FINALLY! - Citi launching Citi Prestige with Visa Infinite

[thehound]

I'm just trying to book my complimentary night for July in NYC at Sheraton Tribeca before I redeem SPG for balance of my stay at the same hotel. Citi concierge confirmed they still don't have visibility of hotel inventory beyond March.

Been told reason for lack of visibility is citi are about the revise the list of hotels (may or may not include the same hotels) and they will then have visibility again after that. Will update again once I hear back from them. Interested in anyone else's experience.

Whilst the concierge have been getting back to me within a couple of business days, I'm completely underwhelmed by the offerings so far. I tried multiple times to book the free night at the Harbour Grand in Hong Kong last year and they couldn't see availability. So I waited until January this year to try again, and they still couldn't see past March (was trying to book in April). So I waited until less than 3 months from the dates I wanted, only to be told that they've changed the Hong Kong hotels. Offerings went from Harbour Grand (5 stars) to a Best Western!

Benefits on paper are all well and good, unless you can't utilise them...

 

[diningdecadence]

Some fine print:

Apparently the 30,000 points annual relationship bonus is only for those who have $100,000+ invested through Citibank
Citi Prestige Credit Card Benefits: From travel and security to your rewards

i think you may get citigold as part of getting the citi prestige? i know i've been spammed emails inviting me to attend citigold seminars, and have been directed to the citigold counter at the hunter st branch when mentioning i have a query regarding my (select)/ prestige card.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

i think you may get citigold as part of getting the citi prestige?

Nope - to get Citigold you must have >$100K on deposit with Citibank for a period of time - previously it was retain balance 100K or more for period one month or more - got a feeling that might be longer now - not sure.

 

[burmans]

Nope - to get Citigold you must have >$100K on deposit with Citibank for a period of time - previously it was retain balance 100K or more for period one month or more - got a feeling that might be longer now - not sure.

Actually from what I have read it's available to people with more than $100K invested via Citi, it would appear Term Deposit is far from the only option (eg managed funds, super).

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Actually from what I have read it's available to people with more than $100K invested via Citi, it would appear Term Deposit is far from the only option (eg managed funds, super).

Correct - must have 100K or more in some type of Citi account - not that Citigold is much value except half price ann fee for Select / Prestige.

 

[diningdecadence]

gave citi concierge another go with bangkok bookings in June.

they suggested 4 seasons and mandarin oriental. 4S is being rebranded to an anantara which they failed to mention, and mandarin oriental was cheaper direct despite citi's stay 4, pay 3 offer.

WTF!

sidenote - if anyone has hotel or other recommendations for a bangkok first timer, please send through.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

FWIW - Concierge quote for 'Stay 4 / Pay3' at Waldorf Astoria Shanghai 4nts May 5-9

Dear Mr. Elite,

I hope all is well with you and you are having a good day.

I am delighted to get the new quotation (as of 18th Feb) for you:

Check in: 05 May
Check out: 09 May
Hotel name: Waldorf Astoria Shanghai

Room Type	Rate per night (exclude tax)	Total cost for 4 nights (include tax)	1 free night for statement credits for Prestige benefit
1 KING BED DELUXE - 50 SQM Complimentary Wifi and local calls	CNY 2500	CNY 11500	CNY 2500

CANCELLATION: 1 DAY PRIOR TO ARRIVAL

Please also be advised that:
- Rates are quoted on a per room basis, unless otherwise stated.
- All prices, taxes and availability are subject to change until purchased
- The Tax is approximately CNY 1500 in total
- Breakfast is not included.
- Hotel imposed fees and incidental guest charges are the cardholder’s responsibility. Cardholder will be charged the total cost of the stay at checkout and will receive a credit to the credit card statement for the cost of free night.
- At time of booking, if the quoted price is not available then the next available price level will be provided

Please let me know if you wish me to go ahead and make the booking for you. Should you need any further assistance, please let me know and I will be more than happy to help.

Kind regards,

Citi Prestige Concierge

So all up for 4 nts = CNY9,000 – breakfast not included need add CNY300/nt = CNY10,200 Total if WA indeed do not honour Diamond benefit when booked through 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] party. Payment to be effected at check out.

Rate direct from Waldorf Astoria web site which admittedly is non-refundable:



Final upshot is I booked direct with hotel as they gave me discounted rate.

 

[summit569]

anyone used golf offers, are they still cheap courses

 

[leyy]

Anyone had any luck upgrading from signature to prestige and receiving the bonus points?

 

[legroom]

"..... Current Citibank Credit Cardholders are not eligible to apply for this introductory offer ........"

Anyone had any luck upgrading from signature to prestige and receiving the bonus points?

 

[slodki]

I upgraded from Citi Emirates card to the prestige and only thing I could get was a slightly reduced annual fee. They also refunded my Emirates annual fee which was charged about 2 months ago.

 

[diningdecadence]

interesting email from citi received this morning. this bit was the most intriguing for me.


Let your points take you even further with our new points transfer partners. Enjoy increased flexibility and more opportunities to use your rewards points.

 

[quokka77]

Enhancements in the air, following devaluation of the AUD?

 

[LadyC]

interesting email from citi received this morning. this bit was the most intriguing for me.


Let your points take you even further with our new points transfer partners. Enjoy increased flexibility and more opportunities to use your rewards points.

Same here. Will be interested to see the new partners.

 

[perthtraveller]

interesting email from citi received this morning. this bit was the most intriguing for me.


Let your points take you even further with our new points transfer partners. Enjoy increased flexibility and more opportunities to use your rewards points.

I hope they don't take this opportunity to devalue existing airline partner transfers (SQ, VA, CX) by adjusting transfer rates. There was no notification last time round so I do hope they have the decency to give us notice if that's the case.

I will try, and most likely fail, in getting an assurance from someone at Citi that existing transfer rates with airline partners will remain the same, or that we will receive ample notice.

Does anyone have a good relationship with someone in Citi?

 

[Flight777]

Just received a quote for the complementary Chauffeur drive, I requested a pickup from Wantirna to melbourne airport. As this is further than the allowable 25km, I was qouted $90.40 USD extra for the trip. This seems very excessive and makes the benifit useless for me.

Has anyone traveled further than the allowed $25km without extra charge?

 

[dein_gesicht]

I'm in the same camp with you - no way around it for me either.

For me, I just use it from work in the city instead

 

[LadyC]

Just received a quote for the complementary Chauffeur drive, I requested a pickup from Wantirna to melbourne airport. As this is further than the allowable 25km, I was qouted $90.40 USD extra for the trip. This seems very excessive and makes the benifit useless for me.

Has anyone traveled further than the allowed $25km without extra charge?

My journey was 27.2km so they agreed to waive any excess cost as the journey is only slightly more than that allowed.

They told me that it is designed more for airport to hotel journeys

 

[Cruiser Elite]

My journey was 27.2km so they agreed to waive any excess cost as the journey is only slightly more than that allowed.

They told me that it is designed more for airport to hotel journeys

OMG - last Dec I used CD MEL to Parkdale at ZERO cost to me.



Just to compare - here is Wantirna:



Hmmm - what are we to deduce from this? I know the driver on that trip told me he was getting something like USD120 or so - seemed extremely high rate at the time. Hope they don't police it too strictly going forward

 

[Flight777]

I received a list from prestige with the allowable distances.

Sydney 30km
Melbourne 25K
Perth 14km
Brisbane 16km

Narita 85km