Quick Verdict

The Reserve by Citi Travel delivers genuine luxury hotel perks at a fraction of the cost of competing programs. With a $100 property credit, daily breakfast for two, and potential room upgrades at upscale hotels worldwide, it's the most accessible premium booking platform available—if you have the right Citi card.

Overview

Eligible Cards: Citi Strata Elite, Strata Premier, Prestige (legacy)
Property Types: 4.5-5 star luxury and flagship hotels
Key Benefits: $100 credit, daily breakfast, upgrades, Wi-Fi
Booking Method: Citi Travel Portal (OTA rates)
Hotel Points Earned: No (books as third-party)
Best Value: Short luxury stays, breakfast lovers

Introduction

Citi just shook up the premium hotel booking game. The Reserve by Citi Travel, their answer to Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts and Chase Luxury Hotel Collection, promises luxury hotel perks without the sky-high annual fees.

But here's what caught my attention: you can access The Reserve with a $95 annual fee card (Citi Strata Premier) instead of the $695+ fees that competing programs demand. That's a game-changer for points enthusiasts who want premium experiences without premium price tags.

Let me break down whether The Reserve delivers on its promises and who should actually use it.

What Is The Reserve by Citi Travel?

Think of The Reserve as Citi's VIP hotel booking service. It replaced their previous "Luxury Collection" in 2025 and features hand-picked 4.5 to 5-star properties worldwide. When you book through The Reserve, you're not just getting a room—you're getting an experience upgrade.

The program launched as Citi's competitive response to Amex and Chase's luxury offerings, but with one key difference: accessibility. While other issuers lock premium hotel perks behind $500+ annual fee cards, Citi opened the door to anyone with their mid-tier travel cards.

You'll access The Reserve through the Citi Travel Portal, which serves as the booking engine for all Citi travel-related redemptions and purchases.

Key Benefits Breakdown

$100 Experience Credit

This is the standout benefit. You get $100 to spend on dining, spa services, or other hotel amenities once per stay. Unlike some programs that restrict credits to specific categories, The Reserve credit is flexible—use it for room service, spa treatments, or that expensive hotel restaurant you've been eyeing.

Real Value: $100 per stay, applicable to most hotel charges except room rate and taxes.

Daily Breakfast for Two

Full breakfast (not continental) for two people daily. At luxury hotels, breakfast easily runs $40-80 per person per day. For a weekend trip, you're looking at $160-320 in value.

Real Value: $30-50 per person per day at most properties.

Room Upgrades

Subject to availability, but The Reserve typically secures better upgrade treatment than standard bookings. Think junior suite to full suite, or standard room to premium view.

Real Value: Varies widely, but premium room upgrades can add $50-200+ per night in value.

Complimentary Wi-Fi and Early Check-in/Late Checkout

Standard perks that most travelers expect, but valuable at properties that charge for Wi-Fi or have strict timing policies.

How The Reserve Stacks Up Against Competitors

The benefits are virtually identical across all three premium booking platforms, but Citi wins on accessibility:

The Reserve by Citi Travel: $100 property credit, daily breakfast, room upgrades, early/late check-in, complimentary Wi-Fi. Minimum annual fee: $95

Amex Fine Hotels + Resorts: $100 property credit, daily breakfast, room upgrades, early/late check-in, complimentary Wi-Fi. Minimum annual fee: $695

Chase Luxury Hotel Collection: $100 property credit, daily breakfast, room upgrades, early/late check-in, complimentary Wi-Fi. Minimum annual fee: $550

The benefits are nearly identical, but Citi wins on accessibility. You can access The Reserve with the $95 annual fee Citi Strata Premier, while Amex requires the $695 Platinum and Chase needs the $550 Sapphire Reserve.

None of these programs allow you to earn hotel loyalty points since they all book as third-party reservations.

The Booking Process

Here's exactly how to book The Reserve properties:

1. Log into Citi Travel Portal: Access through your online banking or go directly to the Citi Travel site
2. Search Your Destination: Enter dates and location as normal
3. Look for the Blue "Reserve" Tag: Only properties with this tag include the premium perks
4. Select the Reserve Rate: Don't accidentally book promotional or prepaid rates—they won't include benefits
5. Pay with Eligible Citi Card: Use your Strata Elite, Strata Premier, or legacy Prestige card
6. Save Your Confirmation: Print or screenshot—you'll need this to claim benefits at check-in

Pro Tip: Always call the hotel 24-48 hours before arrival to confirm your benefits. Some front desk staff may not be familiar with The Reserve program.

Who Should Use The Reserve?

Perfect For:

• Citi cardholders planning luxury getaways: The benefits easily justify themselves on 2-3 night stays
• Travelers who value breakfast: If you always eat hotel breakfast, this program pays for itself
• Weekend warriors: Short luxury trips where you'll actually use the $100 credit
• Couples or small families: Daily breakfast for two maximizes value

Skip If:

• You're chasing hotel elite status: OTA bookings won't earn hotel points or elite credits—read our guide on choosing the right hotel loyalty program first
• You prefer vacation rentals or budget hotels: The Reserve focuses exclusively on upscale properties
• You don't have an eligible Citi card: Access requires specific cards—no exceptions
• You're a loyal hotel chain member: Direct bookings offer better long-term value for frequent travelers—check out our portal vs. direct booking guide to understand the tradeoffs

Real-World Value Analysis

Let me break down the math on a typical Reserve booking:

Example: 2-Night Weekend in San Francisco

• Hotel: St. Regis San Francisco (Reserve property)
• Room Rate: $450/night ($900 total)
• Reserve Benefits Value:
  • $100 experience credit: $100
  • Breakfast for two (2 days): $120
  • Room upgrade (premium view): $75
  • Total Benefit Value: $295

Net Cost After Benefits: $605 instead of $900 (33% savings)

Compare this to booking direct:

• Room rate: $450/night
• Breakfast: $60/day for two
• No room upgrade
• Total Cost: $1,020

The Reserve saved $415 on this trip while providing a better experience.

How It Fits Into Your Citi Strategy

The Reserve works best as part of a broader Citi ecosystem strategy. Here's how to maximize value:

With Citi Strata Elite ($595 annual fee)

• Annual $300 hotel credit applies to Reserve bookings
• 3x ThankYou points on travel bookings
• Premium card benefits for other travel needs

With Citi Strata Premier ($95 annual fee)

• Most cost-effective access to The Reserve
• 3x points on travel bookings
• Transfer points to airline partners for maximum redemption value

If you're building a complete Citi credit card strategy, the Reserve fits perfectly as your luxury accommodation booking tool.

Point Earning Strategy

Book Reserve properties with your Citi card to earn 3x ThankYou points, then maximize your Citi ThankYou rewards by transferring to partners like:

• Turkish Airlines (for Star Alliance flights)
• Virgin Atlantic (for unique redemptions)
• JetBlue (for domestic travel)

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Accessible annual fees: Get premium perks starting at $95/year
• Genuine luxury benefits: $100+ in value per stay at upscale properties
• Flexible property credit: Use on dining, spa, or activities
• Quality hotel selection: Carefully curated 4.5+ star properties
• Works with points: Pay with cash, points, or combination

Cons

• No hotel points or status: Books as OTA, so no loyalty program benefits
• Limited property selection: Fewer hotels than direct booking
• Requires specific cards: Must have eligible Citi card for access
• Potential price premiums: OTA rates sometimes higher than direct
• Front desk confusion: Some staff unfamiliar with program benefits

Maximizing Value Tips

1. Target Short Luxury Stays: Benefits shine on 1-3 night trips where you'll use everything
2. Research Property Amenities: Make sure the hotel has dining/spa options for your $100 credit
3. Confirm Benefits at Check-in: Bring your booking confirmation and politely ensure benefits are noted
4. Use with Annual Credits: Stack with Strata Elite's $300 hotel credit for maximum savings
5. Compare Direct Rates: Sometimes direct booking with elite benefits offers better overall value

If you're new to maximizing credit card rewards, check out our guide to the best credit card bonus offers to understand how programs like The Reserve fit into a broader rewards strategy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I earn hotel points when booking through The Reserve? A: No, Reserve bookings are processed as online travel agency transactions, so you won't earn hotel loyalty points or elite night credits.

Q: What happens if my preferred hotel isn't in The Reserve collection? A: You can still book through regular Citi Travel Portal, but you won't get the premium benefits. Consider if the $100+ in perks justifies choosing a Reserve property over your preferred hotel.

Q: Do the benefits apply to award bookings using ThankYou points? A: Yes, you can use ThankYou points for Reserve bookings and still receive all benefits as long as you're using an eligible Citi card.

Q: Can I book for other people using my card? A: Yes, but the cardholder should be present at check-in or call the hotel to authorize the benefits for other guests.

Q: What's the difference between The Reserve and regular Hotel Collection bookings? A: The Reserve adds a $100 property credit and potential room upgrades to the standard Hotel Collection benefits (breakfast, Wi-Fi, early check-in/late checkout).

Q: Are there blackout dates or availability restrictions? A: The Reserve follows standard hotel availability. Peak dates may have limited Reserve rate availability, similar to any promotional rate.

The Bottom Line

The Reserve by Citi Travel delivers on its promise of luxury hotel perks at a reasonable price point. While you'll sacrifice hotel loyalty benefits, the $100+ in value per stay makes this worthwhile for occasional luxury travelers.

The program's biggest advantage is accessibility. Where other premium booking platforms require expensive credit cards, Citi opens the door at just $95 annually with the Strata Premier. That's revolutionary in the luxury travel space.

For those building a comprehensive rewards strategy, The Reserve complements other Citi credit card options perfectly. Consider pairing it with the Strata Premier for cost-effective access, or upgrade to the Strata Elite if you'll use the $300 annual hotel credit.

My Recommendation: Use The Reserve for special occasions and luxury getaways, but maintain hotel loyalty for frequent business travel. It's a tool, not a strategy—but a very effective one for the right trips.

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