Citi is stepping into the high-end hotel reservation market with the introduction ofThe Vault by Citi Travel, a new luxury hotel collection created to directly challengeAmerican Express Exclusive Hotels and Resorts (FHR)andChase’s The Edit.
The program can only be accessed viaCiti Travel with Booking.com, and currently, onlyCiti Strata Elite℠Cardindividuals with ownership rights are permitted to access it.
Offering enhanced hotel perks such as free breakfast and experience credits, The Reserve seeks to provide extra value for high-end travelers through Citi’s updated credit card offerings.
Let’s explore the main aspects of Citi’s latest high-end hotel initiative.
Citi Updates Its Card Portfolio With New Strata Cards
The launch of The Vault by Citi Travelis included in a larger update toCiti’s travel credit cards.
The issuer has recently introduced a new selection of Strata cards — the updated name for Citi’s redesigned travel credit card options:
- Citi Strata℠ Card— a good basic choice for regular expenses
- Citi Strata Premier℠ Card— a mid-level travel card that takes the place of the previous Citi Premier® Card
- Citi Strata Elite card— a completely new high-end card designed to competeThe American Express Platinum Card and Chase Sapphire Reserve®
All 3 cards are compatible with theCiti Travel via the Booking.com platform, but it’s the Citi Strata Elite card which grants access to The Reserve, gaining additional hotel benefits when reserving accommodations at 4.5- and 5-star hotels around the globe.
The Citi Travel Benefits Reserve
The Reserve by Citiis a selected hotel collection showcasing high-end properties around the globe, accessible for reservation via the Citi Travel website. Comparable to other premium hotel collections offered by rival providers, The Reserve reservations encompass:
- Free daily breakfast for two
- Free Wi-Fi
- A $100 experience credit(varies by property)
- Early arrival, late departure, and enhanced room accommodations(when available)
These benefits are similar to those provided by other high-end travel credit card programs.
For example, The American Express Platinum Card and The American Express Business Platinum Card provide similar benefits throughFine Hotels & Resorts (FHR). Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders have access toThe Edit by Chase Travel, while holders of theCapital One Venture X Rewards Credit Cardand Capital One Venture X Business Credit Cardcan reserve upscale accommodations through theCapital One Premier Collection.
How The Reserve from Citi Travel Is Different
In contrast to Amex FHR and Capital One’s Premier Collection — which utilize their own reservation systems and carefully select accommodations for a more refined experience —The Reserve by CitiTravelis powered byBooking.com. This might provide access to a larger number of hotels overall, but it may not offer the same meticulously selected, upscale experience you receive with the hotel collection programs from other issuers.
We are still in the initial phase of Citi’s program, so certain features and integrations could change in the future. However, as a first move into the luxury hotel market, The Reserve presents an attractive choice — particularly for travelers already part of the Citi system.
Hot Tip:
When reserving via The Reserve by Citi, search for accommodations that provide flexible cancellation options. As it is operated by Booking.com, the policies may differ more compared to the Amex or Chase platforms. Make sure to review the details carefully before confirming your reservation.
Final Thoughts
The introduction of The Reserve by Citi Travel offers Citi Strata Elite cardholders a new method to gain additional benefits during high-end hotel visits. Features such as complimentary breakfast, experience credits, and possible room upgrades make it a valuable enhancement to Citi’s expanding travel platform.
Although it’s still in the early stages and the program is just beginning, The Reserve has potential. It may not yet provide the same personalized experience or variety of choices as some other issuer programs, but it’s a good beginning — and one worth considering if you’re looking to enhance your next hotel stay with Citi’s latest premium card.
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