If you already hold the Citi Prestige card, you can still use its standout travel perk: a complimentary fourth night on qualifying hotel stays. Citi stopped new applications in July 2021, but existing members retain this benefit when they book through the Citi Travel portal or by phone and pay with the card or ThankYou points.
This guide gives clear, practical information on how the fourth-night discount works, where to book, and what charges are covered. You’ll see step-by-step booking advice inside the Citi Travel site, learn how the average nightly rate determines your savings, and understand exclusions like taxes, resort fees, and incidentals.
You’ll also get context on limitations such as one room per stay and no stacking back-to-back stays at the same property. Finally, we compare booking direct versus using the portal so you can decide whether to get free nights or preserve elite perks and points.
Key Takeaways
- Existing cardmembers can still use the fourth-night benefit by booking via Citi Travel or phone.
- The discount applies to the average nightly room rate and excludes taxes and fees.
- Book with your Citi Prestige Card or ThankYou points to unlock the perk.
- One room per stay and other limitations can affect your savings.
- Compare portal booking with direct booking to weigh elite credit and on-property perks.
Read this first: Important disclosures, availability, and timing
If you hold the Citi Prestige card, confirm current rules before you book. The product closed to new applicants in 2021, so only existing cardholders and authorized users can use the benefit.
Present-day status and key cost details
Basic pricing and eligibility: The card carries a $495 annual fee. Eligible Citigold customers may receive a $145 rebate. Authorized users cost $75 each.
“Editorial sites may collect card details independently; verify final terms with the issuer before relying on any benefit.”
- You cannot newly apply; only current cardholders keep this product.
- Verify benefits, restrictions, and rates on the issuer’s site before booking.
- Rules are stricter than in prior years and include a two-use limit per calendar year.
| Item | Current amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $495 | Charged yearly; factor into net savings |
| Citigold rebate | Up to $145 | Only for eligible accounts |
| Authorized user | $75 | Cost per added user |
| Uses per year | 2 | Track calendar-year usage |
Action tip: Keep booking confirmations and rate breakdowns, and have the issuer’s customer service and portal handy when you confirm a stay.
citi-prestige-card-free-hotels: How the fourth-night free benefit works
When you book four straight nights, the portal discounts one night based on the stay’s average rate. This benefit applies at booking, so you’ll see the reduction on checkout before you pay.
What “fourth night free” means and what’s included
The discount equals one night calculated from the average nightly room rate for your four-night stay. Taxes, resort fees, and extras remain payable and are not part of the credit.
Eligibility and booking channels
To qualify you must book at least four consecutive nights on the Citi Travel site or call 1-833-737-1288. Pay with your card, redeem Citi ThankYou points at roughly 1¢ per point, or combine both.
Annual caps and qualifying stays
You get this benefit up to two times per calendar year. Only one room per stay qualifies, and back-to-back reservations at the same property count as a single stay. Certain rate types and specialty properties are excluded by the site’s terms.
- Confirm the credit at checkout to verify the average rate math and final totals.
Step-by-step: How to book a complimentary fourth night through Citi Travel
This quick walkthrough shows how to lock in a four-night booking and see the discount applied before you pay. First, log in to your Citi account and open the Citi Travel portal. Choose Hotels, then enter your destination, dates, and the number of guests to surface available properties for your stay.
Search and refine
Use filters for star rating, neighborhood, property facilities, and payment options. Narrow results by room offers, collections, and guest rating so you can compare rates that qualify on the site.
Select room and rate
Click into a property to view room categories and eligible rate types. Confirm the rate shown on the portal; outside or member-only deals usually won’t qualify for the benefit.
Apply the fourth-night benefit and complete payment
At checkout toggle the complimentary fourth-night option to see the adjusted total. You can pay with your Citi Prestige card or redeem ThankYou points at about 1¢ per point. Many experts note that redeeming citi thankyou points this way often gives lower value than other redemptions.
Phone help and confirmation
If you prefer an agent, call 1-833-737-1288; agents can only book properties listed on the portal. After booking, keep the confirmation and the rate breakdown to verify the applied credit at check-in and for any follow-up.
Calculate your real savings: Average nightly rate, taxes, and fees
Before you book, run the numbers so you know the true out‑of‑pocket savings after fees and taxes. A clear checkout breakdown helps you spot the actual benefit and avoid surprises at check‑in.
How Citi computes the fourth night
The portal applies a discount equal to the simple average of the four nightly room rates. If your nightly prices vary, the credit equals that four‑night average, not any single night’s sticker price.
What’s excluded from the discount
The credit does not cover taxes, resort fees, service charges, parking, or food extras. Those mandatory charges remain payable in full and are added to your final bill.
- Base room rates: Included in the average calculation and the applied credit.
- Taxes and fees: Always excluded and billed separately.
- Incidentals and add-ons: Not part of the credit and payable by you.
Worked example: Compare four-night cost with and without the benefit
Portal example: a four-night total fell from about $1,847 to $1,531 after the fourth‑night credit. Taxes and resort fees were still due on top of the adjusted total.
| Item | Pre‑discount | Post‑discount |
|---|---|---|
| Room subtotal (4 nights) | $1,647 | $1,331 |
| Taxes & resort fees | $200 | $200 |
| Total cost | $1,847 | $1,531 |
Quick takeaway: Compute the average of the four nightly rates, then confirm the portal’s credit line at checkout. Compare the portal total to a direct booking total and include taxes and fees to see which option gives the best net cost for your hotel stay.
Loyalty implications: Earning points, elite status, and on-property perks
The real test is whether the immediate savings outweigh long-term rewards from hotel loyalty programs. Booking through the Citi Travel portal often counts as an OTA reservation, so you should expect limited earning of points and no elite-night credit in many programs.
Citi’s FAQ notes frequent traveler numbers can’t be applied at booking on ThankYou.com or via the travel center. You can still give your loyalty number at check-in, but upgrades, free breakfast, and late checkout are rarely guaranteed.
When it’s still worth booking direct despite the fourth-night benefit
Direct booking often wins when a brand offers member rates, promo bonus points, or elite-qualifying nights that matter to your status plan. Compare the portal discount to the cash value of points and privileges you’d forgo.
- Assume portal bookings usually don’t earn elite credit or full points.
- Some properties may honor perks on a case-by-case basis, but it’s unreliable for milestone planning.
- Use the fourth-night benefit for independent or luxury stays outside major programs, or when the nightly rate makes the math clear.
“Treat each trip as a separate calculation: net portal savings versus the long-term value of points and elite perks.”
Are Citi Travel portal rates competitive for your stay?
Compare the Citi Travel quote to a hotel’s member rate before you assume the portal wins every time. Start by checking the portal base rate for your dates and then pull the direct, member or flexible rate from the property site.
When luxury or independent hotels maximize your net savings
Independent and luxury properties often lack useful loyalty earnings. That makes the fourth‑night credit a pure upside.
If the portal base price is close to direct, the credit can swing the math heavily in your favor.
Weigh member rates and elite earnings against the portal discount
Factor in points, elite‑night credit, breakfast or resort inclusions. Sometimes a direct flexible rate plus loyalty perks still outvalues the portal total.
- Test flexible vs prepaid rates on both channels.
- Include resort fees and cancellation risk in your comparison.
- Repeat the check if dates or length of stays change.
| Comparison | Portal (pre‑discount) | Portal (post‑discount) | Direct flexible |
|---|---|---|---|
| Example total | $1,847 | $1,531 | $1,620 + points/elite value |
| Includes resort fees? | No (added at checkout) | No (added at checkout) | Depends (often included in packages) |
| Elite credit / points | Limited | Limited | Yes, typically |
Quick tip:Treat the portal as one competitive quote and only book when the post‑discount total and risk profile beat your best direct alternative.
Know the costs, terms, and limitations before you book
Know what you’ll pay out of pocket. The card carries a $495 annual fee and includes a $250 annual travel credit each calendar year. Eligible Citigold customers may get a $145 rebate that reduces your net cost.
Read the fine print on the site before you complete a reservation. Only one room per qualifying stay gets the fourth-night discount, and back-to-back bookings at the same property count as a single stay.
Booking rules and exclusions
Book via the Citi Travel portal or call 1-833-737-1288 for properties listed on the portal. Discounted corporate, AAA, government, and many member rates are not eligible.
Certain accommodation types — like cruises, yachts, villas, apartments, and campgrounds — are excluded from the program. The discount applies to room rates only; taxes, resort and service charges remain payable.
Names, payment, and usage limits
Reservations must be in the primary cardholder’s or an authorized user’s name and paid with the eligible card or with ThankYou points through the portal. Track usage: the fourth-night perk can be applied up to two times per calendar year.
- Review cancellation rules and rate details before purchase.
- If you need multiple rooms, put the higher-rate room on the portal booking so the average-rate discount yields more value.
- Keep confirmations and rate breakdowns for any follow-up with customer support.
Can’t get the Prestige? Other ways to get a free night or similar perks
If you don’t hold the prestige card, you still have multiple paths to score a free night or similar savings on multi-night stays. Award programs, newer Citi cards, and curated luxury offers can deliver comparable value when you plan stays and stack benefits.
Hotel award free nights
Award redemptions often include a free-night sweetener for long stays. For example, Marriott Bonvoy gives a fifth night free on award bookings. Hilton Honors allows elites to get a fifth award night free as well. IHG One Rewards can offer a fourth-night free on award stays for eligible cobranded cardholders.
Citi Strata Premier and Strata Elite
Consider Citi’s newer cards if you’re not a current Prestige holder. Citi Strata Elite carries a $595 annual fee but includes a $300 annual hotel credit via Citi Travel, plus other credits and lounge perks that can offset the cost.
Citi Strata Premier has a lower $95 fee and gives 3x points on broad travel categories plus a $100 annual hotel credit on qualifying Citi Travel bookings. These cards can mimic some benefits of the prestige card for many stays.
Third- and fourth-night offers via luxury collections
High-end programs like Fine Hotels + Resorts sometimes run third- or fourth-night promotions. Those packages often pair a reduced night with breakfast or property credits, boosting net value more than a straight room discount.
Stack award promotions, loyalty perks, and seasonal offers when possible. Compare cash versus points by assigning a per-point value to ensure the award plus free-night promo beats the portal’s discounted total.
“Time your longer stays to match fifth- or fourth-night promos — the savings multiply when you plan ahead.”
Conclusion
Wrapping up, you now have a strong, actionable plan to use the fourth‑night credit wisely with your citi prestige card. Existing cardholders can still apply the night free benefit twice per year by booking through Citi Travel or by phone.
Remember the credit equals the average nightly room rate and excludes taxes, resort charges, and incidentals. Compare portal totals to direct rates and factor hotel loyalty value before you book. Decide whether to pay cash or redeem ThankYou points at the portal’s typical rate.
Track your uses, weigh the $495 annual fee and available rebates, and save confirmations. If you don’t hold the prestige card, consider Citi Strata options or award free‑night offers as alternatives.
FAQ
What is the current status of the Citi Prestige card for new applicants?
Citi Prestige is currently closed to new applicants. Existing cardholders retain their benefits, but you cannot apply for this product through Citi’s public channels now. Check Citi’s site or customer service for any limited-time or reinstated offers.
What does the “fourth-night free” benefit actually provide?
The fourth-night free benefit rebates the average nightly room rate for the fourth night on eligible stays booked through the Citi Travel portal or by calling Citi Travel at 1-833-737-1288. Taxes, resort fees, and incidental charges are typically excluded from the rebate.
How do you qualify to use the fourth-night free benefit?
You must be an eligible Citi Prestige cardholder and book the stay through the Citi Travel portal or the Citi Travel phone line. The benefit normally applies to consecutive four-night reservations and is limited to two uses per calendar year.
Can you book the fourth-night free for multiple rooms or back-to-back stays?
The benefit generally applies to one room per stay and to consecutive-night stays. Back-to-back or split bookings may not qualify as a single eligible stay, so confirm terms on the booking screen or with Citi Travel before completing payment.
How do you book a fourth night free through Citi Travel?
Log in to your Citi account, open the Citi Travel portal and select Hotels, or call 1-833-737-1288. Enter destination, travel dates, and guest details, filter results, choose your preferred property and rate, then apply the fourth-night benefit at checkout or request it when booking by phone.
What rate types are eligible on the Citi Travel site?
Eligible rates are those shown on the Citi Travel portal as qualifying for the fourth-night rebate. Discounted, nonrefundable, and some promotional rates may be available, but blackout dates, special corporate or wholesale rates, and some third-party inventory can be excluded.
How does Citi compute the discount for the fourth night?
Citi calculates the rebate based on the average nightly room rate for the paid nights in the qualifying reservation. That average is applied to the fourth night, with the monetary value credited back to your account—excluding taxes and mandatory fees.
What charges are not covered by the fourth-night credit?
The credit does not usually cover taxes, resort fees, parking, food and beverage, or other incidentals billed by the property. Review the booking terms for any location-specific fees that will remain your responsibility.
Can you use Citi ThankYou points to pay for the stay instead of a cash charge?
You may use Citi ThankYou points at checkout, but using points can affect the value of the fourth-night rebate. Check whether the portal allows a points-plus-cash combination and confirm how the credit will be calculated before finalizing the reservation.
Will a booking through Citi Travel earn hotel loyalty points and elite-night credit?
Many hotels treat third-party or portal bookings as ineligible for elite-night credit and some points. If earning hotel status benefits matters, compare the loss of on-property perks and elite earnings against the financial value of the fourth-night rebate before booking.
When does it still make sense to book through the portal despite potential loyalty losses?
Booking via Citi Travel can be worth it when the portal discount outweighs the value of potential elite benefits or when the property isn’t participating in direct-member promotions. Calculate net savings considering the rebate, taxes, fees, and missed loyalty perks.
How do you calculate real savings for a four-night stay?
Compute the total cost without the benefit (four nights plus taxes and fees), then compute the portal booking cost and subtract the average-night rebate applied to the fourth night. Compare the net out-of-pocket totals to see your actual savings.
Can you see a worked example of the fourth-night calculation?
Yes. For example, add the four room rates, divide by four to get the average nightly rate, then apply that average as a credit for the fourth night. Taxes and resort fees are added after; they’re not reduced by the credit. Exact math will vary by property and rate.
What are the key costs and fees tied to the Citi Prestige product?
The card historically carried a 5 annual fee and offered a 0 annual travel credit; terms change over time. Some cardholders with eligible Citigold relationships may qualify for a partial rebate of the fee. Verify current pricing and credits with Citi.
Are there usage limits or caps on the fourth-night benefit?
Yes. The benefit is usually limited to two uses per calendar year and applies only on eligible bookings. Specific exclusions—such as certain property types or promotional listings—can also apply, so read the benefit terms before booking.
Who must be listed on the reservation and how must you pay?
The primary cardholder or an authorized user typically must be listed as a guest and use the Prestige card to pay for the stay to receive the benefit. Authorized user rules and name-on-reservation requirements vary; confirm them during booking.
What if you can’t get the Prestige card—are there alternatives for free nights?
Yes. Hotels offer award free nights through loyalty programs—Marriott’s fifth night free on award stays, Hilton’s fifth-night benefit for elites, and IHG often has fourth-night award promotions. Citi also markets products like Citi Strata Premier and Strata Elite with travel credits and portal discounts.
How do third- and fourth-night promotional offers from hotels compare to the Citi portal benefit?
Hotel promotions can outperform a portal rebate when you value elite benefits, complimentary breakfast, or suite upgrades. Compare the monetary value of the portal rebate to the worth of direct-booking perks and free-night award availability before choosing.
Where can you confirm the latest terms, availability, and timing for this benefit?
Always consult Citi’s official terms and the Citi Travel portal or call 1-833-737-1288 for live availability and the most current rules. Benefit availability, eligible properties, and booking channels can change, so verify before you book.
