Citi, one of the largest financial institutions in the world, offers a wide variety of credit cards that cater to different financial needs, from cashback rewards to travel perks and balance transfer options. Citi’s credit cards are designed to provide excellent value with strong rewards programs, low fees, and exclusive benefits. Whether you’re looking to earn points for travel, get cashback on everyday purchases, or save on interest with 0% APR offers, Citi has an option that can meet your goals.
In this article, we’ll explore the key benefits of Citi credit cards and highlight some of the best options available.
1. Overview of Citi Credit Cards
Citi offers a range of credit cards with various benefits for both personal and business use. The most popular Citi credit cards include:
- Citi® Double Cash Card: Known for its simple yet effective cashback rewards program.
- Citi Premier® Card: A travel rewards card with generous points on dining, supermarkets, and other categories.
- Citi Rewards+® Card: A card designed for those who want to earn points on every purchase with the added bonus of rounding up to the nearest 10 points on every transaction.
- Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card: A balance transfer card with 0% intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for an extended period.
- CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®: A business credit card offering travel rewards, especially for American Airlines flyers.
Citi also offers specific cards for students and individuals looking to build credit, as well as cards that offer exclusive entertainment and concierge services.
2. Top Features of Citi Credit Cards
Citi credit cards come with a wide array of features that cater to different cardholder needs. Let’s explore some of the standout features that make Citi credit cards an attractive choice for consumers.
Citi ThankYou® Rewards Program
Many Citi credit cards are part of the ThankYou® Rewards program, which allows cardholders to earn points for every dollar spent. These points can be redeemed for a variety of rewards, including:
- Travel: You can use your points to book flights, hotels, and car rentals through the Citi Travel Center or transfer points to one of Citi’s airline partners.
- Cashback: Points can be redeemed for statement credits or checks.
- Gift Cards: Points can be used for a selection of gift cards from popular retailers.
- Merchandise: Citi also offers a variety of products and experiences that can be redeemed with points.
The flexibility of the ThankYou® Rewards program makes Citi’s credit cards appealing to those who want a versatile rewards system with a wide range of redemption options.
0% Introductory APR Offers
Citi offers 0% APR introductory offers on certain credit cards, making them ideal for those who want to make large purchases or transfer balances without paying interest. For example:
- Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card: Offers 0% APR on balance transfers and purchases for the first 18 months (then a variable APR applies). This can be a great option for people who want to pay down debt without worrying about high interest rates.
- Citi Rewards+® Card: Comes with 0% APR on purchases for the first 15 months, which is beneficial for those who want to spread out the cost of larger purchases without incurring interest charges.
After the introductory period ends, the regular variable APR will apply, so it’s important to plan for that transition if you’re carrying a balance.
No Annual Fees on Many Cards
Many Citi credit cards, such as the Citi® Double Cash Card and Citi Rewards+® Card, do not charge annual fees, which makes them great choices for individuals who want to avoid paying an extra fee each year. No annual fee means you can maximize your rewards without having to factor in an additional cost, making these cards very cost-effective.
Cashback and Bonus Categories
Citi offers several cards that allow you to earn cashback or bonus points on everyday purchases:
- Citi® Double Cash Card: This card offers 2% cashback on all purchases—1% when you buy, and an additional 1% when you pay off your purchases. This makes it an excellent choice for people who want a simple cashback program with no rotating categories or complicated redemption rules.
- Citi Premier® Card: This card provides 3 points per dollar on dining, entertainment, supermarkets, and gas stations, and 1 point per dollar on other purchases. These bonus categories help you earn more on everyday spending, especially if you dine out often or shop at supermarkets.
- Citi Rewards+® Card: This card offers 2x points at supermarkets and gas stations (on the first $6,000 per year), and 1 point per dollar on other purchases. It also offers the unique benefit of rounding up to the nearest 10 points on every purchase, which can add up to more rewards over time.
Access to Travel Benefits
For those who travel frequently, Citi credit cards offer a range of travel-related benefits:
- Citi Premier® Card: This card earns 3x points on travel, which includes airfare, hotels, and more. Points can be redeemed for travel through Citi’s Travel Center or transferred to one of Citi’s airline partners, such as JetBlue, Singapore Airlines, or Virgin Atlantic.
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®: This card is ideal for American Airlines frequent flyers. It offers 2x miles on American Airlines purchases, restaurants, and gas stations, and it provides benefits like priority boarding and a first checked bag free on eligible flights.
- Citi® Prestige® Card (when available): Offers 5x points on air travel and restaurants, as well as access to VIP airport lounges and 4th night free on hotel bookings made through the Citi Travel Portal.
Citi’s travel benefits are great for frequent travelers who want to earn valuable rewards and enjoy additional perks like discounted travel, concierge services, and travel protections.
Smartphone and Purchase Protection
Citi credit cards come with various purchase protections to safeguard your purchases:
- Purchase Protection: Citi cards often come with purchase protection that covers new items against theft or damage for up to 120 days (with specific conditions).
- Extended Warranty: Citi also offers extended warranty protection, which adds up to one extra year to the manufacturer’s warranty for eligible purchases.
- Price Rewind: Citi’s Price Rewind feature tracks purchases and automatically refunds the difference if the price drops within 60 days of your purchase.
These protections provide added peace of mind when making large or important purchases.
Citi Concierge Services
For premium cardholders, Citi provides access to concierge services, which can help you with a wide range of requests, such as booking reservations, finding tickets to exclusive events, or arranging travel plans. Services like these are typically offered with cards like the Citi Prestige® Card (when available), making them attractive options for individuals who want a more personalized banking experience.
3. Best Citi Credit Cards and Their Rewards
Citi offers a variety of credit cards that cater to different consumer preferences. Here are some of the best Citi credit cards and their rewards:
Citi® Double Cash Card
- Rewards: 2% cashback on all purchases—1% when you buy, 1% when you pay off your purchases.
- Annual Fee: $0
- Key Benefits:
- Simple and straightforward cashback program.
- No rotating categories or complex redemption rules.
- Great for everyday purchases and building cashback rewards.
Citi Premier® Card
- Rewards:
- 3x points on travel, dining, entertainment, and supermarkets.
- 1x points on other purchases.
- Annual Fee: $95
- Key Benefits:
- Generous points on travel and everyday spending.
- Points can be transferred to travel partners or used for travel rewards.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Citi Rewards+® Card
- Rewards:
- 2x points at supermarkets and gas stations (on the first $6,000 per year).
- 1 point per dollar on other purchases.
- Annual Fee: $0
- Key Benefits:
- Points rounded up to the nearest 10 on every purchase.
- 0% APR on purchases for the first 15 months.
- No annual fee.
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
- Rewards: No rewards program, but it offers 0% APR on balance transfers and purchases for the first 18 months.
- Annual Fee: $0
- Key Benefits:
- Ideal for individuals looking to transfer balances and save on interest.
- Extended 0% APR period for balance transfers and new purchases.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®
- Rewards:
- 2x miles on American Airlines purchases, dining, and gas stations.
- 1x miles on other purchases.
- Annual Fee: $99 (waived for the first year)
- Key Benefits:
- Free checked bag and priority boarding on American Airlines flights.
- Travel rewards that can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and more.
4. Which Citi Credit Card Is Right for You?
Citi offers a variety of credit cards that suit different needs:
- If you want a straightforward cashback card, the Citi® Double Cash Card is an excellent choice, offering 2% cashback on all purchases.
- If you’re a frequent traveler, the Citi Premier® Card provides generous points on travel, dining, and entertainment, along with valuable travel benefits.
- For those who want to earn points at supermarkets and gas stations, the Citi Rewards+® Card offers a unique rounding feature that maximizes points on small purchases.
- If you’re looking to manage debt or make large purchases, the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card offers an extended 0% APR period, making it a great option for balance transfers.
Conclusion
Citi credit cards provide a broad range of benefits, from generous rewards programs to valuable travel perks and purchase protections. Whether you’re looking to earn cashback, points for travel, or benefit from low APR offers, Citi has a card that can meet your financial needs. By understanding the rewards, features, and benefits of each card, you can choose the best Citi credit card to maximize your rewards and make the most of your spending.
