Citi Prestige Card Review

The Citi Prestige Card is a premium travel rewards credit card aimed at affluent travellers seeking strong miles earning, luxury travel perks, and comprehensive benefits including airport lounge access and travel insurance. It offers competitive rates on foreign currency spend and a wide range of exclusive privileges.

Key highlights include: 

• No expiry on miles: ThankYou Points earned never expire as long as your Citi Prestige Card account remains open and in good standing, so you can build a balance over time without stress.

• Strong earn rates: Earn 1.3 mpd on local spend and 2 mpd on overseas spend, among the highest base rates for premium cards in Singapore.

• Premium travel perks: Enjoy unlimited 4th night free on hotel stays booked via Citi Prestige Concierge, plus up to 6 complimentary golf games a year at top regional courses.

• Lounge access: Receive 12 complimentary Priority Pass lounge visits each year at over 1,700 lounges globally (capped from July 2025; previously unlimited).

• Welcome and renewal miles: Attractive sign-up bonuses for new cardholders and a 32,000-mile renewal bonus on each annual fee payment (from July 2025).

• Comprehensive protection: Complimentary travel insurance coverage when you charge full travel fares to the card.

• Exclusive privileges: Includes a dedicated Citi Prestige Concierge, luxury hotel and dining privileges, and a complimentary upgrade to Sands LifeStyle Prestige tier.

• For high earners: Comes with a non-waivable annual fee of S$651.82 (from July 2025) and minimum income requirement of S$120,000.

The Citi Prestige Card delivers outstanding value for frequent travellers, especially those who spend significantly in foreign currency. With one of the best miles earn rates (≈2 mpd overseas), a 4th night free hotel benefit, generous lounge access, and luxury perks like limousine transfers and golf privileges, it’s well-suited for affluent cardholders who can justify the high annual fee.

While benefits like unlimited lounge visits are being scaled back from July 2025, the overall travel and lifestyle package still makes this one of the most compelling premium credit cards in Singapore.

• From 18 August to 31 October 2025, Citi Prestige Cardmembers can purchase up to two pairs of discounted tickets (from S$85–S$105 per pair, plus S$8 booking fee) for selected dates of "The Emperor's New Clothes" musical when they book and pay with their Citi Prestige Card.

Rewards and perks

Fees

Eligibility

The Citi Prestige Card has long been established as a luxury travel credit card catering to affluent individuals looking for strong miles earnings and premium lifestyle privileges. Over time, it has innovated with benefits such as unlimited 4th night free hotel stays booked through concierge, complimentary golf, and extensive airport lounge access. From July 2025, some benefits such as unlimited lounge visits will be curtailed. The annual fee has also increased to reflect its premium positioning.

• Annual fee of S$598 before GST has increased to S$651.82 from 1 July 2025, and is non-waivable

• Minimum annual income requirement of S$120,000

• Complimentary unlimited Priority Pass lounge access will reduce to 12 visits per year starting July 2025

• Travel insurance coverage provider changes to AIG from March 2025

• Important benefits such as complimentary golf and concierge require active bookings

The Citi Prestige Card charges a non-waivable annual fee of S$598 (before GST), rising to S$651.82 from 1 July 2025. The card levies a 3.25% foreign currency fee and 1% dynamic currency conversion fee on overseas transactions. Cash advances incur an 8% fee (minimum S$15) and daily interest up to 27.9% per annum. There is no explicit fee for transferring ThankYou Points, but late payments cost S$100.

For example, suppose you use CardUp to pay a total of S$60,000 in income tax or other expenses over the year. Assuming a CardUp promotional fee of 1.85%, the costs and benefits would be:

• CardUp fee: S$1,110 (S$60,000 × 1.85%)

• Miles earned: Approximately 84,840 miles (calculated at 1.4 miles per dollar on the total S$61,110, including fees)

• Annual fee: S$599.50 (must be paid, no waiver available)

In this scenario, spending S$61,110 — fees included — earns you roughly 84,840 miles, which can be redeemed for travel rewards and benefits.

Valuing these benefits:

• Miles (valued at 1.5 cents per mile): ~S$1,272

• Priority Pass lounge visits (6 visits at S$35 each): ~S$210

• Travel insurance and concierge services: additional intangible value

Total approximate value: S$1,482 (excluding intangible travel benefits).

While the lack of an annual fee waiver may reduce appeal for some, frequent travellers who maximise their miles earning and premium privileges can still derive considerable value from the Citi Prestige Card.

Citi Prestige cardholders earn Citi ThankYou Points (TYPs), which can be redeemed for frequent flyer miles or other rewards. The program is straightforward and rewards both local and foreign currency spending.

• Local spend: Earn 1.3 miles per S$1 spent on eligible local transactions.

• Foreign currency spend: Earn 2 miles per S$1 spent on overseas transactions.

• Points crediting: ThankYou Points are typically credited a few days after the transaction posts.

Miles earning occurs at the transaction level, converted from ThankYou Points with a fixed transfer ratio. Points convert to miles based on:

• Transfer ratio: 5 ThankYou Points = 2 miles

ThankYou Points are awarded in whole numbers only, so fractional points are always rounded down, which can slightly reduce the effective miles per dollar rate on small transactions.

Example calculation:

For a local spend of S$37.99:

• 37.99 × 1.3 = 49.38 miles

• ThankYou Points earned are converted into miles according to the transfer ratio (5 TYP = 2 miles).

• Points accrue in line with this ratio, with redemptions made in minimum blocks (typically 25,000 TYP = 10,000 miles for KrisFlyer).

Because miles transfers require these minimum blocks, you’ll need to accumulate sufficient ThankYou Points before redeeming for airline miles. Smaller balances may require additional spend before redemption.

Earn rates at a glance

• Local: 1.3 mpd

• Foreign currency: 2 mpd

• Welcome bonus: up to 65,000 miles with qualifying spend

• Renewal bonus: 32,000 miles each year

Bonus spend categories

No specific evergreen bonus categories, but occasional promotions may boost earn rates temporarily.

Comparison to other cards

If you want to maximise rewards in specific categories, cards like Citi Rewards or UOB Lady’s might serve you better. But if you’re a frequent traveller who values premium perks and consistent earn rates across all spend, the Citi Prestige Card stands out.

Citi features

• Expiry: Citi ThankYou Points (TYPs) earned on the Citi Prestige Card do not expire as long as your card account is open and in good standing.

• Pooling: TYPs can be pooled across other Citi cards that earn ThankYou Points for redemption, allowing you to consolidate points from multiple accounts.

• Cancellation Impact: If you cancel your Citi Prestige Card, any unused ThankYou Points tied to that card may be forfeited. Always redeem your points before closing your account.

ThankYou Points conversion

• Transfer Minimum: The minimum block for KrisFlyer miles is 25,000 ThankYou Points = 10,000 miles. Other airline and hotel partners typically allow transfers in smaller blocks, usually 2,500 – 5,000 TYP = 1,000 miles/points.

• Transfer Fees: Conversions are processed through the Citi ThankYou Points Redemption Platform. Fees may apply depending on the partner (e.g., S$27.75 per transfer), but cash redemptions and e-vouchers do not incur additional charges.

• Partners and Transfer Time: You can transfer ThankYou Points to KrisFlyer, Asia Miles, Qantas Frequent Flyer, Avios, and other major airline and hotel programmes. KrisFlyer transfers typically require 5–7 working days to process, while other partners may vary.

How ThankYou Points are credited

• Credit Timeframe: Points are typically credited within 30 - 60 days after the transaction posts.

• Points Calculation: Local spend earns 1.3 mpd, overseas spend earns 2 mpd.

• Rounding: Points are awarded and redeemed in whole numbers only, rounded down for partial transactions.

ThankYou Points expiry

• Citi Prestige: Points do not expire as long as the card account remains active and in good standing.

• Transferred Miles: Once converted to airline or hotel partners, miles follow the respective partner programme’s expiry rules (e.g., KrisFlyer miles expire after 3 years).

Points accumulation examples

Illustrative values; actual miles may vary with bonus rates and transaction rounding.

Other important details

• When redeeming, Citi may deduct ThankYou Points closest to expiry first, if applicable.

• Cash redemptions, e-vouchers, and other non-miles rewards are also available through the Citi ThankYou Points online redemption platform.

• Only principal cardholders whose accounts are open, valid, and in good standing can redeem ThankYou Points.

Transfer partners

Citi Prestige cardholders can convert ThankYou Points (TYPs) to multiple airline and hotel loyalty programmes, including:

• KrisFlyer (Singapore Airlines)

• Asia Miles (Cathay Pacific)

• Qantas Frequent Flyer

• Other major airline and hotel partners

All transfers are manual via the Citi ThankYou Points Redemption Platform; automatic transfers are not supported.

Conversion ratios

Transfer costs

• Miles transfer fee: S$27.75 per redemption via the Citi TYP platform.

• Cash redemptions / e-vouchers: No additional fees.

Minimum transfer amount

• KrisFlyer: 25,000 TYP (10,000 miles) minimum

• Most other partners: 2,500–5,000 TYP (1,000 miles) minimum

Transfer time

• KrisFlyer: 12 - 24 hours

• Other partners: Timing varies; check the platform before transferring

Points expiry

• Citi Prestige: ThankYou Points do not expire while the card account is active and in good standing.

• Transferred miles: Once converted, miles follow the respective partner programme’s expiry rules (e.g., KrisFlyer miles expire after 3 years).

Transfer issues to watch out for

• Always check your points balance and eligibility before redeeming or transferring points.

• Transfers are irreversible once completed.

• Ensure you meet the minimum transfer block to avoid failed transactions.

Foreign currency fees

The Citi Prestige Card charges a 3.25% foreign currency transaction fee on overseas spending. While this fee slightly reduces the net value of miles earned, the card’s 2 mpd foreign currency earn rate ensures a competitive cost per mile for frequent international travellers.

Cost per mile for overseas transactions

Factoring in the 3.25% FCY fee, the effective cost per mile when using platforms such as CardUp (with a promotional fee of ~1.85%) works out to approximately 1.63¢ per mile.

Comparison of foreign currency fees by issuer

Recommendations

Use the Citi Prestige Card for overseas transactions if you value a combination of:

• Solid foreign currency earn rates (2 mpd)

• Luxury travel perks such as unlimited Priority Pass lounge access and 4th night free hotel stays

• Comprehensive travel insurance and concierge services

While the cost per mile is slightly higher than some category-focused cards, the Citi Prestige Card compensates with premium lifestyle and travel benefits that frequent international travellers can leverage fully.

Income tax payment facility

Citi Prestige cardholders can pay income tax via CardUp or similar platforms and earn Citi ThankYou Points. The typical earn rate is 1.3 mpd for local spend, and promotional processing fees (e.g., 1.85% via CardUp) apply.

Comparison with other providers

When comparing income tax payment options across providers, the Citi Prestige Card offers a competitive earn rate and reasonable cost per mile when payments are made via platforms like CardUp. With a cost per mile of ~1.63¢, it is generally comparable or slightly more efficient than most banks’ in-house payment facilities, such as DBS Vantage, which comes with a higher fee and cost per mile.

For cardholders aiming to maximise air miles through bill payments, using third-party platforms with Citi Prestige ensures consistent miles accumulation while also benefiting from the card’s premium travel perks.

Priority Pass membership

Citi Prestige cardholders receive 12 complimentary Priority Pass lounge visits per year. These visits can be used at over 1,700 airport lounges worldwide, providing a premium airport experience. Visits can be shared with guests, but each guest visit consumes one lounge entitlement.

Additional visits beyond the complimentary 12 are charged at US$32–35 per visit. This generous allocation still offers significant lounge access for frequent travellers.

Travel insurance

The Citi Prestige Card offers up to S$1 million in complimentary travel insurance when the full travel fare is charged to the card. Coverage includes:

• Medical emergencies overseas

• Trip cancellations or interruptions

• Baggage loss or delay

This comprehensive protection enhances peace of mind for cardholders travelling internationally.

Citi Prestige Luxury privileges

Cardholders enjoy exclusive benefits via the Citi Prestige Concierge and Luxury Hotel Programmes, including:

• Unlimited 4th night free hotel stays when booked via Citi Concierge

• Complimentary breakfast at participating hotels

• Room upgrades and VIP guest status (subject to availability)

• Dining credits and curated lifestyle experiences across Asia-Pacific

• 24/7 Citi Concierge support for travel, dining, and lifestyle arrangements

Supplementary cards

Up to four supplementary cards are issued free of charge, allowing family members or dependents to enjoy the Citi Prestige privileges without additional fees.

Overseas spending promotions

Citi Prestige Cardholders can typically expect targeted overseas spending promotions aligned with peak travel seasons, often providing enhanced miles earn rates on foreign currency transactions. These promotions may boost earn rates beyond the base 2 miles per dollar, rewarding holiday and business travel spends. Minimum monthly spends and caps on bonus miles may apply for eligibility and bonus calculation.

Recurring promotions

Beyond seasonal overseas offers, Citi Prestige periodically runs ongoing promotions that increase earn rates or offer extra miles on specific categories such as foreign currency spend or travel-related bookings. While availability may vary, cardholders generally have one or two chances annually to benefit from these elevated rewards. It is advisable to monitor the Citi Prestige promotions page to stay updated and activate relevant offers to maximise miles earnings.

The Citi Prestige Card is a premium travel rewards credit card tailored for frequent travellers and affluent professionals who can consistently meet the qualifying spend requirements. It offers strong miles earn rates of 1.3 mpd locally and 2 mpd on foreign currency transactions, complemented by luxury travel perks such as 12 Priority Pass lounge visits, unlimited 4th night free hotel stays via concierge, golf privileges, and comprehensive travel insurance.

While the card comes with a high non-waivable annual fee of S$598 (S$651.82 from July 2025) and a minimum annual income requirement of S$120,000 (S$60,000 for foreigners), it delivers substantial value for those who maximise its rewards and privileges.

However, if your primary goal is to accumulate miles at the lowest cost or gain other specific perks such as unlimited lounge access outside Citi Concierge bookings, other premium cards like HSBC Visa Infinite or DBS Altitude/Vantage may be more suitable.

In summary, the Citi Prestige Card is ideal for professionals or frequent travellers who value a blend of strong miles earning, luxury travel privileges, and concierge services without dealing with a complex rewards structure.