Updated: 3 days ago
Citi credit cards are popular for their generous rewards structures and solid benefits. While they don’t offer as many cards as some of the larger competitors, Citi does have some interesting products that are well-worth considering. Here are the best Citi credit cards of January 2021:
- Best for Travel – Citi Premier® Card
- Best for American Lounge Access – Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite MasterCard®
- Best for Maximizing Rewards – Citi Rewards+® Card
- Best for Luxury Perks – Citi Prestige
- Best for Cash Back – Citi® Double Cash Card
- Best for Students – Citi® Double Cash Card
- Best for Costco Members – Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
Best Citi Credit Card Offers of January 2021
Citi has a ton of great options, ranging from cash-back to flexible points cards, so there are plenty to choose from. There isn’t a hard limit on the number of Citi cards you can have, but there are some other rules to be aware of.
Citi groups cards together in “families” for the purposes of determining bonus eligibility:
- Personal American AAdvantage cards are in one group (the business AA card is separate)
- ThankYou points-earning cards (such as the Premier, Prestige, and Rewards+) are in one card family
The specific details vary by card, but typically you can’t earn a bonus on any card within that family if you have opened or closed any other card in that family within the past 24 months. Interestingly, you can still have multiple cards in a family, you just won’t earn the welcome bonus if you’ve triggered opened/closed activity during that window.
Whether you’re getting your first Citi card or just want to make updates to the cards currently in your wallet, you’ll want to verify the bonus requirements to ensure you earn all those extra welcome points. Here are the best Citi credit card offers available today:
CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®
This is a fantastic bonus, especially as these miles can be pooled with any miles you’re earning on your personal account.
Current Offer
• Earn 65,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening.
• First checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries to reduce travel costs and boost your bottom line.
• Enjoy preferred boarding on American Airlines flights
• Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles per $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases
• Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles per $1 spent on purchases at telecommunications merchants, cable and satellite providers, car rental merchants and at gas stations.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees
This card gives you a full Admirals Club Membership for you and access for guests traveling with you, in addition to complimentary Admirals Club® Lounge access for authorized users.
Current Offer
• Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $5,000 in purchases 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
• Earn 10,000 AAdvantage® Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs) after you spend $40,000 in purchases within the year
• No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
• Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases and 1 AAdvantage® mile for every $1 spent on other 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
• The standard variable APR for Citi Flex Plan is 15.99% - 24.99%, based on your creditworthiness. Citi Flex Plan offers are made available at Citi's discretion.
There are no limits to the amount of cash back you can earn. For a card with no annual fee, that’s a return which is tough to beat.
Current Offer
• 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.
• Balance Transfer Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 13.99% – 23.99%, based on your creditworthiness.
• Balance Transfers do not earn cash back.
• 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 a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
• The standard variable APR for Citi Flex Plan is 13.99% – 23.99% based on your creditworthiness. Citi Flex Plan offers are made available at Citi's discretion.
Arguably the coolest feature of this new card is Citi will round up your purchase to the nearest 10 ThankYou points. Make a $1 purchase? You’ll earn 10 ThankYou points. Make an $11 purchase? You’ll earn 20 ThankYou points. This is a very interesting rewards structure that makes this card perfect for everyday purchases.
Current Offer
• The Citi Rewards+® Card - the only credit card that automatically rounds up to the nearest 10 points on every purchase - with no cap.
• Earn 15,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 in purchases with your card within 3 months of account opening; redeemable for $150 in gift cards at thankyou.com
• 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 13.49% - 23.49%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfer fee — either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
• 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 standard variable APR for Citi Flex Plan is 13.49% - 23.49%, based on your creditworthiness. Citi Flex Plan offers are made available at Citi's discretion.
Citi Prestige® Card
Read our review
You can use the 4th night benefit multiple times per year, which keeps this card front-of-wallet for us, and more than makes up for the annual fee. Points can be transferred to a variety of programs, and ThankYou continues to increase their transfer partners, making points earned with this card more and more valuable.
Current Offer
• Earn 50,000 Bonus Points after spending $4,000 within 3 months of account opening
• 5x Points on Travel + Dining
• 3x Points on Hotels + Cruises
• 1x Points on all other purchases
• Up to $250 Travel Credit Every Calendar Year
• Complimentary 4th Night at a hotel of your choice after a minimum 4 consecutive night booking through ThankYou.com (based on your average night stay, exclusive of taxes and fees)
• Get a Global Entry or TSA Pre✓® Application Fee Credit on your statement, up to $100 every 5 years, as a reimbursement of your application fee for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®
• Enjoy access to Priority Pass™ Lounges for you and your authorized users
Current Offer
• Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
• NEW! Earn 3 Points at Restaurants and Supermarkets
• Earn 3 Points at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Hotels
• Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• NEW! Annual Hotel Savings Benefit
• 60,000 Points are redeemable for $600 in gift cards when redeemed 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
Current Offer
• Earn 10,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles and receive a $50 statement credit after making $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
• No Annual Fee
• Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for each $1 spent at grocery stores, including grocery delivery services
• Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases
• Earn 1 AAdvantage® mile for every $1 spent on other purchases
• Save 25% on inflight food and beverage purchases when you use your card on American Airlines flights
• The standard variable APR for Citi Flex Plan is 15.99% - 24.99%, based on your creditworthiness. Citi Flex Plan offers are made available at Citi's discretion.
The new Costco Citi cards have a great rewards structure for Costco loyalists. The bonus categories are compelling, and while it’s still not a card I’d personally use for everyday spend this is a solid option for Costco members.
Current Offer
• Discover one of Citi's best cash back rewards cards designed exclusively for Costco members
• 4% cash back on eligible gas 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
• The standard variable APR for Citi Flex Plan is 15.24%. Citi Flex Plan offers are made available at Citi's discretion.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite™ Mastercard®
Current Offer
• Earn 60,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after $3,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
• Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent at gas stations and restaurants
• Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases
• 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
Current Offer
• The Citi® Secured Mastercard® is a no annual fee credit card that helps you build your credit when used responsibly.
• Unlike a debit card, it helps build your credit history with monthly reporting to all 3 major credit bureaus. Once available, you will also have free access to your FICO score online.
• Use your card anywhere Mastercard® is accepted — worldwide.
• A security deposit is required. Once approved, your credit limit will be equal to your security deposit (minimum of $200).
• Get help staying on track with Auto Pay and account alerts.
• With Flexible Payment Due Dates, you can choose any available due date in the beginning, middle or end of the month.
• Manage your account 24/7 online, by phone, or in our mobile app.
• The standard variable APR for Citi Flex Plan is 22.49%. Citi Flex Plan offers are made available at Citi’s discretion.
Best Citi Credit Card for Travel Rewards
Citi offers several great travel rewards products, including four different American Airlines credit cards. We like the American cards for the miles and benefits, but the Citi ThankYou cards are our preferred ways of racking up points from ongoing spending. The great bonus categories mean the points accumulate quickly, and if you have the Citi Premier you can combine your ThankYou points and transfer them to airline loyalty programs. Here are the best Citi credit cards for travel available today:
CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®
This is a fantastic bonus, especially as these miles can be pooled with any miles you’re earning on your personal account.
Current Offer
• Earn 65,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening.
• First checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries to reduce travel costs and boost your bottom line.
• Enjoy preferred boarding on American Airlines flights
• Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles per $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases
• Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles per $1 spent on purchases at telecommunications merchants, cable and satellite providers, car rental merchants and at gas stations.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees
This card gives you a full Admirals Club Membership for you and access for guests traveling with you, in addition to complimentary Admirals Club® Lounge access for authorized users.
Current Offer
• Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $5,000 in purchases 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
• Earn 10,000 AAdvantage® Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs) after you spend $40,000 in purchases within the year
• No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
• Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases and 1 AAdvantage® mile for every $1 spent on other 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
• The standard variable APR for Citi Flex Plan is 15.99% - 24.99%, based on your creditworthiness. Citi Flex Plan offers are made available at Citi's discretion.
Arguably the coolest feature of this new card is Citi will round up your purchase to the nearest 10 ThankYou points. Make a $1 purchase? You’ll earn 10 ThankYou points. Make an $11 purchase? You’ll earn 20 ThankYou points. This is a very interesting rewards structure that makes this card perfect for everyday purchases.
Current Offer
• The Citi Rewards+® Card - the only credit card that automatically rounds up to the nearest 10 points on every purchase - with no cap.
• Earn 15,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 in purchases with your card within 3 months of account opening; redeemable for $150 in gift cards at thankyou.com
• 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 13.49% - 23.49%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfer fee — either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
• 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 standard variable APR for Citi Flex Plan is 13.49% - 23.49%, based on your creditworthiness. Citi Flex Plan offers are made available at Citi's discretion.
Citi Prestige® Card
Read our review
You can use the 4th night benefit multiple times per year, which keeps this card front-of-wallet for us, and more than makes up for the annual fee. Points can be transferred to a variety of programs, and ThankYou continues to increase their transfer partners, making points earned with this card more and more valuable.
Current Offer
• Earn 50,000 Bonus Points after spending $4,000 within 3 months of account opening
• 5x Points on Travel + Dining
• 3x Points on Hotels + Cruises
• 1x Points on all other purchases
• Up to $250 Travel Credit Every Calendar Year
• Complimentary 4th Night at a hotel of your choice after a minimum 4 consecutive night booking through ThankYou.com (based on your average night stay, exclusive of taxes and fees)
• Get a Global Entry or TSA Pre✓® Application Fee Credit on your statement, up to $100 every 5 years, as a reimbursement of your application fee for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®
• Enjoy access to Priority Pass™ Lounges for you and your authorized users
Current Offer
• Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
• NEW! Earn 3 Points at Restaurants and Supermarkets
• Earn 3 Points at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Hotels
• Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• NEW! Annual Hotel Savings Benefit
• 60,000 Points are redeemable for $600 in gift cards when redeemed 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
Current Offer
• Earn 10,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles and receive a $50 statement credit after making $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
• No Annual Fee
• Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for each $1 spent at grocery stores, including grocery delivery services
• Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases
• Earn 1 AAdvantage® mile for every $1 spent on other purchases
• Save 25% on inflight food and beverage purchases when you use your card on American Airlines flights
• The standard variable APR for Citi Flex Plan is 15.99% - 24.99%, based on your creditworthiness. Citi Flex Plan offers are made available at Citi's discretion.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite™ Mastercard®
Current Offer
• Earn 60,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after $3,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
• Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent at gas stations and restaurants
• Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases
• 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
The Best Citi Rewards Card
The top Citi rewards card for our money is the Citi Premier® Card, and it’s really the best Citi card for travel as well. The card offers triple points in many categories that frequent travelers spend in — airfare, hotels, gas stations and dining — plus one point for every dollar you spend on other purchases.
- 3x points on airfare and hotels
- 3x points on gas
- 3x points on dining
- 3x points on supermarkets
The bonus points you earn can be redeemed directly through the Citi ThankYou portal for 1.25 cents each towards the cost of airfare. If you’re earning 3x points on your fuel and dining purchases, that means you’re effectively getting a 3.75% return, which is far better than the standard 2% cash back cards. Unfortunately, as of April 10, 2021, ThankYou points earned on the Citi Premier can be redeemed at only one cent each towards airfare purchases.
What’s more, you can get an even better return on your spending by transferring ThankYou points to one of their myriad loyalty partners, and redeeming miles for outsized rewards. Think international first and business class tickets for a fraction of the retail cost!
Redeem Citi points for Singapore business class
There are several great Citi cards out there, so regardless of whether you want to earn miles, cash back, or flexible rewards points, you can do so with Citi. The exception is for business owners, as unfortunately there aren’t many business cards available through Citi, so you’ll want to look to other issuers for the best small business credit cards.
