Chase Sapphire Reserve vs. Citi Prestige - Feedback Wanted

[joesbrat67]

I am contemplating applying for either the Chase Sapphire Reserve or the Citi Prestige card.  I've read up on all the benefits for each and researched all the pros/cons.  Given that and the YMMV approach, I would like to solicit feedback from actual cardholders.  My 3 FICO scores are all in the mid-800's range.

Regardless of which one of these cards you hold, how has your experience been using the card?  Good/bad/indifferent?  Have the benefits outweighed the high AF/interest rate?

FYI - I'm a current Chase/Citi card holder, and I'm already pre-approved for the CSP.  I'm wondering if it would make more sense to apply for the CSR. I'm not in any rush to apply for either, but I do have some travel opportunities coming up in late 2018 and 2019.

Thanks in advance for your help!

[Anonymous]

Personally I think the best of both worlds approach is to get the CSP and the Prestige, especially if you can "hack" the Prestige for the $350 annual fee. TY point earning is maximized with the Sears MasterCard.

[wasCB14]

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@joesbrat67 wrote:

I am contemplating applying for either the Chase Sapphire Reserve or the Citi Prestige card.  I've read up on all the benefits for each and researched all the pros/cons.  Given that and the YMMV approach, I would like to solicit feedback from actual cardholders.  My 3 FICO scores are all in the mid-800's range.

Regardless of which one of these cards you hold, how has your experience been using the card?  Good/bad/indifferent?  Have the benefits outweighed the high AF/interest rate?

FYI - I'm a current Chase/Citi card holder, and I'm already pre-approved for the CSP.  I'm wondering if it would make more sense to apply for the CSR. I'm not in any rush to apply for either, but I do have some travel opportunities coming up in late 2018 and 2019.

Thanks in advance for your help!

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These are generally not cards meant for carrying balances! Citi has some low APR promos for existing customers, but these are not by any means guaranteed.

I've had Prestige for 2 years. Prestige's best days seem to be behind it. Citi announced a massive benefit cut 23 months ago (that took effect 10 months ago) and they have done nothing meaningful to make up for it since then. In fact, they have only hurt the card further (and taken customer surveys to see how we'd feel about yet more cuts). I've only kept mine due to getting two retention offers, but in the last few months other people have reported that such offers are now harder to get.

I had a CSP for three years. I got rid of it because it was basically superfluous. The card had previously been useful for four reasons:

1. Decent rewards on dining and travel (Hyatt was nearly as good).

2. Primary auto rental insurance (as a CA resident I get it cheaply from Amex).

3. Special customer service (as a Chase VIP I get even better service).

4. Great other travel insurance (more or less duplicated by my other cards).

A lot comes down to how you plan to use the cards (which protections and perks matter to you) and which travel partners you like. Overall, I think CSR is a better card than Prestige, and one I may get in 2019 (if I don't like the state of Prestige and the well of retention runs dry). Having both might be more than I need.

Prestige is a great card for price protection and extended warranties, but I get comparable benefits from my Citi Costco card.

If you travel a lot, paying up for a CSR vs. a CSP is probably worth it due to the better rewards and protections.

[joesbrat67]

Thanks.  I am curious about the following statement:

In fact, they have only hurt the card further (and taken customer surveys to see how we'd feel about yet more cuts). 

Based on the above, could you elaborate as to which Citi Prestige card benefits you think may be at risk?

[wasCB14]

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@joesbrat67 wrote:

Thanks.  I am curious about the following statement:

In fact, they have only hurt the card further (and taken customer surveys to see how we'd feel about yet more cuts). 

Based on the above, could you elaborate as to which Citi Prestige card benefits you think may be at risk?

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I read that a survey in mid-April (the full text of which I have tried but failed to obtain) sought customer opinions on a variety of reward/benefit structures. Apparently all proposed structures included a twice-per-year cap on use of the 4th night free benefit.

[digitek]

Can't go wrong with CSR, I love mine. Great customer service, best benefits/insurance of any card out there IMO.

[wasCB14]

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@digitek wrote:
Can't go wrong with CSR, I love mine. Great customer service, best benefits/insurance of any card out there IMO.

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There are a few areas where Prestige is better (event ticket protection, quicker trip delay protection), and one big area where Platinum is better (no cap medical evacuation coverage without needing to use the card to purchase travel).

But overall, CSR probably does have the best travel/experience protection benefits...and the best rewards.

[Anonymous]

I don't have either, ha, but what I can say is since joining these boards I have seen more posts + excitement about getting the CSR over the Prestige. Take that for what it's worth.

Also, I got my CSP just so I could get the bonus and then PC it to the CSR in a year because I have friends that have it and love it with a passion.

Good luck to you!

[wasCB14]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I don't have either, ha, but what I can say is since joining these boards I have seen more posts + excitement about getting the CSR over the Prestige. Take that for what it's worth.

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That reminds me...Prestige currently does not have a public bonus. Citi does send out a few targeted offers with a bonus.

Citi does change the TY program often. They love to tinker with it. But if there were going to be significant improvements to Prestige, I can't imagine why they would be waiting to announce them, or what they could be working on that wouldn't be ready by now. With the 1.6 cpp on AA devaluation and the loss of Admirals Club access, it doesn't look like they can announce anything good related to AA. They've lost Hilton as a CC partner. They didn't get JetBlue when it went from Amex to Barclays. So what could they possibly be waiting for?