You’ve heard of CitizenM, right? It’s the coolest new chain of budget-friendly hotels with properties in 20 cities around the world, including a growing presence in the United States, where the brand has big plans for the future.
CitizenM likes to do things differently than some of its big rivals, and instead of a traditional loyalty program, the chain offers guests additional benefits and discounts through a simple membership program.
Normally, the ‘mycitizenm+’ membership costs $144 per year, but CitizenM is currently running a status match offer for anyone with status with pretty much any airline or hotel chain worldwide, for a $39.95 application fee – effectively reducing the annual by more than $104.
What’s the deal?
CitizenM is offering to match the status of frequent travellers with any airline or hotel brand to its ‘mycitizenm+’ membership for a simple application fee of $39.95.
To be eligible, you have to already hold status with an airline or hotel chain, although that’s pretty much all there is to it. The only caveat is that lounge status or an airline or hotel brand subscription is not enough to qualify.
In return, you get a one-year complimentary mycitizenm+ membership, which is activated once you input a special signup code.
You can sign up on the CitizenM website here.
What do you get as a ‘mycitizenm+’ member?
mycitizenm+ membership comes with a slew of benefits, including:
- 15% off hotel stays
- Free late checkout (2 pm)
- Free premium view rooms
- 10% off food and drink (although this doesn’t include breakfast)
- Early access to sales
- Guaranteed room when 48 hours’ notice is given
CitizenM also promises a best-price guarantee, exclusive deals and full use of the CitizenM app (if that’s important to you).
Remember, mycitizenm+ is a membership and not a loyalty program. There aren’t any additional levels, and the perks being advertised here are the very best available at CitizenM.
What loyalty programs are eligible for the status match?
This is the easy bit. To quote CitizenM: “All airlines and hotels are eligible globally”.
You will, however, need to upload proof that you hold status with an airline or hotel. Once you’ve submitted your application, the review process can take up to three days.
Where can I stay at a CitizenM hotel?
As an introduction, the ‘affordable luxury’ CitizenM brand was created in the Netherlands in 2008 with the aim of providing affordable luxury in central locations. CitizenM hotel rooms are “compact yet well-designed” and make the best use of a small space.
You’ll find modern and stylish interiors, and the brand often works with local designers to bring the flair of the region to their hotels. Happening social spaces, rooftop bars, and 24/7 dining are all to be expected.
CitizenM now has 31 hotels in Europe, the United States and Asia, including locations in Miami, Los Angeles and New York, as well as London, Paris and Amsterdam.
The brand has a particularly strong presence in the United States with properties located in: Austin, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Miami, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington DC. A property in Menlo Park is also due to open in December 2023.
Is this status match worth the cost?
CitizenM normally sales its mycitizenm+ membership for $12 a month but the brand only offers an annual membership, so the actual cost is $140, which means that if you were already considering mycitizenm+ membership, this status match offer is a really compelling proposition.
The status match offers an equivalent saving of $100.05 for a 12-month mycitizenm+ membership.
Whether this is of value to you really depends on whether you can see yourself making use of CitizenM hotels over the next 12 months. Some of the perks, such as late checkout and a 15% discount, are pretty valuable and certainly shouldn’t be sniffed at.
I don’t know…48 hour room guarantee? What about the organized planner who books their room in advance. CitizenM is letting the late comer take their room? Let the lazy snowflake slide?