The most significant recent Citi Prestige change was that it has been discontinued for new applicants in the summer of 2021. Existing cardholders still benefit from their cards, but Citi Prestige is no longer available to new applicants.
Citi Prestige was designed as an exclusive travel credit card for customers with excellent credit (a credit score of 750+). In exchange for a hefty $495 annual fee, cardholders got extensive rewards and perks. Citi Prestige offered 50,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. Plus, you earned extensive ongoing rewards: 5 points per $1 spent on purchases at airlines, travel agencies and at restaurants, 3 points per $1 spent on at hotels & cruise lines, 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases. And there were other perks such as annual travel credits and credits to cover the cost of TSA Precheck or Global Entry.
Alternatives to the Citi Prestige card
While Citi Prestige is no longer available for new applicants, you can set your sights on the Citi Premier Card instead. New cardholders get 80,000 points for spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. And you earn extensive ongoing rewards: 3 points per $1 spent at restaurants, supermarkets and gas stations, 3 points per $1 on air travel and hotels, and 1 point per $1 on all other purchases. You also get an annual hotel savings benefit, which offers a preset discount amount on eligible hotel stays. And the Citi Premier annual fee comes in at $95, which is considerably lower than that of the Citi Prestige card. In case you prefer more straightforward rewards, also take a look at the Citi Custom Cash℠ Card.
If you're not tied to Citibank as an issuer and are looking for alternatives to the Citi Prestige card, feel free to also take a look at some of the best travel credit cards on the market. And if you're interested in exclusivity and premium perks, check out our editors' picks for the most exclusive credit cards.