What is The Reserve by Citi Travel?
Editor's Note
Quick summary
Travelers who earn Citi ThankYou Rewards points and carry premium Citi credit cards can now elevate their next hotel stay by booking premium accommodations through The Reserve by Citi Travel.
This new portal‑only collection offers VIP extras at upscale properties worldwide.
Here's what The Reserve offers, how to book and how it compares with Citi's Hotel Collection.
Related: Citi Strata Elite: Citi finally adds a premium travel card — was it worth the wait?
What is The Reserve by Citi Travel?
The Reserve is Citi Travel's highest‑tier hotel portfolio, replacing the Luxury Collection. It features 4 1/2- to 5-star properties and is designed to compete with premium hotel collections from other card issuers, such as American Express' Fine Hotels + Resorts.
When you book a property that's part of Citi's The Reserve collection, you'll receive:
- $100 experience credit: Redeem toward dining, spa or other charges; once per stay (services offered will vary by property).
- Daily breakfast for two.
- Complimentary Wi-Fi: Included unless a resort fee already covers it.
- Room upgrade: Granted at check‑in, subject to availability.
- Early check‑in and late checkout: Both are subject to availability.
The Reserve rates are only available to cardholders of the new Citi Strata Elite℠ Card (see rates and fees), Citi Strata Premier® Card (see rates and fees) and the Citi Prestige® Card (no longer available to new applicants).
Note that the recently rebranded Citi Strata℠ Card is not eligible for The Reserve bookings or benefits.
The information for the Citi Prestige 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.
For a limited time only, the Citi Strata Elite Card is offering 80,000 Citi ThankYou Rewards points after $4,000 in spending within three months from account opening to those who apply online. New Citi Strata Elite cardholders who apply in person at a Citi retail branch can earn 100,000 bonus points with the same spending requirements.
The Strata Elite card includes (up to) a $300 annual hotel credit that applies to a single prepaid hotel stay (minimum two-night stay) when booked through Citi Travel, which makes it easy to offset the card's $595 annual fee.
Want to see how The Reserve compares to other issuers' luxury collections? Citi's perks mirror Amex's and Chase's luxury hotel booking offerings, yet access requires a lower credit card annual fee.
How to book The Reserve by Citi Travel hotels
Here's how to book The Reserve properties:
- Log in to your Citi account and open the Citi Travel portal.
- Search destination and dates — look for the blue "Reserve" tag next to eligible properties.
- Choose the Reserve rate when selecting a room; prepaid or promotional rates at the same hotel will not include perks.
- Pay with an eligible Citi card or split payment with ThankYou Rewards points.
- Save your confirmation — it itemizes breakfast and the $100 credit in case the front‑desk staff needs proof.
Note that The Reserve bookings are processed by Rocket Travel by Agoda and generally post as online‑travel‑agency transactions. You'll still earn ThankYou Rewards points for your spending, but most hotel loyalty programs will not grant hotel points or elite‑night credit for OTA reservations.
Related: What you need to know about direct vs. third-party travel bookings
What are the differences between Citi's The Reserve and Citi's Hotel Collection?
The Reserve includes every Hotel Collection perk and then adds two lucrative benefits to your stay: a flexible $100 credit and a potential room upgrade. If you planned to purchase breakfast at the hotel anyway, The Reserve benefits can top $150 in value on a single‑night stay, which is especially attractive if you apply the Strata Elite's $300 annual hotel credit.
Here is a breakdown of the differences:
| Perk | The Reserve | The Hotel Collection |
|---|---|---|
| Type of properties included | Luxury and flagship hotels | Upper-upscale and high-comfort hotels |
| Daily breakfast for two | Included | Included |
| Complimentary Wi-Fi | Included | Included |
| Early check-in/late checkout | Based on availability | Based on availability |
| Room upgrade | Space-available | Not offered |
| On-property credit | $100 experience credit | None |
Related: Citi ThankYou Rewards adds Preferred Hotels & Resorts as new hotel transfer partner
Bottom line
The Reserve by Citi Travel lets eligible Citi cardholders enjoy exclusive benefits at luxury hotels worldwide without the hefty annual fees associated with some rival cards.
Stack the $100 property credit, complimentary breakfast and upgrade potential with the Strata Elite's yearly hotel credit, and you can transform a weekend getaway into a luxe experience at minimal out‑of‑pocket cost.
Book The Reserve rate, bring the right card and enjoy the perks.
Related reading: