Best Citi Credit Cards of May 2023

Our consultants reply readers’ bank card questions and write unbiased product critiques (here is how we assess bank cards). In some circumstances, we obtain a fee from our companions; nevertheless, our opinions are our personal. Phrases apply to presents listed on this web page.

The most effective credit score card for you won’t be a great match for others, and a few shoppers are higher off pursuing presents with a particular bank card issuer. Citi tends to work effectively for sure varieties of spenders, together with individuals who need among the best money again playing cards and those that just like the redemption choices within the Citi ThankYou Rewards program.

Citi additionally boasts a few of the best possible stability switch bank cards with a few of the longest intro APR presents out there immediately, making Citi a preferred card issuer for debt consolidation. 

Evaluate the Finest Citi Credit score Playing cards

We’re targeted right here on the rewards and perks that include every card. These playing cards will not be price it should you’re paying curiosity or late charges. When utilizing a bank card, it is necessary to pay your stability in full every month, make funds on time, and solely spend what you may afford to pay.

Evaluate the Finest Citi Credit score Playing cards

The knowledge associated to the Citi® Secured Mastercard® has been collected by Enterprise Insider and has not been reviewed or offered by the issuer.

Methodology: How We Selected the Finest Citi Credit score Playing cards

We evaluated Citi bank cards which are at the moment out there to new candidates and thought of a number of components:

• Simplicity — Does the cardboard have simple redemption choices and a simple rewards program? Are there any hoops to leap by?
• Incomes potential — How a lot money again, factors, or miles are you able to earn with the cardboard, and do the bonus classes line up with typical spending habits?
• Annual price — No-annual-fee playing cards are excellent, but when the cardboard fees an annual price, does it provide perks that make it worthwhile?
• Choices for various kinds of shoppers — We included playing cards that attraction to every kind of customers, from merchandise with a 0% APR provide to journey factors and airline bank cards.

Citi Credit score Card Continuously Requested Questions (FAQ)

Finest total Citi bank card

Citi Premier card

The Citi Premier® is our prime Citi bank card for 2023 as a result of the rewards you earn are so versatile, but you do not have to pay an expensive annual price. With an annual price of simply $95 per yr, this card is providing a bonus of 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Factors after you spend $4,000 in purchases throughout the first three months of account opening.

You additionally earn 3x factors at eating places, fuel stations, supermarkets, air journey, and inns — which makes the cardboard price contemplating for on a regular basis bills, in addition to for journey down the highway.

The Citi Premier® does not have any overseas transaction charges, and you should use your rewards for present playing cards, assertion credit, journey by the Citi portal, and transfers to Citi’s airline and lodge companions. You can too store with factors on Amazon.com, BestBuy.com, and at retailers like CVS and Shell fuel stations. Most redemption choices are for 1 cent per level, however chances are you’ll get extra worth whenever you switch your rewards to loyalty program companions. 

Citi additionally added Alternative Accommodations as a companion — the primary lodge switch companion since Hilton left the ThankYou Rewards program in 2017 — and shortly thereafter added Wyndham Rewards as its second lodge program.

Citi Premier card overview

Finest Citi bank card for money again

Citi Double Money card

The Citi® Double Money Card is one of the best Citi bank card for money again. It permits cardholders to successfully earn 2 factors per greenback (price 2% in money again) on the whole lot they spend — 1 level per greenback once they make a purchase order and one other 1 level per greenback once they pay it off. That is why it ranks extremely in our information to one of the best 2% money again bank cards.

This card does not cost an annual price, and it isn’t at the moment providing a welcome bonus.

You possibly can redeem Citi ThankYou factors as journey, present playing cards, and transfers to pick out companions. However to entry transfers to Citi’s full listing of airline and lodge companions, you may additionally want a Citi Premier® Card or Citi Status® Card
(now not open to functions).

This card additionally has a beneficiant 0% intro APR on stability transfers for 18 months, adopted by a 18.74% – 28.74% Variable APR. That makes the Citi® Double Money Card a great possibility for debt consolidation, though you solely earn rewards on purchases, and never on balances you switch from different bank cards. 

Citi Double Money Card overview

Finest Citi bank card for routinely maximizing rewards

Citi Customized Money card

The Citi Customized Money℠ Card is one of the best Citi bank card for routinely maximizing rewards incomes. It is among the best 5% money again bank cards in case your spending habits have a tendency to vary from month to month. Cardholders earn 5% money again on as much as $500 in purchases within the eligible class they spend probably the most in every billing cycle (then 1%), and 1% on all different purchases.

The qualifying classes embody on a regular basis bills that ought to attraction to most folk: eating places, fuel stations, grocery shops, choose journey, choose transit, choose streaming companies, drugstores, dwelling enchancment shops, health golf equipment, and dwell leisure. 

There’s at the moment a welcome bonus provide of $200 money again, fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou® Factors, after you spend $1,500 on purchases within the first six months of account opening. Plus, new cardholders even have the chance to utilize a 0% intro APR on stability transfers and purchases for 15 months (then a 18.74% – 28.74% Variable APR).  

Though it is marketed as a cash-back card, the Citi Customized Money℠ Card truly earns rewards within the type of Citi ThankYou factors, that are price 1 cent apiece for money again, journey booked by Citi, present playing cards, merchandise, and extra. And once more, in case you have the Citi Premier® Card or Citi Status® Card (now not out there to new candidates), you may pool your rewards and switch factors to airline companions.

Citi Customized Money card overview

Finest Citi bank card for airline miles

Citi AAdvantage Platinum Choose card

The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Choose® World Elite Mastercard® is one of the best Citi bank card for incomes airline miles.  The cardboard is a winner for frequent flyers who wish to fly with American Airways and companions like British Airways, Alaska Airways, and Cathay Pacific. Not solely are you able to earn 75,000 American Airways AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $3,500 in purchases throughout the first 4 months of account opening, however you may earn 2x miles on eligible American Airways purchases, restaurant and fuel station spending, and 1 mile per greenback for all different purchases you make.

Cardholder advantages embody most popular boarding, 25% off inflight meals and beverage purchases whenever you pay along with your bank card, and a free checked bag for you and as much as 4 companions on home itineraries whenever you fly American. This card comes with an annual price of $99, waived for first 12 months. 

Qualifying for elite standing with American Airways AAdvantage is now primarily based on incomes Loyalty Factors. Together with incomes Loyalty Factors from flying and companion spending, you may earn 1 Loyalty Level per greenback spent on co-branded American Airways bank cards, together with the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Choose® World Elite Mastercard®.

Citi AAdvantage Platinum Choose card overview

Finest Citi small enterprise card for airline miles

CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum Choose card

Our greatest Citi bank card for small-business house owners trying to earn airline miles is the CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum Choose card. Small-business house owners who fly American Airways can do very effectively with the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Choose® Mastercard®. It is bought a hefty welcome bonus provide of 65,000 American Airways AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $4,000 in purchases throughout the first 4 months of account opening (price round $910 in journey, primarily based on Insider’s valuations).

The cardboard comes with money-saving perks for vacationers, together with a free checked bag on home American Airways itineraries (for the cardholder and as much as 4 companions on the identical reservation), most popular boarding on AA flights, and a 25% financial savings on inflight meals, drinks, and Wi-Fi whenever you use your card.

It additionally earns bonus miles in nice classes for small companies: 2x miles on American Airways purchases, eligible purchases at telecommunications retailers, cable and satellite tv for pc suppliers, automotive rental retailers, and fuel stations, and 1 mile per greenback on all different eligible purchases.

Each greenback you spend on the cardboard additionally earns 1 Loyalty Level, which is tremendous helpful should you’re angling for American Airways elite standing. Huge spenders can make the most of a home companion certificates once they spend $30,000 on purchases in a calendar yr and renew their card.

There’s an annual price of $99, waived for first 12 months, and no overseas transaction charges. 

CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum Choose American Airways bank card overview

Finest Citi bank card for Costco customers

Costco Wherever Visa card

The Costco Wherever Visa® Card by Citi may is one of the best Citi card selection should you’re a Costco member and you want incomes money again good for extra Costco purchases. This card earns 4% again on eligible fuel and EV charging purchases on as much as $7,000 in spending annually (then 1%), however you may additionally earn 3% again on eating and eligible journey. Along with 1% again on common purchases, you may additionally earn 2% again whenever you store within the retailer at Costco or make purchases on Costco.com.

This card enables you to money in your rewards after your February assertion credit score annually, and there is not any annual price with a paid Costco membership. You additionally will not pay any overseas transaction charges.

Costco Wherever Visa card overview

Finest Citi bank card for small purchases

Citi Rewards+ card

The no-annual-fee Citi Rewards+® Card is a prime Citibank bank card selection if you wish to earn versatile Citi ThankYou factors and like its distinctive incomes construction. Cardholders earn 5 complete ThankYou® Factors per greenback spent on lodge and automotive leases booked on the Citi Journey℠ portal by June 30, 2024, 2 factors per greenback at supermarkets and fuel stations (on as much as $6,000 per yr in spending, then 1x), and 1 level per greenback on the whole lot else.

The twist? Citi will spherical up the variety of factors you earn for every buy to the closest 10 factors. Which means whether or not you purchase a $1 donut or a $6 latte, you may earn 10 factors; or should you purchase $21 in groceries, you may earn 42 factors (2x factors at supermarkets) which will get rounded as much as 50 factors. Due to this function, it is an important card to make use of should you make a number of small purchases.

New cardholders can at the moment earn an elevated 25,000 bonus factors after spending $1,500 in purchases in three months from account opening. That is 5,000 factors greater than the earlier provide. As well as, there is a 0% intro APR on stability transfers for 15 months from date of first switch and on purchases from date of account opening, adopted by a 18.24% – 28.24% Variable APR, which may prevent cash on curiosity in case you have huge bills developing you need to repay over an extended time frame.

Citi Rewards Plus card overview

Finest Citi bank card with an introductory 0% APR on purchases and stability transfers

Citi Diamond Most well-liked card

If you happen to’re searching for one of the best Citi bank card with an intro APR on purchases and stability transfers take into account the Diamond Most well-liked. The Citi® Diamond Most well-liked® Card presents an introductory 0% intro APR on stability transfers for 21 months (transfers have to be accomplished inside 4 months of account opening) and on purchases for 12 months (then a 17.74% – 28.49% Variable) — one of many longest of any card available on the market proper now.

There isn’t any annual price, however you may pay a 5% stability switch price (minimal $5). Whereas the cardboard does not earn rewards, it presents a wonderful alternative to repay debt with none curiosity. Throughout this time, each cent you pay in your invoice will go instantly towards the principal of your stability, which is able to expedite the method of paying down your debt. 

Citi Diamond Most well-liked bank card overview

Finest Citi bank card for introductory 0% APR and no late charges

Citi Simplicity card

The highest Citi card for avoiding late charges is the Citi Simplicity. If you wish to consolidate debt and do not need to have to fret about further charges or penalty charges, the Citi Simplicity® Card is a good selection. It presents a 0% intro APR on stability transfers for 21 months (transfers have to be accomplished inside 4 months of account opening) and on purchases for 12 months (then a 18.74% – 29.49% Variable APR). There’s an introductory stability switch price of $5 or 3% of the quantity of the switch, whichever is bigger, for stability transfers accomplished inside 4 months of account opening.

You will not get charged late charges or pay a penalty fee, and there is not any annual price to fret about both. Nevertheless, you will not earn rewards on your spending — so if debt consolidation is not your precedence, there are higher rewards bank cards to think about as a substitute.

Citi Simplicity card overview 

Finest Citi bank card for low credit score scores

Citi Secured card

If you happen to’re new to credit score or engaged on bettering your credit score, the Citi® Secured Mastercard® is one of the best Citi card to assist you to construct your credit score historical past with accountable use. The cardboard does not provide a welcome bonus or earn rewards, nevertheless it could possibly be an important stepping stone for many who need to qualify for higher rewards playing cards down the highway.

To be accredited for the Citi® Secured Mastercard®, Citi will overview your earnings and debt, nevertheless it’s doable to qualify with restricted historical past or no credit score in any respect. Citi studies your card exercise to all three credit score bureaus, so through the use of the cardboard responsibly and paying your payments on time, your credit score rating may enhance.

As a result of it is a secured card, you may have to supply an preliminary safety deposit of $200 to $2,500, and the quantity of your deposit turns into your credit score restrict. If you happen to shut the cardboard sooner or later (or after a interval displaying accountable use), you can get your deposit again.

Citi Secured Mastercard Evaluate

Different Citi Credit score Playing cards to Think about

Citi has another nice bank cards that missed the minimize for our listing, however relying in your wants and spending habits, they could possibly be an important selection for you.

• Citi® / AAdvantage® Government World Elite Mastercard®
  : That is the premium American Airways bank card, with a $450 annual price and membership to the airline’s Admirals Membership airport lounge program. If you happen to fly American on a regular basis, this could possibly be price it — particularly as a result of buying an Admirals Membership membership can price $550 or extra, so it is cheaper to get the cardboard.
• American Airways AAdvantage® MileUp®
  : On the opposite finish of the spectrum, there’s the AAdvantage MileUp card with no annual price. If you wish to earn American Airways miles and Loyalty Factors however you do not fly often sufficient to warrant an annual price, it is a good possibility.
• Costco Wherever Visa® Enterprise Card by Citi: If you happen to’re a small-business proprietor, the enterprise model of Citi’s Costco card is price contemplating.  

Citi Rewards+ vs Citi Customized Money

The Citi Rewards+® Card and Citi Customized Money℠ Card are each no-annual-fee playing cards that earn Citi ThankYou factors, with comparable welcome bonus presents. So one of the best one for you actually is determined by your spending habits and the way concerned you need to be in maximizing your rewards.

The Citi Customized Money℠ Card has probably the most hands-off strategy, awarding 5% money again (5x factors) on as much as $500 in purchases (then 1%) in your prime eligible spending class each billing cycle (eating places, fuel stations, grocery shops, choose journey, choose transit, choose streaming companies, drugstores, dwelling enchancment shops, health golf equipment, and dwell leisure). When you’ve got excessive month-to-month bills in any of those classes, the cardboard could possibly be one of the best match for you.

In the meantime, the Citi Rewards+® Card has a novel function that rounds up the factors you earn to the closest 10-point increment, and earns 2 Citi ThankYou factors per greenback spent at supermarkets and fuel stations on the primary $6,000 spent within the mixed classes annually (then 1x). There’s additionally a ten% factors rebate on the primary 100,000 factors you redeem per calendar yr. If the round-up function and rebate is interesting and matches your spending habits, this card could possibly be probably the most rewarding possibility.

Citi Rewards+ vs Citi Double Money

If you happen to’re making an attempt to decide on between the Citi Rewards+® Card and Citi® Double Money Card, you may need to resolve first if incomes a welcome bonus is necessary to you. The Citi® Double Money Card does not at the moment provide a welcome bonus, however the Citi Rewards+® Card presents 25,000 bonus factors after spending $1,500 in purchases in three months from account opening.

That mentioned, on the incomes facet of the equation, the Citi® Double Money Card is a transparent winner, successfully incomes 2x factors (2% again) on all purchases — 1 level whenever you purchase, and 1 level whenever you pay. That incomes fee is extra helpful to most folk, as a result of the Citi Rewards+® Card solely earns 2x factors at supermarkets and fuel stations on the primary $6,000 spent within the mixed classes annually (then 1x) and 1 level per greenback on the whole lot else. 

The Citi® Double Money Card can also be a more sensible choice should you’re searching for a stability switch provide, with a 0% intro APR on stability transfers for 18 months adopted by a 18.74% – 28.74% Variable APR. If you happen to’re searching for an intro 0% APR on stability transfers and purchases, the Citi Rewards+® Card is a greater deal, providing a 0% intro APR on stability transfers for 15 months from date of first switch and on purchases from date of account opening (then a 18.24% – 28.24% Variable APR).

Citi Rewards+ vs Citi Premier

The Citi Premier® Card is a extra versatile card than the Citi Rewards+® Card in some ways, and past that it has a a lot greater incomes potential between its welcome bonus provide and incomes. New Citi Premier® Card cardholders can earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Factors after you spend $4,000 in purchases throughout the first three months of account opening. In the meantime, the Citi Rewards+® Card presents an elevated 25,000 bonus factors after spending $1,500 in purchases in three months from account opening. That is extraordinarily beneficiant for a no-annual-fee card, however it may’t compete with the Citi Premier® Card.

The choice right here boils down as to if or not you need to pay the Citi Premier® Card’s annual price of $95. If you happen to’re trying to redeem your rewards for journey, it is greater than price it, since having the cardboard unlocks the power to switch your factors to all of Citi’s switch companions. With the Citi Rewards+® Card, you have got fewer choices for redeeming your factors.

A wise angle can be to open each of those playing cards, providing you with the power to mix your rewards and switch them to airline and lodge companions, plus make the most of the Citi Rewards+® Card 10% rebate on redeemed factors (as much as 100,000 factors per yr). 

Citi Diamond Most well-liked vs Citi Rewards+

The Citi® Diamond Most well-liked® Card is a greater possibility than the Citi Rewards+® Card in a single scenario solely — should you’re searching for a card with a really lengthy intro APR on stability transfers. With the Citi® Diamond Most well-liked® Card, you may get a 0% intro APR on stability transfers for 21 months (transfers have to be accomplished inside 4 months of account opening) and on purchases for 12 months (then a 17.74% – 28.49% Variable APR). However the draw back is the cardboard does not earn rewards or provide a welcome bonus.

If you happen to can handle with a shorter intro interval, the Citi Rewards+® Card nonetheless will get you a good size of time with its 0% APR provide — once more, 0% intro APR on stability transfers for 15 months from date of first switch and on purchases from date of account opening (then a 18.24% – 28.24% Variable APR). Plus, you may have the chance to earn a welcome bonus and rewards on your spending.

Finest Citibank Card for Inexperienced persons

If you happen to’re simply beginning out with bank card rewards, the Citi® Double Money Card might be your finest choose. It is an important combo of simplicity and highly effective rewards incomes, and you will not must fuss with remembering bonus classes because it earns a flat fee of rewards on all purchases.

The draw back is you will not have the power to switch factors to the complete listing of Citi airline and lodge companions. However, sooner or later, if you wish to increase your rewards incomes, pairing the Citi® Double Money Card with the Citi Premier® Card is a superb technique. That manner, you may earn 3x factors within the Citi Premier® Card’s bonus classes (eating places, fuel stations, supermarkets, air journey, and inns) and 2x factors (1 level whenever you purchase, and 1 level whenever you pay) utilizing the Citi® Double Money Card for the whole lot else.