Citibank offers a diverse credit card portfolio spanning cash back, travel rewards, and retail partnerships. Their ThankYou Points program and straightforward cash back cards provide solid value for various spending patterns.
Citi Overview
Citibank is one of the largest global banks and a major credit card issuer. Their ThankYou Rewards program offers flexible redemption options, while their cash back cards provide simple, consistent returns.
Cash Back Cards
Citi Double Cash Card
One of the best flat-rate cash back cards available:
- Annual fee: $0
- Earning rates: 1% when you buy, 1% when you pay = 2% effective on everything
- Key benefits: Simple earning, no categories to track, no annual fee
- Considerations: Must pay your bill to earn the second 1%
Best for: Those who want straightforward, high cash back without tracking categories.
Citi Custom Cash Card
Automatically rewards your top spending category:
- Annual fee: $0
- Earning rates: 5% on your top eligible spending category each billing cycle (up to $500), 1% on everything else
- Eligible categories: Restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, select travel, select transit, select streaming, drugstores, home improvement, fitness clubs, live entertainment
Best for: Those with concentrated spending in one category each month.
Travel Rewards Cards
Citi Premier Card
Citi's primary travel rewards card:
- Annual fee: $95
- Sign-up bonus: Typically 60,000-80,000 points
- Earning rates: 3x on air travel, hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations; 1x on everything else
- Key benefits: Points transfer to airline partners, no foreign transaction fees, $100 annual hotel savings benefit
Citi Strata Premier (replacing Premier)
Citi's updated premium travel card:
- Annual fee: $95
- Earning rates: 10x on hotels and car rentals through Citi Travel, 3x on restaurants, supermarkets, gas, air travel, and EV charging
- Key benefits: Enhanced transfer partners, trip protection
Retail Partner Cards
Costco Anywhere Visa by Citi
Exclusive credit card for Costco members:
- Annual fee: $0 (requires Costco membership)
- Earning rates: 4% on gas (up to $7,000/year), 3% on restaurants and travel, 2% at Costco, 1% everywhere else
- Key benefits: Annual reward certificate, excellent gas rewards
Citi / AAdvantage Cards
Co-branded American Airlines cards:
- AAdvantage Platinum Select: $99 annual fee, 2x on AA purchases, restaurants, and gas
- AAdvantage Executive: $595 annual fee, Admirals Club access, premium AA benefits
ThankYou Points Program
Citi's rewards currency offers:
- Transfer partners: Airlines including JetBlue, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and more
- Cash back: Redeem for statement credits or direct deposit
- Travel: Book through Citi's travel portal
- Gift cards: Various retail options
Citi Benefits and Features
Citi Price Rewind
Automatically searches for lower prices on purchases and refunds the difference (up to $200 per item).
Citi Entertainment
Access to presale tickets and special events for concerts, sports, and dining.
Extended Warranty
Extends manufacturer warranties by 24 months on eligible purchases.
Worldwide Car Rental Insurance
Primary coverage on rental cars when you decline the rental company's insurance.
Citi Application Rules
Citi has specific application limitations:
- 8/65 Rule: Maximum 1 Citi card application every 8 days, 2 every 65 days
- 1/24 Rule: No bonus if you've received a bonus on the same card family in 24 months
Who Should Get Citi Cards?
- Simplicity seekers: Double Cash offers easy 2% on everything
- Category spenders: Custom Cash rewards top spending at 5%
- Costco members: The Costco card is excellent for gas and warehouse purchases
- AA flyers: AAdvantage cards offer strong value for American Airlines loyalists
Citi cards complement a solid budget and can help maximize rewards on everyday spending.
