Citi Travel’s Sanctuary: Unlock the privileges of luxury hotels with Citi credit card
Travelers who earn Citi Thanks Rewards Points and carry premium Citi credit cards can now enhance their next hotel stay with Citi Travel.
This new portal collection offers VIP extra functionality in high-end properties around the world.
This is what the reserve offers, how to book and how to compare with the Citi Hotel Collection.
Related: Citigroup Elite: Citi has finally added a premium travel card – is it worth the wait?
What is the reserve for Citi Travel?
The reserve is Citi Travel’s highest hotel portfolio, replacing the luxury range. It has a 4 1/2-to-5 star property and is designed to compete with premium hotel collections from other card issuers such as American Express’Fine Hotels + Resorts.
When you book a property that is part of the Citigroup Collection, you will receive:
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- $100 experience credit: redemption for dining, spa or other fees; after each stay (services provided will vary by property).
- Breakfast for two people every day.
- Free Wi-Fi: Included unless the resort fee has been paid.
- Room Upgrade: Granted on Checkin, subject to availability.
- Early check-up and party checkout: Both are available.
Reserves are only available to new cardholders Citigroup Elite Card (See rates and fees), Citi Layer Premier® Card (See rates and fees) and CitiPrestige® cards (no longer available to new applicants).
Please note that the recently renamed Citi tier card does not qualify for bookings or benefits.
Information on the Citi reputation card has been collected independently by Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Only for a limited time Citigroup Elite Card 80,000 Citi Thank You Reward Points are offered after spending $4,000 in three months from account opening to people applying online. New Citigroup Elite Cardholders who apply in person at Citigroup Retail can earn 100,000 bonus points with the same expenditure requirements.
The Stage Elite Card includes (up to) $300 annual hotel credit, which applies to a single prepaid hotel accommodation (at least two nights), which can be booked through Citigroup Travel, which makes it easy to offset the card’s $595 annual fee.
Want to see how the reserves compare to the luxury collections of other issuers? Citi’s Perks Mirror Mirror Amex and Chase’s luxury hotel reservations are required, but access requires a lower annual credit card fee.
How to book a reserve for Citi Travel Hotel
Here is how to book a reserve attribute:
- Log in to your Citi account and open the Citi Travel Portal.
- Search Destination and Date – Look for the blue “Reserve” tag next to the qualified attributes.
- Select a reserve rate when selecting a room; the prepaid or promotion rate for the same hotel will not include privileges.
- Pay with a qualified Citi card or pay with Thankyou Rewards points.
- Save your confirmation – it lists breakfast and $100 credit in case the former staff member needs proof.
Please note that reserve bookings are processed through Agoda’s Rocket Travel and are usually traded online – institutions. You will still receive reward points for your expenses thanks, but most hotel loyalty programs do not offer hotel points or elite night credit for OTA bookings.
Related: You need to know about booking directly with third-party travel
What is the difference between Citi’s reserve and Citi’s hotel collection?
The reserve includes per-hotel collection privileges, which then adds two profitable benefits to your stay: a flexible $100 credit and potential room upgrades. If you plan to buy breakfast at a hotel, the reserve can be worth more than $150 in a single-day stay, which is especially attractive if you use Strata Elite’s annual $300 annual hotel credit.
Here is a breakdown of the differences:
| Promote | Reserve | Hotel Collection |
|---|---|---|
| Included attribute types | Luxury Hotel | Upper floors and high-comfort hotels |
| Daily breakfast | include | include |
| Free Wi-Fi | include | include |
| Early check-in/evening party checkout | Based on availability | Based on availability |
| Room upgrade | Space available | No provided |
| Business Credit | $100 experience credit | Nothing |
Related: Citi Thank You for Rewards Added Preferred Hotels and Resorts as New Hotel Transfer Partners
Bottom line
Citi Travel’s reserve allows qualified Citi cardholders to enjoy exclusive benefits at luxury hotels around the world without the annual salary associated with certain competitor cards.
Stacking $100 in property credit, free breakfast and upgrade potential with Strata Elite’s annual hotel credit, you can turn your weekend getaway into minimal freight costs.
Book a reserve rate, bring the right card and enjoy the allowance.
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