The best Citi credit cards in September 2024

Citi Strata Premier? Card

*

The information for the Citi Strata Premier? Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Best Citi credit card

Key takeaways

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.

Rates & Fees

5/5

The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.

Best Citi credit card

Welcome bonus offer

70,000 bonus ThankYou? Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $700 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.

70,000 bonus points

Annual fee

$95

Regular APR

20.74% – 28.74% (Variable)

Credit score

Credit score ranges are based on FICO? credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

<div>Excellent, Good</div>

Why we picked it

If your credit card strategy includes free travel, the Citi Strata Premier is the best, most flexible option of any Citi credit card. A refresh of the now-retired Citi Premier? Card * The information for the Citi Premier? Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. , it earns valuable ThankYou? points, which you can transfer to Citi’s airline and hotel partners, including JetBlue and Wyndham.

The $95 annual fee can be worth it if you can maximize the card’s 3x bonus categories and annual $100 discount on a single hotel stay totaling $500 or more booked through the Citi ThankYou travel portal. And now that the card provides travel insurance, it’s a strong option for booking flights and hotels.

+ Pros

• Bonus rewards on everyday spending categories?
• Flexible redemption options?
• Annual hotel discount

– Cons

• Low base rewards rate?
• Charges a $95 annual fee
• Must book through Citi Travel to get hotel discount

Highlights

• Earn 70,000 bonus ThankYou^? Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $700 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

Citi Custom Cash? Card

*

The information for the Citi Custom Cash? Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Best for cash back

Key takeaways

5%

Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent

1%

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 6/30/2025

Rates & Fees

3.5/5

The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.

Best for cash back

Welcome bonus 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.

$200

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

19.24% – 29.24% (Variable)

Credit score

Credit score ranges are based on FICO? credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

<div>Excellent, Good</div>

Why we picked it

The no annual fee Citi Custom Cash Card is perhaps the most effortless 5% cash back credit card around. You’ll automatically earn 5% cash back on up to $500 spent in your top category each billing cycle from a list of eligible spending types (then 1%). Eligible categories include restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations and home improvement stores, which makes it easy to maximize rewards. Plus, new card holders can save money on interest with a 0% introductory APR for 15 months from date of account opening on purchases and from date of first transfer for balance transfers completed within 4 months of account opening. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% – 29.24%, based on creditworthiness. There is also a balance transfer fee of 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum. If you aren’t a big spender in the card’s bonus categories, you may want to choose a different card, as all other purchases only earn 1% back.

+ Pros

• No annual fee
• Automatically maximizes rewards based on your spending
• 0% introductory APR for 15 months from date of account opening on purchases and from date of first transfer for balance transfers completed within 4 months of account opening. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% – 29.24%, based on creditworthiness. There is also a balance transfer fee of 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum

– Cons

• Low base rewards rate
• Foreign transaction fees
• Few extra benefits

Highlights

• 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. Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel? portal through 6/30/2025.
• 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.

Citi Rewards+? Card

*

The information for the Citi Rewards+? Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Best for small purchases

Key takeaways

2X

Earn 2X ThankYou? Points at Supermarkets and Gas Stations for the first $6,000 per year and then 1X Points thereafter

1X

Plus, earn 1X ThankYou? Points on All Other Purchases

Rates & Fees

3.8/5

The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.

Best for small purchases

Welcome bonus 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

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

18.74% – 28.74% Variable

Credit score

Credit score ranges are based on FICO? credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

<div>Good/Excellent</div>

Why we picked it

The Citi Rewards+ Card has one unique ability you won’t find anywhere else — it rounds your rewards earnings up to the nearest 10 points on each purchase. For example, whether you buy a $2 pack of gum or a $7 train ticket, you’ll earn 10 points. You’ll also get 10% of your points back when you redeem them, up to 100,000 redeemed points per year. New card holders also receive an 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. An intro balance transfer fee of either 3% of each transfer or a minimum amount of $5 within the first 4 months of account opening applies. After that, the amount of each balance transfer will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5) applies.

+ Pros

• Earn 2x Citi ThankYou points at supermarkets and gas stations on up to $6,000 in combined purchases per year (then 1x)
• Points earning on purchases rounded up to the nearest 10 points
• Intro 0% APR for 15 months on purchases (then 18.74% – 28.74% Variable APR)

– Cons

• Low base rewards rate
• Foreign transaction fees
• Few extra benefits

Highlights

• 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 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

*

The information for the Costco Anywhere Visa? Card by Citi has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Best for Costco members

Key takeaways

4%

Earn 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter

3%

Earn 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases

2%

Earn 2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com

3.3/5

The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.

Best for Costco members

Welcome bonus offer

N/A

N/A

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

20.49% variable APR

Credit score

Credit score ranges are based on FICO? credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

<div>Excellent</div>

Why we picked it

The no annual fee Costco Anywhere Visa is a very rewarding option for Costco members, and not just for Costco spending. You’ll earn 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases for the first $7,000 per year, then 1% thereafter, 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases, 2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com and 1% cash back on all other purchases. A Costco membership is required to apply. The card does have a major drawback — you’ll only receive rewards once a year after your February statement closes, and redemption options aren’t as flexible as those offered by other Citi cards.

+ Pros

• High earning rates on gas/EV charging, travel, dining and Costco purchases
• No annual fee with an active Costco membership
• Modest travel and purchase protections

– Cons

• Can only redeem rewards once per year
• Requires a Costco membership to apply
• No welcome bonus offer

Highlights

• Earn 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases for the first $7,000 per year, then 1% thereafter, 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases, 2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com and 1% cash back on all other purchases
• No annual fee with paid Costco membership
• No foreign transaction fees

Citi Double Cash? Card

*

The information for the Citi Double Cash? Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Best for balance transfers

Key takeaways

1%

First, you earn 1% unlimited cash back on every purchase you make

1%

Then, as you pay for those purchases, you earn an additional 1% cash back on those credit card payments

Rates & Fees

3.8/5

The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.

Best for balance transfers

Welcome bonus 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.

Earn $200 cash back

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

19.24% – 29.24% Variable

Credit score

Credit score ranges are based on FICO? credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

<div>Excellent, Good, Fair </div>

Why we picked it

If you’ve got high-interest debt burning a hole through your finances, you can find relief by transferring those balances to the Citi Double Cash. It offers a 0% intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers (then 19.24% – 29.24% Variable). That’s a long 0% intro APR for a cash back card.

This card is an all-star option for any spending you have that doesn’t fall into traditional bonus categories. You’ll earn 2% cash back on all purchases — 1% when you make a purchase, and another 1% when you pay it off (fulfilled as Citi ThankYou points).

+ Pros

• No annual fee
• Unlimited cash back
• Long intro APR on balance transfers

– Cons

• Flat earnings rate
• No travel or purchase protections
• Foreign transaction fees

Highlights

• 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).

Citi? / AAdvantage? Executive World Elite Mastercard?

*

The information for the Citi? / AAdvantage? Executive World Elite Mastercard? has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Best for frequent American Airlines flyers

Key takeaways

10X

Earn 10 AAdvantage miles for every $1 spent on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through aa.com

4X

4 miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases

1X

1 mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases

3.9/5

The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.

Best for frequent American Airlines flyers

Welcome bonus offer

Earn 100,000 AAdvantage bonus miles after spending $10,000 in the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, Admirals Club membership (a value of up to $850)

100,000 miles + Admirals Club membership

Annual fee

$595

Regular APR

21.24% – 29.99% Variable

Credit score

Credit score ranges are based on FICO? credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

<div>Excellent, Good</div>

Why we picked it

The Citi AAdvantage Executive Card comes with some of the best perks you’ll find among airline credit cards. You’ll get Admirals Club airport lounge membership, the first checked bag free for you and up to eight companions on the same domestic American Airlines reservation, American Airlines priority boarding, and several hundred dollars in statement credits annually toward eligible rental car, rideshare and food delivery purchases.

The card does charge a hefty $595 annual fee. But if you fly American Airlines regularly, the card’s ongoing perks could quickly offset that price tag. An Admirals Club membership alone costs up to $850 per year.

+ Pros

• Admirals Club airport lounge membership
• Benefits on American Airlines flights including a a free first checked bag on domestic American Airlines itineraries for cardholder and up to eight companions on the same reservation
• Statement credits for Lyft, Grubhub, Avis, Budget and Global Entry/TSA PreCheck

– Cons

• $595 annual fee
• Only earns 1 mile per dollar on non-American Airlines purchases
• First three authorized users cost $175, then $175 for each user thereafter

Highlights

• Earn 100,000 AAdvantage bonus miles after spending $10,000 in the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, receive a complimentary Admirals Club membership (a value of up to $850)
• Earn 10 miles per dollar spent on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through aa.com, 4 miles for every dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases and 1 mile for all other purchases
• Admirals Club Membership: Access to nearly 50 lounge locations worldwide for you and your immediate family (or up to 2 traveling guests that accompany you)
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck? application fee credit up to $100 every 4 years

Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®

*

The information for the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Best for occasional American Airlines flyers

Key takeaways

2x

Earn 2 AAdvantage miles per dollar spent at gas stations, restaurants, and qualifying American Airlines purchases

1x

Earn 1 mile per every dollar spent on all other eligible purchases

3.6/5

The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.

Best for occasional American Airlines flyers

Welcome bonus offer

Earn 50,000 AAdvantage bonus miles after spending $2,500 in purchases in the first 3 months of account opening

50,000 AAdvantage bonus miles

Annual fee

$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $99

Regular APR

21.24% – 29.99% (Variable)

Credit score

Credit score ranges are based on FICO? credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

<div>Excellent, Good</div>

Why we picked it

The Citi AAdvantage Platinum best serves the occasional traveler who favors American Airlines. When flying American Airlines, you’ll receive the first checked bag free on domestic flights, preferred boarding and in-flight discounts. You can also earn a $125 American Airlines flight discount each anniversary year in which you spend $20,000 on purchases and renew your card.

This card charges an annual fee of $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $99. This gives you the luxury of kicking the tires for 12 months to see whether it’s a good fit for your travel style without any upfront investment.

+ Pros

• Free first checked bag on domestic American Airlines itineraries for cardholder and up to four companions on the same reservation
• Earn 2x miles on American Airlines, restaurant and gas station purchases (1x on everything else)
• No foreign transaction fees

– Cons

• Annual fee of $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $99
• Low base rewards rate
• No travel or purchase protections

Highlights

• Earn 50,000 AAdvantage bonus miles after spending $2,500 in purchases in the first 3 months of account opening
• Earn 2?miles per dollar spent at gas stations, restaurants, and qualifying American Airlines purchases
• Earn 1 mile per every dollar spent on all other eligible purchases
• Earn a $125 American Airlines flight discount after spending $20,000 or more in qualifying purchases during your card membership year and renew your card
• First checked bag is free for you and up to four companions on domestic American Airlines flights when traveling on the same reservation
• Preferred boarding privileges on American Airlines flights

CitiBusiness? / AAdvantage? Platinum Select? Mastercard?

*

The information for the CitiBusiness? / AAdvantage? Platinum Select? Mastercard? has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Best small-business card

Key takeaways

2X

2X miles for every $1 spent on cable and satellite providers and on select telecommunications merchants

2X

2X miles on eligible American Airlines purchases, car rentals, and gas stations

1X

1X miles on other purchases

1X

1 loyalty point for every one eligible mile earned from purchases

4/5

The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.

Best small-business card

Welcome bonus offer

Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 in purchases within the first 5 months of account opening

75,000 bonus miles

Annual fee

$99, waived for the first 12 months

Regular APR

21.24% – 29.99% variable

Credit score

Credit score ranges are based on FICO? credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

<div>Excellent</div>

Why we picked it

If you’re a small business owner with travel aspirations, the CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard is the best Citi card for your goals. It provides the first checked bag free on domestic American Airlines flights for yourself and up to four companions on the same reservation, preferred boarding, and in-flight discounts You’ll even get an American Airlines Companion Certificate each anniversary year in which you spend $30,000 on purchases, which can be worth hundreds if you book a pricey flight. That’s pretty good for a credit card with an annual fee of $99, waived for the first 12 months.

Even a modest side hustle can count as a small business. If you drive for Uber, sell items on Etsy or list your house on Airbnb, you’re eligible to apply for a business credit card.

+ Pros

• Free first checked bag on domestic American Airlines itineraries for cardholder and up to four companions on the same reservation
• Earn 2x miles on American Airlines, gas stations, car rental merchants, telecommunications merchants and cable and satellite providers (1x on everything else)
• No foreign transaction fees

– Cons

• Annual fee of $99, waived for the first 12 months
• Low base rewards rate
• No travel or purchase protections

Highlights

• Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 in purchases within the first 5 months of account opening
• Earn 2 miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases, 2 miles for every $1 spent on purchases at telecommunications merchants, cable and satellite providers, car rental merchants and at gas stations and 1 mile for every $1 spent on all other eligible purchases
• Earn one loyalty point for every one eligible mile earned from purchases
• $99 annual fee, waived for the first 12 months

Costco Anywhere Visa? Business Card by Citi

*

The information for the Costco Anywhere Visa? Business Card by Citi has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Best small-business card for Costco members

Key takeaways

4%

Earn 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases for the first $7,000 spent per year, 1% thereafter

3%

Earn 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases

2%

Earn 2% cash back on purchases from Costco and Costco.com

1%

Earn 1% cash back on all other purchases. A Costco membership is required to apply

3.2/5

The CNN Underscored Money editorial team has developed a star rating so you can see the best card for specific categories. While we believe this card excels in this category, its overall star rating may differ.

Best small-business card for Costco members

Welcome bonus offer

N/A

N/A

Annual fee

$0

Regular APR

20.49% variable APR

Credit score

Credit score ranges are based on FICO? credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed.

<div>Excellent Credit</div>

Why we picked it

The no annual fee Costco Anywhere Visa Business is the small business doppelganger of the consumer Costco Anywhere Visa. It’s a great option for Costco members who own a small business — and remember, you don’t need to own a big corporation to be eligible to apply.

This card earns 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases for the first $7,000 spent per year, 1% thereafter, unlimited 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases, 2% cash back on purchases from Costco and Costco.com and 1% cash back on all other purchases. A Costco membership is required to apply. Again, your cash back is awarded once a year after your February billing statement, so if flexible redemptions are a priority for you, this might not be the best choice.

+ Pros

• High earning rates on gas/EV charging, travel, dining and Costco purchases
• No annual fee with an active Costco membership
• Modest travel and purchase protections

– Cons

• Can only redeem rewards once per year
• Requires a Costco membership to apply
• No welcome bonus offer

Highlights

• Earn 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases for the first $7,000 spent per year, 1% thereafter
• Earn 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases
• Earn 2% cash back on purchases from Costco and Costco.com and 1% cash back on all other purchases
• No annual fee with a paid Costco membership
• No foreign transaction fees

Our picks at a glance

	Annual fee	Welcome bonus	Best for	Notable benefit
Citi Strata Premier? Card * The information for the Citi Strata Premier? Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.	$95	70,000 bonus ThankYou? Points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening	Citi cards overall	Transfer points to airline and hotel partners
Citi Custom Cash? Card * The information for the Citi Custom Cash? Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.	$0	$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	Cash back	Most used eligible monthly spending category receives a 5% bonus (up to $500 in spending per month)
Citi Rewards+? Card * The information for the Citi Rewards+? Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.	$0	Earn 20,000 bonus points after you spend $1,500 on eligible purchases within the first three months after opening the account. 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.	Small purchases	Return on purchases are rounded up to the nearest 10-point increment
Costco Anywhere Visa? Card by Citi * The information for the Costco Anywhere Visa? Card by Citi has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.	$0	This card does not offer a welcome bonus	Costco members	Earn 4% back on qualifying gas/EV charging purchases (up to $7,000 in spending per year, then 1%)
Citi Double Cash? Card * The information for the Citi Double Cash? Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.	$0	$200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first six months of account opening, fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou? Points	Balance transfers	0% intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers (then 19.24% - 29.24% Variable)
Citi? / AAdvantage? Executive World Elite Mastercard? * The information for the Citi? / AAdvantage? Executive World Elite Mastercard? has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.	$595	100,000 AAdvantage bonus miles after spending $10,000 in the first three months of account opening	Frequent American Airlines flyers	Complimentary American Airlines Admirals Club airport lounge membership
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® * The information for the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.	$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $99	50,000 AAdvantage bonus miles after spending $2,500 in purchases in the first 3 months of account opening	Occasional American Airlines flyers	First checked bag free for you and up to four travelers on your domestic travel reservation
CitiBusiness? / AAdvantage? Platinum Select? Mastercard? * The information for the CitiBusiness? / AAdvantage? Platinum Select? Mastercard? has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.	$99, waived for the first 12 months	75,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 in purchases within the first five months of account opening	Small businesses	$125 American Airlines flight discount after spending $20,000 on purchases in a cardmember year and renewing your card
Costco Anywhere Visa? Business Card by Citi * The information for the Costco Anywhere Visa? Business Card by Citi has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.	$0	No publicly available intro offer	Small businesses with Costco membership	Earn 4% back on qualifying gas/EV charging purchases (up to $7,000 in spending per year, then 1%)

See MoreSee Less

Why get a Citi credit card?

• To earn Citi ThankYou? points: Citi ThankYou points are valuable credit card rewards, and you can earn them from eligible Citi credit cards. You can redeem points for cash back, travel and gift cards, and with certain cards, you can also transfer them to airline and hotel loyalty programs such as JetBlue TrueBlue and Wyndham Rewards for award travel.
• To earn lots of cash back: Citi offers some of the top cash back credit cards on the market, whether you’re looking for a flat return rate on all spending or bonus categories that complement your biggest expenses.
• To receive American Airlines perks: Citi issues American Airlines credit cards that come with incredibly valuable benefits for frequent flyers, including free checked bags, preferred boarding and in-flight discounts.
• To save money with a 0% intro annual percentage rate offer: You’ll find generous interest-free terms on several Citi credit cards. If you’ve got a large upcoming expense that you aren’t confident you can pay off quickly, the right Citi credit card can save you a lot.

Citi credit card benefits

Again, Citi issues a wide variety of credit cards. Regardless of the specific perk you’re looking for, it’s likely that a Citi credit card offers it. With the right Citi card, you can:

• Earn travel rewards: The Citi Strata Premier earns Citi ThankYou points which you can convert into airline and hotel rewards for (nearly) free travel. And with any ThankYou points-earning card, you can redeem your rewards directly for flights, hotels, rental cars and attractions through the Citi ThankYou Travel Portal.
• Receive a long 0% intro APR offer: Two Citi credit cards offer a 0% intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers. That matches the industry high, and provides an excellent way to avoid high interest charges if you consolidate debt from other issuers’ cards. A few Citi cards also offer 0% intro APRs on purchases for 12 or 15 months.
• Get useful bonus categories: Depending on the card, you can earn bonus rewards in popular everyday spending categories, including groceries, gas stations, restaurants and travel. Citi also issues a card that effectively earns 2% cash back — a solid return — on all spending.
• Unlock savings: Some Citi credit cards reward you with savings after completing a specific spending goal. For example, the Citi Strata Premier gives you a $100 discount on a prepaid hotel stay of at least $500 booked through the Citi Travel portal each calendar year.
• Upgrade your travel: If air travel is important to you, there are Citi credit cards that can make the experience more enjoyable. The Citi AAdvantage Executive Card provides access to American Airlines Admirals Clubs where you can relax with free snacks and beverages, including alcohol. It also allows you to board your American Airlines flight before most other travelers, helping ensure you’ve got plenty of overhead bin space.

Frustratingly, most Citi credit cards don’t include travel and purchase protections, making them much less attractive payment options for flights, rental cars, nonrefundable hotel stays and large purchases.

However, the Citi Strata Premier comes with car rental insurance, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, trip delay insurance, lost/damaged luggage insurance, purchase protection and extended warranty. Another exception is the Citi AAdvantage Executive Card, which comes with similar travel and purchase coverage. The Citi Costco cards also offer a handful of travel and purchase protections.

How to apply for a Citi credit card

The simplest way to apply for a Citi credit card is online through its website. You can also apply at a Citi branch or by calling 800-347-4934. You’ll need to provide your birth date, address, Social Security number (SSN) and other details.

If you’re applying for a co-branded American Airlines credit card, you’ll be asked to enter your AAdvantage loyalty number as part of your application (if you don’t have one, it’s OK — you’ll receive one upon approval). That way, the miles you earn from the card will get deposited into the correct account. And if you’re applying for a small business Citi credit card, you’ll be prompted to enter additional details such as your business structure, monthly spending and number of employees.

If you’re not instantly approved, you can check your application status on Citi’s website.

Citi credit card eligibility requirements

Citi exercises unique rules (some official, some unpublished) when it comes to application approvals. Depending on the credit cards you’ve recently opened, you may not be eligible for the Citi credit card you’re after. These quirks likely won’t affect you, but they’re worth knowing:

• 8/65 rule: You can’t apply for more than one personal Citi credit card in an eight-day period or more than two personal cards in a 65-day period.
• Business credit card rule: You can’t apply for more than one small business Citi credit card every 90 days.
• 48-month rule: If you’ve earned a welcome bonus on a specific Citi credit card in the past 48 months, you aren’t eligible to open the card and earn its bonus again.

If you’ve already got several credit cards with Citi, it may be less willing to extend more credit to you, depending on your income and other factors. That said, there’s no hard limit on how many Citi cards you can have.

Citi credit card credit score requirements

Most Citi credit cards require you to have at least a good credit score (a FICO score of 670 or higher) to be considered for approval.

However, Citi has loosened the approval standards for one of its best cash back credit cards: the Citi Double Cash. You can be considered for this cards even with fair credit (a FICO score of 580 to 669). This card previously required good credit to qualify.

Managing your Citi credit card

Citi offers various ways to manage your account. You can reach customer service by calling the number on the back of your card, but it can be more efficient to do things like set travel notifications and add or remove authorized users through your online account. Citi is also one of the few banks that instantly apply your payment to your credit card before it’s been processed, immediately freeing up your credit line.

With Citi’s app, you can easily view your transaction history, rewards details, FICO score and other important information. In fact, you can even opt into “Mobile Snapshot” which gives you some of these details without even logging in.

Maximizing Citi credit card rewards

ThankYou points are Citi’s rewards currency. If you use the Citi Strata Premier, Citi Double Cash, Citi Rewards+ Card or Citi Custom Cash Card, you earn ThankYou points. You can redeem ThankYou points for cash back at a rate of 1 cent each — or you can maximize them by transferring them to airline and hotel loyalty programs for award travel. The exact value you’ll get can vary greatly, but it’s not uncommon to receive 1.5 cents or more per point when you transfer to partners and book (nearly) free flights and hotels.

One note on transferring points to travel partners: The Citi Strata Premier is the only credit card available to new applicants that gives you access to all of Citi’s airline and hotel partners. Cards such as the Citi Double Cash can only transfer to a few programs. But if you’ve also got the Citi Strata Premier, the rewards you earn with the Citi Double Cash can be transferred to any partner.

Beyond rewards, Citi credit cards deliver ongoing value for your everyday spending through Citi Merchant Offers, which are effectively promotions that you can add to your card to save money or earn bonus rewards when you make a qualifying purchase. You’ll also receive access to the Citi Bonus Cash Center, an online shopping portal that yields bonus rewards for shopping at popular merchants.

Citi credit card fees and costs

Citi credit cards come with the standard fees you’ll find on the cards from any issuer:

• Annual fees: Several Citi credit cards charge a fee simply for holding the card. These cards generally have superior benefits to cards with no annual fee, so you’ll have to do the math to decide if an annual fee-incurring card’s perks will save you money in the long run.
• APR: When you carry a balance month-to-month, you’ll pay significant interest charges. As long as you faithfully pay your bill in full each month, you won’t have to worry about APR.
• Balance transfers: When you transfer a balance to a Citi credit card, you’ll usually be charged a fee. Completing a balance transfer could still save you money if you open a balance transfer credit card that offers 0% intro APR. Zero-interest credit cards are an excellent way to temporarily shield your debt from a high APR while you pay down your balance.
• Foreign transaction fees: Some Citi credit cards charge a fee for purchases processed outside the US. These are bad cards to bring along if you’re traveling overseas.

Also, watch out for authorized user fees. Most Citi cards allow you to request authorized user cards for no charge, but the Citi AAdvantage Executive Card charges $175 for up to three authorized users (and $175 per authorized user after that). That’s a steep fee, but each authorized user gets American Airlines Admirals Club lounge access — making it well worth the price tag for those who would otherwise pay for entry into Admirals Clubs.

Methodology

Our money and data analytics teams reviewed Citi credit cards currently available to new applicants. We then narrowed down our list of the best Citi cards by giving them a star rating out of five, based on the following factors and our editorial judgment:

Sign-up bonus value (25%)

Some Citi credit cards offer a welcome bonus to consumers who spend a certain amount in their first months with the card. We calculated how much those bonuses are worth using points valuations from The Points Guy, and ranked cards that offer more value highly.

Rewards value (25%)

Some Citi credit cards earn points, miles or cash back, but these rewards don’t always have the same value. We used spending data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and estimates of rewards values from The Points Guy to determine which cards dole out the most value.

Benefits and annual credits/bonuses (25%)

Cards that offer benefits such as a 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers, travel perks, or discounts received a boost, as did cards that come with bonuses for meeting spending thresholds or credits toward certain purchases.

Select fees (25%)

Credit cards with no or low annual fees got higher grades in this category compared to cards that charge higher annual fees. No foreign transaction fee cards also got an advantage in this category.

What didn’t make the cut

While many other Citi credit cards offer generous benefits, they weren’t considered the best for various reasons. Here are some that missed the cut:

• Citi Simplicity? Card * The information for the Citi Simplicity? Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. : This card has an incredibly long 0% intro APR offer on balance transfers, and it doesn’t charge late fees. However, it doesn’t have a rewards program.
• Citi? Diamond Preferred? Card * The information for the Citi? Diamond Preferred? Card has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. : An ultra-long 0% intro APR offer on balance transfers is the card’s best feature, but you won’t earn rewards for your spending.
• Citi? Secured Mastercard? * The information for the Citi? Secured Mastercard? has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. : Targeted at those trying to build (or rebuild) credit, this secured credit card could be an option for consumers with limited or spotty credit histories. But you’ll need to put down a refundable security deposit (minimum $200) and the card doesn’t have a rewards program.
• American Airlines AAdvantage? Mile Up? * The information for the American Airlines AAdvantage? Mile Up? has been collected independently by CNN Underscored. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. : The only American Airlines credit card with no annual fee, this is a solid credit card to dip your toe into the world of travel rewards. Unfortunately, its American Airlines-related benefits and welcome bonus offer are inferior to those available with its more expensive siblings.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)