Sometime early in the 4th quarter, so we’ll assume October/November or so, Citi will be moving away from its existing portal travel provider and it will be managed by booking.com and renamed “Citi Travel.”
I see this as a HUGE win for Citi customers that make portal bookings. Sure, you have the same restrictions as any issuer travel portal (no elite benefits or points at hotels; having to deal with the travel agency on flight changes), but they are perfectly fine for independent hotels.
Booking.com is a much more robust platform than they have now and shows how competitive the issuer travel portal space has become. Capital One uses Hopper to power theirs, and Chase is building its own. Of course, they make solid commissions when you book via their portals.
You’ll be able to spend cash or points or a mix of both, as you can now with Citi ThankYou.
From launch through December 31, 2023, new and existing customers with Citi Prestige, Citi Premier, ThankYou Preferred and Rewards+ credit cards will be able to multiply their ThankYou Points earning potential by booking their hotels, rental cars, or eligible attractions through Citi Travel.
Citi Prestige and Citi Premier cardmembers will earn a total of 10X and ThankYou Preferred and Rewards+ cardmembers will earn a total of 5X Points.
That’s on par with what Chase offers when you book via their Chase Sapphire Reserve or Chase Sapphire Preferred – with the exception of airfare. The Reserve offers 5X on airfare whereas Citi Prestige and Citi Premier will earn 10X.
Only through Dec 31, 2023, however.
Citi Travel with Booking.com will be powered by Rocket Travel Inc.
The “Coming Soon” page is here.
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