New Citi Dining Privileges to set trend in dining rewards for cardholders

Best dining deals at over 1,000 dining locations in the country and over 5,000

in the Asia-Pacific region in Citi’s biggest, most comprehensive dining program

Citi has once again revolutionized rewards-giving for its cardholders as it introduces Citi Dining Privileges, the biggest, most comprehensive cross-border dining program to date in the Philippines and across the Asia-Pacific region as well.

In a media launch held recently at Felix Restaurant, one of Citi’s partner restaurants for the program, Citi executives led by Country Business Head Sanjiv Vohra excitingly presented the new dining program, which will run until June 30, 2011, that is set to offer an irresistible spread of dine-for-free specials, complimentary treats, and yearlong offers at over 1,000 dining establishments in the Philippines and in over 5,000 dining locations in the Asia-Pacific region.

Vohra explained that the new program reflects Citi’s commitment to giving the best offers to its cardholders. He added: “As the world’s largest and most trusted credit card issuer, Citi never ceases in innovating programs that we know our cardholders will surely love. Our programs have been designed with our cardholders in mind; ensuring that what we provide are offers that meet their lifestyles and provide the best and most rewarding experiences for our cardholders.”

Apart from Vohra, present to share with guests this exciting news were Citi executives: Bea Teh-Tan, cards business head; Cecille Fonacier, country marketing director; and Alma Gruenberg, cards business group vice president.

The best part about Citi Dining Privileges is that it truly caters to what cardholders’ palates desire, ensuring a pleasurable dining experience whenever they use their Citi cards. Shared Tan: “While dining deals have always been an intrinsic offering guaranteed by Citi to its cardholders, Citi Dining Privileges enhances the offering by providing more dining locations and better deals. We’ve partnered with more restaurants in over five countries – the Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Thailand – to ensure that we cover every dining whim our cardholders have, complemented by ultimate dining offers they will surely enjoy whenever and wherever with Citi card as their only ticket.”

Not only will Citi offer the best dining deals, but will also make sure cardholders enjoy a rewarding dining experience whether they dine here or abroad with their Citi cards. Regardless where their Citi card is issued, cardholders get the same preferential treatment when they travel to Singapore as well as in all other participating countries in the region – in the same way that a Citi cardholder from Indonesia can come to the Philippines and enjoy the same privileges.

As if these exciting deals aren’t enough, Citi offers another promise that will surely delight cardholders dining in local partner restaurants: If another credit card offers something better than what Citi card offers in any dining establishment that carries the Citi Dining Privileges sign in the Philippines, Citi will make sure to reimburse the difference. With this guarantee, Citi wants to send the message across that its dining deals are truly the best ones in the market to date.

After giving media guests a rundown of what cardholders could expect from the new program, it was time to experience first-hand just what the Citi Dining Privileges offers. Exclusively for the event, Chef Florabel Co, one of Citi’s partner chefs for the program, prepared an exciting menu composed of the restaurant’s bestsellers. Among the scrumptious offerings sampled by guests were Baby Back Ribs with Philippine Mango Topping, Braised Beef Short Ribs with Figs, Linguine Pasta with Truffle Cream Sauce and Crispy Parma Ham, Three Grains Risotto, and Crispy White Fish Fillet in Lemon Caviar Butter Sauce. For dessert, they indulged in Dark and White Chocolate Mousse with Caramel Popcorn and Abi, the classic Crème Brulee with a delicious sugar glaze. They washed down the delish lunch with a specially concocted guyabano-based Citi iced tea.

Each of the dishes is included in the Special Citi Menu, which is available during weekends at 30% off to Citi cardholders. On regular days, Citi cardholders get a free appetizer for every P2,000 spend and a 30% discount on the Citi iced tea.

To enjoy these offers at Felix and other exciting offers at other restaurants, cardholders just have to look for the Citi Dining Privileges sign. Then, they must present their Citi card before placing an order and to avail of the restaurant’s dining discounts or freebies. Apart from the dining deals, they also gain exclusive entry to prestigious culinary events. Just recently, Citi hosted the World Gourmet Summit in Singapore, where Citi cardholders got the chance to enjoy various cuisines from different participating restaurants and an exclusive invite to meet masterchefs from all over the world.

With Citi Dining Privileges, Citi cardholders can truly savor the joys of having the most rewarding cards in town… literally.