Advertisement

Advertisement

Traveling can be an expensive passion, but with the right credit card, you can make every peso count towards your next adventure. In this article, we will explore why the Citibank Premier Miles card could be the ultimate choice for savvy travelers in the Philippines. 

Beyond its functionality, the Citibank Premier Miles card boasts an elegant design. With its circle picture and layered appearance, it exudes sophistication. The card design has been compared to the City Prestige card in the US, which speaks to its aesthetic appeal.

Benefits of the Citi PremierMiles Mastercard

The Citi PremierMiles Card offers a range of benefits aimed at providing flexibility and value to cardholders. These benefits include an attractive earn rate for miles, options for mile usage, and the ease of accessing cash, among others. While the card does come with an annual fee of 5,000 pesos, it’s reasonable compared to the benefits it offers. Additionally, the first-year fee may be waived when applying online, making it even more attractive. Savvy travelers can take advantage of this opportunity and enjoy the card’s perks without the initial cost. 

Advertisement
Advertisement

The Citibank Premier Miles card provides numerous travel and lifestyle benefits. Cardholders receive two complimentary lounge access passes via DragonPass each year. Additionally, when booking with this credit card, you gain access to travel insurance up to Php 1m*. It also offers dining and shopping benefits that are regularly updated, providing year-round value.

The following section delineates the key advantages of utilizing this card, facilitating informed decisions for prospective cardholders.

*When you charge your trip tickets to your Citi PremierMiles card, you can receive up to one million Philippine Pesos worth of insurance coverage.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Earn Rate

With the Citi PremierMiles Card, cardholders earn 1 PremierMile for every PHP30 spent. This earning rate allows you to accumulate miles quickly as you spend.

Mile Usage

Cardholders have the flexibility to convert their PremierMiles to either airline miles or cash credits. Specifically, 1.6 PremierMiles equates to 1 airline mile, and 5 PremierMiles equates to 1 PHP. These conversions can be used for future travels or to offset your next purchase.

Mile Expiry

One of the significant benefits is that the miles earned never expire. This feature allows cardholders to use their miles anytime they desire without the pressure of expiration.

Pay With Points

The Citi PremierMiles Card enables cardholders to use their accumulated PremierMiles to pay for any purchase, offering a convenient way to reduce your spending.

Payment Flexibility

This card offers the option to convert big-ticket purchases into smaller, more manageable payments, making it easier to manage your finances.

Cash Access

With the enhanced Citi Mobile App, cardholders can apply for cash in under a minute, providing a quick and easy way to access cash when needed​.

Citi PremierMiles Mastercard Ongoing Promotions

Cardholders can enjoy discounts on Amazon.com with specific promo codes. Numerous dining and hotel promotions are also available, including discounts on lunch buffets, free meals at certain spend levels, discounted hotel stays, and more. 

These promotions provide a range of benefits across shopping, dining, travel, and other categories, enhancing the overall value proposition of the Citi PremierMiles Card.

Prerequisites to Obtain the Citi PremierMiles Mastercard

You may sign up for the Citi PremierMiles Mastercard through a simple process that does not require any paperwork using either your mobile phone or your computer. Take note that you are not required to have a bank account with Citi. Applicants will need the following:

  • A yearly membership cost of 5,000 Philippine Pesos (the first year is free).
  • An annual income of at least 360 000 PHP as a minimum.
  • At least 21 years of age.

Documents you will need for the application

  • One official photo identification card issued by the government.
  • Evidence of income
  • Latest Payslips
  • Your payroll account’s bank statement with your one-month salary attached.
  • An active landline or mobile phone number in addition to a valid TIN, SSS, GSIS, or UMID number.

About the Citibank Financial Institution

Citibank has a substantial presence in the Philippines, offering a myriad of financial products and services to cater to the diverse needs of its clientele. Here’s a brief profile of Citibank in the Philippines based on the information obtained from their official website:

  • Citibank has been operating in the Philippines since 1902, making it one of the oldest foreign banks in the country​1.
  • As of August 1, 2022, Citibank, N.A., Philippine Branch, transferred ownership of its consumer banking business to Union Bank of the Philippines.
  • Citibank in the Philippines offers a variety of deposit products designed to cater to the unique financial goals and time frames of its customers. The bank also avails credit cards, personal loans, and online banking services to its customers.
  • Online banking services, including the Citi Mobile® App, allow customers to manage their accounts and transactions conveniently​​.
  • Citibank, N.A. Philippine Branch operates under the regulatory oversight of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the central bank of the Philippines.
  • Deposits at Citibank are insured by the Philippine Deposit Insurance Corporation up to P500,000 per depositor, providing a level of security to the bank’s customers​.

Who is the Citi PremierMiles Mastercard for?

The Citi PremierMiles Card appears to be tailored for frequent travelers. Its mile-earning feature, where cardholders accrue PremierMiles on every spend, and the flexibility to convert these miles into airline miles or cash credits, make it a lucrative option for those looking to offset their travel expenses. The diverse range of ongoing promotions, including discounts on room rates, dining, and online shopping, further enhance the card’s appeal to those who enjoy a blend of travel, culinary experiences, and shopping. Finally, the fact that the miles never expire provides a cushion for cardholders to plan their travels without the pressure of utilizing the miles within a specific timeframe.

Step by Step to Apply for the Citi PremierMiles Mastercard

The official Citibank website states that you can submit an online credit card application, however, when we visited the website’s Citi PremierMiles Mastercard page we could not find an “Apply Now” button or link anywhere in the webpage. According to the website information, you can even check the status of your online application after completing the simple credit card application process. You only need to input your cellphone number and the 11-digit application reference number (which was issued to you through SMS at the phone number you gave) on the Citi website.

Unfortunately, it is unclear how the all application works. The website mentions that one can get a new Citi PremierMiles Mastercard from a mobile phone or computer, hinting at an online application process. Though the exact steps aren’t laid out on the page, typically, this would involve filling out an online application form with your personal and financial details, and uploading the required documents. We’ve found this particularly peculiar.

APPLY TO CITI PREMIERMILES MASTERCARD CREDIT CARD HERE

Positives and Negatives of the Citi PremierMiles Mastercard

Here’s a summarized table of the pros and cons of the Citi PremierMiles Mastercard based on the information gathered:

Pros

  • Earn 1 PremierMile per PHP30 spend; Miles never expire.
  • Convert miles for airline miles or cash credits.
  • Various ongoing promotions on dining, travel, and shopping.
  • Convert big ticket purchases into smaller payments.
  • Apply for cash in under a minute via the Citi Mobile App. The app is available for Android or iOS.
  • First year free.

Cons

  • Minimum income of PHP 360,000 per year required.
  • Up to 3.525% fee on foreign transactions.
  • PHP 5,000 annual fee from the second year onward.
  • Online, paperless application process (Not Found).

The Citi PremierMiles Mastercard offers a blend of travel-related benefits and financial flexibility, making it a potentially attractive option for frequent travelers and individuals who enjoy a mix of dining, shopping, and travel experiences. However, the foreign transaction fee, annual fee from the second year, the confusing application system and certain eligibility requirements might be drawbacks for some potential cardholders.

Citi PremierMiles Mastercard Fees and Tariffs

The Citi PremierMiles Mastercard comes with a variety of fees and charges, which are outlined as follows:

  1. Annual Membership Fee:
    • Principal Card: PHP 5,000 (first year is free)
    • Supplementary Card: PHP 2,500
  2. Cash Advance Fee:
    • PHP 200 per Citi Cash Advance transaction​.
  3. Monthly Late Charge:
    • PHP 1,500 or the unpaid Minimum Amount Due, whichever is lower​.
  4. Foreign Transaction Service Fee:
    • A fee of up to 3.525% will be imposed on transactions made in foreign currencies (whether online, overseas or local transactions) which are automatically converted to Philippine Peso at the prevailing exchange rate determined by Mastercard®/Visa​.
  5. Minimum Amount Due:
    • The sum of certain billed amounts or PHP 500, whichever is higher, or the Total Amount Due if it’s less than or equal to PHP 500​​.

These fees and charges are in addition to other costs that may be associated with the card, such as interest charges on unpaid balances and specific transaction fees. For a complete understanding of the fees, it’s advisable to refer to the official Citibank Philippines website.

Contact Citibank Customer Service

You can contact Citybank at the following number: (632) 8995-9999, or you can send them a message via the chatbot from the following address.