FINALLY! - Citi launching Citi Prestige with Visa Infinite

[Cruiser Elite]

TBH my limited experience this year so far is that Concierge service excellent - although early days yet.

I spoke to Conierge yesterday and reconfirmed 'Stay 4 Pay 3' promo indeed can only be booked 4 days - extra days must be seperste booking.

 

[Moindardt]

Has anyone tried to put a significant amount of work related dollars through and had any issues?

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Not sure what you mean Moindart - are you asking say to do multiple 4 / 3 bookings for various staff members thus lopping 25% off accom bill? TBH as Prestige is a personal card I don't know if you can make bookings for another party if you are not the guest staying there - another question I need to ask next time I talk to them - others with knowledge?

 

[Moindardt]

No I am talking about putting a $1m+ business project through it.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

NFI unless you can supply more details.

 

[Moindardt]

We have a project coming up and all the purchases will be via cc (no surcharge) or d/d. Given the reports today of people who had points taken back by ANZ, has anyone done large work-related projects through the Citi Prestige.

 

[diningdecadence]

We have a project coming up and all the purchases will be via cc (no surcharge) or d/d. Given the reports today of people who had points taken back by ANZ, has anyone done large work-related projects through the Citi Prestige.

split it up into chunks, and if you're concerned about the ANZ thing - transfer as soon as you earn them.

 

[DaveB]

The past two months have had holds put on card without warning. On ringing the first time in the rush before Xmas, was asked if expenditure was personal which I advised was the case and card promptly reactivated. Had been forced to load the card well over permitted $10k which with having the maximum card credit limit, I thought had been the trigger.
Earlier this week, same thing happened and on ringing, advised my daily limit had been exceeded which didn't make any sense as had put more than double through on three consecutive days the previous week. This time not asked the nature of the spend and Citi rep would not divulge what a daily spend limit entails. Card was able to be used again 30 or so minutes later.
Long gone are the days Citi being used as a points bank.

 

[cardiology]

In 2016, any updates on promotions for new applications of the Prestige card? Is the Citigold half annual fee is valid?
Am thinking about applying for this card to enjoy the free limo transfer and stay 4 pay 3 promotions.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Moindardt I hear you and I would leave no stone unturned to achieve what you desire but a couple of points to keep in mind.

Firstly forget ANZ - only thing they have in common with Citi is that they are both 'banks'.

Secondmy apart from what Dave has posted IIRC there was another poster here some time back where Citi did or threatened to cancel his card for 'business' spend - I don't think figures were mentioned.

Thirdly if you do spend and earn simply transferring imm is no guarantee at all that Citi won't claw them back.

You will certainly need to break up total amount to smaller amts - I would try to keep daily processing amt under your CC limit.

Given the amount you have quoted I am not sure whichever course you take that it may not raise s flag in Citi - it may not - it is Citi after all so who would know. Good luck whichever way you proceed - please let us know as to your success or otherwise.

 

[villemus]

Guys, just a quick update to the booking.

So the concierge managed to get the extra night for me under a separate booking. Now here is the funny part....

1. the 4 night stay's nightly rate is $400 AUD, so total of $1600, then a credit of $355 for the 1 night free promo, doesn't quite add up here.
2. the extra night's rate is $355....

Regarding the Concierge, it is a different one i noticed, sounds like the call centre is in America somehow ...

In addition, I think the limo service provider globally was changed too as the booking I had in Jan for a HKIA transfer was not under yQ.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

With the 4 for 3 deal you actually only get the 'accommodation' part of the nightly rate deducted - relevant Govt taxes and charges still have to be paid even for the 'free' nt.

Yes it is definitely a diff Limo provider this year - I don't have docs on me right now but I'll check closely to see if I can ascertain anything from booking.

The 'Concierge' are located in different offices in different countries - mostly I get to speak to HKG but last week I got an agent in SYD - cannot recall to speaking to a Yank though.

 

[villemus]

They just came back and said that there was a mistake re the charge, so they will refund me the $45.

the $400 was tax inclusive, but so should the free night (I hope)

Let's see how this one turns

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Just had a call back from Concierge in SYD re another booking - agent 3 times double confirmed 4 for 3 promo definitely only for primary cardholder - you cannot book for family and friends unless you are actually staying in the room.

 

[villemus]

I've used my free night stay (not 4 for 3) for my wife in a hotel stay. Just put both of our names in the booking and 1 turned up.

I suppose, it's a bit of a risk to do it, but I doubt the hotel would have anyway to find out what deal you are on with citi.

 

[Pele]

Gday

I applied for and got one of these cards earlier this week. So far not that impressed with the concierge interactions. I tried to redeem the free hotel night in Tokyo in April. They have three hotels on their list but none had availability. The fella told me they were all booked out which i said is bs as i can see available rooms on the internet. I told him i wasnt happy so he escalated it but they came back and said the rates at the three hotels are higher than the maximum value of the benefit. I have proposed cutting a deal with him- i will pay the rate he can get and Citi credit back the value of the benefit to my card. That way the hotel get their money, citibank dont exceed the value of the benefit and i am only out of pocket the difference. I am not confident he will agree but will report back.

I also booked a stay 4 pay 3 deal and it went through fine. As Cruiser confirmed if there are taxes in the rate you will still have to pay them so i had to pay ~$30 for the 4th night. Still a good deal.

Will have a go in the next week of booking the two limo transfers.

In summary all the agents i have spoken to seem to be located in Australia but they are clearly empowered to do nothing and are reading through a script. The constant email communications back and forth to find a hotel room is slow and coughbersome and the auto reply when you respond to them is f*ckin annoying. I have a hunch that this could be my first and last year with a Citi Prestige card....

Pele.

 

[cardiology]

Do you get a lower annual fee for the Prestige card? Any promotions going on? How about Citigold customers?

 

[Pele]

Do you get a lower annual fee for the Prestige card? Any promotions going on? How about Citigold customers?

The fee was $700(standard) but there are 70,000 citi points sign on bonus which is equiv to 35,000 VA, SQ,CX etc points post March 18th 2016(deval date).

Pele.

 

[deluxeflyer]

With the 4 for 3 deal you actually only get the 'accommodation' part of the nightly rate deducted - relevant Govt taxes and charges still have to be paid even for the 'free' nt.

Yes it is definitely a diff Limo provider this year - I don't have docs on me right now but I'll check closely to see if I can ascertain anything from booking.

The new limo provider is this mob:

https://www.tbrglobal.com/Global-Chauffeuring

 

[diningdecadence]

so did we have any confirmation about hotel chain status vs pay 4, stay 3?

if they are booking through hotels.com usually you wouldn't get the status benefits. i've sent a request off to see if they offer the benefits through spruik through visasignaturehotels.com, will come back when I have an answer.