For the frequent traveler who wants to kick things up a notch, the City National Crystal® Visa Infinite® Credit Card provides an unparalleled number of luxurious perks, with a hefty annual fee of $400 to match.
Here are five things to know about the card.
1. Submitting an application takes some effort
You must apply for the City National Crystal® Visa Infinite® Credit Card in person at a City National branch. As of this writing, there are locations in California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, New York, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington, D.C.
2. Ongoing rewards are solid, though there's no welcome offer
Once you’re approved for the City National Crystal® Visa Infinite® Credit Card, you’ll earn:
- 3 points per $1 spent on airfare, hotel stays, taxis, limos, ridesharing services, rental cars, trains, buses, restaurants, fast food and takeout.
- 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.
You can redeem points for things like travel, statement credits, gift cards and merchandise (point values may vary and are subject to change). You can book travel on most airlines with no blackout dates.
3. Travel credits help offset the annual fee
The City National Crystal® Visa Infinite® Credit Card offers a number of statement credits and discounts that can help take a bite out of that $400 annual fee:
- Up to $350 in statement credit per calendar year to cover qualifying incidental airline fees.
- A statement credit of up to $550 per calendar year for any airline lounge club around the world after spending $50,000 that year.
- A statement credit to cover the Global Entry application fee.
- Cardholders get two complimentary Priority Pass Select memberships per account, with unlimited free visits. If either member brings a guest, they’ll be charged $32 per guest, per visit.
4. Additional upscale perks are plentiful
Upgraded hotel stays and car rentals
The City National Crystal® Visa Infinite® Credit Card entitles you to VIP treatment at select hotels with Relais & Chateaux.
You can also get discounts and upgrades when you rent a car from Avis, Hertz, National and Audi on demand.
Concierge service and unfettered access
A concierge is available at your beck and call, 24 hours a day, for help with airline and hotel bookings, restaurant reservations and more. Golfers can also snag savings and special access to high-end links via Troon.
Travel and purchase protections
When you travel, you’ll have primary rental car collision coverage, reimbursements if your trip is delayed, interrupted or canceled (or if your luggage is lost), hotel theft protection, travel assistance services, emergency card replacement and more. Your purchases will be covered by an extended warranty, as well as price protection (a perk that's become harder to find in recent years).
5. All things considered, it’s an inexpensive card to carry
If you travel often and you’re the type to use every benefit a rewards card offers, you’ll find a lot of value in the City National Crystal® Visa Infinite® Credit Card, even with its $400 annual fee. The travel-related statement credits and discounts alone are worth hundreds of dollars, and that's before you even factor in Priority Pass Select lounge access.
Homebodies and strict budgeters who won’t squeeze every drop out of the City National Crystal® Visa Infinite® Credit Card will have better luck with a more modest travel rewards card such as the $95-annual-fee Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. But if you want a taste of the high life, the City National Crystal® Visa Infinite® Credit Card opens doors.
