The Reserve by Citi Travel: What It Is and How It Works

The Reserve Benefits: What You Actually Get

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When you book a qualifying stay through The Reserve by Citi Travel, you automatically receive these complimentary perks:

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Daily Breakfast for Two

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Every Reserve booking includes complimentary breakfast for two guests each day of your stay. This typically includes full breakfast service at the hotel restaurant—not a continental breakfast or room service charge.

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Value: Depending on the property, breakfast at luxury hotels can run $30-70 per person daily. For a three-night stay, this benefit alone could save you $180-420.

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$100 Property Experience Credit

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Each Reserve booking comes with a $100 credit that can be used toward on-property purchases. Qualifying expenses vary by hotel but typically include:

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• Spa treatments and wellness services

• In-house dining (restaurants, room service, bars)

• Resort activities and excursions

• Hotel retail shops and boutiques

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Important note: The $100 credit must be used during your stay. Any unused balance is forfeited—it doesn't carry over or get refunded.

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Complimentary Wi-Fi

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Premium Wi-Fi access is included at no charge. While many hotels now offer free Wi-Fi as standard, luxury properties often charge $15-30 per day for high-speed internet access. With The Reserve, this fee is waived.

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Room Upgrades (When Available)

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The Reserve includes potential room upgrades based on availability at check-in. While not guaranteed, many cardholders report receiving upgrades from standard rooms to suites or rooms with better views.

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Reality check: "Subject to availability" means this perk is inconsistent. Don't book a base room expecting an upgrade—but enjoy it as a pleasant surprise when it happens.

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Early Check-In and Late Checkout (When Available)

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Reserve bookings include the possibility of early check-in before standard times (typically 3-4 PM) and late checkout beyond the usual 11 AM-noon deadline. Like room upgrades, these are subject to hotel availability and aren't guaranteed.

How to Book Hotels Through The Reserve

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Booking through The Reserve is straightforward, but there are specific steps to ensure you receive all the complimentary benefits.

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Step 1: Log Into Citi Travel

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Navigate to cititravel.com or access the Citi Travel section through the Citi mobile app. Make sure you're logged in with your Citi account credentials.

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Pro tip: If this is your first time using Citi Travel, verify your account details are current before searching for hotels. Any mismatch between your card and reservation name can complicate check-in.

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Step 2: Search for Your Destination

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Enter your destination city, travel dates, number of guests, and number of rooms needed. The Citi Travel platform will display available hotels in your chosen location.

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Filter tip: Use the star rating filter to narrow results to 4.5- and 5-star properties, as only these qualify for The Reserve program.

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Step 3: Look for The Reserve Tag

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As you browse search results, look for hotels displaying "The Reserve" badge or tag. Not every luxury property participates in the program, so this visual indicator is essential.

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When you click on a Reserve-eligible hotel, you'll see multiple room rate options. Make sure to select the rate specifically labeled as a Reserve rate—standard rates at the same hotel won't include the complimentary benefits.

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Step 4: Complete Your Booking

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Choose your preferred room type and proceed to checkout. You can pay using:

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• Cash (charged to your Citi credit card)

• Citi ThankYou Points

• A combination of cash and points

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Important: If you have the Citi Strata Elite card and are using your $300 annual hotel credit, make sure to prepay your entire stay with your Elite card to trigger the credit. The discount applies automatically at checkout—you'll see "Annual Hotel Savings Benefit" deducted from your total.

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Step 5: Confirm Your Reservation

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After booking, you'll receive a confirmation email with your reservation details. Double-check that your booking includes the Reserve benefits listed above. Upon arrival at the hotel, present your confirmation and a valid ID at check-in.

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At check-in: Some front desk agents may not be immediately familiar with The Reserve benefits since bookings come through Booking.com. Having your confirmation email showing the Reserve perks can help clarify any confusion.

The Reserve vs. Competitors: How It Stacks Up

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Citi isn't the only credit card issuer offering luxury hotel collections. Here's how The Reserve compares to similar programs:

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The Reserve vs. Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR)

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Amex FHR is the gold standard in luxury hotel programs, with hand-selected properties and a proven track record. FHR requires the American Express Platinum Card® (See Rates & Fees) ($895 annual fee) or The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (See Rates & Fees) ($895 annual fee).

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Key differences:

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• Hotel selection: FHR is more curated with ~1,200 properties; The Reserve has broader access via Booking.com

• Annual credits: Amex offers up to $200 in hotel credits; Citi Strata Elite offers $300

• Guaranteed perks: FHR guarantees 4 PM late checkout; The Reserve lists it as "subject to availability"

• Minimum stay: FHR requires 2+ nights for The Hotel Collection; The Reserve requires 2+ nights for credit eligibility

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Bottom line: FHR delivers more consistent experiences at ultra-luxury properties, while The Reserve offers more flexibility and a slightly better annual credit structure.

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The Reserve vs. Chase's The Edit

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The Edit by Chase Travel is available to Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholders ($795 annual fee). It offers similar luxury hotel perks with up to $500 in annual hotel credits ($250 twice per year).

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Key differences:

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• Annual credits: The Edit offers more total credit ($500 vs. $300), but it's split semi-annually

• Earning rates: Chase offers 8X points on Edit bookings; Citi offers 12X points through Citi Travel

• Program maturity: The Edit launched earlier and has more established relationships with hotel properties

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Bottom line: If you're already in the Chase ecosystem, The Edit's higher credit and established program make it appealing. The Reserve works best for travelers already using Citi ThankYou Points.

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The Reserve vs. Capital One Premier Collection

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Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card cardholders ($395 annual fee) can access the Premier Collection, offering breakfast, credits, and upgrades at select luxury hotels.

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Key differences:

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• Annual fee: Capital One's $395 fee is notably lower than Citi Strata Elite's $595

• Transfer partners: Capital One miles transfer to 22 airline/hotel partners; Citi transfers to 18

• Hotel credits: Capital One doesn't offer a separate hotel booking credit beyond the $300 travel credit

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Bottom line: Capital One Venture X provides better overall value for the annual fee, but Citi offers higher earning rates on travel booked through its portal.

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Maximizing Value: Strategic Booking Tips

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Getting the most from The Reserve requires some planning. Here are strategies that maximize your benefits:

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Use Your $100 Credit Strategically

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Since the $100 property credit is use-it-or-lose-it, plan ahead:

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Best uses:

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• Book spa treatments in advance (these often exceed $100 alone)

• Apply it toward signature dining experiences at hotel restaurants

• Use it for resort activities like golf, tennis lessons, or water sports

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Avoid: Leaving the credit for "incidentals" on your last day. Many travelers forget to use it and forfeit the value.

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Stack with Loyalty Programs Where Possible

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While third-party bookings typically don't earn hotel loyalty points or qualify for elite benefits, some properties may still credit your stay—especially independent luxury hotels that participate in The Reserve.

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Worth trying: Link your hotel loyalty number at check-in and ask if the booking qualifies. Worst case, they say no. Best case, you earn points and elite night credits on top of Reserve benefits.

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Time Your Bookings Around Credit Resets

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If you have the Citi Strata Elite, your $300 annual hotel credit resets each calendar year. Consider booking stays in late December and early January to effectively use $600 in credits across a six-week period.

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Example: Book a three-night December 29-January 1 stay using your remaining credit, then book another stay in mid-January with your fresh $300 credit.

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Choose Properties Without Elite Status

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The Reserve delivers the most value at luxury hotels where you don't already have elite status. If you're a Marriott Bonvoy Platinum member, many Reserve benefits (like free breakfast) are redundant with your existing perks.

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Ideal properties: Independent luxury hotels, boutique resorts, and chains where you don't have status (like Accor, IHG outside your program, or independent properties).

Common Questions and Limitations

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Can I Book for Someone Else?

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Reservations must be made by the primary cardholder or authorized users. You can book a room in another person's name, but the cardholder must be present at check-in to verify the booking.

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Can I Cancel Reserve Bookings?

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Cancellation policies vary by property and rate type. Since The Reserve is powered by Booking.com, some hotels offer flexible cancellation while others require prepayment with no refunds.

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Pro tip: Always check the cancellation terms before finalizing your booking. If you cancel a prepaid booking that used your $300 Strata Elite credit, the credit returns to your account and retains its original expiration date.

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Do Reserve Bookings Earn Hotel Loyalty Points?

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Generally, no. Third-party bookings typically don't qualify for loyalty program points or elite night credits. However, some independent hotels may credit your stay—it varies by property.

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Can I Combine The Reserve with Other Citi Credits?

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No. You cannot stack The Reserve benefits with the Citi Prestige's fourth-night free benefit or combine the Citi Strata Premier $100 credit with the Citi Strata Elite $300 credit on the same booking.

Is The Reserve Worth It?

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The Reserve by Citi Travel makes the most sense for:

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✅ Frequent luxury travelers who book multiple high-end hotel stays annually
✅ Citi cardholders already using ThankYou Points for travel
✅ Travelers without hotel elite status who want breakfast and credit perks
✅ Strategic bookers who can maximize the $100 experience credit

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❌ Skip if you:

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• Already have elite status providing similar benefits

• Prefer booking directly with hotels for maximum flexibility

• Only take one or two luxury trips per year (may not justify the Strata Elite annual fee)

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Final takeaway: The Reserve isn't revolutionary, but it's a solid addition to Citi's travel benefits—especially for Strata Premier cardholders who get Reserve access with a lower annual fee. If you're holding the Strata Elite primarily for The Reserve, make sure you're also maximizing the card's other benefits (Admirals Club passes, $200 Splurge Credit, Priority Pass) to justify the $595 annual fee.

FAQ

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Does The Reserve work at all luxury hotels?

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No. Only participating 4.5- and 5-star properties marked with "The Reserve" tag on cititravel.com are eligible. Not all luxury hotels participate in the program.

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Can I use ThankYou Points to book Reserve hotels?
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Yes. You can use Citi ThankYou Points, cash, or a combination of both to book Reserve properties. Your booking still qualifies for all Reserve benefits regardless of payment method.

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Do I need to call the hotel to confirm my Reserve benefits?
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No. Reserve benefits apply automatically when you book through Citi Travel and select a Reserve-eligible rate. Your confirmation email will list the included perks.

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How many times can I use The Reserve each year?
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There's no limit on the number of Reserve bookings you can make. However, if you're using the Citi Strata Elite $300 hotel credit, that's capped at $300 total per calendar year across all bookings.

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What happens to my $100 credit if I check out early?
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Any unused portion of the $100 experience credit is forfeited. The credit cannot be applied retroactively, refunded, or carried over to future stays.