The Bottom Line Up Front: The Reserve by Citi Travel offers genuine luxury hotel benefits including daily breakfast, $100 property credits, and room upgrades - but only if you hold the right Citi cards. For frequent luxury travelers, the value can easily justify the annual fees, especially when combined with bonus earning rates.
If you're chasing luxury hotel experiences but don't want to navigate complex elite status requirements, Citi's got your back. The Reserve by Citi Travel is the bank's answer to American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts, offering exclusive access to 4.5 and 5-star properties with valuable perks that actually matter.
But here's the thing - not all Citi cards unlock this premium experience. Let's break down everything you need to know about maximizing The Reserve, from which cards give you access to real-world value calculations.
What Is The Reserve by Citi Travel?
The Reserve (formerly called the Luxury Collection) is Citi's curated selection of premium hotels bookable exclusively through the Citi Travel portal. Think of it as a VIP section within an already solid booking platform - you're getting access to properties that regular travel sites offer, but with significant added value.
The program includes over 1,000 luxury properties worldwide, ranging from boutique city hotels to sprawling resort destinations. We're talking about hotels like the Viceroy Riviera Maya, Halekulani in Waikiki, and other properties that typically charge $400+ per night.
What makes it special isn't just the hotels - it's the automatic perks that come with every booking, regardless of your elite status with the hotel chain.
Which Citi Cards Give You Access?
Here's where things get specific. Not every Citi cardholder can book through The Reserve. You'll need one of these cards:
Premium Access Cards
Citi Strata Elite Card - The top-tier option earning 12X ThankYou points per dollar on Reserve bookings. With 10X points on hotels and car rentals plus 3X on airlines and restaurants, this card is built for travelers who want maximum earning potential.
Citi Strata Premier Card - The sweet spot for most travelers, offering 10X ThankYou points per dollar on Reserve bookings. At $95 annually, it provides excellent access to 21 transfer partners and 3X earning on travel, dining, and gas.
Citi Prestige Card - While no longer available for new applications, existing cardholders still get Reserve access but only earn 3X points on bookings.
How Earning Works
Your earning rate depends on which card you use to pay:
- Strata Elite: 12X ThankYou points per $1
- Strata Premier: 10X ThankYou points per $1
- Prestige: 3X ThankYou points per $1
Pro tip: Even if you have multiple cards, always pay with your highest-earning Citi card to maximize points.
The Reserve Benefits Breakdown
Every Reserve booking automatically includes these perks - no elite status required:
Daily Breakfast for Two ($40-80 value per day)
This isn't continental breakfast. We're talking full breakfast for two guests, whether that's room service, restaurant dining, or premium buffet access. At luxury properties, breakfast easily runs $30-40 per person.
$100 Property Experience Credit
This is where The Reserve shines. The credit applies to qualifying on-property purchases like:
- Spa treatments and wellness services
- Food and beverage (restaurants, bars, room service)
- Resort activities and experiences
- Hotel shops and boutiques
Important note: The credit must be used during your stay - any unused portion is forfeited.
Room Upgrades (When Available)
Hotels will upgrade you to the next available room category at check-in, subject to availability. While not guaranteed, luxury properties often have better upgrade inventory than chain hotels.
Enhanced WiFi
Complimentary high-speed internet access throughout your stay.
Early Check-in and Late Checkout
Subject to availability, but most luxury hotels are flexible with timing for guests booking through premium programs.
Here's what you're getting with every Reserve booking:
- Daily breakfast for two: $40-80 value per day, always included
- $100 property credit: Full credit per stay, use it or lose it
- Room upgrades: $50-200+ per night value when available
- Flexible check-in/out: $25-50 per service value, subject to availability
- Premium WiFi: $15-25 per day value, always included
How to Book Through The Reserve
The booking process is straightforward once you know where to look:
Step-by-Step Booking Guide
- Log into the Citi Travel Portal at cititravel.com or through the Citi mobile app
- Input your travel details - destination, dates, number of guests and rooms
- Filter for Reserve properties - Look for hotels tagged with "The Reserve" designation
- Select the Reserve rate - Make sure you're choosing the rate that includes Reserve benefits, not a standard rate
- Complete your booking using cash, ThankYou points, or a combination of both
Critical booking tip: Some hotels appear in both regular search results AND The Reserve. Always double-check that you're selecting the Reserve rate to get the included benefits.
Using Points for Bookings
You can pay for Reserve hotels using ThankYou points at a fixed rate of 1 cent per point, or combine points and cash for partial redemptions. While this isn't the highest value redemption option (transfer partners typically offer better rates), the convenience and automatic benefits can make it worthwhile for specific bookings.
Reserve vs. Competitors: How Does It Stack Up?
Let's be honest - The Reserve isn't the only luxury hotel program in town. Here's how it compares to the major players:
The Reserve by Citi Travel requires cards with $95-$395 annual fees, includes daily breakfast for two, provides a $100 property credit, offers room upgrades when available, and requires specific Citi cards for access.
Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts comes with $695+ annual fees, includes daily breakfast for two, provides a $100 property credit, offers room upgrades when available, but requires Platinum or Centurion cards.
Chase Luxury Hotel Collection has a $550 annual fee requirement, includes daily breakfast for two, provides a $100 property credit, offers room upgrades when available, and requires the Sapphire Reserve card.
Capital One Lifestyle Collection requires a $395 annual fee, includes daily breakfast for two, provides a $100 property credit, offers room upgrades when available, and requires the Venture X card.
The Reserve's clear advantage: You get identical core benefits to programs requiring $550+ annual fee cards, but with significantly lower barrier to entry through the Strata Premier card at just $95 annually.
Real-World Value Analysis
Let's run the numbers on a typical Reserve booking to see if it's actually worth it:
Example: 3-Night Maui Resort Stay
Booking Details:
- Property: Grand Wailea Maui (Reserve property)
- Dates: 3 nights in March
- Room Rate: $450 per night through Reserve
- Alternative Rate: $420 per night (standard booking sites)
Reserve Benefits Value:
- Daily breakfast for two: $60 × 3 nights = $180
- $100 property credit: $100 (used for spa treatment)
- Room upgrade: Oceanview to Ocean Front = ~$100/night value
- Premium WiFi: $20 × 3 nights = $60
Total Reserve Benefits: $540Additional Cost vs. Standard Rate: $90 ($30 × 3 nights)Net Value: $450 in additional benefits
Plus earning bonus: Using the Strata Premier card, you'd earn 10X points on the $1,350 booking = 13,500 ThankYou points (worth ~$270 when transferred to partners).
In this scenario, you're getting $450 in additional value while paying just $90 more, plus earning significant bonus points.
Maximizing Your Reserve Experience
Best Practices for Reserve Bookings
Book directly through Citi Travel - Third-party sites won't include Reserve benefits, even if the rate looks similar.
Time your bookings strategically - Reserve properties often have better upgrade availability Sunday-Thursday compared to weekend stays.
Plan your $100 credit usage - Research the hotel's spa, dining, and activity options before arrival to maximize the credit value.
Stack with hotel loyalty programs - You'll still earn base points and elite night credits with most hotel chains when booking through The Reserve.
Consider partial points payments - If you have excess ThankYou points earning minimal interest, using them for Reserve bookings at 1cpp isn't terrible given the added benefits.
Properties Worth Targeting
While The Reserve includes over 1,000 properties, some deliver exceptional value:
Beach/Resort Destinations: Properties in Hawaii, Caribbean, and Mexico where breakfast and resort credits deliver maximum impact.
City Properties with High F&B Costs: Hotels in expensive markets like NYC, San Francisco, and major European cities where breakfast and dining credits offset significant costs.
Boutique Hotels with Unique Experiences: Properties offering cooking classes, wine tastings, or cultural experiences that qualify for the $100 credit.
Who Should Consider The Reserve?
Ideal Candidates
Frequent luxury travelers who stay at 4-5 star properties multiple times per year and value automatic benefits over elite status requirements.
Couples who travel together - The breakfast-for-two benefit delivers maximum value compared to solo travelers.
Resort-style travelers who can easily use $100 property credits on spa services, dining experiences, and activities.
Points maximizers building ThankYou point balances through the Citi Trifecta strategy who want premium redemption options.
Skip If You're...
Budget-conscious travelers who prioritize lowest price over added benefits - standard booking sites will typically offer better base rates.
Chain loyalists working toward specific hotel elite status who need to book directly with brands.
Business travelers with corporate booking requirements that don't allow third-party reservations.
Infrequent luxury travelers who stay at premium properties less than 2-3 times annually - the card annual fees may not justify the benefits.
Getting Started with The Reserve
Recommended Card Strategy
For most readers, the Citi Strata Premier Card offers the sweet spot of Reserve access with reasonable annual fees. The 10X earning rate on Reserve bookings, combined with 3X on travel/dining/gas and access to transfer partners, makes it an excellent addition to most points strategies.
If you're a heavy traveler who can justify higher annual fees, the Citi Strata Elite Card bumps earning to 12X points and includes additional travel benefits like Priority Pass lounge access.
Integration with Existing Strategies
The Reserve works particularly well when integrated with broader Citi strategies. Consider pairing your Reserve access card with:
- Citi Double Cash Card for 2X points on all non-category spending
- Citi Custom Cash Card for 5X points on your top spending category
- Strategic use of the Citi Travel Portal for non-luxury bookings
This approach creates a comprehensive earning and redemption ecosystem where The Reserve serves as your luxury booking option while other cards handle everyday spending.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I book The Reserve properties for other people?
Yes, you can book Reserve stays for friends, family members, or colleagues. The benefits (breakfast, credits, upgrades) will be provided to whoever is staying at the hotel, but you must use your eligible Citi card for payment.
Do I need to present my Citi card at the hotel?
No special presentation is required. The hotel receives notification of your Reserve booking status and benefits directly from Citi. Just provide your confirmation number at check-in.
Can I cancel or modify Reserve bookings?
Cancellation and modification policies vary by property and rate type. Most Reserve bookings follow standard hotel policies, but some promotional rates may have restrictions. Check your specific booking terms before confirming.
What happens if a property doesn't honor Reserve benefits?
Contact Citi's travel customer service immediately if a hotel doesn't provide promised benefits. Citi can work directly with the property to resolve issues and may provide compensation for missed benefits.
Can I use The Reserve for group bookings?
The Reserve works best for individual/couple travel. For group bookings requiring multiple rooms, you'd need to book each room separately, and benefits apply per room booked through the program.
Do Reserve bookings earn hotel loyalty points?
Yes, most Reserve bookings earn base points and elite night credits with hotel loyalty programs, though some promotional rates may be excluded. Check with the specific hotel chain for their policy.
Is there a limit to how many Reserve bookings I can make?
No published limits exist on Reserve booking frequency. As long as you have an eligible card and the properties have availability, you can book as often as desired.
What if my preferred hotel isn't in The Reserve collection?
The Reserve focuses on 4.5 and 5-star properties, so budget and mid-tier hotels typically aren't included. For broader hotel selection, use the standard Citi Travel Portal which offers competitive rates and still earns bonus points with eligible cards.
Ready to experience luxury travel with automatic benefits? The Reserve by Citi Travel offers a compelling alternative to elite status requirements and higher annual fee programs. Whether you're planning a romantic getaway or a family resort vacation, The Reserve delivers tangible value that can easily justify the cost.
Start by securing an eligible Citi card - the Strata Premier offers excellent Reserve access at a reasonable annual fee, while the Strata Elite maximizes earning potential for frequent travelers.
