Citi Bank has been making headlines recently for a string of unpopular changes. In October 2019 the bank removed rewards points on insurance spends and other categories, which disappointed many cardholders. More recently Citi stopped counting Home Loan and Demat holdings toward the Net Relationship Value (NRV) for CitiGold, a move that reduces credit cardholders’ ability to earn bonus points.
After a series of product changes, Citi has now announced cuts to another signature benefit: meet-and-greet and airport transfer services. Below is the message Citi sent to Citi Prestige cardmembers last evening (shared by a community member).
Here’s a detailed look at the upcoming changes:
Table of Contents
- # 4th night Complimentary Stay
- # Meet & Greet / Airport Transfer
- # Golf Benefit
- Bottomline
# 4th night Complimentary Stay
This change was widely anticipated. The revised benefit still allows cardholders to use the complimentary-night privilege twice, which can suit two short trips. While this is a reduction, it is not as significant a devaluation as some other changes. Frequent travellers may still be disappointed, but the benefit remains usable.
If you need more complimentary-night perks, consider alternatives such as premium charge cards that offer multiple complimentary nights or hotel-specific programs that provide better coverage for extended stays.
# Meet & Greet / Airport Transfer
This is the biggest and most impactful change. Meet-and-greet and airport transfer is one of Citi Prestige’s defining features and contributed strongly to its aspirational positioning. Removing this detracts from the card’s luxury appeal.
Meet-and-greet services are costly for banks—some customers have reported individual transfers costing up to INR 17,000—so Citi’s decision appears driven by cost-cutting. Nevertheless, outright removal rather than limiting the benefit to high spenders or a threshold-based approach will anger many long-term cardholders.
For those who still want airport transfers, options are limited. Some other premium cards offer domestic airport transfer benefits, but they may have their own restrictions and limited availability.
# Golf Benefit
Citi is removing the green-fee waiver for golf—an unexpected cut given that green-fee waivers are a common perk on super-premium cards. Eliminating a regular golf benefit from a card that charges a substantial annual fee feels inconsistent with the card’s positioning.
Cardholders who used the golf benefit regularly will feel this change keenly; it removes a tangible, recurring advantage from the product.
Bottomline
Taken together, these changes reduce the value proposition of Citi Prestige. Expect disappointment among members who pay a high fee but now receive fewer premium services. Given the reductions in benefits, a corresponding fee adjustment would be reasonable; without it, retaining the card makes less sense unless your annual spends are very high (for example, over INR 20 lakh), which could still justify the card through travel redemptions.
If your spends are lower, other premium cards may offer a better overall value—some provide renewal fee waivers and comparable reward rates. It is worth reassessing which card matches your spending habits and benefit priorities.
On a positive note, Citi has not changed the reward earn rate, so those who play the miles game can continue. Devaluations are common in the industry when many cardholders access a benefit; Citi’s recent product adjustments may reflect changing usage patterns, cost pressures, or a broader product strategy.
Citi Prestige remains a niche product: it demands a high fee and typically high spends to deliver its best value. With these cuts, the card is becoming less attractive to many customers.
What’s your take on Citi’s changes? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.