The best Citi credit cards of December 2023
If you’re a Citi cardholder, you might be wondering whether or not you have one of the best Citi credit cards in your wallet — especially since the issuer has made adjustments to its portfolio in recent years.
If it’s been a while since you opened any of your Citi accounts, there’s no better time than the present to review the benefits certain Citi cards provide. And if you’re satisfied with your current Citi cards, it also doesn’t hurt to check out which ones might make a good addition to your roster, especially if you’re looking for a powerhouse card to earn cash back, points or miles. Let’s take a look at some of the best Citi credit cards currently available to help you decide.
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- 3X Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Other Hotels
- 3X Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants and Supermarkets
- 1X Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Why We Chose It
The Citi Premier is a solid travel card choice with a plethora of travel partners and solid earning rates. Since the card earns the same number of points at gas stations, restaurants, supermarkets, airlines and hotels, it’s a great pick for beginner travel cardholders who want a simplified point system. Read our full review of the Citi Premier.
Pros
- Earns 3 points per dollar on restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, air travel and other hotels.
- $100 annual hotel savings benefit (on single hotel stay bookings of $500 or more, excluding taxes and fees, booked through thankyou.com)
Cons
- $95 annual fee
- Lacks travel protections that other travel rewards cards come with
- Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, for a limited time, earn a total of 10 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through June 30, 2024.
- Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Other Hotels
- Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants and Supermarkets
- Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Annual Hotel Savings Benefit
- 60,000 ThankYou® Points are redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com
- No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
- No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
Why We Chose It
The Citi Premier is a solid travel card choice with a plethora of travel partners and solid earning rates. Since the card earns the same number of points at gas stations, restaurants, supermarkets, airlines and hotels, it’s a great pick for beginner travel cardholders who want a simplified point system. Read our full review of the Citi Premier.
Pros
- Earns 3 points per dollar on restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, air travel and other hotels.
- $100 annual hotel savings benefit (on single hotel stay bookings of $500 or more, excluding taxes and fees, booked through thankyou.com)
Cons
- $95 annual fee
- Lacks travel protections that other travel rewards cards come with
- Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, for a limited time, earn a total of 10 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through June 30, 2024.
- Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Other Hotels
- Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants and Supermarkets
- Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Annual Hotel Savings Benefit
- 60,000 ThankYou® Points are redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com
- No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
- No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
Pros
- Earns 3 points per dollar on restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, air travel and other hotels.
- $100 annual hotel savings benefit (on single hotel stay bookings of $500 or more, excluding taxes and fees, booked through thankyou.com)
Cons
- $95 annual fee
- Lacks travel protections that other travel rewards cards come with
- Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, for a limited time, earn a total of 10 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through June 30, 2024.
- Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Other Hotels
- Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants and Supermarkets
- Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Annual Hotel Savings Benefit
- 60,000 ThankYou® Points are redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com
- No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
- No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
- 2% Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
- 5% Plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24.
Why We Chose It
The Citi Double Cash Card caters to beginners establishing good credit habits, since users will earn 2% cash back; 1% when they buy and 1% when they pay their statement. The Citi Double Cash is a great pick for those looking for the utmost simplicity and want cash back in their pocket. Read our full review of the Citi Double Cash here.
Pros
- Earning 2% back on every purchase is an industry-leading return on everyday spending for a no-annual-fee credit card.
- Now that you have the ability to convert rewards to ThankYou points with an eligible card, your redemption options are even more flexible.
- It’s great for those looking to consolidate debt, since it offers new cardmembers 18 months of 0% intro APR on balance transfers made. After that, the variable APR of 19.24% - 29.24% applies.
Cons
- Those looking to make a balance transfer will have to pay 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
- Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
- Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24.
- Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
- If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
- There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
Why We Chose It
The Citi Double Cash Card caters to beginners establishing good credit habits, since users will earn 2% cash back; 1% when they buy and 1% when they pay their statement. The Citi Double Cash is a great pick for those looking for the utmost simplicity and want cash back in their pocket. Read our full review of the Citi Double Cash here.
Pros
- Earning 2% back on every purchase is an industry-leading return on everyday spending for a no-annual-fee credit card.
- Now that you have the ability to convert rewards to ThankYou points with an eligible card, your redemption options are even more flexible.
- It’s great for those looking to consolidate debt, since it offers new cardmembers 18 months of 0% intro APR on balance transfers made. After that, the variable APR of 19.24% - 29.24% applies.
Cons
- Those looking to make a balance transfer will have to pay 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
- Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
- Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24.
- Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
- If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
- There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
Pros
- Earning 2% back on every purchase is an industry-leading return on everyday spending for a no-annual-fee credit card.
- Now that you have the ability to convert rewards to ThankYou points with an eligible card, your redemption options are even more flexible.
- It’s great for those looking to consolidate debt, since it offers new cardmembers 18 months of 0% intro APR on balance transfers made. After that, the variable APR of 19.24% - 29.24% applies.
Cons
- Those looking to make a balance transfer will have to pay 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
- Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
- Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, for a limited time, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/24.
- Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
- If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
- There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
- 5% Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter.
- 1% Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Why We Chose It
The Citi Custom Cash is the most flexible cash-back card on the market, allowing you to earn 5% back on your top eligible spend category on up to $500 spent each billing cycle. Read our full review of the Citi Custom Cash.
Pros
- Choice of bonus category.
- No annual fee.
Cons
- Cap on bonus earning.
- Foreign transaction fees.
- Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
- 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- No rotating bonus categories to sign up for – as your spending changes each billing cycle, your earn adjusts automatically when you spend in any of the eligible categories.
- No Annual Fee
- Citi will only issue one Citi Custom Cash® Card account per person.
Why We Chose It
The Citi Custom Cash is the most flexible cash-back card on the market, allowing you to earn 5% back on your top eligible spend category on up to $500 spent each billing cycle. Read our full review of the Citi Custom Cash.
Pros
- Choice of bonus category.
- No annual fee.
Cons
- Cap on bonus earning.
- Foreign transaction fees.
- Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
- 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- No rotating bonus categories to sign up for – as your spending changes each billing cycle, your earn adjusts automatically when you spend in any of the eligible categories.
- No Annual Fee
- Citi will only issue one Citi Custom Cash® Card account per person.
Pros
- Choice of bonus category.
- No annual fee.
Cons
- Cap on bonus earning.
- Foreign transaction fees.
- Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
- 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- No rotating bonus categories to sign up for – as your spending changes each billing cycle, your earn adjusts automatically when you spend in any of the eligible categories.
- No Annual Fee
- Citi will only issue one Citi Custom Cash® Card account per person.
- 4X Earn 4x AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases.
- 1X 1 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on other purchases
Why We Chose It
The Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard is the best for those who fly American Airlines and want Admirals Club lounge access. It also gives you helps you earn and maintain elite status and comes with priority perks. Read our full review of the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard.
Pros
- Admirals Club lounge access.
- Priority check-in.
- Free checked bag for traveling party.
- Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fee credit.
Cons
- Limited redemption options.
- High annual fee.
- Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first 3 months of account opening.
- Admirals Club® membership for you and access for up to two guests or immediate family members traveling with you
- No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
- Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases
- First checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to 8 companions traveling with you on the same reservation
Why We Chose It
The Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard is the best for those who fly American Airlines and want Admirals Club lounge access. It also gives you helps you earn and maintain elite status and comes with priority perks. Read our full review of the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard.
Pros
- Admirals Club lounge access.
- Priority check-in.
- Free checked bag for traveling party.
- Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fee credit.
Cons
- Limited redemption options.
- High annual fee.
- Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first 3 months of account opening.
- Admirals Club® membership for you and access for up to two guests or immediate family members traveling with you
- No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
- Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases
- First checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to 8 companions traveling with you on the same reservation
Pros
- Admirals Club lounge access.
- Priority check-in.
- Free checked bag for traveling party.
- Global Entry/TSA PreCheck fee credit.
Cons
- Limited redemption options.
- High annual fee.
- Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first 3 months of account opening.
- Admirals Club® membership for you and access for up to two guests or immediate family members traveling with you
- No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
- Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases
- First checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to 8 companions traveling with you on the same reservation
- 4% 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter
- 3% 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases
- 2% 2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com
- 1% 1% cash back on all other purchases
Why We Chose It
As long as you’re a member, the Costco Anywhere Visa Card is one of the best store credit cards on the market. This card is a solid way to earn rewards across a wide range of purchases, including eligible gas, restaurants, eligible travel and at Costco.
Pros
- Purchase protection.
- Multiple bonus categories.
Cons
- Only valid for Costco members.
- Limited cash back redemption options.
- Discover one of Citi’s best cash back rewards cards designed exclusively for Costco members
- 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter
- 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases
- 2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
- No annual fee with your paid Costco membership and enjoy no foreign transaction fees on purchases
- Receive an annual credit card reward certificate, which is redeemable for cash or merchandise at U.S. Costco warehouses, including Puerto Rico
Why We Chose It
As long as you’re a member, the Costco Anywhere Visa Card is one of the best store credit cards on the market. This card is a solid way to earn rewards across a wide range of purchases, including eligible gas, restaurants, eligible travel and at Costco.
Pros
- Purchase protection.
- Multiple bonus categories.
Cons
- Only valid for Costco members.
- Limited cash back redemption options.
- Discover one of Citi’s best cash back rewards cards designed exclusively for Costco members
- 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter
- 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases
- 2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
- No annual fee with your paid Costco membership and enjoy no foreign transaction fees on purchases
- Receive an annual credit card reward certificate, which is redeemable for cash or merchandise at U.S. Costco warehouses, including Puerto Rico
Pros
- Purchase protection.
- Multiple bonus categories.
Cons
- Only valid for Costco members.
- Limited cash back redemption options.
- Discover one of Citi’s best cash back rewards cards designed exclusively for Costco members
- 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter
- 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases
- 2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
- No annual fee with your paid Costco membership and enjoy no foreign transaction fees on purchases
- Receive an annual credit card reward certificate, which is redeemable for cash or merchandise at U.S. Costco warehouses, including Puerto Rico
Comparing the best Citi credit cards
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| Credit card | Best for | Intro offer | Earning Rate | Annual Fee | |
| Best travel starter card |
60,000
points |
1 - 3X points
1 - 3X points
details
|
$95 | ||
| Best for no-frills cash-back rewards |
$ 200
cash back |
2 - 5% cash-back
2 - 5% cash-back
details
|
$0 | ||
| Best for flexibility |
$200
|
1 - 5% cash-back
1 - 5% cash-back
details
|
$0 | ||
| Best for American Airlines lounge access |
70,000
miles |
1 - 4X miles
1 - 4X miles
details
|
$595 | ||
| Best for Costco members |
N/A
|
1 - 4% cash-back
1 - 4% cash-back
details
|
$0 |
Frequently asked questions
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The best Citi card for you depends on what you are looking for in a card. But, three of the most popular Citi credit cards are the Citi Premier® Card for its earning and ability to transfer rewards to Citi ThankYou airline partners, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® for the benefits it provides while flying American Airlines and the Citi Double Cash® Card (see rates & fees) for its earning on everyday spending.
Related: 9 signs a credit card isn’t the right one for you
The information for the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
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Citi currently offers two credit cards that it classifies as “credit building credit cards”: the Citi® Secured Mastercard® and the Citi Rewards+℠ Student Card. Although it’s unclear exactly what type of credit score is needed to be approved for these cards, they should be the easiest to get in Citi’s portfolio.
The information for the Citi Secured Mastercard and the Citi Rewards+ Student Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Related: How to earn points and miles with fair to poor credit
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When you apply for a Citi card, you may be approved (or rejected) within a few minutes or you may need to wait a few weeks for a decision. If you aren’t instantly approved, you may still be approved once Citi processes your application further or by calling Citi’s reconsideration line.
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It is possible to request a credit limit increase online for most Citi credit cards. To check whether your card is eligible and request a credit limit increase if your card is eligible, log into your online Citi account. Hover over Services on the top navigation bar and click on Credit Card Services. Then, under Card Management, click on Request a Credit Limit Increase. You’ll be taken to a page that will either state you aren’t eligible or will ask for updated information on your total annual income and monthly mortgage or rent payment.
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Citi may look a bit weaker next to its competitors after slashing most of its shopping and travel protections in late 2019, but it still has a solid lineup of credit cards ranging from a no-annual-fee, flat-rate, cash-back card to two luxury options that come with perks to enhance your travel experience. And, the AAdvantage-branded credit cards come with some nice benefits for American flyers as well as the ability to redeem the miles you earn on the card for travel on American and its partners.
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More details on our best Citi credit cards
Citi Custom Cash® Card: Best for earning extra points
Sign-up bonus: Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first six months of account opening. This bonus offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
Rewards: 5% cash back on your top eligible spend category up to $500 spent each billing cycle; 1% unlimited cash back on all other purchases.
Annual fee: $0.
Benefits: The Citi Custom Cash (see rates & fees) tailors to your lifestyle spend rather than sticking to rigid bonus categories. You’ll earn an industry-leading 5% on your top eligible spend category each month, on up to the first $500 in purchases. The categories range from restaurants to fitness clubs to home improvement stores and beyond, so you’ll be able to earn maximum cash back for no annual fee.
The deal gets even better if you pair your Citi Custom Cash with a premium Citi Card, such as the Citi Premier (see rates and fees) or the Citi Prestige® Card. You can combine your cash-back earnings and turn it into ThankYou points, making them transferable to Citi’s 15-plus airline partners.
The information for the Citi Prestige card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
For more information, check out our card review of the Citi Custom Cash Card.
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Official application link: Citi Custom Cash.
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Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard: Best for American Airlines lounge access
Sign-up bonus: Earn 70,000 bonus miles after you spend $7,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. At 1.77 cents per mile, this bonus is worth $1,239 according to TPG’s valuations.
Rewards: Earn 4 miles per dollar on eligible American Airlines purchases; 10 miles per dollar spent on eligible car rentals and hotels booked through American’s car rental and hotel booking sites, respectively; and 1 mile per dollar spent on everything else.
Annual fee: $595.
Benefits: The Citi/AAdvantage Executive comes with a free Admirals Club airport lounge membership, which otherwise costs up to $850 for individuals or $1,650 for a household. The perk allows you to bring two guests or immediate family members into the club — and authorized users of the card also have access.
Plus, you and up to eight companions traveling on the same reservation will get your first checked bag free when traveling on domestic American Airlines itineraries. You’ll also receive a credit of up to $100 to cover your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck enrollment fee every four years. Finally, you can take this card outside the U.S., since you won’t be paying foreign transaction fees.
For more information, see our card review of the Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard.
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Official application link: Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard.
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Citi Rewards+® Card: Best for earning extra points
Sign-up bonus: Earn 20,000 bonus points after you spend $1,500 in purchases with your card within three months of account opening.
This bonus is worth $200 in gift cards at Thankyou.com, although if you also have the Citi Premier or Citi Prestige it’s worth $450 based on TPG’s latest valuations.
Rewards: For a limited time, earn 5x points per dollar on hotels, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel℠ Portal through June 30, 2024. Earn 2 ThankYou points per dollar at supermarkets and gas stations on the first $6,000 you spend per year (1 point per dollar after that) and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. In addition, your points are rounded up to the nearest 10 points on every purchase with no caps. So, if you buy a cup of coffee for $2.31, that’s rounded up 10 points. And, if you spend $10.99 on lunch, that rounds up to 20 points.
Annual fee: $0 (see rates and fees).
Benefits: You’ll get 10% of your points back on the first 100,000 points you redeem each year. If JetBlue is your airline of choice, you can transfer your points directly to its TrueBlue loyalty program at a ratio of 5:4. Otherwise, you can get 1 cent per point in value when you redeem for gift cards. However, if you pair the Citi Rewards+ with the Citi Premier or Citi Prestige, the earnings can be combined into a single ThankYou Rewards account, thus making them transferable to Citi’s airline partners.
The Citi Rewards+ may be right for you if you’re looking for a contactless card that allows you to tap to pay. Note that the Rewards+ has a 3% foreign transaction fee though, so you’ll want to leave it at home when leaving the U.S.
For more information, check out our card review of the Citi Rewards+ Card.
Related: What credit score do you need to get the Citi Rewards+ Card?
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Official application link: Citi Rewards+ Card.
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Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi: Best for Costco members
Sign-up bonus: None.
Rewards: 4% cash back on eligible gas, and EV charging purchases for the first $7,000 per year , and EV charging purchases (1% thereafter); 3% on restaurants and eligible travel; 2% on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com; and 1% on everything else. Cash back is provided as an annual credit card reward certificate once your February billing statement closes, redeemable for cash or merchandise at U.S. Costco Warehouses (including Puerto Rico).
Annual fee: No annual fee with your paid Costco membership.
Benefits: With many consumers preferring cash-back rewards, the Costco Anywhere Visa may be worth a spot in your wallet. The card has no foreign transaction fees. Plus, your card doubles as your Costco membership ID. If you’re a frequent Costco shopper and want to make the most of your purchases, this could be a great fit.
For more details, see our card review of the Costco Anywhere Visa Card.
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Official application link: Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi.
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Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®: Best for American Airlines flyers
Sign-up bonus: Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $2,500 on purchases in the first four months of account opening.
Rewards: Earn 2 miles per dollar on eligible American Airlines purchases, restaurants and gas stations, and 1 mile per dollar on everything else.
Annual fee: $99 (waived for the first year).
Benefits: The Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select has many benefits. For example, you and up to four passengers traveling on your reservation receive your first checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries. You’ll also get a $125 American Airlines flight discount after you spend $20,000 or more on purchases on the card during your membership year and renew your card.
The card also doesn’t charge any foreign transaction fees.
To learn more, check out our full review of the Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard.
CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®: Best for American Airlines business flyers
Sign-up bonus: Earn 65,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first four months of account opening. At 1.77 cents per mile, this bonus is worth about $1,151 according to TPG’s valuations.
Rewards: Earn 2 miles per dollar on eligible American Airlines purchases, telecommunications merchants, cable and satellite providers, car rental merchants and at gas stations, and 1 mile per dollar on everything else.
Annual fee: $99, but the fee is waived for your first 12 months.
Benefits: The most valuable perk of this business credit card is likely the first checked bag free for you and up to four passengers traveling on your reservation on American Airlines domestic flights. You’ll more than make up for the fee if you avoid just four checked bag fees each year.
You’ll also get a $99 American Airlines Companion Certificate for domestic main cabin economy travel if you spend $30,000 or more with your card during a card membership year, renew the card and keep your account open for at least 45 days after your account anniversary date. You won’t need to pay foreign transaction fees if you use your card abroad.
For more details, see our full card review of the CitiBusiness/AAdvantage Platinum Select.
The information for the CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
How we chose the best Citi credit cards
We reviewed Citi’s credit card lineup and studied their sign-up bonuses, rewards, perks and annual fees. This included both the cards that participate in the ThankYou Rewards program as well as the issuer’s cobranded card lineup.
Here are some aspects to consider when applying for Citi credit cards:
- The ultimate guide to Citi ThankYou Rewards.
- Redeeming Citi ThankYou Points for maximum value.
- The ultimate guide to Citi ThankYou Rewards transfer partners.
- Amex vs. Citi vs. Chase: Which booking portal is best for hotels?
As always, head to the TPG cards hub to see the best credit cards currently available.
Related: How to choose the right credit card for you
Recent changes to Citi Cards
Citi has made some significant changes to its cards over the last few years. Citi launched the Citi Custom Cash card in June 2021 and discontinued the application link for its ultra-premium Citi Prestige card. A few years ago, Citi eliminated many of the shopping and travel protections from its cards and refreshed the Citi Premier card — the list goes on. Some of the changes have been positive, such as improved earnings, while some card benefits and perks have slowly decreased.
Related: Is Citi ThankYou Rewards the most underappreciated and misunderstood program?
