Earn 50,000 bonus miles with the Citi Prestige card

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Great news for luxury card lovers – the Citi Prestige® Card is accepting new applications again. The card recently relaunched with a 50,000-point sign-up bonus for cardholders who spend $4,000 in the first three months.

With new perks such as a better rewards rate on dining and airfare purchases, a more flexible travel credit and cell phone assistance (starting in May 2019), the Citi Prestige is packed with value, especially in the first year.

What is the Citi Prestige card worth in the first year?

In addition to a competitive sign-up bonus, the Citi Prestige card comes with a slew of luxury benefits that make it a valuable choice for frequent travelers. Cardholders get a $250 travel credit every year, Priority Pass lounge access and a fourth night free on hotel stays twice per year – to name a few.

Citi Prestige® Card
	Rewards rate 5 points per dollar on air travel and restaurants 3 points per dollar on hotels and cruise lines 1 point per dollar on other purchases
	Introductory bonus 50,000 points if you spend $4,000 in first 3 months
Why use it?Luxury travelers should enjoy the Citi Prestige card’s solid list of benefits, including its robust set of travel protections and a fourth night free on hotel stays up to twice per year.Read review	Annual fee $495
	Estimated value in first year ($4,000 monthly spend) $1,085

The Citi Prestige also offers one of the best rewards rates available on dining purchases, boosting its appeal for foodies.

Recent changes to the Citi Prestige card

The Citi Prestige card has undergone a lot of updates in the last year, including an increased annual fee, updated rewards rate and cap on the famous fourth night free perk (starting Sep. 2019). The card was closed to new applications from August 2018 until January 2019.

As for the sign-up bonus, that offer has fluctuated quite a bit as well. Throughout the card’s history, users have been able to grab up to 75,000 bonus points. Though the current offer is not the highest it has ever been, it is still competitive with similar rewards cards.

Who is eligible to earn the sign-up bonus?

The introductory offer for the Citi Prestige card is only available to new cardholders, so if you currently hold the card, you won’t be eligible. Citi also requires that applicants have not closed or received a sign-up bonus for the Citi Rewards+® Card, Citi ThankYou® Preferred Card, Citi Premier® Card or Citi Prestige in the past 24 months.

The Citi Prestige is designed for cardholders with excellent credit (above 740) so make sure you meet the qualifications before you apply.

Best ways to use the Citi Prestige sign-up bonus

The Citi Prestige card earns ThankYou points, which come with a diverse range of redemption options, including travel purchases, gift cards and statement credits. However, the value of your points shifts based on how you redeem them, so consider this carefully before choosing how to use them.

Citi Prestige redemption options

You’ll get the most value out of your sign-up bonus by redeeming points for travel purchases through the ThankYou portal. Gift cards also get pretty good value out of your points, but you’ll want to avoid other cash options, such as statement credits.

If you also own a Citi Premier® Card, you can transfer your points easily between accounts. Since ThankYou points are worth 25 percent more when redeemed for ThankYou portal travel purchases with the Premier card through April 10, 2021, this is a great way to boost your point value.

Transfer options with the Citi Prestige card

Citi also allows Prestige cardholders to transfer their points to travel partners at a 1:1 ratio. Since some airline miles are worth more than 1 cent per mile, this is another great way to stretch your rewards even further.

Citi transfer partners

If you frequently fly with Air France, KLM, JetBlue, Avianca or Singapore Airlines, you can get even more out of your sign-up bonus by transferring your points.

Should you apply for the Citi Prestige card now?

While the sign-up bonus is not the highest it has ever been, the Citi Prestige still boasts all sorts of luxury travel benefits that make it a valuable card for frequent travelers. If you will take advantage of perks like a $250 annual travel credit and a fourth night free on two hotel stays per year, it is still a good time to sign up for this card.