Citi will once again be making the travel credit on its most premium card more flexible in 2022…
In this post:
Use Citi Prestige travel credit on groceries & dining
The $495 annual fee Citi Prestige Card is no longer open to new applicants, though it’s a card that many people still have. One of the features that helps offset the annual fee is the $250 annual travel credit.
Ordinarily the $250 annual travel credit will automatically be applied towards any purchase coded as travel. The way I view it, this lowers the real “out of pocket” on the card to ~$245 per year, since everyone should get full value out of that.
For the third year in a row, Citi is giving cardmembers more flexibility with this credit — in 2022, the Citi Prestige $250 travel credit can also be applied towards supermarket and dining purchases. The credit will automatically be applied towards the first eligible purchases made between January 1 and December 31, 2022.
For what it’s worth, here are a few things to be aware of with these categories:
- Supermarket purchases exclude discount superstores, freezer & meat locker provisioners, dairy product stores, convenience stores, markets, drugstores, warehouse clubs, wholesale clubs, specialty vendors, bakeries, meal kit delivery services, etc.
- Restaurant purchases exclude bakeries, caterers, restaurants located inside other establishments, etc.
The best Citi ThankYou credit card to get
Since the Citi Prestige is no longer open to new applicants, what’s the best card for earning Citi ThankYou points? I’d recommend the Citi Premier® Card (review), which has a reasonable $95 annual fee, and offers 3x points in several different categories, ranging from dining, to gas stations, to groceries. I’d argue this is the most well rounded mid-range credit card out there.
Bottom line
In 2022, the Citi Prestige Card’s $250 travel credit can once again be applied towards purchases at supermarkets and restaurants. This should give cardmembers significantly more flexibility, and make it easier to justify holding onto the card.
Will any Citi Prestige cardmembers benefit from this added flexibility?
(Tip of the hat to View from the Wing)
I got an offer for 5x points on grocery (along with drug stores & gas stations) for up to $250 in spend by the end of March so this is good news!
One of my sad joys is to read Wall Street analysts review Citibank. "Expect to be disappointed, management can't fix this place, return on assets will lag peers, etc."
The fact that the most exciting Citibank update on this page is a product that was shelved last year definitely supports that.
For those who can still take flights.
I think the $250 credit doesn't negate the points. So you're better off to apply the credits on x5 purchases. It's not a lot we're talking here but still something worth considering.
What happens if I use the $250 credit and then cancel the card before the annual fee is charged in May? Do I have to pay the credit pack?
I’ve been hoping they’d add the unlimited 4th night benefit for 2022 to help juice travel. Still happy to max out the $250 on groceries and dining out, but without some other perk I’ll end up canceling this when it’s up for renewal. Which makes me sad. I got a ton of benefit from the 4th night free back in the day.
I have the CITI Prestige card so I am happy that they did this again for 2022. Now this is a $245 annual fee card. I was keeping the card for the 4th night free benefit because I use it but now am questioning that, so I may cancel this card unless they come up with new benefits that is worth the $245 annual fee.