Best Citi credit cards of July 2024
Citi has changed its credit card offerings several times over the last few years. Whether you are a current or prospective Citi cardholder, here’s what you need to know about the best Citi credit cards currently available.
TPG's experts have compiled an in-depth list of the best Citi credit cards, including those with lucrative cash-back options, based on how we have personally used the cards. Check out the picks from our partners below to see how they compare to one another and make the best choice for you.
- Citi Double Cash® Card: Best for no-frills cash-back rewards
- Citi Custom Cash® Card: Best for no-headache, no-annual-fee cash back in a select category
- Citi Rewards+® Card: Best for small routine purchases
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®: Best for American Airlines lounge access
- Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi: Best for Costco shoppers
Browse by card categories
| 1% | 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. |
| 5% | 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. |
The Citi Double Cash Card takes all of the stress and complication away from credit card rewards with a simple (yet lucrative) 2% earning scheme and straightforward cash-back redemption options. Check out our Citi Double Cash Card review for more details.
Pros
- Earning 2% back on every purchase is an industry-leading return on everyday spending for a no-annual-fee credit card.
- Now that you have the ability to convert rewards to ThankYou points with an eligible card, your redemption options are even more flexible.
- It’s great for those looking to consolidate debt, since it offers new cardmembers 18 months of 0% intro APR on balance transfers made. After that, the variable APR of 19.24% - 29.24% applies.
Cons
- Those looking to make a balance transfer will have to pay 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 $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).
| 5% | 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. |
| 4% | Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2025. |
| 1% | Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. |
This card offers true flexibility to earn rewards depending on your spending habits. Adding the Custom Cash may also be a good idea for existing Citi cardholders seeking to maximize their rewards. Check out our Citi Custom Cash Card review for more information.
Pros
- This card allows you to earn up to 5% back on your top spending category each billing cycle on up to the first $500 spent. Plus, no annual fee.
Cons
- Light on other benefits.
- 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.
| 5X | Special offer: earn 5 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com through December 31, 2025. |
| 2X | Earn 2X ThankYou® Points at Supermarkets and Gas Stations for the first $6,000 per year and then 1X Points thereafter. |
| 1X | Earn 1X ThankYou® Points on All Other Purchases. |
Every purchase on the Citi Rewards+ Credit Card rounds up to the nearest 10 points, as even a $2 coffee will earn 10 points, which can really stack up over time. Check out our Citi Rewards+ Card review for more details.
Pros
- No annual fee
- All purchases round up to the nearest 10 points
- 2x on supermarket and gas station purchases (up to $6,000 each year, then 1x thereafter), 1x on everything else
- Get 10% of your redeemed points back each year (for the first 100,000 points redeemed annually)
Cons
- Charges a 3% foreign transaction fee, so you won't want to take this card with you abroad
- 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
| 4X | Earn 4x AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases. |
| 1X | 1 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on other purchases |
The Citi AAdvantage is the only card that provides a full Admirals Club membership as well as elite perks for American Airlines flyers. See our Citi / AAdvantage Executive card review for more information.
Pros
- Offers Admirals Club lounge access
- Priority check-in, airport screening, boarding and a free checked bag for you and up to 8 travel companions
- 25% discount on inflight food and beverages
- Receive a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck Fee Statement Credit
Cons
- Miles redemption limited to American Airlines and its Oneworld partners
- 25% inflight credit doesn't include Wi-Fi
- Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $7,000 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
- No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
- Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from 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
| 4% | 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter |
| 3% | 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases |
| 2% | 2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com |
| 1% | 1% cash back on all other purchases |
This no-annual-fee card is a no-brainer for Costco shoppers who want to earn even greater savings with cash-back rewards. Read our Costco Anywhere Visa Card review for more information.
Pros
- Purchase protection
- 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV purchases (on up to $7,000 per year; then 1%), 3% back at restaurants and on eligible travel purchases, 2% back on in-store and online Costco purchases
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you're not a Costco shopper
- Cash back can only be redeemed in the form of a reward certificate
- 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
Comparing the best Citi cards
Credit card | Best for | Intro offer | Earning rate | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. at Citi's secure site | no-frills cash-back rewards | $200 cash back Open Intro bonus 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. | 1 - 5% cash-back | $0 |
Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. at Citi's secure site | no-headache, no-annual-fee cash back in a select category | $200 Open Intro bonus 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. | 1 - 5% cash-back | $0 |
Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. at Citi's secure site | small routine purchases | 20,000 points Open Intro bonus 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. | 1 - 5 points | $0 |
Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. at Citi's secure site | American Airlines lounge access | 70,000 miles Open Intro bonus Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first 3 months of account opening. | 1 - 4X miles | $595 |
Open Editors rating Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. at Citi's secure site | Costco shoppers | N/A | 1 - 4% cash-back | $0 |
More details on the best Citi credit cards
The Citi Double Cash Card (see rates and fees) is easy to love due to its 2% cash back on all purchases, offered as 1% back when you buy and 1% back when you pay, with no annual fee. You’ll earn cash-back rewards as basic ThankYou points, which are easy to redeem for a direct deposit to your bank account, a statement credit or a check in the mail.
The Citi Double Cash Card is an excellent option if you want a cash-back rewards card for all your purchases. It’s also a good option for consumers who need a card for non-bonus category purchases.
“The Citi Double Cash Card is a simple yet valuable cash-back rewards card that I frequently recommend to family and friends. It's a great everyday spending card with 2% cash back, offered as 1% when you buy and 1% when you pay. And since it has no annual fee, it's earned a long-term place in my wallet.” — Katie Genter, senior points and miles writer
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card (see rates and fees) also earns 2% cash back on purchases, so it may be a better option if you prefer a Wells Fargo card.
The Citi Custom Cash Card (see rates and fees) offers 5% cash back on your top eligible spending category (on up to $500 spent) each billing cycle. That’s great, considering the card has no annual fee.
The Citi Custom Cash Card is a solid cash-back rewards card that you can use to earn 5% cash back on up to $500 of spending in one eligible category each billing cycle (and 1% cash back on other purchases). But it becomes particularly valuable if you have a premium Citi ThankYou card, as then you unlock all the Citi ThankYou Rewards transfer partners.
If you could benefit from earning 5% cash back on up to $500 spent in one of the eligible categories — restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, select travel, select transit, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs or live entertainment — each billing cycle, then you should consider getting the Citi Custom Cash Card.
If you want to use your card for various purchases and still earn more than 1% cash back, the Citi Double Cash® Card may be a better option.
The Citi Rewards+ Card (see rates and fees) is a no-annual-fee card that earns basic ThankYou Rewards points on purchases. Its unique attribute is that Citi automatically rounds up to the nearest 10 points on every purchase. So, a $3 purchase earns just as much as a $10 purchase.
If you want a no-annual-fee card for small purchases or to use at supermarkets and gas stations, the Citi Rewards+ Card may be for you. After all, you’ll earn 2 points per dollar on the first $6,000 of purchases per calendar year at supermarkets and gas stations. After that, and on other purchases, you’ll earn 1 point per dollar.
“The Citi Rewards+ Card is a great addition to your wallet, especially if you already have a full-fledged Citi ThankYou Rewards card. I love having this card because it gives me 10% of the points I redeem (up to 100,000 points redeemed per calendar year) back each year. Plus, it's a great card to use for small purchases that would typically earn less than 10 points.” — Katie Genter, senior points and miles writer
The Citi Double Cash® Card will be a better option for many consumers, as it provides 2% cash back on all purchases, offered as 1% back when you buy and 1% back when you pay. However, the Citi Double Cash doesn’t round up to the nearest 10 points on every purchase, nor does it offer a 10% points rebate.
The Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard (see rates and fees) offers a complimentary Admirals Club membership for the primary cardholder and Admirals Club access for authorized users with a same-day boarding pass for an eligible flight. The annual fee on this card is less than the cost of an Admirals Club membership, making it a good deal for some frequent American Airlines flyers.
If you frequently fly American Airlines and could benefit from perks like Admirals Club access, priority boarding and a first checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries, then you should consider the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard.
“I frequently find myself on American out of Miami, and I love that I can access the Admirals Club with my immediate family. I can also add up to three authorized users for an additional $175 (total) per year — and each of them gets club access as well (with a same-day boarding pass for an eligible flight). Beyond that, I save hundreds of dollars a year thanks to Citi Merchant Offers on the card.” — Nick Ewen, director of content
If you don’t need an Admirals Club membership, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® might be a better option due to its lower annual fee.
The information for the Citi Platinum Select World Elite has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi (see rates and fees) is a great option for Costco members. We love that cardholders earn 4% cash back on eligible gas and electric vehicle charging (on the first $7,000 per year, then 1% after that) and 3% on restaurants and eligible travel.
This card has no annual fee if you have a paid Costco membership, making it a good option for Costco members. You’ll get cash back each year once your February billing statement closes as a certificate redeemable for cash or merchandise at U.S. Costco Warehouses. So, you’ll only want to use this card if you have a Costco Warehouse nearby and don’t mind only getting cash-back rewards once a year.
If you frequently shop at Costco, plan to keep your Costco membership for the foreseeable future and can benefit from bonus cash back in the gas or EV charging categories, the Costco Anywhere Visa card may be a good addition to your wallet.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a good alternative card option for earning at least 1.5% cash back on all purchases. And since it’s a Visa credit card, you can use it at Costco Warehouses.
What is Citi?
Citi is a financial services company that offers credit cards and banking, lending, investing and wealth management services. Citi's credit cards can earn a variety of rewards, including cash back, its rewards currency Citi ThankYou Rewards points and multiple other rewards currencies through its cobranded cards, such as miles with American Airlines AAdvantage.
Types of Citi credit cards
Citi offers a variety of credit card products to consumers and small businesses. Many of these cards are rewards cards, and some even earn Citi ThankYou Rewards points that can be redeemed with Citi's multiple transfer partners. Others earn cash back, offer 0% APR periods, can be used as balance transfer cards or have benefits for business owners. Here’s a deeper look at some of the offerings:
Many of the Citi credit cards are rewards cards. Citi offers some cards that earn its rewards currency — Citi ThankYou Rewards points — and cobranded cards with Costco, AT&T and American Airlines.
Some of our favorite Citi credit cards are travel rewards cards. Whether you want to earn American Airlines miles with the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® or Citi ThankYou Rewards points with the Citi Prestige® Card, Citi has several options.
The information for the Citi Prestige has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
You’ll also find that several Citi credit cards offer an introductory 0% annual percentage rate. For example, the Citi Custom Cash® Card and Citi Rewards+® Card tend to offer 0% introductory APR on purchases for a set period from the account opening date.
Some Citi credit cards offer a low introductory interest rate when you transfer your balance shortly after opening your account.
For example, the Citi Double Cash® Card usually offers an attractive 0% introductory APR on balance transfers completed within several months of account opening.
There’s an introductory balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (with a minimum of $5) completed within the first four months of opening your Citi Double Cash Card; after that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
Many Citi credit cards earn ThankYou points. And you can redeem Citi ThankYou points for cash-back rewards at a rate of 1 cent per point. For example, the basic Citi ThankYou points you earn with the Citi Custom Cash® Card can be redeemed at 1 cent per point for cash-back rewards via statement credit, direct deposit or check.
Citi offers a variety of business credit cards, including the Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi (see rates and fees) and the Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard®.
The information for the Citi / AAdvantage Business World Elite Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Citi credit card benefits
Citi credit card benefits aren’t as extensive as those that some other banks provide, but there are still some perks to explore, including travel and shopping benefits, credit and account protection and dining and entertainment benefits. There are also multiple ways to redeem Citi ThankYou Rewards, the issuer's currency. Here's a look at what you can expect.
Most Citi credit cards offer the ability to set up travel notices and utilize the Citi Concierge for help with travel needs. Some Citi cards have no foreign transaction fees.
You’ll also find valuable travel perks on specific Citi cards, such as the fourth-night-free hotel benefit, Admirals Club access and $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more.
Most Citi credit cards have a contactless chip so you can tap to pay. You’ll also usually enjoy the ability to generate virtual account numbers for online shopping, access Citi Merchant Offers, and utilize the Citi Concierge for help with shopping and everyday needs.
Most Citi credit cards offer $0 liability on unauthorized charges and the ability to set up account alerts. Citi Quick Lock instantly blocks new purchases and cash advances if you temporarily misplace your card. You can enroll in a free ID protection program offered by Mastercard and also see your FICO score when you log in to your Citi account.
Most Citi credit cards offer access to Citi Entertainment, which provides special access to tickets to thousands of events. Most Citi cards also let you get help with dining and entertainment needs from the Citi Concierge.
Redeeming Citi ThankYou Rewards
The best way to maximize the Citi ThankYou Rewards program is to get a premium card, unlocking access to all 18 Citi ThankYou transfer partners and the best transfer ratios.
You can combine rewards from other Citi ThankYou cards, like the Citi Double Cash® Card, Citi Custom Cash® Card and Citi Rewards+® Card. By using multiple cards instead of just one, you can leverage each card's bonus categories to earn more rewards.
Check out our guides on redeeming Citi ThankYou points for maximum value and the best Citi ThankYou Rewards redemption sweet spots to learn more about maximizing Citi ThankYou Rewards.
How we rate
Maximizing Citi credit cards
Unlock all the Citi ThankYou transfer partners
Many of the Citi credit cards discussed above earn ThankYou Rewards points. But, there are two types of ThankYou points: basic and full-fledged.
The no-annual-fee Citi ThankYou cards — including the Citi Double Cash® Card, Citi Custom Cash® Card and Citi Rewards+® Card — earn basic ThankYou Rewards points that you can redeem for a statement credit, direct deposit or check at a rate of 1 cent per point. You can also transfer basic ThankYou Rewards points to Choice Privileges (at a 2:3 transfer ratio), JetBlue TrueBlue (5:4 transfer ratio) and Wyndham Rewards (5:4 transfer ratio).
However, premium ThankYou Rewards cards earn full-fledged ThankYou points that you can transfer to any of the more than 14 Citi ThankYou transfer partners at the best transfer ratios (most are 1:1). If you have a premium ThankYou Rewards card, you can combine basic ThankYou points from other cards in your premium card’s account and unlock all the Citi ThankYou transfer partners.
Benefit from no-annual fee cards
Citi offers a variety of no-annual-fee cards. On the one hand, you can earn plenty of cash-back rewards with the Citi Double Cash® Card, Citi Custom Cash® Card and Citi Rewards+® Card. But if you also have a premium Citi ThankYou Rewards card, these no-annual-fee cards can become a valuable part of your transferable rewards strategy.
Earn sign-up bonuses
Before signing up for a new Citi credit card, it’s important to understand whether you’ll be eligible to earn a sign-up bonus. Many Citi credit cards will only offer a sign-up bonus if you haven’t received a bonus offer for opening that specific card in the past 48 months.
How to choose a Citi credit card
- It's a good idea to select a Citi credit card with a decent sign-up bonus that you can maximize to meet your goals. Determine what you want from a card — be it cash back, miles to redeem on airline purchases or transferable points to use in a variety of programs — and select one with a solid offer that holds value to you.1Sign-up bonus
- Citi credit cards come with a range of annual fees, and many options don't carry an annual fee at all. Still, some cards with higher annual fees offer strong protections and other benefits that justify the additional payment. It's important to consider your comfort level with annual fees when you choose a card.2Annual fee
- Pick the card that earns the most in categories you do the most spending, such as dining, groceries or gas. That way, you will maximize on your everyday spending to get a solid return.3Bonus categories
Ask our experts
What's your favorite Citi card — and why?
Pros + cons of Citi credit cards
Pros
- Using a Citi credit card responsibly can help you improve your credit score
- Citi credit cards can earn useful points, miles or cash back on your spending
- Most Citi credit cards offer credit and account protection
- Some Citi credit cards come with valuable travel perks, such as hotel benefits, lounge access and checked bags, among others
Cons
- Credit cards can encourage overspending
- Carrying a balance and using your Citi card irresponsibly can negatively impact your credit score
- If you don't pay your Citi credit card balance each month, you may accrue steep interest charges
- Having too many credit card applications can negatively impact your credit score
- Some Citi credit cards carry foreign transaction fees, meaning they aren't always the best cards to carry abroad
Frequently asked questions
Most consumers find that Citi is a good credit card issuer. However, some cardholders occasionally have issues with functionality on the Citi website or app.
The best Citi credit card depends on what you’re looking for in a card. However, one of our favorites is the Citi Double Cash® Card for its simple earnings on all purchases.
You can apply for a Citi credit card by clicking the hyperlinked card names in this guide. Or, you can navigate to the Citi website and apply for cards there.
Some, but not all, Citi credit cards have foreign transaction fees. One examples of a Citi card that doesn't have foreign transaction fees is the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®.
If you have a Citi credit card that earns ThankYou Rewards points, you can redeem points for cash-back rewards at a rate of 1 cent per point. And if you have a Costco card from Citi, you’ll get an annual credit card reward certificate that you can redeem for cash or merchandise at U.S. Costco Warehouses.
You’ll usually need fair to excellent credit to be approved for a new Citi credit card. This means you’ll likely need a credit score of at least 580. Consider applying for the Citi Double Cash® Card or Citi Custom Cash® Card if you have fair credit, as these are two of the easier-to-get Citi credit cards.
If you have limited credit or bad credit, you may still be able to get approved for the Citi® Secured Mastercard®. This card lets you build credit by providing a security deposit and then getting a credit limit on your card equal to the amount of your security deposit.
The information for the Citi® Secured Mastercard® has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
You can cancel a Citi credit card by calling the number on the back of your card, starting an online chat from your account or sending a secure message. It's usually best to call if you want to cancel your card, as then you might be informed of a lucrative retention offer that encourages you to keep your card for another year.