Today is a day of both good and bad news for Citi cardmembers. It’s a great day for the Citi Double Cash Card, as the rewards earned on that card can now be converted into ThankYou points.
Unfortunately, it’s not a great day for Citi cards overall, as Citi is dropping quite a few purchase protection benefits from their cards as of today. This was initially announced back in June, though the changes largely kick in for purchases as of today, so that’s something you’ll want to keep in mind if these changes impact the card you’d use for a purchase. Interestingly just a couple of days later, Amex announced they’d also change their purchase protection, though there are some positive changes there.
The Citi card benefits website has all of the details of the changes being made to each card.
In this post:
Citi Benefit Cuts Kicking In As Of Today
For purchases as of today (September 22, 2019), Citi will be discontinuing the following on most cards that currently offer these perks:
- Worldwide Car Rental Insurance
- Trip Cancellation & Interruption Protection
- Worldwide Travel Accident Insurance
- Trip Delay Protection
- Baggage Delay Protection
- Lost Baggage Protection
- Citi Price Rewind
- 90 Day Return Protection
- Roadside Assistance Dispatch Service
- Travel & Emergency Assistance
The coverage remains for purchases made before that date, with the exception of roadside assistance and travel & emergency assistance. Those benefits will end as of September 22, regardless of when you made your purchase
My Take On These Changes
These changes really sting, and frankly I’m surprised just how significant these changes are. To me the most valuable benefits here are the car rental coverage and travel protection.
The problem for Citi is that some of the benefits they’re taking away have become standard with other issuers, especially among premium cards.
While I understand that these perks are often tied to the type of card (World Elite Mastercard, Visa Signature, etc.), it doesn’t make sense to me that they’d cut benefits in the same way for a high annual fee card as they would for a much lower annual fee card.
In general it seems like Citi has been struggling with strategy for the past couple of years. The Prestige Card is the perfect example — it used to be awesome, then they stopped accepting applications, then they relaunched it with a few new benefits that were more or less a wash, then they stopped accepting applications again, and then they announced more changes, but they also don’t really seem to be marketing the card.
Part of creating a good portfolio of cards is actually giving users a consistent experience. The problem is that so many changes are being made to these cards that it can be tough to keep track of them. For example, the Prestige is undergoing changes throughout the year, and it can be tough to keep track of when various things are changing… and I follow this stuff for a living!
How Will These Changes Impact My Citi Card Usage?
Currently the only regular purchases that I make with my Citi cards are those earning 5x points on dining and airfare with the Prestige Card:
- I’ll continue to use the Prestige Card for dining, since it’s not like any purchase protection on dining is really useful
- Airfare is tricker, as the Citi Prestige still offers 5x ThankYou points without travel protection, The Platinum Card® from American Express also offers 5x Membership Rewards points with newly added travel protection, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card offers 3x Ultimate Rewards points on airfare with travel protection
I value all three points currencies roughly equally, and personally I think I’m willing to forgo travel protection for an additional 2x points per dollar spent, which I value at an incremental 3.4% return. However, I may switch some of my airfare spending back to the Amex Platinum Card to earn Membership Rewards points rather than ThankYou points, and the protection is a definite plus with Amex.
In some ways my Citi spending will also increase, as I plan on getting the Citi Double Cash to earn 2x ThankYou points per dollar spent on everyday purchases. Again, I’d use that card for purchases where I don’t really value purchase protection (like tax payments).
Citi Protection Changes Summary
Citi is dropping all kinds of protection benefits from their cards as of today. It’s really unfortunate to see the direction they’ve taken with some of these changes, and I do think it will impact some consumer behavior overall.
In my particular case, it won’t impact my spending too much — I’ll keep using the Citi Prestige for dining, I might still use the Citi Prestige for some airfare, and I’ll actually be increasing my Citi spending with the ability to now earn 2x ThankYou points on everyday spending with the Citi Double Cash.
What do you make of these latest changes to Citi cards?
I'm not paying for a card with no travel benefits. How silly when I can use my sapphire card.
I am changing to a Card that provides Travel Protection. Citi no longer provides services that are useful or desired.
With regard to your article that Citi drops CDW coverage, on 9/12/19 we used the Citibusiness/AAdvantage Platinum Select World Mastercard to prepay in full for the car rental in Europe. The rental period was for 10/1/19 to 10/4/19 and we had an accident during the rental. We have tried three times to report this to Citibank, but they say we were not covered. Is this correct?
Bought my freakin tickets on September 23rd. So pissed. Husbands in the hospital so we are losing $1500 worth of tickets.
Why would anyone pay a membership fee if you don't get basic things like cell insurance
I have the citibisines american airlines platinum select world mastercard. When I signed in there was no pop up warning and the list of benefits still shows the car rental insurance. Is it possible that they still have it for some cards or have they just not upgraded their web site?
Sorry to repost firs did not check notify box.
Ouch, thanks for the heads-up on Citi cards. I’ll be sure to use my CSR card for all car rentals!
Also, nice pic of part of the Frontier fleet! I love the wildlife photos on the tails. BTW, the wonderful people who took all those photos are at advenphoto dot com, and I smile every time I see a Frontier plane.
Thanks again,
Bob
You can still make the Prestige card work. Book part of your trip with CSP/CSR and you still get those travel protections. But can you make a Citi / Chase combo worth your while? Not sure....but i'm going to crunch some numbers to see if it can work.
We live in a Dallas. We went from spending 7k a month on the AA Citicard To a big $0. We use the Chase Sapphire card now. The travel protections are key for us.. especially with 2 young kids. Citi made a big mistake !
@Peter -- Because you shouldn't have to look for reasons to keep the card; rather, Citi should give you reasons to keep the it, which they do not seem eager to do when they take away benefits that have become pretty much standard in the industry...
@KK13 I pay around $5-600 a year (family included) for annual cover, that includes rentals/liability/baggage delay and loss/trip cancellation and medical that covers more than the deductible on my normal medical insurance, including evacuation. It's an add-on to my medical insurance but I assume it's competitive with others.
@Peter: Because people like us who fly domestic and/ or international quite frequently, would be paying in thousands every year.
Why doesn't anyone ever talk about buying annual travel insurance(including rentals) as a standalone product? It's not horrendously expensive and it sure takes a lot of the calculus and fretting out of this.
As for me, if I can use it just once for 4th night, at a net fee of $250 (whatever) per year, I'll keep it, even if it's the only thing I use it for. That and dining.
Citi also devalued the reward miles a few years ago, then took away the benefit of granting a percentage of redeemed miles back to your account. Now this.
I am a keeper of prestige. $250 travel credit is easy to use. I'm not a user if 4th nite free- twice in 4 yrs, but I am a big fan of 5x dining and 5x airfare. Also what keeps anyone from purchasing GC directly from AA, WN, etc. W Prestige or plat and earning 5x and putting remaining balance on a card with air travel ins benefits?!
For me the $245 idifference after...
I am a keeper of prestige. $250 travel credit is easy to use. I'm not a user if 4th nite free- twice in 4 yrs, but I am a big fan of 5x dining and 5x airfare. Also what keeps anyone from purchasing GC directly from AA, WN, etc. W Prestige or plat and earning 5x and putting remaining balance on a card with air travel ins benefits?!
For me the $245 idifference after travel benefit reimbursement is easily made up in TYP points gain.
Others may not see it this way, but it still works for me.
@ssss: CSP, AMEX HH Ascend, United Explorer - all covers them for $95 annual fee. United Explorer from Chase includes primary rental coverages as well.
You can also check for BOA Premier Travel ($95 annual fee I believe).
This is kind of insane...when I first read it I actually wondered if this was an April Fool's post or something.
As Ben says, these benefits (esp trip protection and rental car insurance) have become so standard, what are they thinking?
I'll probably cancel my Premier card because of this.
Other than CSR, which cards have airline travel protection and primary car rental insurance. I can't get a CSR card.
The Citi rep told me the card would have new benefits after they eliminated the old ones. I have no idea if this is accurate. If it isn't, then it's an issue. Connexions is a nightmare to work with, and their pricing is always higher than what I can find online. The free night isn't...
Other than CSR, which cards have airline travel protection and primary car rental insurance. I can't get a CSR card.
The Citi rep told me the card would have new benefits after they eliminated the old ones. I have no idea if this is accurate. If it isn't, then it's an issue. Connexions is a nightmare to work with, and their pricing is always higher than what I can find online. The free night isn't a free night if I can find it for less somewhere else and have more flexibility plus price match. I recently booked a room before the benefit changed, and the Concierge was able to call the hotel to match the lower price I find. Connexions can't do this.
The fee increased for private clients. I can't fathom why they would alienate their best customers.
The extra DCB point transfer isn't a benefit when it requires me to pay $495. I feel like I am paying $495/year for cell phone insurance.
Luckily, my annual fee occurred before the price increase, so I have time to see what happens. However, this feels like a card that I will cancel, which is disappointing. The Rewind, car rental coverage,e, and trip protection were essential benefits to me.
Between the $250 travel credit and the 4th night free, I’ve gotten my money’s worth from the Prestige card. So I’ll hang onto it, and also apply for the double cash card, now that its cash is transferable to points.
does this apply to the Costco card? I'm still seeing 2 years on the site. only reason i got that card a month ago :)
I've been a customer since 2005 and Citi is the card I use for all of my purchases. I don't shop around based on which card offers better rewards and I'm kind of too lazy to care about free airline tickets or hotel stays but Iiked having these protections. I'm currently shopping for a new card. That's how disappointed I am with Citi.
The question really becomes are you going to keep paying prestige AF after all these benefit cuts.
I still think they are coming back shortly, just in a different form. They just don't have their s*** together to do it in a seamless way. I'll just do dining and flights where insurance doesn't really matter on this card in the future. Gotta figure out what card should be my #2.
My very first and oldest credit card, which I got in 1986, was a CITI card. I cancelled that card this year, and because that was the only CITI card I had left, I now no longer have any financial relationships with CITI. Here's why I cancelled the car; actually, more accurately, here is how I let their cancellation of the card stand...the second time around.
The first time it happened, I received out of...
My very first and oldest credit card, which I got in 1986, was a CITI card. I cancelled that card this year, and because that was the only CITI card I had left, I now no longer have any financial relationships with CITI. Here's why I cancelled the car; actually, more accurately, here is how I let their cancellation of the card stand...the second time around.
The first time it happened, I received out of the blue a letter from Citi informing me that due to prolonged inactivity they'd *already* canceled the card, which had evolved from 1986 to become the Citi ThankYou Preferred card. Though the APR on the card was ridiculously low at 13% and the credit line had gone from just $500 when I got it in 1986 to $11,000, I had zero incentive to put any spending on the card and did not, therefore, the card had been inactive for a long time as charged. However, I panicked because it was my oldest card and I was afraid of what the cancellation might do to my credit score and rating. So, I called Citi customer support and explained that I did not want the account associated with my very first and oldest credit card closed, and asked how I could get it reopened. I was told to make a request in writing, which I did and the account was promptly reopened.
Four or 5 years later, which was earlier this year, again without warning, I received another cancellation notice involving the same card. Because after Citi lost their co-branded Hilton Honors credit card accounts to AMEX, the Citi ThankYou Preferred was the only Citi card I had left, I decided that I would accept whatever hit my credit score and rating would get, but I was severing my last tie with Citi. So, I informed them that I was fine with the cancellation and considered the account permanently closed. That was that.
To my surprise, the closing of my 33-year oldest CC account had no effect whatsoever on my credit score! I felt a twinge of nostalgia, even guilt, losing my oldest account, but, in retrospect, closing the account permanently was the thing to do. I am very satisfied dealing only with Chase as a Private Client.
Citibank Double Cash was opened shortly after inception and remained top of wallet for several years with significant annual spend was promptly closed after announcement of 22 September 2019 changes. Only Citi card in use is Costco with spend limited to Costco and a small amount of automobile gasoline. Citi credit cards are no longer a consideration. AMEX Hilton Aspire and Chase Sapphire Reserve are primary travel credit cards but most spending is on cash...
Citibank Double Cash was opened shortly after inception and remained top of wallet for several years with significant annual spend was promptly closed after announcement of 22 September 2019 changes. Only Citi card in use is Costco with spend limited to Costco and a small amount of automobile gasoline. Citi credit cards are no longer a consideration. AMEX Hilton Aspire and Chase Sapphire Reserve are primary travel credit cards but most spending is on cash back credit cards.
This was sets Chase apart from the competition. They provide a card with truly compelling benefits, like the CSR, make some small adjustments to it that usually make sense (e.g., avoiding giving folks the $300 credit twice as they did initially), then they leave things alone. AMEX and, especially, CITI, by contrast, introduce cards, like the CITI Prestige, with benefits that seem compelling (and often are), but they then pull or dilute them, like CITI...
This was sets Chase apart from the competition. They provide a card with truly compelling benefits, like the CSR, make some small adjustments to it that usually make sense (e.g., avoiding giving folks the $300 credit twice as they did initially), then they leave things alone. AMEX and, especially, CITI, by contrast, introduce cards, like the CITI Prestige, with benefits that seem compelling (and often are), but they then pull or dilute them, like CITI just did here and, more dramatically, like they did with the Prestige. It is part of the reason for why I am seldom tempted to go for the latest and greatest offerings by either of these two CC issuers.
@Lucky - You really think 5x TY points on dining are worth a $495 annual fee? Unless there is some other benefit to the Prestige, it seems an Amex Gold card would be the better choice.
I really only care about the 5x per dollar benefits on this card. Oh, also 4th night free. I’m booked out till next August for hotels.... lol. No idea how well the online booking thing will work. I may have to book via Amex or chase for hotels after next August. I get thousands on hotel rebate since having this card so it is (was) the best card for me among Amex plat and Chase...
I really only care about the 5x per dollar benefits on this card. Oh, also 4th night free. I’m booked out till next August for hotels.... lol. No idea how well the online booking thing will work. I may have to book via Amex or chase for hotels after next August. I get thousands on hotel rebate since having this card so it is (was) the best card for me among Amex plat and Chase Reserve. I will see how things work out when next August rolls around. I have never used any of the benefits that are being cancelled on this post so for me it’s kinda business as usual. With that said, I’ll be moving future car rentals to Chase Reserve just to be on the safe side.
I have CSP, HH Ascend and United Explorer - all of them cover rental and protection plans, in fact United's is the best in terms of primary rental coverage!
I don't have any CITI cards, but I have a feeling this might reverberate and transcend to other cards by Chase and AMEX, eventually.
Definitely closing before next fee is coming up. I need the rental insurance when travelling plus lost luggage and trip cancellation. I'll call them up to see if they waive the fee, if not, I'll open up an account with United and then cancel Citi.
I didn't read through every single comment, so I apologize if someone already stated this, but I believe for cards with annual fees - at least some of them - the only benefits they are taking away are Price Rewind and Trip Cancellation/Interruption. On my no-annual-fee card, they are taking away all benefits. My annual fee card only indicates they are taking away PR and TC/I.
I've had the Citi Executive AA Card for the past few years for two specific benefits- access to Admirals Club lounges and the travel protection benefits. Any recommendations for a replacement card that would offer these two benefits?
Stephanie Woods. Your travel purchases for your 2020 trip were made before 09/22/19 so you will have all travel protections. You do not need to use your AMEX Platinum to book trips to be eligible for medical evacuation coverage.
I read somewhere that Costco Citi card benefits will continue as before. Any info on this ?
I've had my Citi Diamond Preferred card since 1991 and now I have to look for another card for travel protection! They obviously don't care about their long term customers. Its a shame!
Stunned, been with them 40+ years. Please recommend a good replacement card? Will I lose my thank you points if I cancel the card?
Wow. I hate Citi now
Wow! I have a Citi American Air platinum card I've had for a decade. Dropping it now.
So frustrated. Just happened to sign on my account, saw a "blurb" about it and then tried to locate it again to read more carefully, and it is Nowhere to be seen on the website. That is just ridiculous. They continue to advertise on the website that they offer all that, and don't say it is going away.
Shame on you CB!!
Just called Citi, couldn't believe they were stripping these benefits from cards with a AF. The woman confirmed they are being stripped from ALL consumer credit cards. Shocked, closing all Citi cards as soon as they are paid. I also suggest that everyone file CFPB complaints against Citi for false advertising since we took hits to our credit to open these cards in exchange for a product that was falsely advertised.
Been using the rental car insurance feature for years to avoid ridiculous daily rates from car rental companies. Citi card has less value to me every day. Time to look elsewhere.
Is Chase doing the same thing?
This is a tough one. I like using the 4th night benefit with Luxury hotels like the Rosewood and Four Seasons.
I always have the chase so - maybe it isn’t so bad.
Currently only have the Bonvoy from Amex (my oldest credit card). And I like the new perk of getting the annual Marriott Certificate.
@ktc - what is the 50 dollar per month credit your get for 7 months? 350 fee reimbursement would help!
Just cancelled my Citi AA World Elite Executive MasterCard. The $450 annual fee is pro-rated. The worldwide car rental benefit and roadside assistance were important to us. Contrary to some comments here, there are no “worthless benefits”, it depends very much on how/where/why you travel.
@Stephanie Woods - Previous purchases are grandfathered in.
So...how long before Chase cuts their benefits to match?
Let’s not forget that besides the gutting of the most important benefits
The last thing standing was the 4th night free twice a year
But now it has to be booked online through 3rd party making it an ineligible
booking channel
For hotel program junkies this means no points or miles no stay credit and potentially
no upgrades breakfast or other recognition,amenities etc
Farewell Citibunk!
Good bye Citi card. Never using you again!
@SAB I never used the benefits they’re dropping, but the point of having the insurance is protection and peace of mind “in case” something happens. I think you have the idea that Citi cardholders are purposefully crashing cars on foreign soil... Also, Citi don’t underwrite these protections. Insurance companies do.
@lucky
I have really enjoyed the Citi Prestige card - through 4th night free and primary insurance on worldwide rental l I have netted over $2,000 a year - the points were merely a bonus. Would you be good enough to make a post on which cards (if any) I should now open that will give me primary car rental insurance when traveling in Europe and South Africa?
Thanks
Citi's CSR basically lied to me on chat today. "Ryan" tried to tell me the benefits were not gone yet, would be replaced with other benefits --- all while the FAQs area on my account clearly states all the benefits would be ending Sept 22, 2019.
It is one thing to have benefits taken away, but it is quite another to have a CSR lie to your face.
@SAB
The whole point of insurance is not to use it but have it if things go south. I used the benefit probably once every 2.5 years. I could use price rewind more if I didn't forget.
Will get members driving losses outr of the ecosystem, relieving financial pressure on citi, so they can offer fewer, but higher quality benefits — like the newly launched phone protection.
I wouldn't go as far to say...
@SAB
The whole point of insurance is not to use it but have it if things go south. I used the benefit probably once every 2.5 years. I could use price rewind more if I didn't forget.
Will get members driving losses outr of the ecosystem, relieving financial pressure on citi, so they can offer fewer, but higher quality benefits — like the newly launched phone protection.
I wouldn't go as far to say the benefit which my AF paid for is driving losses. They could have devalue the benefit rather than killing it completely.
Increase interruption hours to 12. Limit price rewind to 2 times a year at $500 cap. etc.
Now the cell phone protection, I doubt it is going to stay long. I see this easier to occur (abuse) than trip delay or price drops. You want a new Galaxy (iPhone extortion went beyond 1k), just accidentally slip your old one out of your pocket into a burning bin in the middle of the highway during a storm (yes freak accident). It completely destroys your old phone.
This is why Citi is acting so dumb. Customer will be better off if their iPhone is dropped rather than just the price of it dropped. (anytime vs 60 days / $1000 vs maybe $200) For comparison, I drop my phone more often than airlines break my bags. I also buy bags less often than phones. Can't really say abusers get less value. They never can abuse $10000 medevac bill, $5000 medical expenses, before or after Citi kills it.
@Brooke The benefits are staying for business cards? I have the AA Mastercard CitiBusiness Platinum Select. I called to downgrade and they said they cant do that for biz cards, but they could offer to waive the annual fee if I spent $1,000 in the next 3 months...
Just returned from 2 weeks driving rental car in Ireland. Used Citi card for primary coverage as I have done for long, long time. Use card often for cruises and other adventures because of travel protection benefits. Won't use it anymore!
After reading the posts here it's clear some folks racked up huge insurance claims across many of these areas. I'm happy those folks are canceling and leaving. Will get members driving losses outr of the ecosystem, relieving financial pressure on citi, so they can offer fewer, but higher quality benefits -- like the newly launched phone protection.
We called to cancel our Citi AA Business card last night. This was the only Citi card that I could close right away and not be throwing away money. Our Prestige and AA Exex. cards will stay until the next annual fee hits.
Though Citi has not stripped the benefits of the business card (yet) we explained to the representative that Citi had went too far this time, in regards to the removal of...
We called to cancel our Citi AA Business card last night. This was the only Citi card that I could close right away and not be throwing away money. Our Prestige and AA Exex. cards will stay until the next annual fee hits.
Though Citi has not stripped the benefits of the business card (yet) we explained to the representative that Citi had went too far this time, in regards to the removal of travel protections, and that we were beginning the process of severing all ties with them. The representative tried to push the fact that they hadn't removed any benefits from the card we were wanting to cancel. She rattled this off immediately without any pause which made me wonder how many times she'd already had to do so during that shift. At that point we explained that we also have both the Prestige and AA Exec. and that we paid those high annual fees with the expectation that we would have those travel protections for the full year that the annual fees covered and thus these changes have made us feel as if we have been cheated by Citi as we will not get a full year's worth of the benefits that we paid for. We feel that what Citi is doing is wrong and thus we prefer to take all of our spend elsewhere.
She stated that she would note our reason for cancelling and that the card was cancelled. I was very appreciative that after she listened to our reasoning that she did not continue to try to sway us (before our explanation she did make offers to try to keep us).
I have to admit that it felt good to make this phone call!
@Art seems like you have the Costco card. That's the only card with most of the benefits staying
I called Citi and got my AA Admirals Club world elite card downgraded to the old $99 platinum and a prorated refund. I already have “real” OW Sapphire/Silver through the BA exec club anyway for the lounges and cubes of cheese, and my chase cards cover most of the rest of the benefits citi are dumping. Only keeping the citi card for so my credit history/score/utilization isn’t impacted. In an ideal world, it would be...
I called Citi and got my AA Admirals Club world elite card downgraded to the old $99 platinum and a prorated refund. I already have “real” OW Sapphire/Silver through the BA exec club anyway for the lounges and cubes of cheese, and my chase cards cover most of the rest of the benefits citi are dumping. Only keeping the citi card for so my credit history/score/utilization isn’t impacted. In an ideal world, it would be nice to stick it to Citi and dump them, but they’re losing $351 a year instead, and they’ll be getting no interest from me.
Your info is WAY wrong. Although you are right about Trip cancellation/ Price Rewind, which really sucks. See below for what isn't being taken off from benefits. I just got this card two weeks ago and quite pissed they are getting rid of what they are.
From https://www.cardbenefits.citi.com/faq.aspx
What changes are being made to my card benefits?
Effective September 22, 2019, Trip Cancellation & Interruption Protection and Citi® Price Rewind will be discontinued and...
Your info is WAY wrong. Although you are right about Trip cancellation/ Price Rewind, which really sucks. See below for what isn't being taken off from benefits. I just got this card two weeks ago and quite pissed they are getting rid of what they are.
From https://www.cardbenefits.citi.com/faq.aspx
What changes are being made to my card benefits?
Effective September 22, 2019, Trip Cancellation & Interruption Protection and Citi® Price Rewind will be discontinued and will no longer be provided for purchases made on or after that date. Coverage for purchases made before that date will continue to be available, and you may continue to file for benefits in accordance with the current benefit terms.
What Protection Benefits will I still have on my card?
You will continue to have Worldwide Car Rental Insurance, Roadside Assistance Dispatch Service, Travel & Emergency Assistance, Damage & Theft Purchase Protection and Extended Warranty on this account. You can view Your Guide to Protection Benefits on this site under "Quick Links". It contains complete coverage details, including coverage limits, what’s covered and what’s not covered. Coverage details for these remaining benefits are not being changed.
As a cardmember, you will also continue to receive a range of other card benefits including FICO® Credit Score, Citi® Identity Theft Solutions, and Citi Entertainment.
This is just hillarious. Chase keeps looking better without even having to make any extra effort.
Time to dump all Citi cards now; considering they were 3rd place and now with this move to 5th at best.
Amex Gold and Platinum are Gods!
Wow. I've had the Prestige for several years and have loved it. I wasn't annoyed with last year's changes - the access to American's lounge was nice but not critical for me. I understood limiting the 4th night free so, while I love that benefit, I understood that change too. Then this year they also increase the annual fee and remove the discount for Citi Priority holders. That was almost the nail for me. My...
Wow. I've had the Prestige for several years and have loved it. I wasn't annoyed with last year's changes - the access to American's lounge was nice but not critical for me. I understood limiting the 4th night free so, while I love that benefit, I understood that change too. Then this year they also increase the annual fee and remove the discount for Citi Priority holders. That was almost the nail for me. My renewal is before the fee increase this year so I'd decided to hold onto it for at least one more year.
However, I get a lot of value from the 90 day return, have used the event protection and got real value from the trip interruption protection. I basically put all my travel, entertainment tickets and hard good purchases on this card because of the above. With this going away, I will definitely move all my spend to my Chase and am considering whether to even renew the Prestige. I was also keeping Citi as my bank partially for some of the savings as well. I will definitely be revisiting that later in the year too.
$495 annual fee and no purchase or travel protection. I've been using my Prestige card almost regardless of what category I am purchasing from, but bye bye.
Wow. Big mistake in my mind. As much as I think Chase has fallen behind at least they are consistent. I got the Prestige a few months ago and was using it all the time for dining and just purchased a flight with it yesterday. I actually chose the Prestige over the Platinum for purchasing the flight for the sole reason of the protections offered. Now I will move back to purchasing flights with the...
Wow. Big mistake in my mind. As much as I think Chase has fallen behind at least they are consistent. I got the Prestige a few months ago and was using it all the time for dining and just purchased a flight with it yesterday. I actually chose the Prestige over the Platinum for purchasing the flight for the sole reason of the protections offered. Now I will move back to purchasing flights with the Platinum card and renting cars overseas with the Sapphire. I'll keep using the Prestige for dining at 5 points per dollar. So for those that say we are whining, this really doesn't really impact me but it does change how I spend money. It is now going mean a lot of spend that was going to Citi will now go to Amex or Chase where I can build up my points balance a lot faster with the use of their other allied cards.
What is the purpose of keeping a Citi travel card if they don’t offer any travel benefits?
What exactly is their plan? Pray that customers stick around despite the competitive offerings elsewhere?
@Colt
They announced they're prorating annual fees if you wish to drop the card
It may be that Citi is seeing whether other banks will follow. When airlines began eliminating travel agent commissions, it was only one airline (Delta) announcing the first cut, and then the others matched or leapfrogged.
Re. Prestige, I am with SAB and it is not 9/22/19 today. I don't think we have heard the last from Citi on this and more positive, offsetting benefits will be on the way (as another poster indicator). Their history is that that they LOVE to change rewards and benefits on this card, so why would we expect it to stop with this announcement?!
Called up and told them that I will leave after the benefits are removed, but understand they made a business decision that they do not want the travel and leisure market. For me back to the Platinum Card and Chase Sapphire (and Hilton Aspire at a Hilton hotel). He did mention the $300 travel credit and the new cell phone protection, but I said that would not be enough to keep the card. I very rarely give up a card, but it looks likely this will be the case.
Does anyone if this applies to Citi AA world elite master card too ?
You forgot to add no more Admiral Club access after
November 1 if you are not flying AA. That was the deal breaker fir me. ✈️
AA Citi Executive card is burned also. What a complete waste. I'll take my $450 elsewhere and use points for the AC membership. This really sucks big time.
Wow. Just wow. This is devastating. I have the Prestige, but will upgrade my Freedom back to CSR this weekend for all airfare purchases going forward. I would cancel my Prestige this minute, but I have two pending fourth night free reservations after my renewal in September. So I will bite the bullet and pay a final $495 annual fee. My two fourth night free redemptions and $250 travel credit in January will save me...
Wow. Just wow. This is devastating. I have the Prestige, but will upgrade my Freedom back to CSR this weekend for all airfare purchases going forward. I would cancel my Prestige this minute, but I have two pending fourth night free reservations after my renewal in September. So I will bite the bullet and pay a final $495 annual fee. My two fourth night free redemptions and $250 travel credit in January will save me $1100, so one more renewal make financial sense. In June of next year I will downgrade to the no annual fee rewards plus card and call it a day with the Prestige. Sad end to a once great card.
Wow. I'll be canceling my AA PLATINUM BUSINESS card since the annual fee is coming up next month anyways. Too bad I still have a flight booked on that card next month. But it's not like I'm losing any benefits anyways. Lol
So much whining. 5x travel, 5x dining, 3x hotel, 3x cruise, cell phone protection, PP lounge access (incl guest), 4th night free, $495-$250=$245 annual fee. It's the best card out there for earning... All the stuff they removed is useless -- and often abused, so good riddance.
Holy crap. The Prestige went to the front of my wallet for all travel ever since the 5x updates. Now it will be lucky to stay in my wallet at all. The 5x dining is nice, but I don't do that often enough to offset the AF. Dumb move, Citi. Dumb move.
Citi is funny, they are so dumb they don't know their strength or weakness.
Pre 2016 (I think) was the best of time. Golf, AAdmirals Club, 1.6 cents, avg 4th night free.
I put a ton of spending with them.
2017 Then they killed almost everything except the modified 4th night free. (And the rise of CSR)
I put almost ONLY the 4th night free with them.
2019 They give the x5 (even...
Citi is funny, they are so dumb they don't know their strength or weakness.
Pre 2016 (I think) was the best of time. Golf, AAdmirals Club, 1.6 cents, avg 4th night free.
I put a ton of spending with them.
2017 Then they killed almost everything except the modified 4th night free. (And the rise of CSR)
I put almost ONLY the 4th night free with them.
2019 They give the x5 (even with AF increase)
I give Citi HUGE business and CSR was just the car rental card (loss of KE doesn't help much).
Now, lol, I will go back to ONLY the 4th night free charges and possibly in the trash if the 2 per year non concierge booking sucks.
Now what will Citi come up to justify the $495. At this rate, many people will go for AMEX.
This is bad. Good chance of reducing my Citi card usage. Some of the benefits sound nice but are rarely useful.
What I really like to have:
Worldwide Car Rental Insurance
What sounds great:
90 Day Return Protection
The rest are nice to know that I have but I never used them. The trip delay coverage is just for major delays, but my delays tend to be 2-4 hours.
Points are probably a bigger draw that changes consumer behavior to switch cards compared to that entire list.
5x is a much more dramatic marketing message than “worldwide rental coverage.”
even the prestige card will lose those? :(
I booked a trip to Egypt and Morocco from March 2020 to May 2020 relying on all the travel protection benefits. I would have bought trip insurance otherwise, and I would have paid for my trip with my Platinum card for medical evacuation. Now I am stuck. Thanks, CITI!!
Looks like Citi Costco losing only price rewind and trip cancellation/
interruption. Loss of price rewind is a big deal for non-Costco spend. However, like some others, I thought their trip interruption coverage was sort of illusory—maybe that will get replaced someday. This card doesn’t get much press because there’s no real sign up bonus and it doesn’t really open up premium seats on planes. However if you’re going to have a Costco membership...
Looks like Citi Costco losing only price rewind and trip cancellation/
interruption. Loss of price rewind is a big deal for non-Costco spend. However, like some others, I thought their trip interruption coverage was sort of illusory—maybe that will get replaced someday. This card doesn’t get much press because there’s no real sign up bonus and it doesn’t really open up premium seats on planes. However if you’re going to have a Costco membership anyway, the Citi card is free, offers some good cash back categories (like gas) and provides great extended warranty coverage. Looks like card holders also have the advantage of Costco protecting the benefits (relative to non co-branded Citi cards).
Although it pains a lot, i'd still likely keep using it due to a combo factor: its a MC (mortgage) + transfer to Eva (now Venture too but its Visa). In the past they have annually credited $350 ($50 per month x 7), so net ~100 which can be easily recouped by 4-th night.
As “primary” cards, I carry AX PRG for the supermarket/dining rebates & CSR for travel/hotel rebates. I used to carry AX Blue Sky Preferred for travel until AX got rid of it and downgraded me (and everybody else) to (plain) Blue Sky with no Annual Fee. I still have that card subscribed to AX Premium Rental Protection. For those who don’t know PRP, it’s *primary* CDW/LDW that costs $25-$30 per *rental*, NOT per *day*. Also...
As “primary” cards, I carry AX PRG for the supermarket/dining rebates & CSR for travel/hotel rebates. I used to carry AX Blue Sky Preferred for travel until AX got rid of it and downgraded me (and everybody else) to (plain) Blue Sky with no Annual Fee. I still have that card subscribed to AX Premium Rental Protection. For those who don’t know PRP, it’s *primary* CDW/LDW that costs $25-$30 per *rental*, NOT per *day*. Also note that renting with AX gets you the “firepower of AX customer service” should a rental agency problem arise. They know better than to try to play games with AX. I have actually used “AX Firepower’” once and it worked exactly as I expected. So, for my car rentals, It’s back to the Blue Sky card with PRP even though I have “free” CDW/LDW wth CSR. I *know* that PRP actually works when you need it. Note that you can add PRP to any AX card, not just the Blue one. Finally, for those annoyed by this Citi reduction as I was by AX’s elimination of Blue Sky *Preferred*, don’t cancel your Citi card. Downgrade it (“Product Change” it) to another Citi card with no Annual Fee and *keep* your FICO score history as a result for no cost.
Been a Citi Prestige holder for the past 3 years. For me this eliminated one of the core benefits I valued (and expected) from this card.
Now, the $500 fee for the citi card is essentially just two 4th night frees per year, good points earnings (5x travel), priority pass and the $250 travel credit. The AMEX platinum is looking more and more competitive. That said, as someone who does stay in pretty expensive...
Been a Citi Prestige holder for the past 3 years. For me this eliminated one of the core benefits I valued (and expected) from this card.
Now, the $500 fee for the citi card is essentially just two 4th night frees per year, good points earnings (5x travel), priority pass and the $250 travel credit. The AMEX platinum is looking more and more competitive. That said, as someone who does stay in pretty expensive hotels, the two 4th night frees is still probably worth about $1000/year to me, and that alone makes the $500 fee worth it.
I've talked to Citi and they say "Yeah you are right these benefits are going to discontinued but no need to worry." "When I asked why I shouldn't worry, they replied "team is already working on this. might be new benefits will introduce soon."
Looks like all of the predictions of the death of the CSR when Prestige went to 5x points on dining were a tad premature.
Wow. having basic travel insurance protections is standard for high-annual fee cards. For the Citi Prestige to be charging whatever it does ($400-$500/year) and not provide this benefit is super bad.
Are there any benefits actually left at this point?
Well I'm downgrading my prestige to a no annual fee card. Only reason I signed up is the 5x and all the trip insurance. Not paying$495 card just to have a 5x category card. Even with the 4th night free I feel like it's not worth $495. I guess I'll be going the CSR or Sapphire Preferred route now. At least the Amex platinum have a baggage protection lol
Wow -- this isn't just huge it also does not bode well for the rest of the industry
"Well if Citi did it why can't we drop these too?"
The trip delay thing offered by Citi was essentially fraud anyway. Supposedly, it was going to kick in if your trip was delayed by 6 or 12 hours. Assume that you had a two-hour connection and the first segment was delayed by 2.5 hours, so you missed your connection and arrived to your destination, say, 24 hours later than expected. However, some Citi cardholders in a situation like this said that Citi denied their claim...
The trip delay thing offered by Citi was essentially fraud anyway. Supposedly, it was going to kick in if your trip was delayed by 6 or 12 hours. Assume that you had a two-hour connection and the first segment was delayed by 2.5 hours, so you missed your connection and arrived to your destination, say, 24 hours later than expected. However, some Citi cardholders in a situation like this said that Citi denied their claim because the first flight was delayed by fewer than 6 (or 12) hours.
This is part of the industry's response in shutting down the information arbitrage put forward by the miles and points blogosphere.
Average Joes without significant wealth or spend throughput in the long run are far far better off with fixed point redemptions in economy class.
Holy crap. Prestige is now going from my main travel card to cancelled.
Need to start looking for a good replacement.
I have the United card which I only use for United, and keep because its my longest credit history.
I also have Amex PRG
So can you please do a refresh post of the best cards to use for Trip Delay/Cancellation coverage as well as lost/delayed baggage coverage? I guess just an updated post on cards with best travel protection benefits moving forward. Thanks!
If Citi gets enough complaints, I think they'll backtrack.
https://online.citi.com/US/ag/contactus
If Citi was hit by purchasing the Costco portfolio, it seems that this move will only further Citi's hurt as it loses more premium customers for the Prestige card.
Even though it foregoes 2x the points, I plan to switch my flights to Chase Sapphire Reserve for the reason of keeping the insurance. However, I am concerned about the possibility of Chase following suit and cutting the benefit as well in the future.
Citi's whole strategy seems questionable... they've arguably been offering the most generous benefits and return on spend on the Prestige/Premier (relative to Chase Sapphire and Amex Platinum/Gold), yet they seem to not promote them at all. As a hobbyist in the points/miles game I love cards from all three issuers (and have used the Prestige more than any other card the last year) but I don't know a single of my friends/family that uses or...
Citi's whole strategy seems questionable... they've arguably been offering the most generous benefits and return on spend on the Prestige/Premier (relative to Chase Sapphire and Amex Platinum/Gold), yet they seem to not promote them at all. As a hobbyist in the points/miles game I love cards from all three issuers (and have used the Prestige more than any other card the last year) but I don't know a single of my friends/family that uses or knows anything about it (and this is of ~30-35 year old, mostly high earning professionals living in New York). Isn't that the demographic they're targeting?
If the earning structure stays as is i'll probably split airfare across Platinum & Prestige (and use the Sapphire for cheaper flights & Car rentals where insurance is worth more than marginal points.)
The standard benefits that you refer to will be now be taken away at Chase, AMEX, etc. No point in incurring costs if competition isn’t. Give it a year or so I’d say.
@Ben
I’ve had the Citi Premier card for what seems like forever, with a significant credit line. I won’t use this card moving forward given these changes. But am I better off keeping the card open (or downgrading to a no fee card) just to avoid losing this as a long term high limit account on my credit record?
I'd still get the CITI Premier just for the bonus and then downgrade to the no AF card. Had considered the CITI Prestige, but no more. Have Sapphire Reserve and will get their business card and put most all of spend with Chase.
I am moving my spend to chase
I have been debating closing my Citi card for a while now but don't want to harm my credit. I've developed a good line of credit there and wonder if it is worth keeping (or downgrading) just to keep the account alive.
The comment about “underuse” is hilarious! That’s the inherent nature of an insurance product. Lots of us are “using” it, it is just that they only get claims from those that experience misfortune.
Should we be worried about the corporate habit of moving monkey see, monkey do? Assuming Citi doesn’t see significant closures of cards, might Chase follow suit within a few months?
This is the reason my wife and I have a portolio of cards. Now, we can move on Citibank! Surprises that they would do this but what else would you expect from Citibank?
@ Ben -- So, what is next best after Sapphire Reserve?
There it is... :)
@ Ben -- Where did my comment go? Anyway, what to use for airfare now when you want/need the travel insurance? Please don't say Sapphire Reserve, which I will never get due to 5/24!
@ Ben - AX Plat is 5x airfare but has no travel insurance, so where to put airfare when you need protection? As a DL Diamond, I really don't need it for Delta flights as they usually are very accommodating. However, for some airfare, such as deeply discounted LH/LX F where no changes are allowed under any circunstance other than death, the Citi coverage is great to have in the event of illness, emergency, etc.
@ Gene -- The Sapphire Reserve is the best at that point, but you are forgoing 2x points per dollar spent.
They should withdraw from travel cards if they are not going to offer any travel related protections. Without any of these benefits, there is no justification to charge a premium annual fee either. All Citi card should now be no annual fee.
Well that's not good. Husband has one of those cards and I have Chase Sapphire Reserve. We were going to pool our Chase and Citi points into a single air account that they both transfer to, maybe Flying Blue (good timing on that with the bonus), but the pooling part is tricky. To do this, I was thinking of adding myself as an authorized user on his Citi account, but have to do that before...
Well that's not good. Husband has one of those cards and I have Chase Sapphire Reserve. We were going to pool our Chase and Citi points into a single air account that they both transfer to, maybe Flying Blue (good timing on that with the bonus), but the pooling part is tricky. To do this, I was thinking of adding myself as an authorized user on his Citi account, but have to do that before he closes his account in September (before he owes the annual fee). Does anyone have a better idea on how to combine and use our points?
Wow. I can't believe they are cutting core benefits like car rental insurance on a premium card meant to be used for travel. Just to be clear, are they completely dropping ALL global cdw rental coverage or are they just dropping what used to be primary outside the US to the same secondary coverage offered on domestic car rentals?
wow
Ben does this apply to AA Citi Executive card as well?
@ Serge -- It does, yep.
I thought it was too good to be true all with one card - 5 x points, 4th night free, travel protection - and it was. Bye bye Citi.
I exclusively use Citi cards, for these features. I will no longer be using them after September.
Wow, my junk Capital One Platinum and Petal cards offer rental car coverage...
2 year extended warranty also gone on no af cards
This hurts a lot. I just applied for the Citi prestige due to many of these protections on top of the 4th night free. I'm stuck for a year, but I highly doubt I will keep the card when my next annual fee is due.
I'll be Dumping by Citi card in September.