Late last year Citi announced a major overhaul of the Citi Prestige card. And one of the positive changes was the card’s new cell phone protection benefits.
They didn’t give many specifics back then, but we now have the details of this new card perk. This is good news because you don’t want to leave money on the table by using the wrong card to pay your monthly cell phone bill!
Here’s what you need to know about the Citi Prestige’s cell phone protection benefits and how they compare to the other best credit cards to pay cell phone bills.
Citi Prestige Cell Phone Protection
Beginning May 1, 2019, the Citi Prestige’s new cell phone protection plan will go into effect. It will apply to damage and theft and will be available for up to five phones when the monthly phone bill is paid for using your Citi Prestige card.
You’ll be able to file claims online, but there will be a $50 deductible per claim. And the benefit will be capped at $1,000 per claim and $1,500 per year.
This coverage is pretty comparable to the other best credit cards to pay cell phone bills with. So if you’re deciding between cards that offer cell phone protection you’ll need to consider other things like each card’s welcome offer, ongoing bonus categories, travel benefits, etc.
For me personally, it makes more sense to use a card like the Ink Business Preferred℠ Credit Card. That’s because not only does it offer cell phone protection but it earns 3X Chase Ultimate Rewards points (my favorite!) for cell phone payments.
If you’re a Citi Prestige cardholder, what do you think about this new card benefit? If you don’t have the card, does the addition of a perk like this motivate you to apply for it?
We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
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What is the process for claiming a broken or stolen phone? What documentation is needed?
Does the entire bill need to be paid for by this Citi card? I pay a partial with my Ink Cash card, then let autopay pay with my checking account just so I just the autopay discount from Verizon.
I guess what I’d like to know is if I’d be able to pay a small amount with this card to be able to use this benefit?
Thanks
Hi Ben,
They talk about paying your “monthly bill” with the card, so it sounds like they’re requiring the entire bill to be paid.
Plus I would use the Citi prestige also to buy time using the smart phone in the various other countries where I have SIM cards.
Do you have to have a plan with monthly fees or can you have a time pay plan, as I pay $100 a year because I am overseas most of the year and use various SIM cards for th countries I visit the most. Would it apply if I bought a smart phone, instead of a simple mobile I use now, and paid only the $100 per year fees at this point?
I believe the Ink card limits the claim to$600 per claim with a $100 deductible. With the high cost of a smart phone it sounds to me like citi coverage is sufficiently better to outweigh the 2 extra points.
I think you’re correct on the coverage the Ink cards provide.
Given how expensive smartphones have become, I’m a bit surprised more companies haven’t upped the coverage amount.