New Changes to Citi Prestige, Complete With Typo of Points Worth 2 Cents Each for AA Flights

Also see: 

Update: The old 50K offer is still available! I’d apply sooner rather than later if you want it. It also says you’ll get AA lounge access still.

Update: Peeps on Reddit are reporting the 2 cent valuation, too. Who knows if Citi will honor this – it does seem like a careless typo after all, which is honestly inexcusable for a bank of their size.

Welp, the dreaded changes to Citi Prestige are in:

  • 40,000 Citi ThankYou points as a sign-up bonus
  • Minimum spending increased to $4,000 in 3 months
  • Dropping American Airlines Admirals Club access (but here’s an easy way to get in anyway)
  • No changes to 2X dining category (or any other bonus categories)

I’m guessing they had to axe the AA lounge access because of upcoming arrangements between Citi and Barclays with AA cards. That is fine. They could’ve been much worse.

Citi being Citi?

All-in-all, the changes aren’t worth dumping the card over. And furthermore, it’s still a decent sign-up bonus if you’ll use the other unique benefits, like:

These benefits are completely unique to this card – and they’re a huge reason why it’s perhaps my favorite credit card right now.

Here’s the link to apply for card offers if you wanna pick up this card (or any others).

Changes aren't so bad, but take a closer look

Changes aren’t so bad, but take a closer look

Here’s where they start to lose me a little bit.

On the application page, they say 40,000 Citi ThankYou points are worth $800 toward flights on American Airlines. Which would mean Citi ThankYou points are worth 2 cents each when redeemed this way.

As of now, each Citi ThankYou point earned as (or combined with) Citi Prestige points are worth 1.6 cents toward AA flights. And in my opinion, a higher rate would not only offset the loss of lounge access, but also be a real game-changer and directly compete with 2% cashback cards, which would be wild.

Nope, still cashing out at 1.6 cents each on ThankYou.com

Still cashing out at 1.6 cents each on ThankYou.com

I did a quick test flight search to see what would come up. And it’s still showing as 1.6 cents each.

And we all know Citi has a propensity for site typos.

But who knows – it’s on the official page. And they’ve added the “$532 flight” language which I haven’t seen before (because each Citi ThankYou point is worth 1.33 cents each on other airlines). So they obviously tweaked it and chose to leave $800 for American Airlines.

It’s worth noting that 50,000 Citi ThankYou points – the previous sign-up bonus – was worth $800 worth American Airlines flights at a 1.6 cent valuation. 40,000 Citi ThankYou points at 1.6 cents each is worth $640 for American Airlines flights.

So, case of bad copy/paste or new benefit/positive change?

My gut tells me the former, but my hopes obviously prefer the latter.

Oooh, pretty

Oooh, pretty

It’s also worth noting the ThankYou.com front page got a refresh – but the back end looks the same. So it’s anyone’s guess if they’re rolling out site changes or what’s going on. With Citi, ya just never know.

Bottom line

Are the changes to Citi Prestige major? Not really. Citi Prestige is still an amazing card, offers a ton of value, and has a respectable sign-up bonus ($640 worth of points is nothing to sniff at).

Is it as good as before? Well, no. But it could’ve also been a lot worse.

Again, here’s an easy way to regain Admirals Club lounge access.

A change I found as a typo (?) is 40,000 Citi ThankYou points are worth $800 – 2 cents each – toward American Airlines flights. I have a feeling that ain’t right, as typos are common for Citi during refreshes – but hot damn if that wouldn’t be amazing.

The ThankYou.com front page got a new look, so who knows. I’m putting my money on another site error – but if it turns out to be real, wouldn’t that be a cool perk to add?

What do you think – typo or real update? If it proves to be real, would that change things in your opinion?

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About Harlan

Just a dude living in Memphis, traveling, and working toward financial independence.

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Comments

  1. Interesting. You’re right Citi is notorious for typos and bad editing…would love to see that as a positive change to counterbalance the Admirals Club loss. We’ll see

  2. I’m relieved about the changes to the Citi Prestige offer. The sign-up bonus is not that much worse than before. I feared that they would take out the sign-up bonus completely, like the Thank You Premier.

    • Same, I got the TYP when it was 40K. It’s a tough(er) sell without a sign-up bonus.

      All-in-all, I’m fine with the changes to the Prestige card – still a good deal for everything you get (if you’ll use it).

  3. Harlan, first off, u were missed at the last NYC meetup…and sorry for the off topic question… My premier card af is due, I already renewed my prestige card last month, don’t know if I should cancel premier or pay $95..? Retention dept is closed, what would u do?
    I don’t use the card at all, the only reason I want to keep it is for 24months rule so I can apply again next year.. But with the current sign up offer of 0 points not sure if it’s smart thing to do.. Please weigh in
    Thx

    • Hey Sam!

      I was in Dallas working on closing an investment property!

      Regarding the TYP, if you’re not using it I’d close it and reset the clock.

      I use it for the broad 3X travel category. If you think there might be a big sign-up bonus in the next year, keep it. But given the AF is due, I’d personally close it and wait another 24 months and see what happens.

      Hope that helps! 🙂

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