Review
Updated
Fact Checked
Nathan Alderman
Citi, an advertising partner with The Ascent, offers a wide selection of quality credit cards. Whether you're looking for cash back, flexible travel points, or a way to avoid interest and other credit card fees, there's a Citi card that fits the bill. If you're trying to sort through the card issuer's lineup to find the card for you, these are our picks for the best Citi credit cards.
Best Citi credit cards
- Low interest: Citi? Diamond Preferred? Card
- Cash rewards: Citi Double Cash? Card
- Customizing your cash back: Citi Custom Cash? Card
- Balance transfers: Citi Simplicity? Card
- Travel, restaurants, and groceries: Citi Premier? Card
- Rounding up points: Citi Rewards+? Card
- Costco members: Costco Anywhere Visa? Card by Citi
- Costco members: Costco Anywhere Visa? Business Card by Citi
- American Airlines travel: Citi? / AAdvantage? Platinum Select? World Elite Mastercard?
Great for: Low interest
Rating image, 4.25 out of 5 stars.
4.25/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Rating image, 4.25 out of 5 stars.
4.25/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Credit Score
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 12 months
Balance Transfers: 0%, 21 months
Regular APR
18.24% - 28.99% (Variable)
Rewards
N/A
Annual Fee
$0
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A hard-to-beat 0% intro APR credit card that's a fit for cardholders wanting to pay off debt faster with balance transfer strategies and/or finance the cost of a purchase and temporarily avoid costly interest charges. Read Full Review
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- Great intro APR
- No annual fee
- Free credit score monitoring
- No rewards
- Foreign transaction fee
- High balance transfer fee
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- 0% Intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers from date of first transfer and 0% Intro APR for 12 months on purchases from date of account opening. After that the variable APR will be 18.24% - 28.99%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening.
- There is a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
- Get free access to your FICO? Score online.
- With Citi Entertainment?, get special access to purchase tickets to thousands of events, including concerts, sporting events, dining experiences and more.
- No Annual Fee - our low intro rates and all the benefits don’t come with a yearly charge.
Great for: Cash rewards
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Credit Score
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Fair to Excellent (580-850)
Intro APR N/A
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: 0%, 18 months
Regular APR
19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
Rewards 2% cash back: 1% when you buy plus 1% as you pay
Up to 2% cash back
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer 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.
20,000 ThankYou? Points
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With a high, unlimited cash back rate, a lengthy 0% intro APR on balance transfers, and no annual fee, this card is a winner. Read Full Review
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- High cash back
- 0% intro APR balance transfer offer
- No annual fee
- Free credit score monitoring
- Foreign transaction fee
- No 0% intro APR on purchases
- No sign-up bonus
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- 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).
Great for: Customizing your cash back
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Credit Score
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Fair to Excellent (580-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 15 months
Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months
Regular APR
19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
Rewards 5% cash back in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle (up to the first $500 spent), 1% cash back on other purchases
1% - 5% cash back
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer 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.
20,000 ThankYou? Points
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A leading cash-back card that includes a big sign-up bonus, great rewards program, and long 0% intro APR offers, all with no annual fee. Read Full Review
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- Cash back rewards
- Sign-up bonus
- No annual fee
- 0% intro APR offer
- Bonus cash back limits
- Foreign transaction fee
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- 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.
Great for: Balance transfers
Rating image, 4.75 out of 5 stars.
4.75/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Rating image, 4.75 out of 5 stars.
4.75/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Credit Score
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 12 months
Balance Transfers: 0%, 21 months
Regular APR
19.24% - 29.99% (Variable)
Rewards
N/A
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening.
Lower intro balance transfer fee
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With a long 0% intro APR offer, no late fees, no annual fee, and no penalty rate, this card is an unmatched pick. Read Full Review
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- Great intro APR
- No annual fee
- No late fees
- No penalty APR
- No rewards
- Foreign transaction fee
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- No Late Fees, No Penalty Rate, and No Annual Fee... Ever
- 0% Intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers from date of first transfer and 0% Intro APR for 12 months on purchases from date of account opening. After that the variable APR will be 19.24% - 29.99%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening.
- There is an introductory balance transfer fee of $5 or 3% of the amount of the transfer, whichever is greater, for balance transfers completed within 4 months of account opening.
- Stay protected with Citi? Quick Lock.
Citi Simplicity content is not provided by the issuer. Any opinions expressed are those of the The Ascent alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the issuer.
Great for: Travel, restaurants, and groceries
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Credit Score
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
21.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
Rewards 3x points at restaurants, supermarkets, at gas stations, for air travel, and on hotels, 1x points on other purchases
1x - 3x points
Annual Fee
$95
Welcome Offer 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.
60,000 ThankYou? Points
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While it has flown under the radar, this rewards card packs big value with bonus opportunities and flexible travel points. Read Full Review
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- Big sign-up bonus
- Annual hotel savings offer
- Travel and dining rewards
- Grocery and gas rewards
- Flexible travel rewards points
- Annual fee
- Limited consumer and travel protections
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- 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
- 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
Great for: Rounding up points
Rating image, 3.50 out of 5 stars.
3.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Rating image, 3.50 out of 5 stars.
3.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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For a limited time, earn 5 ThankYou? Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals, and attractions booked on the Citi Travel? Portal through June 30, 2024.
Credit Score
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: 0%, 15 months
Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months
Regular APR
18.74% - 28.74% (Variable)
Rewards 2X ThankYou? Points at supermarkets and gas stations for the first $6,000 per year, 1X ThankYou? points on other purchases
1x - 2x points
Annual Fee
$0
Welcome Offer 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
20,000 points
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A well-rounded set of perks makes this card a solid choice, but the rewards program is lacking compared to the competition. Read Full Review
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- Points round up on purchases
- Sign-up bonus
- Supermarket and gas station rewards
- Great intro APR
- No annual fee
- Low rewards rate
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- 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, for a limited time, earn 5 ThankYou? Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel? portal through June 30, 2024.
- 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 18.74% - 28.74%, 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
Costco Anywhere Visa? Card by Citi
Great for: Costco members
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Credit Score
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Excellent (740-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
20.49% (Variable)
Rewards 4% back on gas and EV charging ($7,000 annual spending cap), 3% back on restaurants and travel, 2% back on Costco purchases, 1% back on other purchases
1% - 4% back
Annual Fee
$0 for Costco members
Welcome Offer
N/A
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Hard to beat for Costco shoppers with the lucrative rewards program and no annual fee for members. The cash back rates on gas and EV charging are among the highest you'll find. Read Full Review
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- Gas and EV charging cash back
- Costco cash back
- Travel and dining cash back
- Purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fee
- No sign-up bonus
- No intro APR offer
- Clunky cash back redemptions
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- 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
Costco Anywhere Visa? Business Card by Citi
Great for: Costco members
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Credit Score
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Excellent (740-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
20.49% (Variable)
Rewards 4% back on gas and EV charging ($7,000 annual spending cap), 3% back on restaurants and travel, 2% back on Costco purchases, 1% back on other purchases
1% - 4% back
Annual Fee
$0 for Costco members
Welcome Offer
N/A
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The gas and EV charging cash back, alone, makes this a winner. The premium cash back for restaurants, travel, and Costco purchases make it hard to beat, even more so for Costco members. Read Full Review
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- Gas and EV charging cash back
- Costco cash back
- Travel and dining cash back
- Purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fee
- No sign-up bonus
- No 0% intro APR offer
- Difficult cash back redemptions
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- Discover the only business credit card 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
- Whether you're traveling for business or pleasure, 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
Citi? / AAdvantage? Platinum Select? World Elite Mastercard?
Great for: American Airlines travel
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
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Credit Score
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
21.24% - 29.99% (Variable)
Rewards 2 AAdvantage? miles for every $1 spent at gas stations, restaurants, and on eligible American Airlines purchases, 1 mile per dollar on other purchases
1x - 2x miles
Annual Fee $0 intro annual fee for the first 12 months, $99 thereafter
$0 intro fee
Welcome Offer Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage? bonus miles after spending $2,500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
50,000?miles
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The rewards program makes this a compelling card to carry with OK earning opportunities beyond just American Airlines purchases.
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- Big sign-up bonus
- Free checked bag
- Preferred boarding
- Earn a flight discount certificate
- Annual fee
- Lackluster rewards rate
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- Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage? bonus miles after spending $2,500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
- Earn 2 AAdvantage? miles for every $1 spent at gas stations and restaurants, and on eligible American Airlines purchases
- Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage? mile earned from purchases
- Earn a $125 American Airlines Flight Discount after you spend $20,000 or more in purchases during your card membership year and renew your card
- No Foreign Transaction Fees
- First checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to four companions traveling with you on the same reservation
- Enjoy preferred boarding on American Airlines flights
Citi? / AAdvantage? Platinum Select? World Elite Mastercard? is unavailable on The Ascent. All information was collected independently from the issuer. Some items may be out of date.
Overview of the best Citi credit cards
Here's a breakdown of all the best Citi credit cards so you can see what makes each one special.
Citi? Diamond Preferred? Card
Great for: 0% intro APR
The Citi? Diamond Preferred? Card offers a lengthy 0% intro APR offer, and that applies to both purchases and balance transfers.
Read the full Citi? Diamond Preferred? Card review
Citi Double Cash? Card
Great for: Cash back
Citi Double Cash benefits include a rate of up to 2% back on purchases (1% when you buy, 1% when you pay off your bill). New cardholders also get a 0% intro APR on balance transfers.
Read the full Citi Double Cash? Card review
Citi Custom Cash? Card
Great for: Customizing your cash back
The Citi Custom Cash? Card offers a robust rewards program, big welcome bonus, and a long 0% intro APR. It is one of the most versatile offers we've come across.
Read the full Citi Custom Cash? Card review
Citi Simplicity? Card
Great for: Low fees
The Citi Simplicity? Card helps you avoid fees, as it doesn't charge an annual fee, late fees, or a penalty APR. It also has an impressive 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers.
This content is not provided by the issuer. Any opinions expressed are those of The Ascent alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the issuer
Read the full Citi Simplicity? Card review
Citi Premier? Card
Great for: Travel rewards
A great welcome bonus, versatile travel rewards, and bonus points in several categories are the biggest Citi Premier? Card benefits. It also doesn't charge a foreign transaction fee.
Read the full Citi Premier? Card review
Citi Rewards+? Card
Great for: Extra rewards
The Citi Rewards+? Card rounds up purchases to the nearest 10 points. In addition to its unique rewards structure, this no annual fee card also has a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers.
Read the full Citi Rewards+? Card review
Costco Anywhere Visa? Card by Citi
Great for: Gas and EV charging rewards
With the Costco Anywhere Visa? Card by Citi, you earn one of the highest cash back rates available on gas and EV charging. It also offers bonus rewards on restaurants, travel, and at Costco.
Read the full Costco Anywhere Visa? Card by Citi review
Costco Anywhere Visa? Business Card by Citi
Great for: Bonus cash back for business owners
Business owners get more back on gas and EV charging, restaurant, travel, and Costco purchases with the Costco Anywhere Visa? Business Card by Citi.
Read the full Costco Anywhere Visa? Business Card by Citi review
Citi? / AAdvantage? Platinum Select? World Elite Mastercard?
Great for: American Airlines benefits
Citi AAdvantage benefits get you a free checked bag, preferred boarding, and the chance to earn a $125 American Airlines flight discount every year. This card also starts you off with a valuable bonus miles offer.
Read the full Citi? / AAdvantage? Platinum Select? World Elite Mastercard? review
Types of Citi credit cards
Citi offers a diverse selection of credit cards. Below, we'll cover the main types of Citi credit cards.
0% intro APR cards
Citi's 0% intro APR cards don't charge you any interest for an intro period. There are two types of intro 0% APR offers: purchases and balance transfers. An intro 0% APR on purchases means that purchases you make are interest free during the intro period. A 0% intro APR on balance transfers means you don't pay interest on balances you transfer over, such as those from other credit cards, for the intro period.
This is one of Citi's strong suits, as several of its cards boast lengthy 0% intro APR offers. If you're interested in this type of credit card, make sure you get one with the type of offer you need. Or, you can get a card with a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers.
Another financing option Citi offers through its credit cards is Citi Flex Plan. If your card has this type of offer available, you can use it to get a Citi Flex Plan loan with a fixed interest rate.
Cash back cards
A Citi cash back card rewards you with a set percentage back on your everyday purchases. Some cash back credit cards offer the same rate on purchases, with the Citi Double Cash? Card being one notable example. Others, such as the Costco Anywhere Visa? Card by Citi and Citi's business credit card with Costco, offer higher rates in bonus categories. You can typically redeem cash back as a statement credit or a deposit to a bank account.
Low-fee cards
Low-fee cards by Citi keep the cost of owning a credit card to a minimum. No annual fee credit cards fit into the low-fee category since they allow you to avoid fees entirely. Some cards go a step further. For example, there's the Citi Simplicity? Card. Besides not charging late fees, it also has no annual fee.
What credit score do you need for a Citi credit card?
Citi has credit cards available for every credit score, so there's no set score needed for a Citi card. If your credit score is below 600, the Citi? Secured Mastercard? is the card issuer's most accessible option. Since it's a secured card, it requires a security deposit.
Other cards have different requirements. Some of the best Citi credit cards, in particular its rewards credit cards, are aimed at consumers with a credit score of 700 or higher.
What are Citi ThankYou Points?
Citi ThankYou Points are rewards points you can redeem for travel, gift cards, purchases through select merchants, and cash back. Several Citi rewards cards earn ThankYou Points on eligible purchases. Redemption options depend on which Citi rewards card you have.
Which Citi cards earn ThankYou Points?
The following Citi cards earn ThankYou Points:
- Citi Custom Cash? Card
- Citi Double Cash? Card
- Citi Premier? Card
- Citi Prestige? Card (no longer accepting applications)
- Citi Rewards+? Card
- AT&T Access Card from Citi
However, only the Citi Premier? Card and the Citi Prestige? Card allow you to transfer ThankYou points to all Citi's travel partners. The other three don't. With the other cards, you can transfer rewards points to one Citi partner in JetBlue. The transfer ratio is 5:4, which is lower than the 1:1 ratio the other two Citi cards offer.
How to maximize your ThankYou Points
The best way to maximize ThankYou Points is by transferring them to Citi's airline partners. Unless you’re transferring points to JetBlue, you need the Citi Premier? Card or the Citi Prestige? Card. Here's how to get the most from your Citi ThankYou Points this way:
- Find the airfare you want with one of Citi's airline partners. Business-class and first-class tickets tend to offer the most value for your points, but economy-class tickets can also be a good deal.
- Transfer your points from Citi to the airline's frequent flyer program.
- Once the points have been turned into miles in your frequent flyer account, use those miles to book your airfare.
You can also use your points as cash in the Citi ThankYou travel portal. The value is $0.01 per point, so 25,000 ThankYou Points could get you $250 in travel purchases. This is a solid option if you have a Citi rewards credit card that doesn't let you transfer your points. It's also worth considering if you can't book the travel you want with any of Citi's partners.
Which Citi credit card is best for you?
The Citi credit card that's best for you depends on whether you want travel rewards, cash back, a 0% intro APR, or a card to build your credit.
To pick a Citi card, start by pinpointing your No. 1 need in a credit card. This helps you figure out which type of Citi credit card to get, which will narrow down your options. Here are a few common situations and the right type of card for each one:
- You want to earn easy-to-understand rewards on your spending: Citi cash back cards are the best choice. Everyone can use cash, making this type of reward very valuable.
- You travel multiple times per year: A Citi travel card will be a great fit. You can either choose one tied to a specific travel company, such as American Airlines, or a more all-purpose travel card, such as the Citi Premier? Card.
- You have big purchases to make that you can't pay in full right away: Go with a Citi card that offers a 0% intro APR on purchases. This will give you time to pay off those purchases through monthly payments without interest charges.
- You're dealing with credit card debt: Check out Citi's balance transfer cards. They offer 0% intro APRs on balance transfers, allowing you to transfer debt and avoid interest charges. Keep in mind that these typically charge a small balance transfer fee.
- You're working on your credit score: The Citi? Secured Mastercard? has the most flexible approval requirements. Applicants with lower credit scores can qualify for this card and use it to improve their credit.
By now, you should have a small number of Citi cards left to choose from. Review their features to decide which works best for you. The Ascent's tool to compare credit cards side by side can help with this.
| Card | Rating | Great For |
|---|---|---|
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Rating image, 4.25 out of 5 stars.
4.25/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Great For: Low interest |
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Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Great For: Cash rewards |
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Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Great For: Customizing your cash back |
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Rating image, 4.75 out of 5 stars.
4.75/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Great For: Balance transfers |
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|
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Great For: Travel, restaurants, and groceries |
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|
Rating image, 3.50 out of 5 stars.
3.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Great For: Rounding up points |
|
|
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Great For: Costco members |
|
|
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Great For: Costco members |
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|
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Great For: American Airlines travel |
Citi Simplicity content is not provided by the issuer. Any opinions expressed are those of the The Ascent alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the issuer.
Citi? / AAdvantage? Platinum Select? World Elite Mastercard? is unavailable on The Ascent. All information was collected independently from the issuer. Some items may be out of date.
FAQs
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The best Citi credit card for most consumers is the Citi? Double Cash Card - 18 month BT offer. It offers a flat rate of up to 2% back on purchases. You get 1% back when you make a purchase, plus another 1% when you pay on time. Since it has a high cash back rate and it's easy to use, this card can work for just about anyone.
No single credit card is right for everybody, though. To choose the best Citi credit card for you, consider what benefits would be the most valuable. Depending on your lifestyle and financial needs, you might find that another Citi card is the right choice.
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Citi offers the following types of credit cards:
- Cash back cards
- Travel rewards cards
- 0% intro APR cards
- Balance transfer cards
- No annual fee cards
- Low fee cards
- Secured credit cards
- Airline cards
- Store cards
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You don't need a specific credit score to get a Citi credit card. Its most accessible card, the Citi? Secured Mastercard?, is available to a wide range of applicants and doesn't have a minimum credit score requirement. Other Citi credit cards have stricter requirements, but they vary depending on the card.
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Citi ThankYou Points are rewards earned by some Citi cards. You can redeem ThankYou Points for travel, gift cards, cash back, and purchases with select retailers. Points can also be transferred to Citi's partners, including more than a dozen airlines, but only with select Citi ThankYou cards.
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These are the Citi cards that earn ThankYou Points:
- Citi Custom Cash? Card
- Citi Double Cash? Card
- Citi Premier? Card
- Citi Prestige? Card (no longer accepting applications)
- Citi Rewards+? Card
- AT&T Access Card from Citi
Although all those cards earn ThankYou Points, they don't all offer the same ways to redeem rewards. Only the Citi Premier? Card and the Citi Prestige? Card let you transfer points to any of Citi's partners, so points are more useful if you have one of those cards.
Our Credit Cards Experts
Lyle Daly is a personal finance writer who specializes in credit cards, travel rewards programs, and banking. He writes for The Ascent and The Motley Fool, and his work has appeared in USA Today and Yahoo! Finance. He was born in California but currently lives as a digital nomad with a home base in Colombia.
Fact Checked
Nathan Alderman
Nathan Alderman has worked with The Motley Fool since 2005, making errors his arch-enemies in a variety of roles including a six-year stint as the dedicated fact-checker for The Motley Fool's premium newsletter services. As The Ascent's Compliance Lead, he makes sure that all the site's information is accurate and up to date, which ensures we always steer readers right and keeps various financial partners happy. A graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, Nathan spends his spare time volunteering for civic causes, writing and podcasting for fun, adoring his wife, and wrangling his two very large young children.
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We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from The Ascent is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.
Citigroup is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Discover Financial Services is an advertising partner of The Ascent, a Motley Fool company. Lyle Daly has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Robin Hartill, CFP? has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Costco Wholesale, Mastercard, Target, and Visa. The Motley Fool recommends Discover Financial Services and Flow and recommends the following options: long January 2025 $370 calls on Mastercard and short January 2025 $380 calls on Mastercard. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
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