A card for globe-trotters

Let me tell you a few things about my travel habits: I am not the best travel planner, I bring along work that I promise myself I’d finish on the plane but rarely do, I always reserve at the last minute (I once went on a trip and booked my hotel right at the airport when I landed), I never have an easy time sleeping on a long-haul flight and when I do fall asleep it’s always during takeoff or landing while the whole 12 hours in between I am wide awake and antsy, and I have the terrible luck of not finishing the movie I’m watching because it’s time to land (the entertainment system shut off when Kate Winslet was about to hang herself in The Reader). And I swore off Anna Quindlen after I brought along her Imagined London on a long haul flight and it so bored me I couldn’t get past the first two chapters (I must say a friend had it worse on that flight — she had Salman Rushdie).

What I do know about travel, however, is that it can be a good experience with the right credit card. When Citibank launched its Citi PremierMiles card, I gave up an old card for this one. The feature that hooked me? I could use the Delta lounge at NAIA Terminal — even if my ticket was economy, even if I wasn’t flying on Delta. (If you’re a platinum cardholder, you may bring one guest for free).

On top of that, the miles don’t expire (you earn a mile for every P45 spend). Ever had reward points that could have gotten you to, say, Paris, and then you realize they’ve expired? Not with this card. Citi PremierMiles lets you redeem earned air miles through Cathay Pacific Airways’ Asia Miles, Delta Air Lines’ Skymiles, Philippine Airlines’ Mabuhay Miles, Singapore Airlines’ Krisflyer, and Thai Airways’ Royal Orchid Plus. 

The flexibility of Citi PremierMiles Card makes it easy for travelers’ needs to be met when they’re away from home.

Aneth Lim, Citi corporate affairs director, says, “Citi PremierMiles was built on the idea that one credit card can provide for all that a traveler would need, whether you are taking to the skies, or traveling on the road.”

“When we launched Citi PremierMiles Card, our cardholders who signed up then were drawn to the fact that we had not just one frequent flyer partner, but as many as five, giving them the chance to redeem free trips, upgrades, or companion tickets to more than 50 partner airlines,” says Bea Tan, credit payment products head for Citibank Philippines.

For further relaxation, you and your guest are entitled to a complimentary 20-minute Element massage at Chi, The Spa, in Shangri-La’s Boracay Resort and Spa.

“Two years after we launched Citi PremierMiles Card, it has gained a strong following, and has become the card of choice for discerning travelers,” adds Lim.

With Citi PremierMiles’ ongoing promo, you can get a lot more. Until Oct. 31, you get 50 percent off the best available rates for rooms and villas at Shangri-La’s Boracay Resort and Spa when you book a two-night stay. This includes buffet breakfast at Vintana for two, roundtrip land and speedboat transfers to and from Caticlan Airport for two, free in-room Internet access, free use of select games and facilities at the Entertainment Center and Adventure Zone. For further relaxation, you and your guest are also entitled to a complimentary 20-minute Element massage at Chi, The Spa.  

Citi PremierMiles has also partnered with Singapore Airlines (SIA) for exclusive offerings. Until Oct. 31, when you charge your airfare on your card you earn double PremierMiles, an extra 10 kilos on your flight back to Manila, and double the raffle entries to SIA’s ongoing promo.

Travelers who avail of SIA Holidays or Singapore Stopover Holiday plus airfare are qualified to earn raffle entries for a chance to win Apple gadgets. Travel must be completed by Nov. 15, and entries may be submitted at the SIA Tourist Desk, either in person or by mail, until Dec. 6, and winners will be drawn on Dec. 15. SIA is giving away four iPad 16G Wi-Fi and six iPhone 16GB.

On land in Singapore, you get dining discounts or freebies with Citibank World Privileges at Jumbo Seafood restaurant, Il Lido Italian Dining, Mandarin Oriental, Raffles Hotel, Zouk, Tangs, and TM Lewin.  

All year round, cardholders enjoy a 24-hour premium concierge service, which can assist them in booking their flight tickets and hotel reservations, travel guide and tips, or shopping needs just by calling 687-9000.

If you charge your ticket on your Citi PremierMiles, you get free travel accident insurance coverage up to P20 million, and travel inconvenience surety of up to P60,000 for missed flights, delayed or lost luggage.

“No other travel card in the market today offers the same compelling proposition,” says Tan. “With Citi PremierMiles, you will get that free trip faster through enticing offers and promotions we make available year round.”

For new cardholders, until Dec. 31, you get 5,000 bonus air miles for a Platinum card, and 2,000 bonus air miles for a Gold card after your first purchase within the first 30 days. You earn bonus PremierMiles of up to 15,000 when you renew your card the following year. 

If you want to fly now but are a bit short on the budget, you can still go on your trip. Travel light with longer, lighter payments on your airline tickets and travel packages for as low as 0.75 percent add-on rate per month payable from three to 24 months installment, exclusively offered through Citi PayLite at accredited travel agencies. 

Platinum cardholders enjoy discounts at Japan Duty Free Stores in Narita and Haneda Airports, free airport travel and assist at immigration in over 120 international airports, 20 percent savings on car rental, special rates in the best hotels and villas with when you book with HotelClub.com, discount on Visa Golf Program, and exclusive offer on unique travel packages under Visa’s Unique Travel Program.

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For inquiries, call the 24-hour CitiPhone at 995-9999 in Metro Manila or 234-999 in Metro Cebu. Visit www.citibank.com.ph.