What is a Travel Credit Card?

Beautiful woman staying in the Address hotel overlooking burj Khalifa in Dubai, UAE.

Many credit cards offer entry into rewards programs that allow cardholders to earn cash back, access discounts, trade rewards points for free gifts, experiences, and much more. Travel credit cards in the UAE are a popular type of rewards card. They let you earn points or miles on all your spends, with extra benefits when you book flights, hotels, or luxury experiences. From complimentary lounge access and golfing privileges to exclusive holiday offers, these cards help you save more and enjoy premium perks every time you travel. Discover how these cards work and how you can make the best of them.

How do travel credit cards work?

Travel credit cards vary widely in how they work. Some cards let you earn miles, others may have a reward point program. Some co-branded cards may offer discounted hotel stays, while others may offer double miles or points when you book flights with partner airlines. Different issuers may have different rules, but in general, cardholders earn points or miles on select transactions. After accumulating enough reward points or miles, cardholders can redeem them for vacation packages, flights, seat upgrades, hotel stays, and other rewards. Some credit cards may offer additional perks and benefits in addition to the travel rewards program. Citibank travel credit cardholders can expect benefits like:

  • Discounted airline tickets
  • Complimentary hotel stays
  • Free home check-ins
  • Airport transfers
  • Lounge access

In addition, cardholders can:

  • Redeem Citi Miles for flights with any airline, class, or destination
  • Transfer miles to select partner airlines, including Etihad, Turkish, Qatar, and British Airways

Explore even more Citi credit card benefits here.

Citibank travel credit card rewards: What to know

Citibank offers two travel credit cards that make trips and journeys rewarding and effortless. Let's take a closer look at the benefits of these cards and their rewards programs.

Citi Ultima Credit Card: Cardholders get access to the Citi Miles rewards program. Earn 5 Citi Miles per $1 on non-AED spend and 2.5 Citi Miles per $1 on AED spend, plus an additional 30,000 Bonus Citi Miles annually when you pay your annual fee.

Citi Prestige Credit Card: This travel rewards credit card lets you earn ThankYou® Points on eligible transactions. Earn 3 ThankYou® points for each $1 of non-AED spending and 2 ThankYou® points per $1 on local spending. You'll also get 10,000 bonus ThankYou® Points annually when you pay your annual fee. 

Citi Premier Credit Card: This travel rewards credit card is similar to the Prestige card with lower earn and conversion rate. Earn 2 ThankYou® points for each $1 of non-AED spending and 1 ThankYou® points per $1 on local spending.

Redeeming rewards

Citibank offers four easy ways to redeem your points or miles using the Citi Mobile ® App.

  • Fly with points/miles: Use your accumulated miles or points to offset the cost of eligible credit card travel transactions like airline tickets, hotel bookings, or tours/travel agency fees.
  • Pay with Points/Miles: Use points or miles to offset eligible credit card purchases using the Pay with Points feature on your Citi Mobile ® App. Choose up to five transactions per redemption request.
  • Cash rebate: Redeem your points for cash rebates on the mobile app. Rebates are in the form of statement credit. 
  • Points transfer: Transfer your ThankYou® Points or Citi Miles to participating loyalty programs, such as British Airways Executive Club, Frequent Flyer, Qatar Airways Privilege Club, and IHG One Rewards.

Want to know more about our reward conversions rates and loyalty partners? Visit our Rewards and Redemptions page.

What can I get with my travel credit card?

Though travel credit cards are mainly intended to make domestic and foreign travel more rewarding, these cards can be flexible and offer other benefits.

Common perks cardholders can benefit from include access to local UAE golf courses, deals on movie tickets, discounts at restaurants and coffee shops, online shopping discounts, and other leisure experiences.

Some travel credit card programs may let you earn points or miles on large payments – like rent and school fees or enable you to convert large lump sum payments into smaller instalments. Another great thing about many rewards programs in the UAE is that they don’t usually impose an expiry date within the same year. Accumulate points at your leisure and redeem them for a holiday to your dream destination when you’re ready to travel. Travel in style by using your travel credit card points to access ticket upgrades, airport lounges, and other travel concierge services.

How to get a travel credit card

When considering a travel credit card, look out for rewards and perks that go beyond the norm. Most card issuers give a generous points balance as a welcome bonus, and as some existing cardholders already know, they also offer anniversary points every year**.

Applying for a travel credit card is quick and easy on your computer or phone. Before you sign up, be sure to read through the eligibility requirements (minimum income requirement), check the annual membership fee (if any), and read the fine print under the terms and conditions. It’s also important that you use the credit card responsibly and ensure that the monthly payments are made in full.

The right travel credit card can help you bring your dream vacations to life. Whether you're planning your next urban exploration or island retreat, choose a Citibank travel credit card to be your companion and open the door to new adventures.

** This applies to some credit cards & not all. You need to check with your bank and confirm whether your credit card has this feature or not.

Related articles

  • Creating a Lasting Legacy with Succession Planning
    Nov 13, 2023 - INVESTMENT PLANNING 101

    Creating a Lasting Legacy with Succession Planning

    Estate Planning is more than advanced financial planning, it creates generational wealth. A well-rounded estate plan requires careful planning and attention to detail – whilst planning for all possible future outcomes.

  • Savvy Spending: The power of smart credit card habits
    Nov 11, 2023 - CREDIT CARD BENEFITS

    Savvy Spending: The power of smart credit card habits

    Credit cards offer benefits, convenience and purchasing power… but they require smart credit management to avoid common credit card mistakes. Through responsible credit card use, you will be able to maintain financial stability and make the most from the benefits offered.

  • Citibank Security Tips for Fraud Protection
    Sep 22, 2023 - Fraud

    Citibank Security Tips for Fraud Protection

    How they work. Scammers pretend to be officers from Citi and will inform you that your credit card has been blocked due to unauthorized transactions. They will ask you to re-activate your card by clicking links in their emails or by providing your card details and One-Time PINs on a fake website.

Joumana Saad is an American freelance journalist and media personality based in Dubai. She writes about financial, media, technology and consumer-related news and topics. Dania Nwizu is a creative entrepreneur based in Lagos, Nigeria. She spends most of her time writing, telling food stories and walking on water.

 


 

This article is intended to provide general information about finance and investments and does not replace or should be taken as professional financial advice. The content reflects the view of the author of the article and does not necessarily reflect the views of Citi or its employees, and we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information presented in the article except information on Citibank N.A. – UAE products referenced herein.

Important Information

You are leaving a Citi Website and going to a third party site. That site may have a privacy policy different from Citi and may provide less security than this Citi site. Citi and its affiliates are not responsible for the products, services, and content on the third party website. Do you want to go to the third party site?

Citi is not responsible for the products, services or facilities provided and/or owned by other companies.