Citi Prestige® Credit Card in the UAE: A Complete, Region-Aware Guide for 2026

In a market where most global banks have scaled back premium travel cards, Citibank has quietly preserved one of its most generous legacy products in the UAE. While the Citi Prestige® Credit Card is no longer available to new applicants in the United States, it remains active—and materially competitive—in selected international markets, including the UAE. That divergence is not accidental; it reflects regional travel behavior, regulatory economics, and Citi’s Middle East growth strategy.

What Is the Citi Prestige® Credit Card?

The Citi Prestige® Credit Card is Citibank’s long-standing ultra-premium travel rewards card, positioned above standard Platinum and Signature products. It is built around:

• High-value travel rewards (ThankYou® Points)
• Lifestyle privileges (hotels, lounges, golf)
• Concierge-driven benefits rather than app-only automation

Unlike mass-market travel cards, Citi Prestige is not globally standardized. Each market (UAE, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia) operates under its own regulatory framework, income thresholds, reward mechanics, and benefit caps.

In the UAE, the card is issued by Citibank UAE, regulated by the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE), and tailored to high-income residents with frequent international travel patterns.

Global Availability Status UAE

Understanding where Citi Prestige is not available helps explain why the UAE version remains unusually strong.

Discontinued Markets

• United States: Closed to new applicants in July 2021
  • Replaced by Citi’s newer premium line (e.g., Citi Strata Elite℠)
  • Driven by unsustainable economics of unlimited benefits

Active International Markets (as of 2026)

• United Arab Emirates
• Singapore
• Hong Kong
• Australia

Among these, the UAE and Hong Kong versions remain the least restricted, particularly around hotel and lounge benefits.

Citi Prestige Credit Card – UAE Edition (Core Specifications)

Annual Fee & Eligibility (UAE)

Attribute	UAE Specification
Annual fee	AED 1,500
Minimum salary	AED 30,000 per month
Issuer	Citibank UAE
Network	Mastercard World Elite
Regulatory authority	Central Bank of the UAE

Compared to Singapore or Hong Kong, the income threshold in the UAE is materially lower, increasing accessibility for senior professionals and business owners.

Rewards Structure (ThankYou® Points – UAE)

Points Earning

• 3 ThankYou Points per USD on international (non-AED) spend
• 2 ThankYou Points per USD on domestic AED spend
• 10,000 bonus points annually upon fee payment

This structure favors:

• Overseas travel
• Foreign currency spending
• International e-commerce

Points Validity

• ThankYou® Points do not expire as long as the account remains active

Redemption Options & Airline Transfer Partners

ThankYou® Points earned on the UAE Citi Prestige card can be redeemed through multiple channels:

Airline & Loyalty Transfers

• Qatar Airways Privilege Club
• Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
• Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
• Other regional and global partners (subject to Citi UAE transfer ratios)

Other Redemptions

• “Fly with Points” (book any airline ticket)
• Cash back or statement credits
• Travel bookings via Citi platforms

This flexibility positions Citi Prestige as both:

• A miles-first card for frequent flyers
• A hybrid rewards card for users who prefer liquidity

Signature Benefit: 4th Night Free (UAE)

The 4th Night Free hotel benefit is the defining feature of Citi Prestige—and one of the main reasons the card remains relevant.

How It Works in the UAE

• Book four consecutive nights at a hotel
• Booking must be made via Citi Prestige Concierge
• The 4th night cost is refunded
• No published annual cap (unlike Singapore)

For long-stay travelers, consultants, and digital nomads, this benefit alone can offset the annual fee with a single booking.

Airport Lounge Access (UAE Version)

• Priority Pass™ membership included
• Up to 14 complimentary lounge visits per year
• Access includes major international airports
• Applies to both leisure and business travel

This is notably more generous than Singapore’s 2025 cap of 12 visits and aligns with UAE residents’ high outbound travel frequency.

Golf & Lifestyle Privileges

Golf Benefits (UAE)

• Complimentary green fees at selected UAE golf courses
• Often unlimited on weekdays, subject to venue terms

Concierge Services

• 24/7 dedicated Citi Prestige Concierge
• Travel planning
• Hotel and dining reservations
• Event and lifestyle assistance

Citi continues to emphasize human-led concierge value, which differentiates Prestige from app-only premium cards.

Why Citi Prestige Was Discontinued in the US (But Not the UAE)

The U.S. version collapsed under:

• High reward multipliers (5x dining and airfare)
• Unlimited lounge access
• Costly 4th Night Free usage

In contrast, the UAE market supports premium economics due to:

• Higher average spend per cardholder
• Lower interchange pressure
• Strong appetite for concierge-led services
• Fewer regulatory constraints on premium fee structures

This explains why Citi has preserved—and even expanded—premium offerings in the Gulf.

UAE vs Other Markets: Strategic Comparison

Feature	UAE	Singapore (2025)	Hong Kong
Annual fee	AED 1,500	S$651.82	HK$3,800
Income requirement	AED 30,000/month	S$120,000/year	HK$600,000/year
Lounge access	14 visits	12 visits	Unlimited
4th Night Free	Unlimited	Capped (2/year)	Unlimited

From a value-to-income perspective, the UAE version is one of the most attractive globally.

Citi Prestige vs Citi Ultima UAE

In January 2025, Citi launched the Citi Ultima Mastercard in the UAE, signaling a strategic evolution.

Citi Ultima Highlights

• 50% discount on airline tickets (once per year, capped)
• Unlimited 3rd night free hotel benefit
• Up to 5 Citi Miles per USD
• Complimentary home check-in services
• Global lounge access with guests

Strategic takeaway:
Citi Ultima is not a replacement but a parallel premium path, targeting lifestyle-heavy users, while Prestige remains travel-centric and concierge-driven.

Who Should Consider the Citi Prestige Card in the UAE?

Best suited for:

• UAE residents with frequent international travel
• Consultants, executives, and business owners
• Long-stay hotel users
• Golf and premium lifestyle enthusiasts

Less suitable for:

• Low-spend users
• Domestic-only travelers
• Cashback-only seekers

FAQs

What are the benefits of the Citi Prestige credit card in the UAE?

Key benefits include 3 ThankYou Points per USD on international spend, the 4th Night Free hotel benefit, Priority Pass lounge access (14 visits), complimentary golf privileges, and 24/7 concierge services.

Who is eligible for the Citi Prestige credit card in the UAE?

Applicants typically need a minimum monthly salary of AED 30,000, UAE residency, and to meet Citibank UAE’s internal credit assessment criteria.

What is the highest credit limit for the Citi Prestige card?

Citibank does not publish a fixed maximum limit. Credit limits are determined individually based on income, liabilities, and credit profile, in line with CBUAE regulations.

What salary is required for the Citi Prestige card?

In the UAE, the minimum stated requirement is AED 30,000 per month, though higher income may be needed for optimal approval terms.

Is the Citi Prestige card available in Saudi Arabia?

No. There is currently no Citi Prestige offering issued locally in Saudi Arabia. Some residents may explore UAE-issued cards if they have qualifying income or business ties.

Do ThankYou Points expire?

No. ThankYou Points earned on the Citi Prestige card do not expire as long as the account remains active and in good standing.

Final Verdict

In 2026, the Citi Prestige Credit Card in the UAE represents one of the few remaining “old-school” premium travel cards that still delivers real, uncapped value. For the right profile, it remains not just relevant—but strategically compelling.