Advertiser Disclosure

Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market.  See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our  credit card rating methodology .

Citi Travel With Booking.com Portal: Your Guide to Booking Flights, Hotels, Car Rentals, Theme Parks and More

Chris Hassan's image

Chris Hassan

Social Media & Brand Manager

234 Published Articles

Countries Visited: 27 U.S. States Visited: 26

Keri Stooksbury's image

Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

41 Published Articles 3375 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 50 U.S. States Visited: 28

Kellie Jez's image

Director of Operations & Compliance

6 Published Articles 1201 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 10 U.S. States Visited: 20

Citi Travel With Booking.com Portal: Your Guide to Booking Flights, Hotels, Car Rentals, Theme Parks and More

Table of Contents

What is the citi travel with booking.com portal, cards that earn citi thankyou points, why should you use the citi travel with booking.com portal, how to access the citi travel with booking.com portal, how to book a flight through the citi travel with booking.com portal, how to book a hotel through the citi travel with booking.com portal, how to book a rental car through the citi travel with booking.com portal, how to book attractions through the citi travel with booking.com portal, how to book a cruise through the citi travel with booking.com portal, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our  Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Citi ThankYou Points are an often underappreciated yet valuable points currency. Often overshadowed by the bigger players like Chase and American Express, Citi offers cardmembers the opportunity to earn and redeem points with some great travel partners.

While transferring points to partners may often yield better value, using points to book travel via Citi’s travel portal can be a convenient option. And the updated Citi Travel with Booking.com portal makes that process even easier and more robust.

In this guide, we will show you exactly what the Citi Travel with Booking.com portal is, who can use it, how to use it, and whether or not you should use it.

Ready? Let’s go!

Citi Travel with Booking

The Citi Travel with Booking.com portal is a third-party online travel agency (OTA) run by, you guessed it, Booking.com . This portal operates very similarly to other OTAs such as Orbitz and Expedia .

Like other online travel agencies, users have the option to book flights, hotels, rental cars, activities, and more. However, since it’s linked to your Citi account, you can redeem Citi ThankYou Points towards travel at a rate of 1 cent per point.

Who Can Use the Citi Travel with Booking.com Portal?

Unlike other travel portals, like AmexTravel.com , you can only use the Citi Travel with Booking.com portal if you have a Citi credit card that earns ThankYou Points.

Some of our favorite travel cards are issued by Citi. The option to earn flexible points with cards that have some great everyday bonus categories is an excellent way to level up your travel game.

If you want to boost your Citi ThankYou Points balance, here are some of our favorite cards:

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card is a great all-around travel rewards card that allows you to earn big rewards on a variety of purchases like air travel, at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and more, along with flexible redemption options, all for a modest annual fee.

  • 10x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com
  • 3x points on air travel, other hotel purchases, restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and EV charging stations
  • $100 annual hotel benefit
  • $95 annual fee
  • Earn 70,000 bonus ThankYou ® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $700 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com
  • Earn 10 points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
  • Earn 3 points per $1 on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, at Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas and EV Charging Stations.
  • Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
  • $100 Annual Hotel Benefit: Once per calendar year, enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through CitiTravel.com. Benefit applied instantly at time of booking.
  • No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
  • APR: 21.24%- 29.24% Variable APR
  • Foreign Transaction Fees:  None

Citi Rewards+® Card

This no annual fee card rewards cardholders for everyday purchases. Earn bonus points at supermarkets and gas stations, plus your points are rounded up on every purchase.

  • Earn 20,000 bonus points after you spend $1,500 in purchases with your card within 3 months of account opening; redeemable for $200 in gift cards at thankyou.com
  • Plus, as a special offer, earn a total of 5 Thank You ® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com through December 31, 2025.*
  • 0% Intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months from date of first transfer and on purchases from date of account opening. After that, the variable APR will be 18.74% – 28.74%, based on your creditworthiness. There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
  • Earn 2X ThankYou ® Points at Supermarkets and Gas Stations for the first $6,000 per year and then 1X Points thereafter. Plus, earn 1X ThankYou ® Points on All Other Purchases.
  • The Citi Rewards+ ® Card – the only credit card that automatically rounds up to the nearest 10 points on every purchase – with no cap.
  • No Annual Fee
  • APR: 0% intro APR on balance transfers and on purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR of 18.74% - 28.74%.
  • Foreign Transaction Fees:  3% of each purchase transaction in US dollars

Citi Double Cash® Card

Great card for the average spender with no specific focus category; worry-free cash-back earning on everything!

The Citi Double Cash ® Card  has long been one of the top cash-back credit cards on the market, and the card now has the ability to earn Citi ThankYou Points!

This means that cardholders of the Double Cash card will now earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. Cash back is earned in the form of ThankYou Points . This means each billing cycle, you will earn 1 ThankYou point per $1 spent on purchases and an additional ThankYou point for every $1 paid on your purchase balance as long as there is a corresponding balance in your Purchase Tracker.

Citi has turned the Double Cash card into a top choice for those who are looking for an everyday, no-fuss credit card.

  • Uncapped 2% for every $1 spent (1% when you buy and another 1% when you pay)
  • Flexible redemption options
  • No annual fee
  • No bonus categories
  • 3% foreign transaction fees
  • Bonus Offer: Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou ® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
  • Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
  • To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
  • Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% – 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
  • Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
  • If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
  • There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
  • Citi Double Cash ® Card Travel Portal Limited Time Offer: Earn a total of 5 ThankYou Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rental, and attractions, excluding air travel, when booked through the Citi Travel SM portal on ThankYou.com or by calling 1-800-Thankyou and saying “Travel.” Offer is valid through 11:59 PM Eastern Time (ET) 12/31/2024.
  • APR: 0% Intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers, then 19.24% - 29.24% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees:  3% of the U.S. dollar amount of each purchase

Citi ThankYou Rewards

Citi Custom Cash® Card

Earn big on purchases in your top eligible spend category, up to the first $500 each billing cycle, with no annual fee!

The Citi Custom Cash ® Card is inventive when it comes to cash-back credit cards. Instead of earning a set amount of cash-back on predetermined bonus categories, the Citi Custom Cash card earns 5% cash-back on your highest eligible spend category each billing cycle, without an annual fee.

Thanks to that unique perk, you’ll never need to worry about whether you’re using the right card for the right purchase, as your Citi Custom Cash card will always pay you 5% back on whichever category you end up spending the most on each month.

  • 5% cash-back (on up to $500 each billing cycle) from your largest purchase category, including restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, select travel, select transit, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs, and live entertainment
  • Multiple redemption options
  • Your 5% category is limited to $500 in spend ($25 in cash-back) each month
  • Not particularly rewarding for any purchases outside of your top 5% cash-back category
  • Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou ® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
  • 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% – 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
  • Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked via the Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2025.
  • No rotating bonus categories to sign up for – as your spending changes each billing cycle, your earn adjusts automatically when you spend in any of the eligible categories.
  • Citi will only issue one Citi Custom Cash ® Card account per person.
  • APR: 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%.
  • Foreign Transaction Fees:  3%

While many in the travel community prefer to earn points and then transfer them to partners to book award redemptions, that process can be complicated and confusing to some people.

For a lot of people, booking through an OTA, like the Citi Travel with Booking.com portal, is straightforward and easy — and if that helps you book more travel, then you should absolutely do it.

But there are plenty of other reasons to use the Citi Travel with Booking.com portal as well …

Bonus Points

To kick off the launch of the new portal, Citi is offering up to 10 ThankYou Points per $1 spent on hotels, car rentals, and attractions  if you hold a Citi Prestige ® Card or Citi Strata Premier ℠ card . If you hold the Citi Rewards+ card , you can earn up to 5 ThankYou Points per $1. This promotion is valid through December 31, 2025.

No Blackout Dates

If there is a seat on the flight you want, you can book it. There are no blackout dates or stress about finding award availability. With the Citi Travel with Booking.com portal, if you see a flight, you can book it.

Earn Airline Miles

One of the nice things about booking flights through an OTA is the fact that you still earn airline miles and elite-qualifying miles despite not booking directly through the airline.

Use Points and Money

If you are a little short on points or don’t want to use them all, you can use a combination of points and money to pay for your travel.

At checkout, simply select how many points you want to redeem and the difference will be calculated for you to pay in cash.

Book Nonchain Hotels

While points are great for booking hotels from the big chains, your options are limited when it comes to independent, boutique hotels.

That is when booking through an OTA like the Citi Travel with Booking.com portal comes in handy. You can use your ThankYou Points to book hotels that otherwise wouldn’t have been possible.

Get a Fourth Night Free

One of the many benefits of the Citi Prestige card (no longer open to new applicants) is that cardholders are eligible for a fourth night free at select hotels.

Simply select a hotel for 4 or more nights and if the hotel is eligible, the price will reflect the discount.

Pool Citi ThankYou Points

If you are short on points or want to boost your balance, Citi allows members to combine ThankYou Points.

This can be done online or by calling the phone number on the back of your Citi credit card.

Luxury Collection and Hotel Collection Benefits

As part of the new travel portal, Citi is gradually introducing 2 new programs for hotel bookings; Luxury Collection and Hotel Collection.

These programs offer unique benefits at select hotels, although the number of hotels is still quite limited. However, you can expect the following if you book:

Luxury Collection Benefits (Citi Strata Premier Card and Citi Prestige Card members):

  • $100 experience credit
  • Room upgrade, upon availability
  • Daily breakfast for 2
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi
  • Early check-in, upon availability
  • Late checkout, upon availability

Hotel Collection Benefits (All Eligible Cardmembers):

Hot Tip: It’s not all positive — if you book a chain hotel via the Citi Travel with Booking.com portal you are typically ineligible to receive any elite night credits or elite benefits during your stay. 

Accessing the Citi Travel with Booking.com portal is pretty straightforward. You can simply visit Citi Travel with Booking.com and log in with your Citi credentials.

From there you will have options to choose Hotels, Flights, Cars, and More . Let’s start with booking flights.

Once you are logged in and click on Flights , you will be directed to the online search tool — which may look familiar if you have used Booking.com before.

Searching for a flight using the Citi Travel with Booking.com portal is pretty straightforward.

Simply select:

  • Round-trip or one-way (multicity is no longer an option)
  • Flying from
  • Departure date
  • Return date (if applicable)
  • Cabin class

Citi Travel flights

Once you have started a search, the results will populate and you will have additional options to filter through the flights.

Currently, you can filter flight results by:

  • Departure times
  • Arrival times

Citi will even break down the results into 3 categories: Cheapest , Fastest , and Best overall,  which is a combination of low price and short duration.

By default, the results are shown by price per person, but you can also sort them by:

  • Total journey time (fastest first)
  • Best overall (cheap, short flights)
  • Outbound departure time (earliest first)
  • Outbound arrival time (earliest first)
  • Stops (fewest stops first)

Once you have found a flight that works for you, click on the blue Select  button to proceed with the booking.

American Airlines flight Citi Travel portal

If eligible, you will be prompted with options to upgrade your seat, similar to what airline websites offer.

After confirming your selection and adding the passenger information, click the Continue to payment button where your flight details will be shown alongside your Citi ThankYou Points balance.

You then will have the option to use points, pay with your Citi card, or a combination of both. From here, you can use as many (or as few) points as you would like to cover the cost of the flight, and if there is a balance, it will be charged to your Citi card.

Citi Travel flight point redemption

After confirming the information, simply click on Complete Purchase and your ticket will be issued. As with most OTAs, there is a 24-hour cancellation window.

Comparing Rates

While it isn’t uncommon for flight prices to fluctuate and be slightly different between online travel agencies and with airlines directly, during our search we found that most prices were the same price on Google Flights as they were through the Citi Travel with Booking.com portal.

Google Flights American Airlines

While prices are often similar, it is always a good idea to double-check prices on Google Flights.

As an extra data point, American Airlines was charging 11,500 miles for that flight, so that was slightly less than the 12,790 Citi ThankYou Points needed.

Once logged in, click on the Hotel tab to start the booking process through the Citi Travel with Booking.com portal (the default landing page may already be set to hotels).

Searching for a hotel is pretty straightforward and similar to many other OTAs.

  • Destination
  • Check-in date
  • Check-out date
  • Number of guests and rooms

If you have a Citi Prestige complimentary 4th night free available, there will be a message displaying that information.

Citi Travel hotel search

Once you have started a search, the results will populate and you will have additional options to filter through hotel options.

Currently, you can filter hotel results by:

  • Price per night
  • Property type
  • Sustainability
  • Distance to center
  • Neighborhood
  • Star rating
  • Payment options
  • Guest rating
  • Room amenities
  • Near popular attractions
  • Location rating
  • Property facilities
  • Room offers
  • Beach access
  • Location highlights
  • Number of bedrooms
  • Popular hotel brands

By default, the results are sorted by Best match , but you can sort by lowest price , distance , and top reviewed , as well.

Hot Tip: Beware, the prices shown on the first page do not include taxes and fees , so the price may change significantly from one page to another. 

Once you have found an option that works for you, click on the hotel to proceed with the booking.

Citi Travel hotel search results

After finding a room that you like, click Add to cart or Check out to be directed to the Review page where you will enter the guest information.

Citi Prestige Card Benefit

On the next page, if you have a Citi Prestige card, you will have the option to apply the Complimentary 4th Night Benefit.

Citi Travel Prestige 4th night

If you don’t have a Citi Prestige card, you can skip ahead.

Citi Strata Premier Card Benefit

If you have a Citi Strata Premier card, you can receive $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more.

This $100 credit is available once per calendar year when booking via the Citi Travel with Booking.com portal, and you will have the option to use it or not.

After filling out the guest information, click on Continue to payment.

Finally, on the Payment page, you will have the option to apply your Citi ThankYou Points towards the total at a rate of 1 cent per point. So, for example, using 10,000 points would reduce the total by $100.

Citi Travel hotel point redemption

Hotels always want guests to book directly with them in order to avoid paying commission fees to online travel agencies, so it’s not uncommon to see prices be different from site to site.

That is why hotels do not provide elite benefits when booking through an OTA, as an extra incentive to book direct.

Loews Sapphire Falls Resort Orlando

In the case of the Citi Travel with Booking.com portal, our example was actually cheaper than the price on Expedia as well as directly with the hotel, which is great news for Citi cardholders.

The total for 4 nights via the Citi Travel with Booking.com portal was $1,228, before factoring in any card benefits or points. The price for the same room and dates directly with the Loews Sapphire Falls Resort was $1,266.09 — $38.09 more expensive. 

Once you are logged in, click on the Car tab to start booking a car through the Citi Travel with Booking.com portal

If you have searched for a rental car using an online travel agency before, you will notice that the layout is quite similar.

  • Same drop-off
  • Different drop-off (if applicable)
  • Pickup city or airport
  • Drop-off city or airport (if applicable)
  • Driver’s age
  • Pick-up date
  • Drop-off date
  • Pickup time
  • Drop-off time

Citi Travel car search

Once you have started a search, the results will be displayed and you will have some additional options to filter through the rental car inventory.

Currently, you can filter rental car results by:

  • Vehicle type
  • Rental agency
  • Cancellation fee
  • Price per day

By default, the results are sorted by price — lowest price first. 

Additionally, you can see the results on a map, which can be helpful if you are picking up somewhere besides an airport.

Once you have found a price that works for you, select the car to proceed with the booking.

Citi Travel car search results

After adding the driver information, you can now use as many (or as few) Citi ThankYou Points as you would like to cover the cost of your rental car.

Citi Travel car point redemption

After confirming all of the information, simply click on Confirm Purchase and your confirmation will be emailed to you. The cancellation policy will vary based on the car and rate you selected.

As a reminder, rental car company-specific credits and benefits will not be available when booking through a third-party travel agency.

Rental car rates are constantly fluctuating, so booking a car with a generous cancellation policy is a good idea in case you find a better price later on.

Comparing prices for this guide was an excellent example of that. In our sample search, Expedia had the same car class from SIXT, but for $22 more for the week. However, Expedia also had several rental car companies that Citi didn’t, many of which were cheaper.

Expedia Sixt car rental

But the good news is, renting via the Citi Travel with Booking.com portal was cheaper than booking directly with SIXT, which was the same price as Expedia, plus you can use points.

One thing to note was the lack of other well-known rental agency options. For example, in Miami, there were many companies that we had never heard of, and the portal was missing big names like Hertz and National. Meanwhile, in Boston, there was only 1 option: Payless. Definitely do your research and don’t rely solely on the Citi search results.

Bottom Line: It is always a good idea to compare OTAs as well as directly with the rental car company when searching for a car. See our guide on finding the best websites for finding cheap car rentals for more tips!

Booking an attraction (think: theme parks) is an awesome feature of the updated Citi Travel with Booking.com portal.

Once you log in, click on the Attractions tab to start the booking process via the portal.

To start, simply type in the city you would like to visit and click Search .

Citi Travel attractions search

Once the attractions have been populated, you can filter them by:

You can also sort by:

  • Lowest price first
  • Highest rating first

Once you have found an activity that you like, click on it to bring up more details.

Citi Travel attracttions search results Universal Orlando

Click on See Options to search for availability and additional ticket options.

If there is availability for your request, click the blue Choose button and then add the number of travelers in your party.

You can now use as many or as few Citi ThankYou Points as you would like to cover the cost of the attraction. If you are short on points, don’t worry, you can add the difference to your Citi card.

Citi Travel attractions point redemption

After confirming the trip information, simply click Confirm Purchase and your ticket will be emailed to you. As a quick note, many attractions are nonrefundable.

Comparing prices on local activities can be difficult because many of them are run by individuals or small companies who may not be on all booking sites.

However, for this example, we chose a 1 day Park-2-Park ticket for Universal Orlando, which sells directly from UniversalOrlando.com for $217.26.

Universal Orlando ticket price

Booking via the Citi Travel with Booking.com portal would be $15 more expensive, per person. That may not be a big deal if you are planning on using your ThankYou Points, but it is something to consider.

Booking a cruise with Citi ThankYou Points was never an easy task, and with the rollout of the new Citi Travel with Booking.com portal, it appears that Citi has decided to move away from that category.

You can still find the occasional river cruise or local boat tour via the attractions search, but weeklong trips to the islands, for instance, are not available at the moment.

Bottom Line: If you are looking to book a cruise, we can show you the best websites to book cruises at the cheapest prices . 

Overall, the refreshed Citi Travel with Booking.com portal is a convenient, easy-to-use, and valuable travel tool for those who don’t like to deal with transferring points to partners.

Redeeming Citi ThankYou Points at a rate of 1 cent per point won’t get you the greatest redemptions, but if you would otherwise not use the points, using them (or earning them) to book travel through the portal is a solid deal.

There are unique perks, like being able to use points at nonchain hotels, but there are drawbacks as well, like not receiving elite night credits and other loyalty perks at some of the chain hotels and rental car companies.

While the cruise section is nonexistent, the booking process for flights, hotels, and car rentals is easy and straightforward, and theme parks are now an option — which is always a plus in our book.

If you have some Citi ThankYou Points and are looking for an easy way to redeem them for some upcoming travel, the Citi Travel with Booking.com portal is just a few clicks away.

The information regarding the Citi Rewards+ ® Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Citi Double Cash ®  Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Citi Custom Cash ® Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information for the Citi Prestige ® Card has been collected independently by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information for the Citi ThankYou ® Preferred Card has been collected independently by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

Related Posts

Skyscanner: How To Find Flights, Hotels & Car Rentals at the Best Prices [2024]

UP's Bonus Valuation

This bonus value is an estimated valuation  calculated by UP after analyzing redemption options, transfer partners, award availability and how much UP would pay to buy these points.

  • American AAdvantage
  • United MileagePlus
  • Delta SkyMiles
  • British Airways Executive Club
  • Southwest Rapid Rewards
  • JetBlue TrueBlue
  • Alaska Mileage Plan
  • Marriott Bonvoy
  • Hilton Honors
  • IHG One Rewards
  • World of Hyatt
  • Accor Live Limitless
  • Radisson Rewards
  • Amex Membership Rewards
  • Chase Ultimate Rewards
  • Citi ThankYou Rewards
  • Capital One Rewards
  • Brex Rewards
  • Bank Rewards Cards
  • Airline Cards
  • Hotel Cards
  • Business Cards
  • Cashback Cards
  • 0% APR & Balance Transfer Cards
  • Best Cards for Everyday Spending
  • Best Cards for Dining
  • Best Cards for Groceries
  • Best Cards for Gas
  • Best Cards for Travel
  • Best Cards for Purchase Protection
  • Best Cards for Elite Status
  • Best Cards for Lounge Access
  • How a Signup Bonus Works
  • Types of Card Benefits
  • Credit Card Application Rules
  • Managing Your Credit Score
  • Meeting Spending Requirements
  • Buy Points and Miles Promotions
  • Types of Reward Points
  • Airline Partners & Alliances
  • Beginner’s Guide to Buying Points
  • Which Flights Are Bookable With Miles
  • Finding Award Availability
  • Miles Needed for a Free Flight
  • Track Your Points
  • Mile Transfer Times
  • Merchant Lookup Tool
  • Reverse Merchant Lookup
  • Credit Card Spend Analysis
  • Transaction Analyzer
  • Travel Trends
  • Advertiser Disclosure

Everything You Need To Know About the Citi Travel℠ Portal

Ian Snyder

AwardWallet receives compensation from advertising partners for links on the blog. Terms Apply to the offers listed on this page. The opinions expressed here are our own and have not been reviewed, provided, or approved by any bank advertiser. Here's our complete list of Advertisers .

Being able to redeem my rewards in a variety of ways is one of my favorite aspects of collecting flexible points currencies like Citi ThankYou ® Points. I'll always argue that the best way to use ThankYou ® Points is by transferring them to Citi's 20 travel partners . But you also can use them to book several types of travel directly, including flights, hotel stays, rental cars, and activities. How? By using the Citi Travel SM portal.

Although you won't get the same value for your points that you could by transferring them to partner loyalty programs, the flexibility offered by the Citi Travel portal is excellent. It's also easy to use. We'll dig into all the details here, including a walkthrough of how to book various types of travel using the portal.

Page Contents

What Is the Citi Travel Portal?

Earning citi thankyou points, booking hotels, booking flights, basic economy, booking rental cars, booking activities and attractions, when it makes sense to book through the citi travel portal, when to avoid using the citi travel portal, final thoughts, what is the phone number for citi travel, do flights booked with thankyou points earn miles, who has access to the citi travel portal.

The Citi Travel portal — officially Citi Travel with Booking.com — is a one-stop-shop online travel portal that lets you book flights, hotel stays, rental cars, and activities. It's similar to the Chase Travel and Amex Travel portals, if you're familiar with those. You can book trips using an eligible Citi credit card, or you can redeem Citi ThankYou Points for your travel.

Citi Travel portal login screen

As of early 2023, Citi Travel is powered by third-party provider Booking.com and functions similar to Booking.com's online travel agency (OTA), although the user interface isn't quite the same. The options presented won't be exactly the same as what you will find with Chase Travel or other OTAs (e.g., Expedia). However, if you've navigated any of these before, finding your way around Citi Travel will be easy enough.

The only requirement to be able to use the Citi Travel portal is that you hold a card earning Citi ThankYou Points.

How Much Are ThankYou Points Worth Through Citi Travel?

Citi ThankYou points are worth 1 cent each when redeemed through the Citi Travel portal. This low value per point is one of the downsides of using Citi Travel. Unlike when you book through the Chase Travel portal , having a specific premium credit card will not get you any extra value for your points.

Contrast this with the average 2.06¢ per point that AwardWallet users get from their ThankYou Points. This is because our users overwhelmingly redeem their points by transferring them to Citi's transfer partners and redeeming them for premium travel with airlines and hotels. However, it can be a lot more work to get this sort of value out of your points.

If you value simple, straightforward redemption options — especially a one-stop-shop where you can potentially book all the travel you need — the Citi Travel portal is still worth using.

Citi offers a nice array of ways to earn ThankYou Points . If you're looking to boost your points balance, consider one of the cards below. The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card is a mainstay in my wallet. The Citi Double Cash ® Card is an excellent choice as well, as you earn 2% cash back on all purchases: 1% when you buy plus 1% as you pay. But these earnings come in the form of ThankYou Points, which you can use in several ways, including redemptions for travel that are worth more than using your earnings for cash back. Plus, the card doesn't charge an annual fee.

Other cards that provide access to the Citi Travel portal include:

  • Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
  • Citi Double Cash ® Card
  • Citi Custom Cash ® Card
  • Citi Rewards+ ® Card
  • Citi ThankYou ® Preferred Card (no longer open to new applicants)
  • Citi Prestige ® Card (no longer open to new applicants)

Related: Build a Winning Combo of Citi ThankYou Rewards Cards

How To Book Using the Citi Travel Portal

You'll need to log into Citi Travel using your normal Citi account credentials; you can access the login page here . If you have more than one ThankYou Point-earning card, the first thing you'll be asked to do is select which one you'd like to use to book travel. Select a card and click “Search for Travel” at the bottom of the page.

It is at this moment that I must comment on Citi's website functionality. While I generally don't have issues accessing my card accounts, successfully logging into my account and beginning a search through Citi Travel didn't always happen without a hitch. I'd often land on an error page. Know that if this happens to you, you're not alone. This is honestly the most frustrating aspect of using Citi Travel.

Assuming login and card selection are successful, you'll land at the main Citi Travel search page. Here, you can select whether to book hotels, rental cars, flights, or attractions. This landing page is similar to other travel portals and should look familiar.

Citi travel portal search page with the hotels tab highlighted

Now, let's dive into how to search for hotels and other accommodations.

Booking hotels and other accommodations with Citi Travel is straightforward. Simply select “Hotels” on the main search page, and then enter your destination, dates, and the number of guests. You'll be presented with a list of accommodation options bookable through the travel portal.

It's important to note that you're not stuck with only hotels. In my searches, there were often bed and breakfasts, serviced apartments, and hostels. There are certainly not the vacation rental options you'd find with Airbnb, for example, but you'll find more than just hotels.

Below are the top results for a sample Citi Travel Portal hotel search for properties in New York City. If you've booked hotels with other OTAs, navigating the search should be pretty intuitive. The default sorting option is “Best Match,” which seems to prefer Hotel Collection properties (more on those below). You can see the price in both points and cash, top featured amenities, and the average guest rating. I did notice that the guest ratings for each property are not identical to those you'll see at Booking.com. It seems Citi Travel has its own ratings .

There are numerous filter options in the panel to the left of the results, including property type, neighborhood, star rating, guest rating, and room amenities. It's easy to change the sorting and filtering to find properties to your liking.

Citi travel portal hotel search results

If you select a particular hotel, you can view photos and explore its features and amenities.

Citi travel portal hotel detailed view of amenities

From here, you can scroll down to select a particular room. Since the Citi Travel Portal is powered by Booking.com, all available room types should show up. This gives you a lot more flexibility than booking with many hotel loyalty programs, where you're restricted to base-level rooms or must fork over additional points for an enhanced room or suite.

How does pricing compare to other booking channels?

When you initially search, you may notice that the cash prices displayed exclude taxes and fees but the points prices (often shown as a combo of points and cash) include taxes and fees. Unfortunately, to do a price comparison with other sites, you'll have to add the stay to your cart to see the final price after including taxes and fees.

It's important to note that you may not be provided the best price through Citi Travel. The first comparison I made was between Citi Travel and Booking.com, the site that powers the Citi Travel portal. One would think both sites would offer the same price, but that wasn't the case.

Here is Citi Travel's price for a stay at the Royalton New York, a random property I selected from the search results. Ignoring the current hotel savings offer, the four-night stay costs $1,810.19.

Citi travel hotel booking page for the Royalton New York

Through Booking.com, the cost is $1,590.62. Citi Travel is charging ~$220 more! This is for the same room type and a similar cancellation policy.

Booking.com booking page for the Royalton New York

Here is a second example of price shopping among sites for a four-night stay at The Westin New York at Times Square:

  • Citi Travel: $1,927.77
  • Booking.com: $1,927.80
  • Expedia.com: $1,522.95

In this case, the Citi Travel and Booking.com prices are nearly identical. But they are substantially more than Expedia's price. Make sure you compare the Citi Travel portal price against other sites. You might get a better deal elsewhere.

Hotel Collection benefits

As part of revamping the travel portal and switching its provider to Booking.com, Citi launched two hotel programs: Hotel Collection and Luxury Collection. Eligible Citi cardholders can enjoy exclusive savings and perks at these properties, including free breakfast for two, free Wi-Fi, and early check-in and late check-out, when available. With Luxury Collection bookings, guests are eligible for room upgrades at check-in, based on availability, and receive a $100 on-property credit for use during their stay.

Luxury Collection and Hotel Collection bookings are available only to those with the Citi Prestige Card or Citi Strata Premier . These programs are similar to other luxury hotel programs, such as American Express' Fine Hotels + Resorts and Chase's Luxury Hotel & Resort Collection.

Related: How To Receive Elite Hotel Benefits Without Elite Status

As you peruse the Citi Travel portal, you may notice that Hotel Collection and Luxury Collection properties usually get first billing in the list of results. Click on “See offers” to see the perks you can enjoy and the terms of each.

Citi Travel portal search results showing Hotel Collection properties

If you want to specifically filter for Hotel Collection or Luxury Collection properties, these are conveniently located at the top of the many filters in the left panel.

However, there's a catch: You have to book a specific rate to receive the Hotel Collection or Luxury Collection benefits. Sometimes, the premium simply isn't worth it for what you receive. Consider this rate difference for a stay at the Mondrian South Beach in Miami. An additional $195 plus taxes per night for Hotel Collection perks? There's no way that's worth it for early check-in and daily breakfast.

Room rates at the Mondrian South Beach being discussed

Will I get hotel elite status benefits booking through the Citi Travel portal?

If you book through the Citi Travel portal, you likely won't receive hotel elite benefits with major chain hotels.  Bookings with Citi Travel are treated as third-party reservations, and most hotels don't honor elite benefits for these. This is a big downside compared to booking directly with a hotel. I often count on hotel elite status perks to add substantial value to my stay. Free breakfast for a family can add up to a lot of daily savings! Plus, you won't receive stay credit on these bookings, which means it won't help your progress toward qualifying for elite status.

There are plenty of hotels available in the Citi Travel portal that aren't associated with major chains, though. If you don't have loyalty to a particular chain, this loss of benefits isn't a worry. Booking hotels through Citi Travel also remains useful if you're specifically looking for properties outside what is offered by major chains (e.g., boutique bed and breakfasts) or if you're looking for hotels in an area devoid of major chains.

Using the Citi Strata Premier‘s $100 annual hotel perk

If you have the Citi Strata Premier , make sure you select that card on the landing page before starting your hotel search. This will automatically apply the annual hotel savings benefit — $100 off a booking of $500 or more, excluding taxes and fees — offered by the card. You can use this benefit once per year and must book through Citi Travel to enjoy this credit.

Using the Prestige Card‘s fourth-night free benefit

Those who still hold the Prestige Card (which isn't available to new applicants) get a fourth night free on hotel bookings, available twice each year when booking through Citi Travel. If you have this card, ensure you select it on the first page before beginning your searches; otherwise, you won't enjoy this benefit.

Now that we've covered how to book lodging, let's move on to booking flights through Citi Travel. You can use the portal to book flights similar to how you'd use any other OTA. To search for a flight, simply select the “Flights” option on the search screen and key in your origin, destination, whether you want one-way or round-trip travel, flight date(s), number of passengers, and cabin class. You also can select whether you want “Direct only,” which will eliminate flight options with connections.

Citi travel portal flight search page

Citi Travel will present a list of flight options based on your search criteria. At this point, you can sort and filter in various ways. The default sorting is “Best Overall,” which is somewhat subjective but typically includes a shorter travel time with fewer connections. You can filter by carrier, departure or arrival time, number of stops, and price, among other options.

Citi Travel portal flight search results

Flight availability

You can book most flights on major domestic and international carriers using the Citi Travel portal. You'll have more options at your fingertips when searching for flights through Citi Travel rather than restricting yourself to using award miles. Mixed-carrier itineraries that normally aren't available using award miles are sometimes an option with Citi Travel.

It's important to note, however, that there are some low-cost carriers that can't be booked in the portal. Some are available with a phone call, while others aren't available at all. Here's a look at low-cost carriers you can and cannot book with Citi Travel:

  • Book online: Flybe, JetBlue, and WestJet
  • Book via phone: Air Asia, GOL, Pegasus, Southwest
  • Cannot book at all: Spirit, Frontier, Sun Country

To book over the phone, contact the ThankYou Service Center at 833-737-1288 .

Related: Can You Book Low-Cost Carriers with Amex, Capital One, Chase, or Citi Points?

Flight pricing

Flight pricing should be similar and competitive to what you find when booking directly with airlines, barring the use of any discount codes or other promotions currently available. Pricing should mirror other OTAs, as well. You'll sometimes see a bigger variation with international carriers than with U.S. airlines. Remember that you'll get 1 cent per ThankYou Point when using points to book flights. Therefore, a $200 ticket will cost 20,000 ThankYou Points.

You'll get the biggest bang for your buck booking economy flights with Citi ThankYou Points. This is because the redemption value you get from economy award flights (booked via the airlines' loyalty programs) is often less than what you can get out of business-class awards — but not always. It pays to check for award flights to see if there are any Citi ThankYou transfer partners you can use to book the flight you want.

Related: The Best Citi ThankYou Point Sweet Spots for Flights in North America

Do flights booked with ThankYou Points earn miles?

Yes. Unlike an award ticket, when you book a ticket through Citi Travel using ThankYou Points, your ticket will earn miles based on the carrier's earning methodology. This is because you're actually booking a cash ticket and then redeeming your ThankYou Points at 1 cent each to cover the cost. Make sure you enter your frequent flyer number to earn miles on any tickets booked.

You also should consider the fact that you earn award miles when comparing the cost of an award ticket to that of a ticket booked through Citi Travel. This may affect which booking method you choose. If you're chasing elite status, this is something else to factor in, as well. Paid tickets can earn elite miles, segments, qualifying dollars, and/or points that help you qualify for status. Award tickets typically don't.

Example economy flight comparison: Citi Travel portal vs. transfer partner

Consider this itinerary from San Francisco (SFO) to Newark (EWR). It is available for $163.90 cash or 16,390 Citi ThankYou Points when booked in the Citi Travel portal.

Cost of a United ticket from SFO to EWR in the Citi Travel portal.

You can book this as an award using Avianca LifeMiles — one of the Citi ThankYou transfer partners. At first glance, paying 13,500 LifeMiles seems like the better deal. However, make sure you consider the taxes and fees, plus any miles earned by your ticket. LifeMiles charges a redemption fee, so the total cost of the flight would be 13,500 Citi ThankYou Points (transferred to LifeMIiles) plus $30.60. Now it's close to a wash.

Avianca LifeMiles award summary for the same SFO-EWR itinerary

Doing a little digging, this cash fare would be a United Airlines K-class ticket. Crediting this ticket to LifeMiles, you'd earn 1,282 miles. You'd give these up if you booked an award ticket. Now the math clearly shows that booking through the Citi Travel portal is the better option.

Related:  Citi's No Annual Fee Cards and the Strategy Behind How to Get Them

Be careful: Citi will present Basic Economy flight options for some carriers. These are clearly labeled, however, so it should be easy to avoid them. If you're looking at a Basic Economy itinerary, it'll clearly say so. However, you'll need to know each carrier's name for their Basic Economy equivalent. No matter what it's called, it'll be displayed within a rectangle above the carrier name.

indications of basic economy fares in the Citi Travel portal

One gripe I have with Citi Travel is that Basic Economy cannot be filtered out of the search . This is problematic. At times, I'd like to eliminate all Basic Economy flights from the results to compare the cheapest economy fares that are not Basic. Instead, you have to select a flight, and then choose a different fare class on the booking screen. If you're wondering why all your options are Basic Economy, this is the reason. Don't worry: You still can book a normal economy fare. You just need to do so after selecting a flight option.

Like searching for hotels and flights, searching for rental cars in the Citi Travel portal is straightforward. Enter your pick-up and drop-off location(s), the dates and times of both, the driver's age, and you're off and running. One of the nicest aspects of the rental car search — unlike searching for hotels — is that the total price is displayed up front.

Sample Citi Travel rental car search results.

You can filter the search results by vehicle type, rental agency, and whether free cancellation is offered. I like that the initial search is sorted by the lowest price first. You also can see whether the reservation offers free cancellation or is non-refundable.

Here are a few things to be aware of when renting a car through Citi Travel:

  • Primary auto rental collision damage waiver: Many premium credit cards offer rental car coverage that covers your rental car in the event of a collision. However, Citi's own credit cards do not offer this. This means that rentals made through the Citi Travel portal will never be covered — a major downside — unless you purchase this additional coverage.
  • Rental agency “skip the counter” programs: Some rental agencies, such as National and Hertz, offer “skip the counter” programs where you can go straight to the lot to pick out a car. If you rent through Citi Travel, you may not receive these benefits. I can attest that I have received my elite status benefits on many third-party bookings, however, so you may be fine. You may need to contact the rental agency after making a booking and get them to add your loyalty number manually.
  • Use of discount codes: If you book through Citi Travel, you won't be able to apply corporate (or any other) discount codes to reduce the cost of your rental.

Attractions are the final category of travel you can book through Citi Travel. There is a multitude of options to pick from, including tours, transportation, events, food experiences, outdoor experiences, cultural experiences, and more. What you can find through Citi Travel is what you would expect to find through an OTA like Expedia or Orbitz — or through a site like Tripadvisor or Viator.

To search for attractions, simply start typing a city name into the search bar. If you type in a country name (or the name of a U.S. state), you'll be prompted with a list of cities to choose from. Once you search for a particular location, you can filter the results by price, star rating, and/or duration. You also can sort by price and popularity. Attractions are also grouped into categories, and you can filter the results by selecting each in the top ribbon.

Example Citi Travel search for attractions in London.

Attractions is the one type of travel where it seems Citi Travel has a slight edge over making reservations through Booking.com. You'd expect the two sites to have exactly the same price for the same experience. However, I found that Citi Travel was often 3%–5% cheaper than Booking.com. Not huge savings, but certainly something to note. As with everything else in the Citi Travel portal, your ThankYou Points are worth 1 cent each when redeemed for attractions.

Not all locations will have attractions available to book. I tried to enter the towns in my rural area, and none of them showed up in the options. That being said, you should be able to find something in the vast majority of major cities, plus some other areas. It's worth noting that you won't find Disney park tickets in the portal, unfortunately.

Related: Tips for Saving Money at Disney World With Points and Miles

Is It Worth Using the Citi Travel Portal?

This is the big question. With ThankYou Points worth only 1 cent each when redeemed through Citi Travel, it isn't generally worth redeeming them through the portal. Unlike Chase Ultimate Rewards, where you can get 1.25 to 1.5 cents per point — which is more comparable to their value when transferred to loyalty partners — Citi doesn't offer any bonus value. Given that AwardWallet users redeem ThankYou Points for an average of 2.06¢ each when using transfer partners, we recommend that you use them this way.

That being said, there are times when booking through Citi Travel will get you more value than transferring your points. This is most common with economy airfare.

If you're also trying to save money and would rather spend reward points than cash for travel where transfer partners aren't an option, this is another time when using the Citi Travel portal will be worth it. The same goes for those who want to book all their travel in one place. It takes time to understand the ins and outs of loyalty programs; for some, the simplicity Citi Travel provides is a major selling point.

Finally, you always can use the Citi Travel portal to book paid travel. There are some clear reasons to do so. Being able to take advantage of the Citi Strata Premier‘s annual $100 off $500 hotel booking benefit is one of them. Don't write off the Citi Travel portal entirely. It's a great option to have in certain situations.

a man wearing headphones looks intently at a laptop screen

Using the Citi Travel Portal is generally a good idea:

  • When you don't want to worry about travel blackout dates or availability for award travel.
  • If you prioritize simplicity and would rather book all your travel in one place.
  • When booking an award flight would yield a similar value per point; remember that flights booked through the Citi Travel Portal are revenue fares that earn miles!
  • When you can take advantage of certain benefits (e.g., Citi Strata Premier Card annual hotel benefit) or bonus earning promotions.
  • If you want to use ThankYou Points to book attractions.

These are the times you'll want to avoid using the Citi Travel portal:

  • When booking premium cabin flights, as you'll nearly always do better booking these using award miles from transfer partners.
  • When it costs fewer points to transfer them to a loyalty partner and book your travel that way.
  • For booking hotels where you want to receive elite benefits.
  • When you want travel flexibility; award travel usually has better change and cancellation policies than paid travel.
  • For any car rentals; these aren't covered by a primary auto rental collision damage waiver through Citi.

Whether you see the Citi Travel portal as a key tool in planning your travel and redeeming your points or view it as a low-value option you don't care for, it's at least an option to have in your back pocket. The biggest upside I see for some travelers is being able to book your entire trip using one tool. There's also the perk of using points to pay for things where transfer partners aren't an option, such as guided tours or attraction tickets.

Personally, I won't get much value out of the Citi Travel portal. If I'm trying to limit the amount of cash I'm spending on a trip, I may consider using it to book attractions. The low 1-cent-per-point value, though, is a huge turn-off — almost too much for me to stomach. I try to get over 2 cents per ThankYou Point through partners like LifeMiles , Flying Blue , and Turkish Airlines Miles & Smiles .

You can call Citi Travel at 1-833-737-1288.

Yes. Flights booked through Citi Travel are revenue fares, so they will earn award miles. Citi just lets you redeem your ThankYou Points to cover the cost.

Anyone with a credit card earning ThankYou Points has access. However, cards issued by Citi that earn other rewards, such as American Airlines miles, don't provide access to the portal for booking travel.

The comments on this page are not provided, reviewed, or otherwise approved by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.

Leave a Reply

Click here to cancel reply.

Notify me of followup comments via e-mail Notify me of followup posts via e-mail

' data-src=

Can the 4th night free combine with the $100 credit for Citi Prestige? Thanks!

citi travel portal 2023

Unfortunately, you can’t combine the Prestige and Premier credits because you have to use a single payment method at checkout.

Introduction to the Citi Travel Portal

Accessing the citi travel portal, citi credit cards that earn thankyou points, what to know about the citi travel portal, citi travel portal: your guide to booking and rewards.

Affiliate links for the products on this page are from partners that compensate us and terms apply to offers listed (see our advertiser disclosure with our list of partners for more details). However, our opinions are our own. See how we rate credit cards to write unbiased product reviews .

The information for the following product(s) has been collected independently by Business Insider: Citi Strata Premier℠ Card, Citi Prestige® Card, Citi Custom Cash℠ Card, Citi® Double Cash Card, Citi Rewards+® Card. The details for these products have not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.

  • If you have a Citi credit card that earns ThankYou points, you can book your travel with them.
  • The Citi Travel Portal is like an online travel agency, allowing you to make bookings with ease.
  • You can pay with points (worth 1 cent each), your Citi credit card, or a combination of both.

Citi ThankYou Rewards is a flexible points program that allows you to earn points from eligible Citi credit cards and banking products. You can redeem points in a number of ways, including for travel, cash back, or gift cards.

One of the best ways to use points is for travel, either by transferring Citi ThankYou points to airline partners for award flights (only available with certain Citi credit cards), or through an even easier option available to all program members — the Citi Travel portal.

Citi Travel recently got a big overhaul, and it's now partnered with Booking.com and powered by Rocket Travel by Agoda technology. Here's what to know about the new Citi Travel portal and what to expect if you decide to book.

Overview of the Portal

The Citi Travel Portal is an online travel booking platform that works in a similar way to Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) like Orbitz or Expedia. You can search for flights, hotels, rental cars, and attractions based on your destination, travel dates, and other preferences, and you have the option to pay with Citi ThankYou points, your Citi card, or a combination of both.

Benefits of Booking Through the Portal

Although Citi Travel doesn't get as much attention as American Express Travel or the Chase Ultimate Rewards® Travel Portal , it has many of the same benefits:

  • You can book travel with no blackout dates
  • There's no need to worry about loyalty program award charts or availability 
  • Your points are worth a flat 1 cent each toward travel, and you can combine them with cash if you don't have enough for a booking
  • You'll still earn airline miles and elite-qualifying miles when you book flights, even when you pay entirely with points
  • It's possible to pool Citi points from different credit cards (or even share with friends and family who have Citi ThankYou accounts)

A downside to using the Citi Travel Portal is you won't earn points or elite status credit for hotel stays, and you might not have your elite status recognized because it's considered a third-party booking.

If you're looking for the easiest way to cash in Citi points for travel, the Citi ThankYou Travel Portal is a better choice for most people. That said, it's possible to get more than 1 cent per point in value if you skip the Citi Portal and instead transfer your points at a 1:1 ratio to an airline or hotel partner for award travel — but that involves more legwork.

The full range of partners is available if you have the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card or Citi Prestige® Card (no longer available to new applicants). Otherwise, JetBlue, Choice, and Wyndham are the only airline and hotel options, with a reduced transfer ratio.

How to Log In

To access the Citi Travel Portal, you must be a Citi customer with a ThankYou rewards account. Once you sign in to your Citi account online and click the "View/Redeem" button in the rewards section, you'll land on a screen with several redemption options. Click "Book Travel" in the lower left-hand corner.

Alternatively, you can get to the same screen by signing in with your Citi login details at ThankYou.com . 

Once you click "Book Travel," you'll be prompted to select the Citi card account you want to book with if you have multiple Citi cards. Then you'll land on the main Citi Travel search screen.

How to Book Flights with Citi Travel

To search for flights, click the "Flights" tab and enter your departure and destination airport and dates of travel. You'll also have options to select round-trip or one-way flights, class of service, number of passengers, and if you prefer non-stop flights. Then hit "Search."

Next, you'll see a list of flight search results — starting with your outbound flight — which you can sort by price, number of stops, departure time, arrival time, duration, or "best overall" (cheap, short flights). On the left sidebar, there are also filters for the departure and arrival times, airline, number of stops, price range, and total journey duration. To choose a flight, click on the "Select" button, then repeat the process for your return leg if you've searched for a round-trip itinerary.

Once you've selected your flights, you'll be prompted to enter passenger details and will be given options to upgrade your fare (most folks will skip this step). Then, on the final booking screen, you'll have the opportunity to select your payment method — either using your Citi card, ThankYou points, or a combination of both. 

How to Book Hotels with Citi Travel

The process of finding a hotel to book through the Citi Travel portal is similar to searching for flights. After selecting the "Hotels" option from the main menu, enter your destination, stay dates, and the number of guests in the search fields.

The results page allows you to sort by property class, price, distance, hotel name, and recommended results. You can filter by price, class, TripAdvisor rating, amenities, nearby landmarks, and even hotels offering deals. One useful feature is the ability to quickly identify properties that have discounted rates by looking for the "Sale" flag in the corner of the hotel listing. 

To find out more about the hotel you're interested in, click on the hotel name and you'll be shown different bed options, rate types with cancellation policies, and available packages (breakfast included, for instance) if applicable. Select "Check out" next to the room you want to book. You'll then be asked for guest details (name, address, phone number, and email).

Once you've entered your information, you'll come to the final booking screen where, again, you can choose your method of payment.

How to Rent a Car with Citi Travel

Searching for a car rental through Citi Travel is similarly easy. Once you've clicked "Cars" on the main menu, enter your pick-up location (you can select a different drop-off location if needed), rental dates and times, and the driver's age.

The results list allows you to sort by price, rental company, or car type. 

Once you find a car you like, click on its listing to learn more about the rental and enter the driver's name and details.

On the final booking screen, you'll choose your method of payment — again, your Citi card, ThankYou points, or a combination of both.

How to Book Attractions Through Citi Travel

Select the "Attractions" tab on the main search page, and enter the city name where you want to search.

Depending on the destination, you'll get a list of all kinds of activities — from tours and sightseeing tickets to airport transfers and excursions. 

When you click on the attraction, you'll get more details about what's included in the activity.

Click "See options" to choose your activity dates, times, and the number of participants. 

Once you select "Choose" you'll have the opportunity to enter your traveler details. Then, you'll be brought to the final booking screen where you can select your payment method.

Before you choose between booking through the Citi Portal or transferring points to a partner for an award flight, be sure to compare the number of points required in each case — and verify that an award flight is actually available before you decide on that route.

Citi Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

Earn a total of 10 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com. Earn 3X points per $1 on air travel and other hotel purchases, at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations and EV charging stations. Earn 1X point per $1 on all other purchases.

21.24% - 29.24% variable

Earn 75,000 bonus points

Good to Excellent

  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Earn 3x points on most travel, restaurants, gas/EV charging, and supermarkets
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Earn 10x points on hotels, rental cars, and attractions booked via Citi Travel
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. $100 annual hotel credit on a single stay of $500 or more
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. No foreign transaction fees
  • Check mark icon A check mark. It indicates a confirmation of your intended interaction. Trip delay/interruption benefits and lost/damaged baggage coverage
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Has an annual fee
  • con icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Citi Travel rates often are higher than retail cost of travel

Citi offers several different cards that earn Citi ThankYou points:

  • Citi Strata Premier℠ Card: Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening 
  • Citi Custom Cash℠ Card : Earn $200 cash back, fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first six months of account opening 
  • Citi® Double Cash Card
  • Citi Rewards+® Card : Earn 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,500 in the first three months of account opening 
  • Citi Prestige® Card: No longer available to new applicants 

If you have the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card, there's an additional incentive to book through the Citi ThankYou portal. Once per calendar year, cardholders can get $100 off a hotel stay of $500 or more (before taxes and fees) when they book through the Citi portal — whether the stay is booked with points, charged to the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card, or a combination of both.

The Citi Travel Portal is a terrific tool if you're looking for a way to redeem points for flights, hotels, car rentals, and attractions without worrying about blackout dates or fussing with loyalty program award charts. You'll even earn frequent flyer miles and elite credits for flight bookings (but you won't earn hotel points or elite nights on hotel stays, because it's a third-party booking).

Anyone with an eligible Citi ThankYou credit card can redeem their points through the portal at a rate of 1 cent each. Or, if you don't have enough points to cover the entire booking, you can pay with your Citi card in combination with rewards to make up the difference.

Even though using the Citi Travel Portal is easy and convenient, it is usually possible to get more value from your Citi ThankYou points by transferring them to Citi's airline and hotel partners. This method requires jumping through more hoops and searching for award availability, so if you'd rather avoid that inconvenience, the Citi Travel Portal is an ideal booking method.

Citi cardholders can access the travel portal by logging into their online account and navigating to the travel section or directly through the Citi Travel website.

Yes, you can use your Citi points to book flights, hotels, car rentals, and more through the portal. Points can cover all or part of the booking cost.

Typically, bookings made through the portal using your Citi card will earn points according to your card's rewards program.

The portal does not usually charge additional booking fees, but it's always best to review the terms and conditions for any specific charges that may apply.

Yes, you can cancel or modify bookings, but the ability to do so without penalty depends on the specific terms of your booking. Always check the cancellation policy at the time of booking.

Katie Oelker real money

Editorial Note: Any opinions, analyses, reviews, or recommendations expressed in this article are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any card issuer. Read our editorial standards .

Please note: While the offers mentioned above are accurate at the time of publication, they're subject to change at any time and may have changed, or may no longer be available.

**Enrollment required.

citi travel portal 2023

  • Main content
  • Credit cards
  • View all credit cards
  • Banking guide
  • Loans guide
  • Insurance guide
  • Personal finance
  • View all personal finance
  • Small business
  • Small business guide
  • View all taxes

You’re our first priority. Every time.

We believe everyone should be able to make financial decisions with confidence. And while our site doesn’t feature every company or financial product available on the market, we’re proud that the guidance we offer, the information we provide and the tools we create are objective, independent, straightforward — and free.

So how do we make money? Our partners compensate us. This may influence which products we review and write about (and where those products appear on the site), but it in no way affects our recommendations or advice, which are grounded in thousands of hours of research. Our partners cannot pay us to guarantee favorable reviews of their products or services. Here is a list of our partners .

The Guide to the Citi ThankYou Travel Portal

Profile photo of Anya Kartashova

Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising partners who compensate us when you take certain actions on our website or click to take an action on their website. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Table of Contents

Who can use the Citi ThankYou travel portal?

The baseline value of citi thankyou points, how to book travel in the citi thankyou rewards travel portal, benefits of booking in the citi thankyou travel portal, what else you need to know about citi travel portal, how good is the citi travel portal.

Citi has rolled out big changes to its online travel portal that will have a sizable impact on how its credit cardholders search and book travel — whether they’re paying for a trip or redeeming points.

In March 2023, Citi launched its revamped booking platform, officially called Citi Travel with Booking.com. Certain cardholders can book everything from flights and hotels to rental cars and experiences through the portal. 

The booking website now offers some 1.4 million hotel options worldwide, including a growing list of properties in Citi’s two new hotel portfolios: the Hotel Collection and Luxury Collection. Bookings in these collections come with special perks such as property credit, free breakfast and more.

The changes give members more options to use Citi ThankYou points. In addition to redeeming ThankYou points for travel, members can also redeem points for cash back or transfer them to airline or hotel partners. In fact, members sometimes extract a higher value from their points by transferring them.

However, applying them toward travel in the Citi’s online travel portal can be a compelling option, particularly given some of the perks available at the platform’s two hotel collections and the current promotion: Now through Dec. 31, 2025, Citi Rewards+® Card cardholders can earn a total of 5x ThankYou Points on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com through Dec. 31, 2025.

In this guide, we’ll go over which cards that members can use the Citi ThankYou travel portal, what the points are worth and when redeeming points through the Citi Travel portal can make sense.

Most cards that earn Citi ThankYou Points offer members access to the Citi Travel portal, including:

AT&T Access Card from Citi (not open to new applications).

AT&T Access More Card from Citi (not open to new applications).

Citi Custom Cash® Card .

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card .

Citi Prestige® Card (not open to new applications).

Citi Rewards+® Card .

Citi Double Cash® Card .

The portal offers cardholders perks like same-day booking opportunities, a 24-hour cancellation window for full refunds and flexible payment options.

Cardholders can redeem Citi ThankYou points between 1 cent to 1.25 cents through the Citi Travel portal or when redeemed for cash back. So, 1 cent per point should be your baseline redemption rate when deciding whether you should transfer points to one of Citi's airline or hotel partners .

If the booking you are considering gives you less than a 1-cent-per-point redemption rate, consider getting cash back instead. Then, pay for that same booking in cash. This may be more optimal than redeeming your ThankYou points at a lower rate.

» Learn more: Plan your next redemption with our credit card points tool

1. Log into your Citi account

One of the benefits of Citi’s new travel portal is that you can book a trip and manage your credit card account with just a single login. Eligible ThankYou members can access the new travel portal directly .

You can redeem Citi ThankYou Points at a rate of 1 cent to 1.25 cents toward the following travel purchases: flights, hotel rooms, car rentals and activities. The Citi Travel portal is powered by Booking.com and Rocket Travel by Agoda, and works like the online travel agencies you’ve likely used before.

» Learn more: How to earn miles through online travel agencies

2. Search your travel dates and destinations

Let’s say you want to book a flight. Select the “Flights” tab and begin your search. Select your trip type (round trip, one way or multicity), and enter the number of passengers and preferred class of service. Input your departure and destination cities and travel dates. Check the nonstop box if necessary and select “Search.”

citi travel portal 2023

Review your flight options on the following page. To further filter the search results, you can sort by price, travel duration, as well as departure and arrival time. You can also filter results by the number of stops and operating airlines.

3. Choose to pay with cash, points or a combination of both

Once you select the fare, you’ll have the option to select a payment method: using ThankYou Points or a Citi credit card. If you choose to redeem points, you can either pay in full or redeem for a partial payment.

Here’s an example of a flight booking through the portal: a flight from Salt Lake City to Denver aboard Delta Air Lines. You can see, it’s available for $113.90 or 11,390 ThankYou points — a 1 cent-per-point rate.

citi travel portal 2023

You can also type in the number of points you want to apply toward the cost of the flight, select “Apply” and pay attention to the payment summary. If the points cover only part of the fare, use your credit card to pay the remaining amount. Then, enter passenger information and complete your booking.

citi travel portal 2023

Follow the same process online to make reservations for hotel rooms, car rentals and activities. 

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards you might not have

Historically, transferring ThankYou points to one of Citi’s partners, like airlines or hotel loyalty programs, sometimes results in a higher value for your rewards (in that they are likely to be worth more than 1 cent apiece). In a recent NerdWallet analysis , we value Citi ThankYou points between 1 cent to 1.3 cents per point. However, there are a few reasons you might consider booking travel through the ThankYou Travel portal instead.

Book flights on the dates you want

Let’s get real for a moment: Award travel is great when everything goes according to plan. But what if you want to travel on specific dates and can’t find available seats using miles with a specific airline? In that case, you have to be flexible and pick less convenient travel dates or times.

You can reserve any open seat on a plane by booking your flight through the Citi ThankYou Rewards travel portal because there are no blackout dates.

You might use slightly more points at a fixed redemption rate of 1 cent to 1.25 cents per point, but at least you can fly on your preferred dates. This option works best with inexpensive economy flights.

Book non-chain hotels with points

When you participate in hotel loyalty programs , you end up staying at chains. But what if you want to book that bewitching beachfront bed-and-breakfast and still take advantage of credit card rewards? Well, the good news is if it shows up in the portal search results, you can redeem points to reserve it.

In the Citi Travel portal, hotel reward bookings aren’t limited to chain hotels, which means you can book all kinds of properties outside of popular brands. This benefit is all the more noteworthy now that Citi has bolstered its property offerings through its Booking.com partnership.

Keep money in your pocket

If you’ve amassed a large collection of Citi ThankYou points, you might have more points than you know what to do with. And now that you’re ready to book a trip, you want to make use of your points instead of spending cash — essentially avoiding paying out of pocket for the same expense.

Though you’ll get a redemption rate of 1 cent to 1.25 cents per point, your trip will be paid for entirely with points. This can be a smart money move for the right situation.

Citi Hotel Collection and Luxury Collection 

Perhaps the most significant change unveiled as part of the revamped Citi Travel with Booking.com portal is the addition of two hotel portfolios, at which eligible cardholders can enjoy added perks, not to mention, savings in some cases.

Citi is in the process of rolling out its new Hotel Collection and Luxury Collection — both bookable through its new platform. This may sound like a familiar concept. It’s similar to what other major credit card companies have offered through their travel portals, such as American Express Travel’s Hotel Collection and Fine Hotels and Resorts. 

Citi’s Hotel Collection is available to all eligible ThankYou credit cardmembers. Guests who book one of these properties will enjoy a host of perks, including free breakfast for two, complimentary Wi-Fi and early check-in and late checkout (when available).

Here’s one property in San Francisco — the Argonaut Hotel, not far from Fisherman’s Wharf — available as part of the Hotel Collection. As you can see, the listing explicitly mentions late checkout and free premium Wi-Fi as a perk for this booking.

citi travel portal 2023

Meanwhile, the higher-end Luxury Collection portfolio is available only for ThankYou members who carry the Citi Prestige® Card or Citi Strata Premier℠ Card . On top of the same perks offered as part of the Hotel Collection, eligible members who book one of these properties will also enjoy room upgrades (when available) and a $100 experience credit, which can be used for on-property purchases ranging from food and beverages to spa treatments, depending on the hotel.

Citi’s initial rollout of the Hotel Collection and Luxury Collection is confined to the U.S., Mexico and the Caribbean, but the company plans to expand the two portfolios to new destinations around the world over the next year.

Complimentary fourth night on certain hotel bookings

Both the Citi Prestige® Card offers a fourth night free on eligible bookings, twice per year. One of the best ways to maximize use of Citi’s travel portal is to combine this card benefit with the perks offered as part of the Hotel and Luxury Collections.

To use this benefit, filter your hotel search results in the portal to display hotels designated as “Complimentary 4th Night Eligible.” Book at least four nights and look closely at checkout to confirm that the system applied the savings. 

Bonus points for bookings

Extra points are certainly a way to sweeten any deal when it comes to booking, and Citi is offering a hefty promotion in concert with the new portal.

Between now and June 30, 2024, the Citi Prestige® Card and Citi Strata Premier℠ Card members can earn a total of 10 points per dollar when booking hotels, rental cars or eligible attractions through Citi Travel.

Citi ThankYou® Preferred Card and Citi Rewards+® Card members can earn a total of 5 points per dollar on those bookings.

Earn airline miles

Similar to other credit card travel portals like American Express or Chase, Citi members earn airline miles even when booking through the portal. Just add your airline frequent flyer number to the reservation.

On the other hand, a notable downside of Citi’s new portal is that, at least for now, members cannot add their hotel loyalty numbers. So, for instance, if you book a stay at a Hilton property through Citi Travel, you would earn ThankYou points for the purchase, but not Hilton Honors points for the stay.

The Citi Travel with Booking.com portal includes 24/7 customer service, which can assist with reservation and rebooking needs.

Members with existing travel booked through the old ThankYou Travel Center (prior to March 19, 2023) can access their reservation at ThankYou.com. Select “Travel” and then “My trips."

Despite improvements as part of the revamped Citi Travel portal, it likely won’t appeal to points and miles enthusiasts whose main objective is to maximize value.

However, for others who simply want to use their ThankYou points, it offers plenty of options. And there are certain situations where booking through Citi Travel can be even more beneficial than transferring points, particularly as the company continues to expand the Hotel Collection and Luxury Collection. 

The opportunity for certain cardmembers to earn up to 5 or 10 points per dollar on purchases through the portal doesn’t hurt, either. Plus, using the portal can help you travel on dates with limited award availability and expand your lodging selection. 

Although the value of your rewards won’t always reach its ceiling, you’ll keep money in your pocket by using ThankYou points for travel.

The information related to the AT&T Access More Card from Citi and Citi Prestige® Card has been collected by NerdWallet and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product or service.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024 :

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

On a similar note...

citi travel portal 2023

Citi ® Training Series DoD Travel

DoD APC Onsite Training Request Form Sign Up Now

DoD APC 1-1 Virtual Training Request Form Sign Up Now

Welcome to the Citi Training Series website for DoD Travel training! Please find the schedule for upcoming webinar, classroom, and onsite sessions below. These sessions are open to all DoD APCs. Click on the sessions titles for a course description.

To register, simply log into CitiManager® and access the Citi® Learning Center from the Web Tools icon. Click here and navigate to page 7 for detailed instructions.

Citi recommends that APCs take the webinar sessions in the following order: CitiManager, Online Applications and Maintenance (OLA/M) & Bulk Online Applications and Maintenance (BOLA/M), Reporting, and then Visa Intellilink.

For more experienced APCs Citi recommends the CitiManager – New Look and Feel and Visa Intellilink webinars.

Department of Defense Travel SmartPay ® Training Sessions

In order to allow time to login, classes open 15 minutes prior to the actual start time. For example: A class scheduled to start at 1:00 PM ET will open at 12:45 PM ET.

APC Program Management

Citimanager basic, applications and how they are processed, citimanager basic reporting, visa intellilink, in person classroom sessions in norfolk, va, in person citimanager end-to-end training, in person visa intellilink training.

  • View All Credit Cards
  • Balance Transfer Credit Cards
  • 0% Intro APR Credit Cards
  • Rewards Credit Cards
  • Cash Back Credit Cards
  • Travel Credit Cards
  • Retail Store Cards
  • Small Business Credit Cards
  • Quick Links
  • Banking Overview
  • Certificates of Deposit
  • Banking IRAs
  • Small Business Banking
  • Personal Loans
  • Overdraft Line of Credit
  • Home Lending
  • Refinance Your Home
  • Use Your Home Equity
  • Small Business Lending
  • Debt Consolidation Calculator
  • Investing overview
  • Self-directed Investing
  • Guided Investing
  • Working with an Advisor
  • Citigold ® Private Client
  • Citi Priority
  • Open an Account
  • Credit Cards
  • Credit Knowledge Center
  • Travel Guide

How to Save Money on Flights

woman in yellow sweater standing alongside a coast/cliff

For first-time travelers and even frequent flyers, booking an affordable flight can be a challenge. Nobody wants to overpay, but many don’t know how to avoid it, so the questions multiply: What's the best time to travel? What kind of flight should I take to save money? What are the advantages of a rewards program? Where should I book my flight?

The good news is that there are answers. Saving money on flights isn’t a guessing game. Following a few essential tips will make the process a little easier.

Travel on least crowded days

Airlines charge more on busier days, especially on major holidays such as July 4 th , Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s. If you can, avoid the peak times to save money. 

You can take the same approach regarding which day of the week to fly. Since most people depart and return on weekends, Fridays and Sundays are high-volume travel days. Flights on Tuesday, Wednesday or Saturday are less crowded and will save money. Also, be sure to check if any major events or conventions are occurring at your destination that could increase demand and push up the price of your ticket. 

If you have the flexibility, you can take this strategy of avoiding peak times to save money to another level. Instead of choosing your destination and dates first and trying to save money second, reverse the order. Look for the best deals first and choose your destination and dates on those deals. 

Book connecting flights when possible

Many people like the convenience of direct flights because they get you to your destination faster without the hassle of changing planes. But there is a cost. Because of the demand, direct flights are always more expensive than connecting flights.

Connecting flights are a better option if you're trying to save money. They can have other advantages, too, especially for international travelers who appreciate a rest stop between long flights. Also, some airlines offer free stopovers, which, in essence, are extended layovers between flights. 

Stay flexible when looking at dates

For many people, scheduling travel involves figuring out which dates will least impact their schedules, applying for time off from work and then booking the flight. Once the dates are chosen, they seem set in stone, and the options for finding the lowest price are limited. 

If you’re looking to save money, a better plan would be to first decide on approximate flight dates so that you have more options to find the best prices before committing. Sometimes changing travel dates by a few days can result in significant savings.  

Use points or miles when you can

A great way to save money on flights is to join a rewards program. Airlines appreciate loyalty for a good reason. It means you will be a returning customer, and therefore, they will reward you with perks.

If you regularly fly a specific airline and are a rewards member, you can earn and accumulate points or miles every time you fly and redeem them for future discounts and upgrades. Some of the benefits of being a rewards member include discounted or free tickets (except for taxes and fees), priority booking, first-class upgrades and access to airport lounges.

Book tickets through a travel portal

Travel portals are online platforms managed by credit card issuers that offer various travel services, including bookings for hotels, airline tickets and rental cars.

The Citi Travel portal SM is a convenient way to book your flight if you have an eligible Citi ® card. It offers many filter and sorting options that search and compare flights by price, duration, flight times, connections, and even your favorite airline, making it easy to book the right flight. If you have an eligible Citi credit card, you can earn Thank You ®    Points when you pay for part, or all, of your trip through the Citi Travel portal. You can also redeem your points towards flights and more through the Citi Travel portal.

Disclosure:   This article is for educational purposes. It is not intended to provide legal, investment, or financial advice and is not a substitute for professional advice. It does not indicate the availability of any Citi ® product or service. For advice about your specific circumstances, you should consult a qualified professional.

Additional Resources

citi travel portal 2023

Insights and Tools >

Utilize these resources to help you assess your current finances & plan for the future.

citi travel portal 2023

FICO® Score >

Learn how FICO® Scores are determined, why they matter and more.

citi travel portal 2023

Glossary >  

Review financial terms & definitions to help you better understand credit & finances.

Equal housing lender

  • Consumer: 1-800-347-4934
  • Consumer TTY: 711
  • Business: 1-866-422-3091
  • Business TTY: 711
  • Lost/Stolen: 1-800-950-5114
  • Lost/Stolen TTY: 711

Terms & Conditions

  • Card Member Agreement
  • Notice At Collection
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

Copyright © 2023  Citigroup Inc

Important Information

Search & Apply for Jobs

Search by Keyword

Search by Location

Please select a location from the dropdown to proceed.

Upload Resume Icon

Our Resume Match feature is available for roles in:

  • Philippines
  • Puerto Rico
  • United Kingdom
  • United States

For all other locations, please use our keyword search.

You are now leaving Citi Careers portal, and entering a third-party site, operated on behalf of Citi.

VP - Business Risk Officer - CPB NAM & LFG-1

The Wealth Monitoring and Testing is responsible for the testing of controls that are designed and owned by Citi’s Wealth departments.  The Business Risk Officer is a strategic professional who stays abreast of developments within own field and contributes to directional strategy by considering their application in own job and the business.

The Citi Wealth business delivers comprehensive wealth solution to clients across the wealth continuum, with integrated advice and execution, as well as traditional and alternative investments, managed account strategies, world-class research and investment guidance. The Wealth business serves ultra-high-net worth individuals and family offices through Citi Private Bank, operates in the affluent and high-net-worth customer relationship tiers of Citigold® and Citigold Private Client and offers wealth management in the workplace through Citi Global Wealth at Work.

This position a strategic- and execution-oriented leadership role accountable for end-to-end control testing for a specific business/segment – i.e. controls performance assurance/testing – which includes design, results reporting, and insight sharing related to the above scope of controls testing.

The Monitoring and Testing Team Lead directs a team of approximately 4-6+ controls testing professionals responsible for supporting the above responsibilities, with breadth and depth on control testing planning and execution. The position closely follows latest trends in controls testing and adapts them for application within own job and covered businesses and functions.

Excellent management and communication skills required to articulate rationale or explanation on findings.  Developed communication and diplomacy skills are required to guide, influence and negotiate with others, in particular colleagues in other business functions. Accountable for controls testing results and advice regarding the controls execution.  Provides advice and counsel related to the technology or operations of the business. Responsible for supporting their manager in handling staff management issues, including resource management and allocation of work within the team/project.

This role will ultimately report to the Head of Wealth Monitoring and Testing.

Responsibilities:

  • Design and execute monitoring tests against control activities to assess control effectiveness.
  • Review and maintain monitoring activities on a periodic basis to ensure they are “fit for purpose” with the activity, risk, and control
  • Identify, document, and communicate issues as well as recommending appropriate and pragmatic solutions to address risk and control issues.
  • Timely and accurate entry of all controls monitoring test results into the relevant Monitoring and Testing tools.
  • Summarize Monitoring exceptions for Assessment Units (AU) through monthly reporting.
  • Partner with Business AU Owners, Control Owners, Business Control Heads, and other stakeholders or partners (e.g., Second Line of Defense partners) to ensure adequacy of Control / Monitor Design Assessments
  • Identify and escalate emerging risks resulting from controls testing findings and engage with business partners in support of root cause analysis.
  • Partner with relevant teams within Risk and Controls for the set-up of new controls and changes to existing controls within the Manager Control Assessment.
  • Continually build best practices and improvements into all aspects of assigned controls monitoring work and tests – embrace learning and translate those learnings into improved tests – e.g., digital monitoring, sample size selection, frequency, evidence-gathering process improvements, etc.
  • Contribute to the development of monitoring and testing processes improvements – standardization, optimization and automation where possible
  • Provide support to other Wealth initiatives as needed
  • Make use of data from various systems and repositories to develop a thorough understanding of the business area being tested or monitored, including identification of trends, anomalies, outliers and red flags.
  • Develop and maintain effective relationships with business partners, MCA team, and functional management to ensure availability of accurate and complete information sources
  • Performs decision-making of control testing outliers, including undertaking of escalations and owning Internal Audit issue management related actions.
  • Proactively advance the use of computer assisted assessment tools and techniques to drive high efficiency and effectiveness in testing, monitoring, and surveillance processes.

Qualifications:

  • Minimum 5 years controls testing or equivalent – in the areas of in-business controls, controls design, controls testing.  Managerial experience required.
  • Strong understanding of risk assessment processes.
  • Advanced skills in MS Excel and MS PowerPoint and MS SharePoint.
  • Strategic thinker with strong analytical skills (a must) and the ability to translate complex concepts in a concise manner
  • Openness to challenge and continuously challenging the status quo
  • Demonstrated leader capable of driving change
  • Ability to set priorities and manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast paced, highly matrix, dynamic environment
  • Self-motivated, highly adaptive, and able to work well under tight deadlines
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills with demonstrated ability to clearly articulate issues
  • Effective negotiation skills, a proactive and 'no surprises' approach in communicating issues and strength in sustaining independent views
  • Strong interpersonal skills for interfacing with all levels of internal and external audit and management.
  • Bachelor’s/ University degree or equivalent experience

------------------------------------------------------

Job Family Group:

Job Family:

Primary Location:

Primary Location Full Time Salary Range:

In addition to salary, Citi’s offerings may also include, for eligible employees, discretionary and formulaic incentive and retention awards. Citi offers competitive employee benefits, including: medical, dental & vision coverage; 401(k); life, accident, and disability insurance; and wellness programs. Citi also offers paid time off packages, including planned time off (vacation), unplanned time off (sick leave), and paid holidays. For additional information regarding Citi employee benefits, please visit citibenefits.com. Available offerings may vary by jurisdiction, job level, and date of hire.

Anticipated Posting Close Date:

Citi is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Citigroup Inc. and its subsidiaries ("Citi”) invite all qualified interested applicants to apply for career opportunities. If you are a person with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to use our search tools and/or apply for a career opportunity review Accessibility at Citi .

View the " EEO is the Law " poster. View the EEO is the Law Supplement .

View the EEO Policy Statement .

View the Pay Transparency Posting

citi travel portal 2023

Job Matching Made Easy

All you need is your resume to get started and Citi’s resume matching feature will help align your skills with available job opportunities at Citi.

Upload Resume & Match Me >

citi travel portal 2023

A Day in Risk Management #LifeAtCiti

Senior Credit Portfolio Manager Patricia talks about her team within the Risk Analytics Unit, the types of clients she works with, and the importance of work life balance.

Learn More >

Related Content 2

Global Benefits

We bring the best to our people. We put our employees first and provide the best-in-class benefits they need to be well, live well and save well.

Related Jobs

Featured career areas.

citi travel portal 2023

You have no saved jobs

Previously Viewed Jobs

You have no viewed jobs

So, what exactly is elite status in travel — and how can I get it?

Lee Huffman

Citi is a TPG advertising partner.

Airlines, hotels and other travel providers offer loyalty programs to encourage travelers to book reservations with them. Then, the more you travel and spend with a brand, the higher the level of elite status you can reach, which translates into additional perks and rewards, like free hotel breakfast , room and seat upgrades and other benefits.

We use the term "elite status" frequently, but some travelers are unsure what it means. In this article, we'll explain the basics of elite status and how you can get it; plus, we'll share other ways to get elite benefits without the "status."

Related: Best hotel rewards programs in the world: Which one is right for you?

What is elite status?

citi travel portal 2023

Elite status is the term used for members who have progressed beyond the basic membership of a loyalty program.

You can typically achieve higher levels of elite status based on spending with a brand and its partners, how frequently you make reservations and sometimes through other activities.

You can also receive elite status simply by having the right credit card .

Airline loyalty programs

Many airlines offer elite status for travelers who fly regularly with them and their partners.

Previously, you would usually earn elite status by flying a certain number of miles or taking a certain number of flights with an airline and its partners each year. However, many airlines have recently been overhauling their frequent flyer programs to reward spending (on airfares, with cobranded credit cards, etc.) rather than simply flying.

For example, American Airlines implemented Loyalty Points as its sole elite status metric. You earn Loyalty Points whenever you earn base miles.

This means that — in addition to flying — you'll earn 1 Loyalty Point per dollar spent for every eligible AAdvantage mile earned from purchases on an American Airlines cobranded credit card like the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees ). Likewise, you can earn when you shop through the American shopping portal , rent a car with one of its rental car partners or take advantage of other earning opportunities .

Elite status benefits from airlines may include complimentary upgrades, priority boarding, free checked bags and higher mileage-earning rates on flights.

While most credit cards don't automatically get you airline elite status, several cards make qualifying easier. Delta has overhauled how credit cards help cardmembers earn elite status with one metric: Medallion Qualification Dollars (MQDs).

For example, if you hold the Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card , you'll earn 1 MQD for every $20 spent on the card in a calendar year, and there is no limit on the number of MQDs you can earn through card spending. Cardholders will also receive an MQD boost of 2,500 MQDs each Medallion Qualification year. Essentially, if you're spending a lot on this card, you could earn SkyMiles elite status without needing to travel.

Related: Complete guide to airline status matches and challenges in 2024

Hotel loyalty programs

Hotel chains encourage frequent stays through their loyalty programs, too.

Members can earn elite status in various ways, depending on the program. Some metrics include how many stays or nights you book each year, how many points you earn based on your stay, how much you spend on a cobranded credit card or if you carry a certain cobranded credit card.

The higher your elite status, the more perks you receive when staying at the hotel chain. Depending on the program and your status tier, the perks might include earning bonus points on stays, complimentary room upgrades, free breakfast, free Wi-Fi, lounge access and the ability to gift status to friends or family.

Some hotel credit cards, like the World of Hyatt Credit Card , provide complimentary Discoverist elite status and five qualifying night credits (which count toward your next tier status). This benefit can be a great jumpstart if you want to earn even higher status levels than you normally would through stays.

The Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card provides cardholders complimentary Diamond status — the top tier of Hilton Honors that normally requires completing 30 separate stays, staying 60 nights or earning 120,000 base points in a calendar year.

The information for the Hilton Aspire card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Rental car and cruise line loyalty programs

Other types of travel companies offer elite status benefits within their loyalty programs as well. Depending on how valuable or useful customers find these benefits, they might be compelling enough to cause travelers to book with one brand over another, even when it might be more expensive.

Car rental elite status lets some folks avoid certain fees, enjoy free category upgrades and earn more points. In some cases, car rental elite members have a greater selection of vehicles to choose from, too. While rental car companies do not have their own cobranded credit cards, some premium travel credit cards offer rental car elite status as a benefit. You can even match certain airline statuses to rental car programs.

Some cruise line loyalty programs also provide elite status for their best customers. While lackluster at the lower rungs, higher tiers can offer attractive perks such as free drinks, priority service, complimentary laundry and special events.

Related: National Emerald Club: Guide to earning, redeeming and elite status with the car rental loyalty program

Elite status vs. credit card benefits

citi travel portal 2023

Many of the best travel credit cards offer automatic elite status or similar benefits. Best of all, you don't have to take numerous flights or spend dozens of nights in a hotel to access them.

Many card elite benefits are available immediately after you are approved for your card. However, in some cases, you must manually activate the perks before using them.

Some credit card elite or elitelike benefits may include:

  • Automatic elite status : If you're an occasional traveler, reaching elite status can be challenging. Some travel credit cards include automatic elite status (or elite status via spending) so you can enjoy elite status perks starting with your first reservation.
  • Airport lounge access : Some premium travel credit cards include a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership to access airport lounges worldwide. Some provide unlimited use, while others only include a handful of visits. Certain airline cards also extend membership or access to their specific airport lounges.
  • Free checked bags : Many airline credit cards allow cardholders to check a bag for free on the cobranded carrier — but pay special attention to the terms regarding the number of bags, travel companions and whether or not you need to pay for your ticket with the card to receive this benefit.
  • Priority boarding : Many airline credit cards include priority boarding as a perk of being a cardholder.

How to get premium hotel benefits without elite status

citi travel portal 2023

If you don't have elite status with a hotel, you can still receive similar benefits just for booking through these sites, even if it's your first reservation.

Fine Hotels + Resorts

Those with The Platinum Card® from American Express can receive exclusive perks when booking through the issuer's Fine Hotels + Resorts portal. Elite-level benefits include early check-in, late checkout, a complimentary upgrade, daily breakfast for two and an experience credit worth at least $100. Plus, some reservations include a complimentary night for additional savings. The up to $200 annual credit for Platinum cardholders can be combined with these stays. Enrollment is required.

The Hotel Collection

The Hotel Collection is Amex's scaled-down version of Fine Hotels + Resorts, available for both Amex Platinum and American Express® Gold Card members. You'll receive a space-available complimentary room upgrade, early check-in and late checkout where available, and a $100 resort credit to spend on qualifying resort activities, dining and spa services when booking a room. Some hotel offers also include a free night, complimentary breakfast or both.

Capital One Premier Collection

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card and Capital One Venture X Business cardholders can enjoy hotel benefits when booking Premier Collection properties through Capital One Travel. Benefits include earning 10 miles per dollar, early check-in and late checkout where available, room upgrades, daily breakfast for two and an on-property experience credit (worth up to $100) to use during the stay.

Bottom line

Having elite status with your favorite airline, hotel or other travel programs can improve your travel experience.

Elite status can unlock free travel faster with points- or miles-earning bonuses depending on the specific loyalty program. Elite members also receive valuable perks such as upgrades and priority services at the airport or the hotel. Qualifying for elite status varies by program, but some credit cards can help you get there faster based on your spending or even just for being a cardholder.

Related reading:

  • Invitation-only airline and hotel elite status: What it is and how to earn it
  • Stuck in coach with no elite status? That upgrade might be cheaper than you think
  • Marriott elite status: What it is and how to earn it
  • Comparing the best hotel elite status tiers and how to earn them in 2024
  • The ultimate guide to earning elite status with United cards
  • Delta status match challenge is live: How you can earn elite status until 2026

COMMENTS

  1. citi-travel-login

    Citi Travel is a travel booking portal that gives eligible Citi card members access to book flights, hotels, rental cars, and attractions at competitive prices, along with 24/7 customer support. Additionally, when you book through the Citi Travel portal using ThankYou ® rewards cards, you can earn ThankYou ® points on your travel spending ...

  2. Citi travel portal: Everything you need to know

    Aug. 15, 2023 • 13 min read. Jump to section ... In this article, we will explore the functionality of the new Citi travel portal, discuss any potential drawbacks and clarify who can access this booking engine. Additionally, we will provide a step-by-step guide on using the portal to book your desired travel experiences and explain how to pay ...

  3. 5 Things to Know About Citi's New Travel Portal

    What to know about the Citi travel portal. 1. You can book flights, hotels and car rentals. The booking portal allows you to book all kinds of travel through the Citi website or mobile app. It ...

  4. New Citi Travel Portal With Booking.com Launches

    The new Citi travel portal has finally launched, and it's powered by Booking.com. Here's what to expect, and why this new portal matters. Advertiser Disclosure. ... NO HOTELS OFFERED IN GREECE AFTER APRIL 2023 LE GRAND PARIS 46,899 POINTS PLUS $174. Helpful Reply. SANTOS Guest. March 20, 2023, 9:42 am THANK YOU BILL. Helpful (1) Reply.

  5. citi-travel-ntp

    Online. Travel bookings can be made through the Citi Travel site. All travel bookings require the use of a Citi eligible credit card. Calling the Citi Travel service center. Travel bookings can also be made by calling the Citi Travel service center at 1-833-737-1288 (For TTY: Use 711 or other Relay Service).

  6. TPG exclusive: Revamped Citi travel portal launched

    In response to delays, Citi provided band-aids to enable customers to book travel in its portal for travel dates through June 2023 — not ideal for those planning future trips. ... The new Citi Travel portal is powered by Booking.com and will provide access to over 1.4 million hotels worldwide, thanks to the Booking.com platform. ...

  7. Citi Launches New Travel Portal With Booking.com

    The new Citi Travel portal should look familiar: It's powered by Booking.com, one of the biggest names in travel. ... It's rolling out now, and Citi says it will continue to expand throughout 2023. The biggest benefit of all, though, is the bonus when using select Citi cards when booking hotels, rental cars, and attractions through the new ...

  8. Citi Travel Guide: How It Works And Best Features

    In early 2023, Citi announced that they would be launching their brand new travel portal to users of their Citibank products. ... By using the Citi Travel portal, you won't be subject to any ...

  9. Update: Here's what's happening with the new Citi Travel portal

    For phone and chat inquiries asking about bookings into 2023, these agents have been instructed to provide the Nov. 13, 2022 date for when bookings into the first half of 2023 will be possible. A new Citi travel portal is coming. The most obvious change is that Citi's existing travel portal — the Citi ThankYou Travel Center — is going away.

  10. A Complete Guide to the Citi Travel with Booking.com Portal

    Citi Double Cash ® Card Travel Portal Limited Time Offer: Earn a total of 5 ThankYou Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rental, and attractions, excluding air travel, when booked through the Citi Travel SM portal on ThankYou.com or by calling 1-800-Thankyou and saying "Travel." Offer is valid through 11:59 PM Eastern Time (ET) 12/31/2024.

  11. Current Citi Travel offers for Citi cardholders

    Current Citi Travel deals for select cardholders. Now through Jan. 31, 2024, eligible Citi cardmembers can enjoy $100 off all hotel stays of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when they book through Citi Travel. The following cards are eligible for this offer: This is a similar offer to the annual $100 hotel credit Citi Premier® (see ...

  12. FlyerTalk Forums

    For a limited time, Citi credit card holders can earn up to 10 points per dollar on Citi Travel bookings. This promotion runs through Dec. 31, 2023, and your bonus points multiplier will depend on which credit card you use for your booking: 10 points per dollar on Citi Travel bookings for hotels, rental cars and eligible attractions:

  13. Citi Travel Portal: Everything You Need To Know

    Citi Travel login page. As of early 2023, Citi Travel is powered by third-party provider Booking.com and functions similar to Booking.com's online travel agency (OTA), although the user interface isn't quite the same. ... If you book through the Citi Travel portal, you likely won't receive hotel elite benefits with major chain hotels.

  14. Citi Travel

    Terms and Conditions. Enjoy 10% off a single hotel stay, up to $50 off, booked on the Citi Travel℠ site or by calling 1-833-737-1288 (TTY: 711) between June 1 — July 31, 2024. Discount excludes taxes and fees. Citi Travel is powered by Rocket Travel, Inc., part of the Booking Holdings Inc. group of companies, together with Booking.com.

  15. Citi Travel Portal: How to Book Flights, Hotels, and More

    Click "Book Travel" in the lower left-hand corner. Alternatively, you can get to the same screen by signing in with your Citi login details at ThankYou.com . Citibank. Once you click "Book Travel ...

  16. Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards

    Now an ongoing benefit! Earn a total of 10 ThankYou ® Points per $1 spent on Hotel, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked through CitiTravel.com. Earn 3 times X ThankYou ® Points per $1 spent on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas Stations and - newly added! - EV Charging Stations. * Earn 1 ThankYou ® Point per $1 spent on All Other Purchases.

  17. Citi Travel Portal: What to Know

    One of the benefits of Citi's new travel portal is that you can book a trip and manage your credit card account with just a single login. Eligible ThankYou members can access the new travel ...

  18. Department of Defense Travel Card Benefits

    Cardholder Guide. Official travel for the Department of Defense just became easier with the Citi Department of Defense Travel Card. When you are preparing to use your new card, please read What To Do When I First Receive My New Card.For more information regarding your new card, please read the Department of Defense Cardholder Guide.. Department of Defense Travel Insurance

  19. New Citi travel portal operated by Booking.com (Open 19 March 2023)

    This promotion runs through Dec. 31, 2023, and your bonus points multiplier will depend on which credit card you use for your booking: 10 points per dollar on Citi Travel bookings for hotels, rental cars and eligible attractions: Citi Prestige® Card (no longer open to new applicants). Citi Premier® Card. 5 points per dollar on these bookings:

  20. Citibank Online

    Citibank Online offers convenient travel services, including bookings and exclusive benefits for Citi cardholders.

  21. Citi Training Series

    Tuesday, June 11, 2024. 2:00 PM ET - 3:30 PM ET. This course will provide a detailed look at the individual online application, how the status of each can be reviewed, and how to view the details of each request. This course is open to all DoD APCs. Thursday, June 20, 2024. 8:00 PM ET - 9:30 PM ET.

  22. How to Save Money on Flights

    Book tickets through a travel portal. Travel portals are online platforms managed by credit card issuers that offer various travel services, including bookings for hotels, airline tickets and rental cars. The Citi Travel portal SM is a convenient way to book your flight if you have an eligible Citi ® card. It offers many filter and sorting ...

  23. VP

    The Wealth Monitoring and Testing is responsible for the testing of controls that are designed and owned by Citi's Wealth departments. The Business Risk Officer is a strategic professional who stays abreast of developments within own field and contributes to directional strategy by considering their application in own job and the business.

  24. New Citi travel portal operated by Booking.com (Open 19 March 2023)

    The agent said its because the system is new (although its been "live" for 4 months). They suggested to call the Citi Thank You Rewards support line (different from the Bookng.com Citi Travel Rewards support line). 800 842-6596. Of course they are closed right now.

  25. Is anyone else eagerly awaiting Citi's new travel portal?

    I look forward to using travel portals instead of booking directly about as much as I would look forward to getting scabies. I still wonder if Citi will relaunch a high-end travel card after gutting the Prestige. If the UI is convenient, I think it will be awesome. I have some points to use, and convenience is critical.

  26. So, what exactly is elite status in travel

    Citi is a TPG advertising partner. Airlines, hotels and other travel providers offer loyalty programs to encourage travelers to book reservations with them. Then, the more you travel and spend with a brand, the higher the level of elite status you can reach, which translates into additional perks and rewards, like free hotel breakfast, room and seat upgrades and other benefits.

  27. Ancient and Ultra-Modern: Citi's Long-term Influence on Trade Between

    Citi has also worked with clients from outside of the region to boost trade flow efficiency within. In 2023, it announced a test with a shipping company and a canal authority which demonstrates how the programmable transfer of tokenised deposits, using smart contracts, could create instant payments for a shipping company's canal transit fees ...