Good evening everyone, I have some interesting pieces of information to share about the Citi Prestige Credit Card. A few weeks ago, I wrote Citi Prestige: 50,000 ThankYou Points Online or 60,000 TYP In-Branch Offer? where I compared the current online offer (50,000 Citi ThankYou Points after spending $3,000 in 3 months, with a $450 annual fee) with the current in-branch offer (30,000 Citi ThankYou Points after spending $3,000 in 3 months, another 30,000 Citi ThankYou Points after spending another $12,000/12 months, with a $350 annual fee). A week later, I wrote My Citi Prestige In-Branch Application Experience with PDF Paperwork and Brochure where I shared information on the in-branch application process and over-the-phone reconsideration call.
Before I go into detail regarding the Welcome Package, let me give you an update regarding the sign up bonus terms. Basically, the online offer has a better sign up bonus (less spending to complete before receiving the full sign up bonus) but the in-branch offer has a lower annual fee ($350 vs. $450 for the online offer). Wouldn’t it be great to have the best of both offers? Doctor of Credit wrote an article recently about asking Citi to match the new (better) offer. He also wrote an article about targeted Citi Prestige offers for 100,000 Citi ThankYou Points. Before activating my Citi Prestige Credit Card, I called Citi to see if they would give me the 100,000 point offer. Unfortunately that was not possible, but then I asked if I could switch to the online offer (50,000 Citi ThankYou Points after spending $3,000 in 3 months) but keep the $350 annual fee. She said that was possible and made the change before activating my credit card. I am 99% confident that everything went as it should, but I will know for sure after I complete the $3,000 minimum spend.
Shortly after writing this post, I checked on Doctor of Credit again and he has a similar story It’s Possible To Pay A $350 Annual Fee On The Citi Prestige, Even If You Didn’t Apply In Branch.
A few days ago, I received my Citi Prestige Credit Card inside this white FedEx package. The box size looks similar to the Citi American Airlines Executive Credit Card Welcome Package.
Inside the white box is a smaller blue Citi Prestige Welcome Package…
Lifting the lid on the Citi Prestige Welcome Package…
Inside that is a smaller Citi Prestige Welcome Package…
Lifting the flap reveals the welcome letter and the Citi Prestige Credit Card…
Here is the welcome letter and the credit card insert…
Here is the credit card insert and the Citi Prestige directory of services (card benefits)…
Last but not least, here is the front and back of the Citi Prestige Credit Card. The magnetic strip is actually on the front of the Citi Prestige (see that dark line near the bottom?) and is a little more obvious than on previous versions of the Citi Prestige. As for the back, the card is completely flat with no embossed letters or numbers.
If you have any questions, please leave a comment below. Have a great evening everyone!
I received my Prestige card last week. Nice packaging and it came faster than the other two cards I applied for on the same day… one card I still have not received.
However, the down side is the magnetic strip on the front. Literally every single time I have used the card so far the cashier has not been able to figure it out on the first swipe. I don’t know how many times in the life of this card I will have to explain to cashiers how to use it… honestly it may make me reach for a different card in my wallet (once I have met the required spend).
That is very true, I don’t mind explaining to the cashier, but I think if you went out to a restaurant, the waiter would probably get confused. It works fine online and for places that let you swipe your own credit card.
I love that the blue arc is translucent :)
I didn’t even notice that until you pointed that out.
What if you’re already activated the card ? Could you still get the 350?
It depends how long you have had the Citi Prestige Credit Card. It never hurts to call Citi and see what they can do.
Do you need a Citigold account before you can get the $350 annual year membership fee and is this going to be the fee in subsequent years? Thanks.
You definitely need the Citi Gold Checking Account to get the $350 annual fee. I am not sure if you have to have to keep the Citi Gold Checking Account open for ever. I would say it is probably safe to downgrade or close the checking account after your annual fee posts to the Citi Prestige Credit Card. Who knows what will happen after the first year.
Hi Grant- Just got targeted for the 100k bonus with 5k spend in 3mos (will call and ask for 3k spend). Yeah! Are there any spends that are off limits because they hit as a CA, ie. GCM, paying Fed taxes, etc? Anything specific to stay away from? I feel like I’ll be walking on eggshells with this card. Thanks for any insight. Hope to see you at the OC meet-up.
Congrats on the targeted offer, do you have any special status with American Airlines? As for cash advance fees, just call Citi to lower the cash advance limit to $0. I think buying Amex GCs from Amex online is the only thing that will count as a cash advance. Gift Card Mall is safe. Hopefully I’ll see you in OC in a few weeks :)
Thank you for your rapid response. No, I don’t have any status with AA. Will try my best to see you at the OC meet-up. Will be having a yard sale that weekend…..lots of paper to sell :-) Thanks again for your help!
I have quite a few boxes of paper from Staples. I’m not sure when my next community garage sale is, but the paper goes fast.
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My Prestige card didn’t show up in anything like that. It was basically just an envelope inside of a FedEx envelope. that plus the fact that it’s a flimsy plastic card really left me disappointed. For $350/450 I expected more.
How long did it take before you were charged the annual fee?
Citi typically uses pretty flimsy cards for their higher end cards, just like they did with Citi AA Exec Card. The annual fee posts on your first statement. I also got the full $250 airline credit this statement.
Check my Twitter account, I just posted the pic @travelwithgrant.