The Premier and Preferred cards from Citi are getting additional earning categories that include groceries, eateries, and well-known streaming services.
The Citi Premier® Card and Citi ThankYou® Preferred Card*’s earning structures will be changing, Citi stated on April 9, 2020. The issuer is introducing additional advantages to cater to the changing needs of its cardholders, including the addition of new earning categories like supermarkets, eateries, and well-known streaming services.
For the Citi ThankYou Preferred card, the modifications are anticipated to take effect on August 23, 2020. Due to the pandemic, customers’ spending patterns changed, so the Citi Premier Card’s launch date was accelerated to June 2, 2020. The issuer also added a number of one-time perks to some of its cards to solve that issue.
How the rewards of the cards will alter
With the new features in place, owners of Citi Premier cards may now earn three ThankYou points for every dollar spent at grocery stores and restaurants that also accept takeout. Additionally, the card will continue to earn 3 points for every dollar spent on lodging, dining, and gasoline.
Plus, Citi is introducing a brand-new travel perk: $100 off on a single hotel stay costing $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees). Through ThankYou.com, cardholders will be able to benefit from this promotion once each calendar year.
According to Lora Monfared, general manager of proprietary rewards programs at Citi, “as our cardmembers’ needs change, we want to make sure we’re changing with them and offering products that best meet their spending habits and deliver exceptional value.”
A few of the current benefits will also change. For instance, the rewards rate will be lowered from 3 points to 1 point per dollar for various forms of transportation like cruises, tolls, and parking. The entertainment category will experience the similar change, receiving 1 point for every dollar spent rather than the existing 2 points. The modifications become effective on June 2, 2020.
Structure of rewards for the Citi Premier Card
prevailing reward rate
updated awards rate
3 points for $1 spent on travel (air, lodging, and gas)
3 points for every $1 spent on alternative transportation (cruises, tolls, and parking)
$2 worth of points for entertainment
3 points for $1 spent on travel (air, lodging, and gas)
3 points per dollar at grocery stores and dining establishments, including delivery
1 point every $1 spent on other forms of transportation (cruises, tolls, and parking)
$1 spent on entertainment = 1 point
Existing cardholders with an open account as of May 22, 2020, will no longer get 25% greater value when using their points to book travel through the ThankYou Travel Center than they would when using gift cards, starting on April 10, 2021.
The card will still have no annual charge and no foreign transaction fees after the adjustments. Additionally, generous sign-up bonuses will still be available to new cardholders.
New earning categories will also be added to the Preferred card. The card now awards 2 points for dining and entertainment purchases and 1 point for every dollar spent on other transactions. Cardholders will also be able to earn two points for every dollar spent on cable and well-known streaming services starting on August 23, 2020.
Earnings schedule for the Citi Preferred Card at the moment
updated awards rate
2% off on dining and entertainment purchases
1 point for every $1 spent on other purchases
2% off on dining and entertainment purchases
2 points for every $1 spent on well-known streaming providers
1 point for every $1 spent on other purchases
How will the modifications impact cardholders?
Beginning in August, new cardholders will have the option to accrue points for purchases made at grocery stores, restaurants, and streaming services. Additionally, some of the current travel and entertainment perks will change.
But through April 10, 2021, current Premier cardholders can continue to earn 3 points for every dollar spent on non-air travel and 2 points for every dollar spent on entertainment in addition to the new benefits.
The Citi Preferred Card’s current perks will not change. Both new and current cardholders will receive a better offer in August with the launch of the new earning category for cable and well-known streaming services.
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