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Upcoming Citi Prestige 4th Night Free Changes: Book Now or Wait?

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    Here’s a reminder for folks with the Citi Prestige card!

    As of July 23, 2017 (next week!), the amount you’ll be refunded using Citi Prestige’s 4th night free perk will be based on the average nightly cost of your stay, NOT the actual cost of the 4th night.  This is in addition to other negative changes to the card’s perks.

    So if you have an upcoming hotel stay in mind and want to take advantage of the 4th night free perk as it stands now, you’ll want to book sooner rather than later!

    Depending on Where You Use It, the 4th Night Free Perk Can Be Worth Hundreds or Even Thousands of Dollars. Even After the Upcoming Changes to This Benefit Go Into Effect!

    Here’s more about how the Citi Prestige’s 4th night free benefit is changing.  And what it means for you!

    Upcoming Changes to Citi Prestige’s 4th Night Free Benefit

    Starting July 23, 2017, the amount you’ll be refunded using Citi Prestige’s 4th night free perk will no longer be based off of the actual cost of the 4th night, but the average nightly cost of your stay.  And they’ll no longer refund taxes.

    But what if you book before July 23, 2017, and actually stay AFTER July 23, 2017?   The Points Guy has confirmed that the current 4th night free policy will apply to ANY bookings made before July 23, 2017.  Regardless of the actual date of the stay.

    So as long as you make your hotel reservation before July 23, 2017, you’ll get reimbursed for the actual cost of your 4th night, including taxes.

    Any bookings using Citi Prestige’s 4th night free perk made on or AFTER July 23, 2017, will be refunded the average cost of 4 nights, NOT including taxes.

    Should You Book Now or Wait?

    If you’re considering making a hotel reservation and the 4th night is more expensive than the rest, then you should definitely book your reservation before the changes go into effect!

    Essentially, you’ll want to total the cost of your 4-night stay (before tax) and take the average.  This is the amount you’ll be refunded if you book on or after July 23, 2017.

    Then, compare that to the actual cost of the 4th night (including tax).  Because this is what you’d get back for booking before July 23, 2017.

    Time to Pull Out Your Calculator and Do the Math to See What Makes the Most Sense for Your Particular Situation!

    For example, say your hotel room costs $100 per night on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd nights, and $150 on the 4th night.  For easy math, taxes on the 4th night are $10.

    If you book before July 23, 2017, you’ll be reimbursed $160 ($150 4th night rate + $10 in taxes).

    If you book the same reservation July 23, 2017, or later, you’ll be reimbursed ~$113 ($450 total cost of stay before tax / 4 nights).  And you won’t get anything back for the taxes you pay.  

    And don’t forget, if you don’t already have the Citi Prestige card, on July 23, 2017, the sign-up bonus is nearly doubling to 75,000 Citi ThankYou points after meeting minimum spending requirements!  So it’s better to wait until then if you don’t have the card yet.  

    Bottom Line

    Starting July 23, 2017, the amount you’ll be refunded using the Citi Prestige’s 4th night free perk will be based on the average nightly cost of your stay, excluding taxes.  But if you book BEFORE this date, you’ll be reimbursed the actual cost of the 4th night, plus taxes.  Regardless of when the actual stay occurs.

    So do the math to decide whether you should book now, or wait until the changes to the 4th night free perk go into effect!

    If you don’t yet have the Citi Prestige card, wait to apply!  Because the card’s sign-up bonus will nearly double on July 23, 2017.

    Editorial Note: We're the Million Mile Secrets team. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. These haven’t been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. And that’s just how we like it! :)