The Star Of ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ Shares His Best Travel Tips And His Latest Project—A Travel Rewards Credit Card

If you’ve been on an airplane recently, chances are you’ve seen Crazy Rich Asians on the small screen. The runaway box-office hit debuted in 2018 and has staying power: It’s still one of the most-watched in-flight films. On American Airlines alone, the movie racks up more than 15,000 views a week.

In the film, Golding plays Nick Young, a man whose life is all about private planes and glamorous destinations. But what many audiences don’t know is that before the breakout role, the Malaysia-born British actor was a globetrotting travel host for the BBC, tracking lions on the plains of Kenya, riding the rails through Cambodia and eating his way around Istanbul.

A Travel Expert Long Before ‘Crazy Rich Asians’

That early career taught Golding to see travel not just as an escape, but as a way to connect with people and cultures. And it’s part of the reason why Citi hired Golding to help launch the new Citi Strata Elite Credit Card, a premium card designed for travelers who are looking for generous rewards and lifestyle perks.

At a star-studded event in New York City, Golding sat down with me to talk about travel and how the Citi Strata Elite card aligns with the way he explores the world these days.

“Travel represents freedom,” Golding told me in an interview. “It evolves as you get older. When we’re younger, it’s about checking off all the bucket list boxes. Now, it’s about building memories with my kids.”

Golding has two young children with his wife, Liv Lo. He says his travel goals have shifted since becoming a father: Now he wants to help his kids see the world. “I want to bring them to Asia—to Malaysia and Taiwan. I also want to take them to more out-there places for kids—to Greenland, to see the Northern Lights and more Northern Europe.” He also has a soft spot for Mallorca, where he recently vacationed with his family. “The beaches are amazing, the mountains, the countryside, the people, the food—we’ll be back.”

Citi Strata Elite Card: Premium Travel Rewards

That love of travel is a big part of what drew Golding to Citi’s new offering. The Citi Strata Elite card is designed for premium travelers who want high-value rewards. Benefits include 1.5x points on every dollar spent, 6x on flights and restaurants on Friday and Saturday nights (plus 3x on dining all other times) and 12x on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked on Citi Travel (the highest earn rate of its kind in the industry). Besides the points, there are other perks like an annual $300 hotel credit, four American Airlines Admirals Club passes, complimentary Priority Pass Select membership at more than 1,500 airport lounges worldwide and a $200 splurge credit that can be used at a variety of merchants including Live Nation, Best Buy, 1stDibs, Future fitness training and more.

“The Citi Strata Elite card hits all the things that I love to spend my money on, which is travel and dining experiences,” says Golding. “Usually I just pay out of pocket. So to be rewarded for having those amazing experiences, that’s a natural.”

Pam Habner, head of U.S. Branded Cards and Lending at Citi, says that choosing Golding to help launch the Citi Strata Elite Card was a no-brainer.

“He is a true world traveler, both personally and professionally who values making the most out of his journey,” Habner told me in an interview. “Long before his acting career took off, Henry was hosting BBC’s The Travel Show and sharing his passion for adventure with audiences around the world. That spirit of discovery and authenticity makes him a natural fit to launch the Citi Strata Elite card.”

And of course, it doesn’t hurt that Crazy Rich Asians has such a huge following. Habner points out that it’s “steeped in luxury, travel and culture—it’s a film that invites audiences to enjoy a luxurious journey while on their way to their own adventure, which is why I think it’s had such strong staying power with travelers.”

Henry Golding’s Best Travel Tips

While the new partnership may be the headline, Golding’s travel advice is refreshingly down-to-earth. He’s a big believer in following personal passions when exploring a destination. For instance, he’ll go to local jujitsu gym in whatever country or city he’s in and train. “Then you meet people there and you become fast friends,” says Golding.

He also uses social media to his advantage. “I’m a big Instagrammer. I just love sleuthing on the internet,” he says. “Sometimes I’ll hit up a creator or somebody prolific in some sort of area of expertise in that particular place. Like, ‘Oh, hey, I’m coming into town. If you’re up for coffee, I would love to pick your brains.’”

For the average travel who might not have that kind of clout, Golding encourages stepping outside your comfort zone. “Once you start saying ‘yes’ to certain things that maybe aren’t in your wheelhouse, you never know where it’s going to take you,” he says. “Some of the most magnificent nights are the unexpected ones.”

For Citi, the launch of the Citi Strata Elite isn’t just about a new product—it’s a response to how people are traveling now. The card was built “in direct response to customer demand for premium travel and dining rewards that are delivered with simplicity, flexibility and convenience,” says Habner.

For Golding, helping launch a new travel rewards credit card is about amplifying the way he already approaches travel: with the belief that every journey has the potential to create lasting memories. “The more opportunity that you open yourself to, the more that’s going to come across your path,” he says.

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