topic Re: Citi Prestige in Credit Cards

Citi Prestige

Anonymous — Sat, 03 Mar 2018 19:28:05 GMT

Was wondering if the 4th hotel night benefit only on hotel stays booked through citi or through hotel websites as well?

Re: Citi Prestige

wasCB14 — Sat, 03 Mar 2018 19:46:17 GMT

Use the Citi TY website, or call the concierge (which may be necessary if the website doesn't have the hotel). Don't book something at a place like marriott.com and expect Citi to retroactively offer a credit.

Re: Citi Prestige

go_FICO_self — Sat, 03 Mar 2018 21:05:17 GMT

If you want hotel website, call the concierge and they'll book you the website rate. don't do it yourself.

Re: Citi Prestige

wasCB14 — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 02:15:34 GMT

@go_FICO_selfwrote:
If you want hotel website, call the concierge and they'll book you the website rate. don't do it yourself.

The concierge can access pretty much any rate you could otherwise book online and (at least in most cases) add a frequent guest membership number to the reservation.

Re: Citi Prestige

Anonymous — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 04:56:40 GMT

My question is, how helpful and competent is the concierge service? I've never used one to book a hotel before...

Re: Citi Prestige

Anonymous — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 06:11:46 GMT

I'm curious whether these bookings are treated by the hotel as 3rd party bookings like hotels.com - my understanding is that they don't handle them the same. Apparently some hotels have specific rooms for 3rd party bookings and will show general preference to those who book directly with the hotel. Not sure how accurate that is though, just something I read

Re: Citi Prestige

Anonymous — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 06:18:57 GMT

Thanks was considering PC’ing to this. I can use the 4th night 4x a year.

Re: Citi Prestige

Anonymous — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 10:49:21 GMT

@Anonymouswrote:
I'm curious whether these bookings are treated by the hotel as 3rd party bookings like hotels.com - my understanding is that they don't handle them the same. Apparently some hotels have specific rooms for 3rd party bookings and will show general preference to those who book directly with the hotel. Not sure how accurate that is though, just something I read

Your point in this post is of most interest to me! Other than potential points is the pricing difference in rooms reserved directly through the hotel or some other site different enough to by pass the credit card requirements and plain obtain the room I want at a better price? In reading many posts I never see this question or any related responses?!

Re: Citi Prestige

UpperNwGuy — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 12:20:48 GMT

@Anonymouswrote:
@Anonymouswrote:
I'm curious whether these bookings are treated by the hotel as 3rd party bookings like hotels.com - my understanding is that they don't handle them the same. Apparently some hotels have specific rooms for 3rd party bookings and will show general preference to those who book directly with the hotel. Not sure how accurate that is though, just something I read
Your point in this post is of most interest to me! Other than potential points is the pricing difference in rooms reserved directly through the hotel or some other site different enough to by pass the credit card requirements and plain obtain the room I want at a better price? In reading many posts I never see this question or any related responses?!

I have this question, too.

Re: Citi Prestige

Anonymous — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 12:44:46 GMT

@Anonymouswrote:
I'm curious whether these bookings are treated by the hotel as 3rd party bookings like hotels.com - my understanding is that they don't handle them the same. Apparently some hotels have specific rooms for 3rd party bookings and will show general preference to those who book directly with the hotel. Not sure how accurate that is though, just something I read

They aren’t handled like 3rd party sites like hotels.com. When booking with any concierge service like Citi’s or Amex’s FHR you’re getting either the same level or even better service than going directly to the hotel. Have used both many times and never look back.

Re: Citi Prestige

Anonymous — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 20:16:19 GMT

So the service is great, but what about the pricing? Are the rates the same or better than going directly to the hotel or 3rd party website, or is it more expensive due to convenience?

Re: Citi Prestige

wasCB14 — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 20:37:55 GMT

@Anonymouswrote:
So the service is great, but what about the pricing? Are the rates the same or better than going directly to the hotel or 3rd party website, or is it more expensive due to convenience?

The rates are (at least usually) as good as booking directly with hotel. With some (not all) hotels, the odds of a nice status-based upgrade are lower when booking through the concierge, though.

@Anonymouswrote:
My question is, how helpful and competent is the concierge service? I've never used one to book a hotel before...

I've known exactly what I wanted when calling. I could give the concierge the address, dates, rate, and room type, so there was little room for error. Some people report calling not knowing exactly what they want, not paying close attention during the call, and not getting what they want.

Re: Citi Prestige

Anonymous — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 20:51:54 GMT

@Anonymouswrote:
So the service is great, but what about the pricing? Are the rates the same or better than going directly to the hotel or 3rd party website, or is it more expensive due to convenience?

I'll add to what wasCB14 stated-the only time that I couldnt get the 'same' price was trying to book a hotel room in Vegas. Citi can't/won't give you the same price that you may get by booking a hotel thru MLife.com and using your MLife rewards status to get a discounted price. That's where you need to do a comparison to see if the 4th night free gets you an overall better price than going thru MLife. That would be true for any discounted price that you may be eligible for.

Re: Citi Prestige

Anonymous — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 21:09:57 GMT

Thank you for the info. Much appreciated.