Best Citi credit cards of November 2024
Citi has changed its credit card offerings several times over the last few years. Whether you are a current or prospective Citi cardholder, here’s what you need to know about the best Citi credit cards currently available.
TPG's experts have compiled an in-depth list of the best Citi credit cards, including those with lucrative cash-back options, based on how we have personally used the cards. Check out the picks from our partners below to see how they compare to one another and make the best choice for you.
- Citi Strata Premier℠ Card: Best for starter travel
- Citi Double Cash® Card: Best for no-frills cash-back rewards
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®: Best for American Airlines lounge access
- Citi Custom Cash® Card: Best for no-headache, no-annual-fee cash back in a select category
- Citi Rewards+® Card: Best for small routine purchases
- Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi: Best for Costco shoppers
- Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard®: Best for business owners loyal to American Airlines
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®: Best for casual American Airline flyers
Browse by card categories
Best for starter travel
| 10X | Earn 10 points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on CitiTravel.com. |
| 3X | Earn 3 points per $1 on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, at Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas and EV Charging Stations. |
| 1X | Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases |
The Citi Strata Premier has some valuable transfer partners to make the most of your rewards plus, you’ll get a $100 hotel credit for any single-stay hotel booking that exceeds $500 or more, excluding taxes and fees, when you book through the Citi Travel website.
Pros
- Earn 10 points per dollar spent on hotels, car rentals and attractions when you book through the Citi Travel portal
- Earn 3 points per dollar spent at restaurants, supermarkets, gas and EV charging stations and on air travel and other hotel purchases
- Enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more, excluding taxes and fees, once per calendar year when you book through cititravel.com
- Transfer points to 14 airline programs (including JetBlue), 5 hotel programs (including Wyndham Rewards and Choice Privileges) and one retail program
- Get trip delay protection, trip cancellation and interruption protection, lost or damaged luggage protection and MasterRental coverage for car rentals when you use your card for eligible purchases
Cons
- $95 annual fee
- Airline transfer partners mostly include foreign programs (JetBlue is the only U.S. carrier)
- For a limited time, earn 75,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $750 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.
- Earn 10 points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
- Earn 3 points per $1 on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, at Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas and EV Charging Stations.
- Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- $100 Annual Hotel Benefit: Once per calendar year, enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through CitiTravel.com. Benefit applied instantly at time of booking.
- No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
- No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
Best for no-frills cash-back rewards
| 1% | 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, a special travel offer, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/25. |
The Citi Double Cash Card takes all of the stress and complication away from credit card rewards with a simple (yet lucrative) 2% earning scheme and straightforward cash-back redemption options. Check out our Citi Double Cash Card review for more details.
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.
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, a special travel offer, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/25.
- Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 18.49% - 28.49%, 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).
Best for American Airlines lounge access
| 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 |
The Citi AAdvantage is the only card that provides a full Admirals Club membership as well as elite perks for American Airlines flyers. See our Citi / AAdvantage Executive card review for more information.
Pros
- Offers Admirals Club lounge access
- Priority check-in, airport screening, boarding and a free checked bag for you and up to 8 travel companions
- 25% discount on inflight food and beverages
- Receive a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck Fee Statement Credit
Cons
- Miles redemption limited to American Airlines and its Oneworld partners
- 25% inflight credit doesn't include Wi-Fi
- 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
Best for no-headache, no-annual-fee cash back in a select category
| 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. |
| 4% | Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2026. |
| 1% | Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. |
This card offers true flexibility to earn rewards depending on your spending habits. Adding the Custom Cash may also be a good idea for existing Citi cardholders seeking to maximize their rewards. Check out our Citi Custom Cash Card review for more information.
Pros
- This card allows you to earn up to 5% back on your top spending category each billing cycle on up to the first $500 spent. Plus, no annual fee.
Cons
- Light on other benefits.
- 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 18.49% - 28.49%, 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. Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2026.
- 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.
Best for small routine purchases
| 5X | Special offer: earn 5 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com through December 31, 2025. |
| 2X | Earn 2X ThankYou® Points at Supermarkets and Gas Stations for the first $6,000 per year and then 1X Points thereafter. |
| 1X | Earn 1X ThankYou® Points on All Other Purchases. |
Every purchase on the Citi Rewards+ Credit Card rounds up to the nearest 10 points, as even a $2 coffee will earn 10 points, which can really stack up over time. Check out our Citi Rewards+ Card review for more details.
Pros
- No annual fee
- All purchases round up to the nearest 10 points
- 2x on supermarket and gas station purchases (up to $6,000 each year, then 1x thereafter), 1x on everything else
- Get 10% of your redeemed points back each year (for the first 100,000 points redeemed annually)
Cons
- Charges a 3% foreign transaction fee, so you won't want to take this card with you abroad
- Earn 20,000 bonus points after you spend $1,500 in purchases with your card within 3 months of account opening; redeemable for $200 in gift cards at thankyou.com
- Plus, as a special offer, earn a total of 5 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com through December 31, 2025.
- 0% Intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months from date of first transfer and on purchases from date of account opening. After that, the variable APR will be 17.99% - 27.99%, based on your creditworthiness. 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).
- Earn 2X ThankYou® Points at Supermarkets and Gas Stations for the first $6,000 per year and then 1X Points thereafter. Plus, earn 1X ThankYou® Points on All Other Purchases.
- The Citi Rewards+® Card - the only credit card that automatically rounds up to the nearest 10 points on every purchase - with no cap.
- No Annual Fee
Best for Costco shoppers
| 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 |
This no-annual-fee card is a no-brainer for Costco shoppers who want to earn even greater savings with cash-back rewards. Read our Costco Anywhere Visa Card review for more information.
Pros
- Purchase protection
- 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV purchases (on up to $7,000 per year; then 1%), 3% back at restaurants and on eligible travel purchases, 2% back on in-store and online Costco purchases
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you're not a Costco shopper
- Cash back can only be redeemed in the form of a reward certificate
- 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
Best for business owners loyal to American Airlines
| 2X | Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles per $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases, and on purchases at telecommunications merchants, cable and satellite providers, car rental merchants and at gas stations |
| 1X | Earn 1 AAdvantage® mile per $1 spent on other purchases |
| 1X | Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible mile earned from purchases |
If you have a small business that doesn’t meet the standard requirements for the AAdvantage Business program, the Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard® is the best way to get access and earn extra miles and Loyalty Points on your company travel. Other perks when flying American Airlines, including preferred boarding, your first checked bag free on domestic itineraries and 25% off select inflight purchases can also provide value to frequent flyers.
Pros
- Join the AAdvantage Business program even if your small business doesn’t otherwise qualify
- First checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to four companions on the same reservation
- 25% savings on inflight Wi-Fi, food and beverage purchases on American Airlines flights when you use your card
- Earn 1 Loyalty Point per dollar spent on purchases with your card
Cons
- The primary cardholder doesn't earn Loyalty Points on purchases made by authorized users
- Perks and miles aren’t as useful if you don’t frequently fly with American Airlines and use the AAdvantage program
- Designed for businesses
- For a limited time, earn 75,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $5,000 in purchases within the first 5 months of account opening.
- First checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries to reduce travel costs and boost your bottom line.
- 25% savings on American Airlines inflight Wi-Fi when you use your card
- Enjoy preferred boarding on American Airlines flights
- Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles per $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases, and on purchases at telecommunications merchants, cable and satellite providers, car rental merchants and at gas stations
- Earn 1 AAdvantage® mile per $1 spent on other purchases
- Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases
- No Foreign Transaction Fees
Best for casual American Airline flyers
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
| 2X | Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent at gas stations and restaurants. |
| 2X | Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases. |
Pros
- $99 annual fee, waived for the first year
- Numerous benefits when flying American include first checked bag free, preferred boarding and a 25% inflight food and beverage purchase discount
- You can redeem AAdvantage miles for flights on American, Alaska Airlines, British Airways, Japan Airlines and many more
Cons
- The $125 AA flight discount after spending $20,000 on the card each year is weak compared with other cobranded card spending threshold perks
- Other cards earn more miles for everyday purchases
For a card with a low annual fee, waived in the first year, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®* punches above its weight with a big welcome bonus and double miles not just for spending on American Airlines but also categories you will likely use regularly. You can earn 2 AAdvantage miles for every dollar spent at restaurants and gas stations and 1 mile per dollar spent for all other purchases.
Comparing the best Citi cards
Credit card | Best for | Intro offer | Earning rate | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Limited-Time Offer Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. at Citi's secure site | starter travel | 75,000 bonus points Open Intro bonus For a limited time, earn 75,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $750 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com. | 1 - 10X points | $95 |
Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. at Citi's secure site | no-frills cash-back rewards | $200 cash back Open Intro bonus 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. | 1 - 5% cash-back | $0 |
Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. at Citi's secure site | American Airlines lounge access | 70,000 miles Open Intro bonus Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first 3 months of account opening. | 1 - 4X miles | $595 |
Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. at Citi's secure site | no-headache, no-annual-fee cash back in a select category | $200 Open Intro bonus Earn $200 in cash back after you spend $1500 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. | 1 - 5% cash-back | $0 |
Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. at Citi's secure site | small routine purchases | 20,000 points Open Intro bonus Earn 20,000 bonus points after you spend $1,500 in purchases with your card within 3 months of account opening; redeemable for $200 in gift cards at thankyou.com. | 1 - 5 points | $0 |
Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. at Citi's secure site | Costco shoppers | N/A | 1 - 4% cash-back | $0 |
Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. at Citi's secure site | business owners loyal to American Airlines | 75,000 miles Open Intro bonus For a limited time, earn 75,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $5,000 in purchases within the first 5 months of account opening. | 1 - 2X points | $99, waived for first 12 months |
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® * *The information about the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® has been collected independently by ThePointsGuy.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer. Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. Information updated as of 11/14/2024 | casual American Airline flyers | 50,000 miles Open Intro bonus Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $2,500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening | 2X points | $99, waived for first 12 months |
More details on the best Citi credit cards
When you take advantage of the $100 annual hotel credit on this card, you essentially cancel out the $95 annual fee — while still being able to take advantage of solid earning rates and other benefits the Strata Premier offers.
The Citi Strata Premier is a good card for both occasional and frequent travelers who will take advantage of the annual $100 hotel credit and elevated travel bonus rates.
Even if you only travel a few times each year, this card basically pays for itself when you utilize its perks and benefits.
If you’re seeking a more premium travel card that earns miles instead of points, consider the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. The Venture X earns a flat rate of 2 miles per dollar spent across all purchases with the exception of 10 miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5 miles per dollar spent on flights and vacation rentals also booked within the Capital One Travel portal.
The Citi Double Cash Card (see rates and fees) is easy to love due to its 2% cash back on all purchases, offered as 1% back when you buy and 1% back when you pay, with no annual fee. You’ll earn cash-back rewards as basic ThankYou points, which are easy to redeem for a direct deposit to your bank account, a statement credit or a check in the mail.
The Citi Double Cash Card is an excellent option if you want a cash-back rewards card for all your purchases. It’s also a good option for consumers who need a card for non-bonus category purchases.
“The Citi Double Cash Card is a simple yet valuable cash-back rewards card that I frequently recommend to family and friends. It's a great everyday spending card with 2% cash back, offered as 1% when you buy and 1% when you pay. And since it has no annual fee, it's earned a long-term place in my wallet.” — Katie Genter, senior points and miles writer
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card (see rates and fees) also earns 2% cash back on purchases, so it may be a better option if you prefer a Wells Fargo card.
The Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard (see rates and fees) offers a complimentary Admirals Club membership for the primary cardholder and Admirals Club access for authorized users with a same-day boarding pass for an eligible flight. The annual fee on this card is less than the cost of an Admirals Club membership, making it a good deal for some frequent American Airlines flyers.
If you frequently fly American Airlines and could benefit from perks like Admirals Club access, priority boarding and a first checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries, then you should consider the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard.
“I frequently find myself on American out of Miami, and I love that I can access the Admirals Club with my immediate family. I can also add up to three authorized users for an additional $175 (total) per year — and each of them gets club access as well (with a same-day boarding pass for an eligible flight). Beyond that, I save hundreds of dollars a year thanks to Citi Merchant Offers on the card.” — Nick Ewen, director of content
If you don’t need an Admirals Club membership, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® might be a better option due to its lower annual fee.
The information for the Citi Platinum Select World Elite has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The Citi Custom Cash Card (see rates and fees) offers 5% cash back on your top eligible spending category (on up to $500 spent) each billing cycle. That’s great, considering the card has no annual fee.
The Citi Custom Cash Card is a solid cash-back rewards card that you can use to earn 5% cash back on up to $500 of spending in one eligible category each billing cycle (and 1% cash back on other purchases). But it becomes particularly valuable if you have a premium Citi ThankYou card, as then you unlock all the Citi ThankYou Rewards transfer partners.
If you could benefit from earning 5% cash back on up to $500 spent in one of the eligible categories — restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, select travel, select transit, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs or live entertainment — each billing cycle, then you should consider getting the Citi Custom Cash Card.
If you want to use your card for various purchases and still earn more than 1% cash back, the Citi Double Cash® Card may be a better option.
The Citi Rewards+ Card (see rates and fees) is a no-annual-fee card that earns basic ThankYou Rewards points on purchases. Its unique attribute is that Citi automatically rounds up to the nearest 10 points on every purchase. So, a $3 purchase earns just as much as a $10 purchase.
If you want a no-annual-fee card for small purchases or to use at supermarkets and gas stations, the Citi Rewards+ Card may be for you. After all, you’ll earn 2 points per dollar on the first $6,000 of purchases per calendar year at supermarkets and gas stations. After that, and on other purchases, you’ll earn 1 point per dollar.
“The Citi Rewards+ Card is a great addition to your wallet, especially if you already have a full-fledged Citi ThankYou Rewards card. I love having this card because it gives me 10% of the points I redeem (up to 100,000 points redeemed per calendar year) back each year. Plus, it's a great card to use for small purchases that would typically earn less than 10 points.” — Katie Genter, senior points and miles writer
The Citi Double Cash® Card will be a better option for many consumers, as it provides 2% cash back on all purchases, offered as 1% back when you buy and 1% back when you pay. However, the Citi Double Cash doesn’t round up to the nearest 10 points on every purchase, nor does it offer a 10% points rebate.
The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi (see rates and fees) is a great option for Costco members. We love that cardholders earn 4% cash back on eligible gas and electric vehicle charging (on the first $7,000 per year, then 1% after that) and 3% on restaurants and eligible travel.
This card has no annual fee if you have a paid Costco membership, making it a good option for Costco members. You’ll get cash back each year once your February billing statement closes as a certificate redeemable for cash or merchandise at U.S. Costco Warehouses. So, you’ll only want to use this card if you have a Costco Warehouse nearby and don’t mind only getting cash-back rewards once a year.
If you frequently shop at Costco, plan to keep your Costco membership for the foreseeable future and can benefit from bonus cash back in the gas or EV charging categories, the Costco Anywhere Visa card may be a good addition to your wallet.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a good alternative card option for earning at least 1.5% cash back on all purchases. And since it’s a Visa credit card, you can use it at Costco Warehouses.
This card offers elite-like perks when flying American Airlines. Cardholders can also earn Loyalty Points on purchases with this card, which can help them earn American Airlines elite status.
If you have a small business that can benefit from the AAdvantage Business program and perks when flying on American Airlines, this card is for you.
“With a small business that has too few employees to meet the standard requirements for the AAdvantage Business program, this card is my business’ key to the extra earnings available through the AAdvantage Business program.” — Katie Genter, senior points and miles writer
Small business owners could also consider consumer American Airlines cards, such as the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees) for an Admirals Club membership or the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® for some of the same perks as this card.
The card comes packed with airline-specific perks like a free checked bag, for you and four travel companions and a generous welcome offer.
*The information for the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Anyone who regularly flies American Airlines will benefit from this card’s airline-specific perks and generous welcome offer.
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®* features airline-specific perks, elevated rewards earning and a generous welcome offer, making it a great addition for any American Airline loyalist’s wallet.
If you want more flexible redemption options, consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. The card does not come with airline-specific perks but is a great general travel card and Chase’s valuable Ultimate Rewards can be redeemed with any of Chase’s transfer partners.
How we rate
Ask our experts
What's your favorite Citi card — and why?
What TPG readers have to say about their top pick for best Citi card
We asked TPG readers to tell us what they loved about their favorite Citi card. From earning points to enjoying perks and benefits, a range of options are available from Citi. Here’s what they had to say.
Note: Reader-submitted responses have not been edited, reviewed or approved by the issuers nor reflect TPG’s opinions of these cards.
Citi Custom Cash® Card
“Citi Custom Cash gives 5% cash back on your top category* I use it only for restaurants and delivery, so that’s my top category." – Helena S via Facebook
*Each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
"For the group 4 priority check in** and bag handling, as well as Admirals club access.” – Chad B via X
**Group 4 priority boarding and priority check-in where available.
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
“We frequent Costco (warehouse, online and Costco Travel online) and also use the card for gas and restaurants and misc. travel purchases.” – Cindi G via a TPG newsletter survey
How to choose a Citi credit card
- It's a good idea to select a Citi credit card with a decent sign-up bonus that you can maximize to meet your goals. Determine what you want from a card — be it cash back, miles to redeem on airline purchases or transferable points to use in a variety of programs — and select one with a solid offer that holds value to you.1Sign-up bonus
- Citi credit cards come with a range of annual fees, and many options don't carry an annual fee at all. Still, some cards with higher annual fees offer strong protections and other benefits that justify the additional payment. It's important to consider your comfort level with annual fees when you choose a card.2Annual fee
- Pick the card that earns the most in categories you do the most spending, such as dining, groceries or gas. That way, you will maximize on your everyday spending to get a solid return.3Bonus categories
Pros + cons of Citi credit cards
Pros
- Using a Citi credit card responsibly can help you improve your credit score
- Citi credit cards can earn useful points, miles or cash back on your spending
- Most Citi credit cards offer credit and account protection
- Some Citi credit cards come with valuable travel perks, such as hotel benefits, lounge access and checked bags, among others
Cons
- Credit cards can encourage overspending
- Carrying a balance and using your Citi card irresponsibly can negatively impact your credit score
- If you don't pay your Citi credit card balance each month, you may accrue steep interest charges
- Having too many credit card applications can negatively impact your credit score
- Some Citi credit cards carry foreign transaction fees, meaning they aren't always the best cards to carry abroad
Frequently asked questions
Most consumers find that Citi is a good credit card issuer. However, some cardholders occasionally have issues with functionality on the Citi website or app.
The best Citi credit card depends on what you’re looking for in a card. However, one of our favorites is the Citi Double Cash® Card for its simple earnings on all purchases.
You can apply for a Citi credit card by clicking the hyperlinked card names in this guide. Or, you can navigate to the Citi website and apply for cards there.
Some, but not all, Citi credit cards have foreign transaction fees. One examples of a Citi card that doesn't have foreign transaction fees is the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®.
If you have a Citi credit card that earns ThankYou Rewards points, you can redeem points for cash-back rewards at a rate of 1 cent per point. And if you have a Costco card from Citi, you’ll get an annual credit card reward certificate that you can redeem for cash or merchandise at U.S. Costco Warehouses.
You’ll usually need fair to excellent credit to be approved for a new Citi credit card. This means you’ll likely need a credit score of at least 580. Consider applying for the Citi Double Cash® Card if you have fair credit, as this is one of the easier-to-get Citi credit cards.
If you have limited credit or bad credit, you may still be able to get approved for the Citi® Secured Mastercard®. This card lets you build credit by providing a security deposit and then getting a credit limit on your card equal to the amount of your security deposit.
The information for the Citi® Secured Mastercard® has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
You can cancel a Citi credit card by calling the number on the back of your card, starting an online chat from your account or sending a secure message. It's usually best to call if you want to cancel your card, as then you might be informed of a lucrative retention offer that encourages you to keep your card for another year.