase award tickets. In some cases, you can receive a value of 5-6 cents per point! Be sure to check the cost of a ticket before you transfer points, as transfers are not reversible.

Amtrak Train Lounge — Use your $250 travel statement credit for any type of travel. Image Credit: Idealphotographer via Shutterstock

Travel and Shopping Statement Credits

20. $250 Travel Credit

Use your Citi Prestige to purchase travel and receive a statement credit up to $250 each calendar year. Travel purchases include transactions with airlines, hotels, cruises, and much more.

21. Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Credit

Receive up to $100 when paying for your Global Entry application or renewal with your Citi Prestige, or $78 when purchasing or renewing TSA PreCheck. The credit is valid once every 5 years.

Recreation and Entertainment Benefits

22. Citi Prestige Concierge

Receive 24/7 assistance with all your travel planning needs, including dinner reservations, finding the perfect lodging, and planning destination activities.

23. Citi Dining Benefits

Enjoy special access to dining events, discounts, and complimentary drinks/appetizers through Citi Dining. Contact your Citi Concierge for a list of participating restaurants and access event offerings by logging into your account.

Citi Tickets — Enjoy access to preferred seating and pre-sale privileges with your Citi Prestige. Image Credit: Citi

24. Citi Entertainment

Citi Prestige cardholders can enjoy special access to sporting events, concerts, theater performances, and dining events. Receive advance ticket access, VIP seating, special amenities, and more.

World Elite Mastercard Benefits

Some of the benefits we’re mentioning in this article are actually World Elite Mastercard Benefits that apply to several different affiliated cards. The list of World Elite Mastercard benefits is lengthy, but here is a sampling of additional benefits offered to cardholders.

25. World Elite Air Program

Enjoy discounts on premium fares, such as 15% off Lufthansa and 10% off Air New Zealand.

26. World Elite Tours and Vacations

Receive discounts on Monogram vacations, Swiss Luxury Apartments, and more.

27. Priceless Mastercard Golf Experiences

Enjoy amenities and members-only privileges at over 1,000 golf courses worldwide. Receive discounts, use of private club facilities, and access to priority tee times.

Bottom Line: World Elite Mastercard benefits tend to lean more toward luxury-level perks, but taking time to explore these added benefits can yield special deals and unique experiences.

Alamo Rental Car — Car rental coverage is just one of the benefits of the Citi Prestige. Image Credit: Alamo

Travel Protection and Benefits

28. No Foreign Transaction Fees

The Citi Prestige Card can travel with you everywhere, as you’ll never incur any foreign transaction fees on your purchases.

Hot Tip: Do you rent cars often for business and/or leisure? If so, see our article on the best credit cards for car rental insurance for more options.

Shopping Protections and Benefits

29. Cell Phone Protection

Charge your monthly wireless bill to your Citi Prestige Card and receive coverage for damage or theft of your cell phone.

Coverage is limited to $1,000 per claim and $1,500 per 12-month period. There is a $50 deductible per claim.

30. Purchase Protection

Pay for an eligible item with ThankYou points and/or your Citi Prestige Card to receive coverage for damage or theft for up to 90 days from the date of purchase.

The maximum coverage is $10,000 per item and $50,000 per calendar year.

31. Extended Warranty

On eligible items purchased with the Citi Prestige, Citi will extend the manufacturer’s warranty by 24 months. This coverage is valid on items with warranties of 5 years or less.

Bottom Line: There are few shopping benefits and protections on the Citi Prestige, but the cell phone insurance could be a very valuable benefit if you’re currently paying monthly for this coverage.

Final Thoughts

If you travel with more than 2 family members, the value of complimentary worldwide lounge access for your entire immediate family when traveling is reason alone to secure the Citi Prestige Card.

The card’s broad range of bonus earning categories also makes it easy to collect points quickly from travel and dining purchases. Additionally, the $250 travel statement credit will be exceptionally easy for the traveler to use quickly, as the definition of a “travel” purchase is quite broad.

Finally, flexible redemption options and cell phone protection add value for the right cardholder.

The higher annual fee could certainly be a downside to having this card. But if you’ll use the strong earning and redemption benefits on the card and have core travel-related benefits elsewhere, you could find enough value to make the card worthwhile.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Citi Prestige Card worth it?

The Citi Prestige has a few unique features that make it worth the annual fee.

Worldwide lounge access is one of the most valuable benefits. A family of 4 or more can incur costs of up to $1,000 (or more) for an annual family airport lounge membership.

Or they could spend several hundred dollars a year for an extra daily guest pass each time they travel together.

Since the card allows the entire immediate family to enter Priority Pass lounges, this benefit can be valuable to a family who travels together even just a few times per year.

The $250 travel credit is easy to use as it is valid for a broad range of travel purchases.

The 4th-night-free hotel credit can also generate hundreds of dollars a year in savings.

Do ThankYou points expire?

As long as you have your card open and active, the ThankYou points earned on your Citi Prestige will not expire.

Should you close your account, ThankYou points do expire after 30 days.

How does the 4th hotel night free work?

Just book your hotel for 4 consecutive nights or more via the Citi ThankYou travel portal or calling the 1-800ThankYou booking line.

You will automatically receive a credit in the amount of the average room rate (minus taxes and fees).

For example, if you book 4 nights with an average room rate of $250, you will receive a credit at the time of booking for that amount. There is no set limit on the amount of the credit.

You can also use the benefit an unlimited amount of times prior to September 1, 2019. After that, you will be limited to using the benefit just 2 times per year.

The 4th-night-free benefit still offers the potential to save hundreds of dollars each year, even with just 2 uses.

One downside of the 4th-night-free benefit is that you are booking through a third party (thankyou.com), so you may be forfeiting any hotel loyalty program elite benefits.

How does the $250 travel credit work?

The $250 travel statement credit is easy to use. Just make a travel purchase, and your statement will automatically be credited with the amount of the purchase, up to $250 per calendar year.

“Travel” includes purchases with airlines, hotels, car rental agencies, travel agencies, transportation, cruise lines, bus tickets, parking, and more.

Through 2022, you can also use your travel credit for purchases towards groceries and restaurants.

7 comments

Richard January 1, 2020

Is this a joke? The Prestige card is worthless now.

Christine Krzyszton January 1, 2020
Hi Richard. I would agree that removing the travel insurance benefits has made this card less valuable. If I traveled with a large family, however, I would value the lounge benefit that allows your entire immediate family complimentary access. Plus the $250 travel credit would help offset the annual fee for that large family.
Reply
- Mimmi July 28, 2021
  My husband and I have almost every premium credit card and the Citi Prestige is my favorite because it gives us each a $28 credit at the Portland restaurants and fast food station where we load up snacks for our journey then head down to the Delta Lounge to have breakfast before our flights using another credit card to access. The restaurants no longer accept Priority Pass cards that are issued by Amex. The $250 travel credit wipes out half of the fees and the balance is wiped out with just a few Priority Pass lounge visits.
  Reply
  - Christine Krzyszton July 28, 2021
    Hi Mimmi. Thanks for taking the time to share your feedback. Glad the card works well for you.
    Reply

Kevin January 9, 2020

I Agree. This Richard guy obviously does not know what he is talking about. If you have more than 1 premium card, the travel insurance benefit is not an issue to worry about.

Richard January 11, 2020
Kevin, Citi’s removal of the Prestige travel insurance protections is a huge devaluation for a $495 per year card (recently raised from $450) that is marketed as a travel card. The Prestige no longer offers coverage for trip cancellation, trip interruption, trip delay, lost baggage, delayed baggage, common carrier loss of life and medical evacuation. Heck, the Prestige no longer even offers secondary car rental insurance, which even no annual fee cards offer. What good is a card that offers 5x for airfare without any trip protection coverage? Who would ever use a Prestige card to purchase an airline ticket without even minimal travel insurance protection? The reduction of the 4th night free benefit to two times per year and the restriction that all 4th night free bookings must be made through the
Citi travel portal, as opposed to the concierge, is also a huge devaluation. With concierge bookings you could get hotel direct booking prices with promotions and status benefits. This is now gone. Now all 4th night free bookings must be prepaid through the Citi travel portal, at higher prices than direct bookings, without any promotions or recognition of status benefits. I know what I am talking about. I don’t think you do. Most respected blogger believes that the Prestige card is now a piece of junk. Who cares if people may have another card that offers travel benefits? That has nothing to do with the value of the Prestige as it stands on its own.
Reply
- Steven Jones January 28, 2020
  spot-on, the card is worthless.
  Reply