Best Citibank Credit Cards of 2024
5.0
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
On Citi's Website
Up to 10X Reward Rate
Earn 10 points per dollar spent on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com, 3 points per dollar atRead More
Welcome Bonus
70,000 bonus points
Annual Fee
$95
Regular APR
21.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
Credit Score
Excellent, Good
Our Expert Take
The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card earns bonus Citi ThankYou Points in several spending categories and it offers great redemption flexibility.
Why We Like It
Unlike Citi’s other credit cards, travel insurance protections have been added to the Strata Premier including trip delay protection, common carrier trip cancellation and interruption protection, lost or damaged luggage and MasterRental coverage (car rental insurance). That’s great for a card with an affordable annual fee.
For Citi Strata Premier cardholders, their Citi ThankYou Points can be transferred to over a dozen travel partners including JetBlue TrueBlue, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, , Choice Privileges Rewards and others.
While these programs aren’t as well known as some of the ones you can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards® or American Express Membership Rewards® into, they can offer amazing value to those willing to put in the work. Additionally, the card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees.
What We Don’t Like
The card’s $100 hotel benefit may be difficult to redeem. And its highest earning rates are on Citi Travel bookings, which may be a limiting factor for some cardholders.
Who It’s Best For
The variety of bonus categories make the Strata Premier a strong contender for everyday spending and for anyone who doesn’t want the hassle of figuring out what card to use to maximize earnings. Additionally, it could be an excellent option for those who travel frequently with one or more of Citi’s transfer partners.
Expert Commentary
Troy Liu
Credit Cards And Loyalty Programs Expert
Troy Liu is the co-founder and chief operating officer of PointsYeah.com, a free all-in-one points travel planning site that enables consumers to effortlessly search for points travel— including via credit card, airline and hotel programs—in just around 20 seconds. The service offers stronger engagement between banks, airlines, hotel chains and consumers.
Prior to PointsYeah.com, Troy founded Mileslife, an innovative platform partnered with 19 airline programs and 30,000 merchants worldwide. It revolutionized direct miles earning and created an ecosystem that seamlessly connected credit card issuers, airlines, merchants and affluent consumers.
Troy has over 20 years of firsthand experience as a dedicated rewards enthusiast, having engaged with over 150 different loyalty programs ranging from financials, travel, food and beverage, and retail. He also has 13 years of industry experience working closely with banks, airlines, hotels, and food and beverage programs on consulting and partnerships, giving him a unique blend of perspectives. His ability to navigate both sides of the loyalty equation, combined with his skills for building collaborative partnerships, positions him to consistently deliver exceptional results.
Given his industry and consumer expertise, Troy is a sought-after speaker at numerous forums, where he shares his knowledge and insights on loyalty programs and customer engagement.
Troy Liu
Troy Liu
Credit Cards And Loyalty Programs Expert
Troy Liu is the co-founder and chief operating officer of PointsYeah.com, a free all-in-one points travel planning site that enables consumers to effortlessly search for points travel— including via credit card, airline and hotel programs—in just around 20 seconds. The service offers stronger engagement between banks, airlines, hotel chains and consumers.
Prior to PointsYeah.com, Troy founded Mileslife, an innovative platform partnered with 19 airline programs and 30,000 merchants worldwide. It revolutionized direct miles earning and created an ecosystem that seamlessly connected credit card issuers, airlines, merchants and affluent consumers.
Troy has over 20 years of firsthand experience as a dedicated rewards enthusiast, having engaged with over 150 different loyalty programs ranging from financials, travel, food and beverage, and retail. He also has 13 years of industry experience working closely with banks, airlines, hotels, and food and beverage programs on consulting and partnerships, giving him a unique blend of perspectives. His ability to navigate both sides of the loyalty equation, combined with his skills for building collaborative partnerships, positions him to consistently deliver exceptional results.
Given his industry and consumer expertise, Troy is a sought-after speaker at numerous forums, where he shares his knowledge and insights on loyalty programs and customer engagement.
Credit Cards And Loyalty Programs Expert
The bonus categories apply internationally, making the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card the best all-in-one card with the highest earnings in bonus categories for oversea travels with a relatively low annual fee.
Pros & Cons
- High rewards rates for many popular categories
- Ability to transfer points to hotel and airline loyalty programs
- No foreign transaction fees
- Some built-in travel protections
- The $100 hotel benefit is difficult to redeem
- The highest earning rates are on Citi Travel bookings
- $95 annual fee
Card Details
- 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
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
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.
4.9
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
On Citi's Website
Up to 5% Reward Rate
5% cash back on up to $500 in purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle. 4% cashRead More
Welcome Bonus
$200
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
Credit Score
Excellent, Good, Fair
Our Expert Take
The Citi Custom Cash® Card is ultra-flexible. There are no rotating categories to track or activate and you can earn 5% cash back on purchases in a top eligible spend category up to the first $500 spent each billing cycle, 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2025 and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Why We Like It
In addition to everyday expenses like grocery stores, gas and restaurants, the eligible 5% categories offered include less common options like home improvement, fitness clubs, live entertainment and a handful of others. Like most of Citi’s other cards, the Custom Cash offers the extra perks a big bank usually provides like digital wallet, $0 fraud liability, FICO Score access, 24/7 support and other conveniences.
Additionally, the card offers 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.
What We Don’t Like
The 3% foreign transaction fee means it’s not a card you’d want to use abroad.
Who It’s Best For
Whether used as a balance transfer option first or not, the Citi Custom Cash® Card is best used as a companion card to supplement a card offering rewards with fewer limits.
Expert Commentary
Julian Kheel
Credit Cards and Travel Rewards Expert
With over 15 years of professional experience studying credit cards and travel loyalty programs, Julian Kheel has served as CNN’s senior editor covering travel and credit cards, as well as the editorial director for The Points Guy, and worked as a consultant for the biggest airlines. He is currently the CEO of Tripsight Inc., an award tools company that recently released Points Path, the first browser extension that automatically adds the prices of flights in miles into Google Flights search results to help travelers decide when to best use their travel rewards.
Julian first learned the ins and outs of credit card rewards and travel loyalty programs while flying more than 200,000 miles a year as a TV producer and director for World Wrestling Entertainment. (And yes, of course it’s all real.) He has previously written about travel and credit cards for U.S. News & World Report, Upgraded Points and Going, and created weekly columns for the travel websites Frequent Miler and Travel Codex.
In addition to appearing as a TV analyst to discuss travel and loyalty programs on national segments for CNN, Bloomberg News, CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” Yahoo Finance and Cheddar TV, Julian has also been featured on ABC and CBS Radio, and has been quoted in The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and the Chicago Tribune on travel-related topics as well.
Julian Kheel
Julian Kheel
Credit Cards and Travel Rewards Expert
With over 15 years of professional experience studying credit cards and travel loyalty programs, Julian Kheel has served as CNN’s senior editor covering travel and credit cards, as well as the editorial director for The Points Guy, and worked as a consultant for the biggest airlines. He is currently the CEO of Tripsight Inc., an award tools company that recently released Points Path, the first browser extension that automatically adds the prices of flights in miles into Google Flights search results to help travelers decide when to best use their travel rewards.
Julian first learned the ins and outs of credit card rewards and travel loyalty programs while flying more than 200,000 miles a year as a TV producer and director for World Wrestling Entertainment. (And yes, of course it’s all real.) He has previously written about travel and credit cards for U.S. News & World Report, Upgraded Points and Going, and created weekly columns for the travel websites Frequent Miler and Travel Codex.
In addition to appearing as a TV analyst to discuss travel and loyalty programs on national segments for CNN, Bloomberg News, CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” Yahoo Finance and Cheddar TV, Julian has also been featured on ABC and CBS Radio, and has been quoted in The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and the Chicago Tribune on travel-related topics as well.
Credit Cards and Travel Rewards Expert
If you’ve always wanted a credit card that adapts to your lifestyle instead of you having to adapt to it, you’ve found what you’re looking for with the Citi Custom Cash. You’ll never have to worry again about making sure you’re earning bonus points at the places you shop the most, because this card will automatically do it for you — even if those places change every month.
Pros & Cons
- No registration required to earn bonus rewards
- Cash-back categories are unique categories that other cards may not offer bonus rewards for
- Introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers
- No annual fee
- High balance transfer fee
- High foreign transaction fee
- Some everyday rewards categories are neglected
Card Details
- 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.
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.
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.
Best for Low Intro APR on Balance Transfers
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card *
4.8
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
No Rewards
The Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card does not offer rewards on purchases
Welcome Bonus
N/A
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
18.24% - 28.99% (Variable)
Credit Score
Excellent, Good
Our Expert Take
A proper balance transfer card, the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card* offers a lengthy introductory APR period on purchases and balance transfers. The card has the standard suite of convenience perks Citi offers with many cards, such as $0 fraud liability.
Why We Like It
The card’s low introductory APR for balance transfers or financing purchases can save you money. New cardholders get a 0% intro APR for 21 months on eligible balance transfers from date of first transfer and 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases from date of account opening. After that, the variable APR will be 18.24% – 28.99%. Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening. A balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, applies.
Additionally, there’s no annual fee, making it a great resource to pay off your debt.
What We Don’t Like
The card doesn’t earn rewards or offer many extra benefits, so it might not be a preferred choice in your wallet over the long term.
Who It’s Best For
The Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card* is a solid choice for those aiming to consolidate their debt and pay it off over a period of time without accruing interest.
Expert Commentary
Jon Nickel-D'Andrea
Credit Cards Expert Writer
For more than 10 years, Jon Nickel-D'Andrea has been a sought-after expert on how to travel the world using rewards points and miles. Jon has been featured in local and national publications and as a speaker at various seminars across the world. Combining his deep knowledge of credit cards, rewards programs, airlines and hotels with his unique style and sense of humor, Jon makes the complex web of these programs more fun and easy to understand. He lives in Seattle with his husband Ben and their 4-year-old beagle pup.
Jon Nickel-D'Andrea
Jon Nickel-D'Andrea
Credit Cards Expert Writer
For more than 10 years, Jon Nickel-D'Andrea has been a sought-after expert on how to travel the world using rewards points and miles. Jon has been featured in local and national publications and as a speaker at various seminars across the world. Combining his deep knowledge of credit cards, rewards programs, airlines and hotels with his unique style and sense of humor, Jon makes the complex web of these programs more fun and easy to understand. He lives in Seattle with his husband Ben and their 4-year-old beagle pup.
Credit Cards Expert Writer
While the focus with this card is the long introductory period for balance transfers, very often throughout the year Citi will send offers for other balance transfer deals. This means you could hold this card long term and still have the chance to get great balance transfer offers throughout the year.
Pros & Cons
- $0 annual fee
- Lengthy introductory APR offer on balance transfers
- 0% intro APR period for new purchases
- 3% foreign transaction fee
- No rewards program
- High variable APR when introductory period ends
Card Details
- Free online access to your FICO® Score
- Citi Entertainment®, get special access to purchase tickets to thousands of events
- $0 liability on applicable unauthorized charges
- Mastercard® ID Theft Protection™ included
N/A
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.
TIE Best for Low Intro APR on Balance Transfers
Citi Simplicity® Card *
4.8
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
No Rewards
This card does not earn rewards
Welcome Bonus
N/A
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
19.24% - 29.99% (Variable)
Credit Score
Excellent, Good(700 - 749)
Our Expert Take
The Citi Simplicity® Card* is essentially the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card* with a few key differences: no penalty APR, a lower intro balance transfer fee and a slightly higher standard APR.
Why We Like It
With the Citi Simplicity® Card*, you’ll get 0% intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers from date of first transfer and 0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases from date of account opening. After that, the variable APR will be 19.24% – 29.99%. There is an intro balance transfer fee of $5 or 3% of the amount of the transfer, whichever is greater, for transfers made within 4 months of opening the account. After that, a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, applies. Plus, it doesn’t charge an annual fee.
What We Don’t Like
Unfortunately, the Citi Simplicity® Card* charges a foreign transaction fee of 3% of the amount of each purchase.
Who It’s Best For
The Citi Simplicity® Card* is an excellent choice for those looking for a balance transfer card with a long intro period or those planning to make a large purchase. Although it doesn’t earn rewards, it can serve as an effective tool for debt payoff.
Expert Commentary
Adam Frankel
Credit Cards Writer
With over four decades of experience as a portfolio manager and educator, Adam B. Frankel simplifies credit card strategies and complex personal finance topics for anyone seeking to gain a better understanding of how to manage their money. His work has been featured in national personal finance sites including Forbes Advisor, Fortune, MarketWatch and CardRatings.
Adam Frankel
Adam Frankel
Credit Cards Writer
With over four decades of experience as a portfolio manager and educator, Adam B. Frankel simplifies credit card strategies and complex personal finance topics for anyone seeking to gain a better understanding of how to manage their money. His work has been featured in national personal finance sites including Forbes Advisor, Fortune, MarketWatch and CardRatings.
Credit Cards Writer
The Citi Simplicity’s intro APR offer on purchases and balance transfers can help ease the financial strain of having to shell out for a big purchase or expedite paying down existing debt. Once that intro offer expires though, the card doesn’t have much to offer.
Pros & Cons
- No late fees
- No penalty APR
- No annual fee
- Intro APR offer on purchases and balance transfers
- High regular APR
- No rewards program
Card Details
- No late fees or penalty rates
- No annual fee
- Introductory APR offer
- No liability on unauthorized charges
N/A
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.
3.6
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
On Citi's Website
Up to 2% Reward Rate
First, you earn 1% unlimited cash back on every purchase you make. Then, as you pay for those purchases, youRead More
Welcome Bonus
Earn $200 cash back
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
19.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
Credit Score
Excellent, Good, Fair
Our Expert Take
We often refer to the Citi Double Cash® Card as the gold standard for flat-rate cash back. Its 2% cash back on all purchases—1% when purchases are made and another 1% when they’re paid off—used to be difficult to beat. Now, we compare it to nearly everything we expect those with fair to excellent credit to qualify for. But the Double Cash pulls triple duty with its balance transfer qualities and ability to earn transferable points, too.
Why We Like It
Though several unlimited 2% flat-rate cash-back cards now exist, few offer a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 18 months. After that, the standard variable APR will be 19.24% – 29.24%, based on creditworthiness. An intro balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3%, whichever is greater, applies to transfers completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, the fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
Through December 31, 2024, the Double Cash also earns 5% total cash back on Citi Travel bookings.
What We Don’t Like
The Citi Double Cash® Card doesn’t offer many extra benefits beyond the typical Citi convenience benefits, such as $0 fraud liability and digital wallet technology.
The 0% intro APR on balance transfers is nice, but it doesn’t apply to purchases. Note that this also means purchases will not receive a normal grace period unless the entire balance, including any transferred amount, is repaid by the payment due date. To avoid interest charges, those who do transfer a balance to the Double Cash should wait until their balance has been paid in full before they begin using the card for purchases.
Who It’s Best For
The Citi Double Cash Card is an attractive option for those with good to excellent credit who want to transfer high-interest balances or who seek a versatile cash-back card. It’s also an excellent choice for maximizing cash back on purchases not covered by other cards.
Expert Commentary
Julian Kheel
Credit Cards and Travel Rewards Expert
With over 15 years of professional experience studying credit cards and travel loyalty programs, Julian Kheel has served as CNN’s senior editor covering travel and credit cards, as well as the editorial director for The Points Guy, and worked as a consultant for the biggest airlines. He is currently the CEO of Tripsight Inc., an award tools company that recently released Points Path, the first browser extension that automatically adds the prices of flights in miles into Google Flights search results to help travelers decide when to best use their travel rewards.
Julian first learned the ins and outs of credit card rewards and travel loyalty programs while flying more than 200,000 miles a year as a TV producer and director for World Wrestling Entertainment. (And yes, of course it’s all real.) He has previously written about travel and credit cards for U.S. News & World Report, Upgraded Points and Going, and created weekly columns for the travel websites Frequent Miler and Travel Codex.
In addition to appearing as a TV analyst to discuss travel and loyalty programs on national segments for CNN, Bloomberg News, CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” Yahoo Finance and Cheddar TV, Julian has also been featured on ABC and CBS Radio, and has been quoted in The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and the Chicago Tribune on travel-related topics as well.
Julian Kheel
Julian Kheel
Credit Cards and Travel Rewards Expert
With over 15 years of professional experience studying credit cards and travel loyalty programs, Julian Kheel has served as CNN’s senior editor covering travel and credit cards, as well as the editorial director for The Points Guy, and worked as a consultant for the biggest airlines. He is currently the CEO of Tripsight Inc., an award tools company that recently released Points Path, the first browser extension that automatically adds the prices of flights in miles into Google Flights search results to help travelers decide when to best use their travel rewards.
Julian first learned the ins and outs of credit card rewards and travel loyalty programs while flying more than 200,000 miles a year as a TV producer and director for World Wrestling Entertainment. (And yes, of course it’s all real.) He has previously written about travel and credit cards for U.S. News & World Report, Upgraded Points and Going, and created weekly columns for the travel websites Frequent Miler and Travel Codex.
In addition to appearing as a TV analyst to discuss travel and loyalty programs on national segments for CNN, Bloomberg News, CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” Yahoo Finance and Cheddar TV, Julian has also been featured on ABC and CBS Radio, and has been quoted in The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and the Chicago Tribune on travel-related topics as well.
Credit Cards and Travel Rewards Expert
Not everyone wants to chase bonus categories or shuffle cards in their wallet, which makes the Citi Double Cash the perfect “set it and forget it” credit card. It’s one of the only cards around that not only earns 2% cash back on all purchases—1% when purchases are made and another 1% when they’re paid off but also offers a path to using that cash back in the form of more valuable travel points down the road when you’re ready to take the next step.
Pros & Cons
- Earn up to 2% cash back—1% when the purchase is made and 1% when payment is made on the account
- No cash-back cap—no limit on the amount of cash back that can be earned
- No annual fee
- Introductory APR period for balance transfers
- Foreign transaction fee
- Balance transfer fee
- Lack of benefits seen in other no annual fee cards
- No introductory 0% APR on purchases
Card Details
- 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).
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.
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.
3.6
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
On Citi's Website
Up to 5X Reward Rate
Earn 2X ThankYou® Points per dollar at supermarkets and gas stations for the first $6,000 per year and then 1XRead More
Welcome Bonus
20,000 points
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
18.74% - 28.74% (Variable)
Credit Score
Excellent, Good(700 - 749)
Our Expert Take
The Citi Rewards+® Card earns okay rewards and doesn’t have many additional benefits, but its unique earning features are what set it apart. With both a round up to the nearest 10 points option and a Points Back feature, the card is truly rewarding. Still, it may not be enough to make up for the additional complexity of keeping track of another credit card and rewards system.
Why We Like It
With Round Up to the nearest 10 points, a $2 coffee purchase earns 10 ThankYou Points where it would otherwise earn 2, and a $12 meal purchase earns 20 ThankYou Points where it would otherwise earn 12. With the Points Back feature, the card returns 10% of ThankYou Points redeemed, up to the first 100,000 points redeemed per year. So if you redeem 15,000 ThankYou Points, you’ll get 1,500 points back.
Keep in mind that if you have multiple ThankYou Points-earning cards, you can combine your earnings in a single account. This means your Citi Rewards+ points can become transferable to Citi’s full list of travel partners if you also hold the Citi Strata Premier.
The introductory APR offer may also appeal to some: a 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.
What We Don’t Like
Statement credit or straight cash-back redemptions are worth less than 1 cent per point. And the card charges a 3% foreign transaction fee.
Who It’s Best For
The Citi Rewards+® Card is best suited for serious ThankYou® Points enthusiasts. If you aren’t, consider choosing from one of the other top rewards credit cards instead.
Expert Commentary
Julian Kheel
Credit Cards and Travel Rewards Expert
With over 15 years of professional experience studying credit cards and travel loyalty programs, Julian Kheel has served as CNN’s senior editor covering travel and credit cards, as well as the editorial director for The Points Guy, and worked as a consultant for the biggest airlines. He is currently the CEO of Tripsight Inc., an award tools company that recently released Points Path, the first browser extension that automatically adds the prices of flights in miles into Google Flights search results to help travelers decide when to best use their travel rewards.
Julian first learned the ins and outs of credit card rewards and travel loyalty programs while flying more than 200,000 miles a year as a TV producer and director for World Wrestling Entertainment. (And yes, of course it’s all real.) He has previously written about travel and credit cards for U.S. News & World Report, Upgraded Points and Going, and created weekly columns for the travel websites Frequent Miler and Travel Codex.
In addition to appearing as a TV analyst to discuss travel and loyalty programs on national segments for CNN, Bloomberg News, CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” Yahoo Finance and Cheddar TV, Julian has also been featured on ABC and CBS Radio, and has been quoted in The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and the Chicago Tribune on travel-related topics as well.
Julian Kheel
Julian Kheel
Credit Cards and Travel Rewards Expert
With over 15 years of professional experience studying credit cards and travel loyalty programs, Julian Kheel has served as CNN’s senior editor covering travel and credit cards, as well as the editorial director for The Points Guy, and worked as a consultant for the biggest airlines. He is currently the CEO of Tripsight Inc., an award tools company that recently released Points Path, the first browser extension that automatically adds the prices of flights in miles into Google Flights search results to help travelers decide when to best use their travel rewards.
Julian first learned the ins and outs of credit card rewards and travel loyalty programs while flying more than 200,000 miles a year as a TV producer and director for World Wrestling Entertainment. (And yes, of course it’s all real.) He has previously written about travel and credit cards for U.S. News & World Report, Upgraded Points and Going, and created weekly columns for the travel websites Frequent Miler and Travel Codex.
In addition to appearing as a TV analyst to discuss travel and loyalty programs on national segments for CNN, Bloomberg News, CNBC’s “Squawk Box,” Yahoo Finance and Cheddar TV, Julian has also been featured on ABC and CBS Radio, and has been quoted in The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, and the Chicago Tribune on travel-related topics as well.
Credit Cards and Travel Rewards Expert
For those who never carry cash and use their credit card for even the smallest purchases, the “round up” feature of the Citi Rewards+ can quickly add up. But don’t sleep on the card’s 10% rebate on point redemptions up to the yearly cap, either. Take advantage of both of these features, and you’ll soon find yourself with a larger stack of rewards.
Pros & Cons
- All purchases rounded up to the nearest 10 rewards points.
- 10% points bonus added to the first 100,000 points redeemed annually.
- No rotating categories to manage.
- Foreign transaction fee.
- Potentially high APR depending on your creditworthiness.
- High balance transfer fee
- Annual $6,000 spending cap on 2x points category.
Card Details
- 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 onhotel, 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
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
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.
3.4
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
On Citi's Website
Up to 3X Reward Rate
Earn 3x points at gas stations; Earn 2x points at grocery stores; Earn 1x points on all other purchases.
Welcome Bonus
$100 Statement Credit
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
21.24% - 29.24% (Variable)
Credit Score
Good(700 - 749)
Our Expert Take
The opportunity to earn up to $240 in statement credits each year without an annual fee makes the worth looking into if you’re an AT&T customer. However, there are some tradeoffs to be aware of.
Why We Like It
The payoff of maximizing your rewards with this card could be substantial. Cardholders who charge $1,000 or more on purchases in a billing cycle can earn a $20 statement credit that month (alternatively, you can earn $10 in statement credits when charging $500 to $999.99). However, you must also enroll your AT&T postpaid wireless account in paperless billing and autopay with this card in order to be eligible.
What We Don’t Like
You have to jump through some hoops to maximize this card. And while the earning rates on gas and groceries are fair, it’s not unique, and it’s a bit underwhelming to earn a single ThankYou Point per dollar on most purchases. Frequent international travelers should also be aware that this card charges a foreign transaction fee of 3%.
Who It’s Best For
The card is best for AT&T customers who expect to earn their monthly statement credit regularly. Otherwise, there are better rewards cards available.
Pros & Cons
- Earns Citi ThankYou Points that can be consolidated with other ThankYou Points-earning credit cards
- Opportunity to earn up to $240 in statement credits annually when meeting certain criteria
- No annual fee
- Must have AT&T bill on autopay and paperless billing to receive the monthly credit
- The reward potential decreases once you hit $1,000 of monthly spend on the card
- No additional bonus points earned on AT&T purchases
- Foreign transaction fees
Card Details
- Earn a $100 Statement Credit after spending $1,000 in qualifying activities in the first 3 months of account opening
- Earn up to an additional $240 back toward your qualifying AT&T Wireless bills every year after eligible spend
- Earn 3 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent at Gas Stations
- Earn 2 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent at Grocery Stores
- Earn 1 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on all other purchases
- No limit to the amount of points you can earn, and your points will not expire.
- No Annual Fee
Earn a $100 Statement Credit after spending $1,000 in eligible purchases in the first 3 months of account opening
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.
Best Midrange American Airlines Card
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® *
3.1
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
Up to 2X Reward Rate
Earn 2 AAdvantage miles per dollar spent at gas stations, restaurants, and qualifying American Airlines purchases; Earn 1 mile perRead More
Welcome Bonus
50,000 bonus miles
Annual Fee
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $99
Regular APR
21.24% - 29.99% (Variable)
Credit Score
Excellent, Good(700 - 749)
Our Expert Take
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®* earns decent AAdvantage miles on spending, offers a handful of benefits for flying on American Airlines and charges no foreign transaction fees. Citi doesn’t generally offer the travel insurance-style perks other issuers are known to offer with their travel cards, but those who use the benefits will likely find the annual fee worthwhile.
Why We Like It
The Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select card offers several American Airlines-related benefits, which provide most of the additional value. The first checked bag is complimentary for the cardholder and up to four companions when traveling on domestic flights, and cardholders receive preferred boarding and a 25% discount on in-flight purchases with American Airlines.
Cardholders who spend at least $20,000 on the card annually and renew their card, earn a $125 American Airlines flight discount—which is more than the annual fee. Plus, the card charges no foreign transaction fees.
What We Don’t Like
The Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select card offers few other major benefits beyond its reward earning and welcome bonus.
Who It’s Best For
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®* is best for frequent American Airlines flyers without AAdvantage status who check bags on U.S. domestic flights. However, if you prioritize premium travel benefits and protections, consider other options.
Pros & Cons
- Free checked bag for you and up to four companions on domestic American Airlines flights
- Preferred boarding privileges
- No foreign transaction fees
- No limit on mileage earnings
- Lackluster ongoing rewards
- First checked bag free perk not applicable for international flights
- Doesn’t have other perks like lounge access or travel protections
Card Details
- Earn 50,000 AAdvantage bonus miles after spending $2,500 in purchases in the first 3 months of account opening
- Earn 2miles 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
Earn 50,000 AAdvantage bonus miles after spending $2,500 in purchases in the first 3 months of account opening
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.
Best Secured Card
Citi® Secured Mastercard® *
3.1
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
Welcome Bonus
N/A
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
27.74% (Variable)
Credit Score
New to Credit
Our Expert Take
Citi offers the Citi® Secured Mastercard®* for those looking to build new or rebuild credit. A minimum $200 security deposit is required to open an account. Since several secured cards now offer rewards, the Citi® Secured Mastercard®* may not be the best option for those shopping for a secured card.
Why We Like It
It reports monthly credit history to all three major credit bureaus, doesn’t charge an annual fee and cardholders can access their FICO Score online.
What We Don’t Like
Unlike some top secured cards, the Citi Secured doesn’t earn any rewards, and there is no clear path to getting your deposit back and graduating to an unsecured version of the card. The card also has little else to offer other than the standard convenience benefits Citi included with Citi-branded cards.
Who It’s Best For
The Citi® Secured Mastercard®* could be useful for those who want to establish credit.
Pros & Cons
- No annual, monthly or setup fees
- Secured credit limit from $200 to $2,500
- High regular APR
- Foreign transaction fee
- High cash advance fee
- Cannot have filed for bankruptcy within the past 2 years
Card Details
- No annual fee
- Designed to help you build your credit
- Choose your payment due date
- Digital wallet compatible
- Security deposit required
N/A
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.
Best American Airlines Card for Lounge Access
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® *
2.9
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
Up to 10X Reward Rate
Earn 10 AAdvantage miles for every $1 spent on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through aa.com; 4 miles forRead More
Welcome Bonus
100,000 bonus miles
Annual Fee
$595
Regular APR
21.24% - 29.99% (Variable)
Credit Score
Excellent, Good(700 - 749)
Our Expert Take
With Admirals Club lounge access, priority boarding and the first checked bag free for up to eight additional travel companions, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®* provides everything a premium airline rewards card should offer.
Why We Like It
In addition to the first checked bag free and lounge access, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®* charges no foreign transaction fees. Cardholders also receive an up to $100 statement credit toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry every four years, a 25% discount on in-flight purchases and, where available, an enhanced airport experience that includes priority boarding.
The benefits continue with up to $120 per calendar year in statement credits for Avis and Budget car rental purchases, up to $10 per month in statement credits for GrubHub purchases and $10 Lyft credits each month that you take at least three eligible rides. AAdvantage status-seekers will also appreciate that cardholders can earn up to 20,000 additional Loyalty Points per year.
What We Don’t Like
This premium card requires excellent credit and comes with a hefty annual fee that may make it inaccessible to some.
Who It’s Best For
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®* is arguably the best choice for frequent American Airlines travelers as it provides the most benefits of Citi’s American Airlines-branded cards.
Pros & Cons
- Free checked bag on domestic American Airlines flights for up to eight companions on the same reservation
- Discounted Admiral Club membership
- High annual fee with no first-year waiver
- Lackluster rewards rates
- Requires excellent credit
Card Details
- Earn 100,000 AAdvantage bonus miles after spending $10,000 in the first 3 months of account opening
- 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 100 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
Earn 100,000 AAdvantage bonus miles after spending $10,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.
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.
Best for Costco Shoppers
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi *
2.1
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
Up to 4% Reward Rate
Earn 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases for the first $7,000 spent annually, 1% thereafter; 3%Read More
Welcome Bonus
N/A
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
20.49% variable APR
Credit Score
Excellent(750 - 850)
Our Expert Take
The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi* offers excellent gas, restaurant and travel rewards in addition to rewards for purchases made at Costco.
Why We Like It
The card offers competitive cash-back rates for in-store and online purchases and some of the highest cash-back rates on gas and electric vehicle charging at Costco and other stations across all rewards cards. Its purchase protection from theft and damage offers an excellent extra benefit.
What We Don’t Like
The card does require Costco membership, so we don’t recommend it for those who aren’t already regular Costco customers. It also doesn’t offer any travel protections or roadside assistance-related features as you might expect with a card offering such a high earning rate on gas.
Who It’s Best For
The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi* is ideal for Costco members. Otherwise, it creates what would effectively be an annual fee with other benefits that might go unused.
Pros & Cons
- High rewards rates in bonus categories
- No foreign transaction fee
- Use the Costco Anywhere Visa card as your Costco membership ID
- Requires an active Costco membership
- Rewards can only be cashed out at Costco via an annual certificate
- Certificate expires at year-end
Card Details
- Earn 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases for the first $7,000 spent annually, 1% thereafter
- Earn unlimited 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases
- Earn 2% cash back on purchases from Costco and Costco.com and unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases
- No annual fee with paid Costco membership
- No foreign transaction fees
N/A
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.
Best No Annual Fee American Airlines Card
American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Mastercard® *
1.6
Forbes Advisor created additional star ratings so that you can see the best card for specific needs. This card shines for this use, but overall the star ratings may differ when compared to other cards.
Up to 2X Reward Rate
Earn 2x AAdvantage miles per dollar on groceries and eligible American Airlines purchases and 1x AAdvantage mile per dollar onRead More
Welcome Bonus
15,000 AAdvantage® bonus miles
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
21.24% – 29.99% variable
Credit Score
Excellent, Good
Our Expert Take
The American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Mastercard®* has no annual fee and earns AAdvantage miles, plus it comes with a 25% discount on inflight food and beverage purchases. Otherwise, it offers no major additional benefits.
Why We Like It
The AAdvantage rewards earned with this card can be redeemed for flights and upgrades. This card can also provide an elite status boost as cardholders earn 1 Loyalty Point per dollar spent.
What We Don’t Like
The MileUp card offers almost none of the additional benefits of the AAdvantage Platinum Select and charges a foreign transaction fee, so it’s not a good choice for international travel.
Who It’s Best For
The MileUp card is best suited for occasional American Airlines flyers and domestic travelers. If you often travel with other airlines and value more premium travel perks, consider a different travel credit card.
Pros & Cons
- No annual fee
- Earn unlimited miles
- 25% discount on in-flight purchases
- Earn 2 miles per dollar on groceries and AA purchases
- 3% foreign transaction fee
- Lackluster travel perks
- Blackout dates apply to some redemptions
Card Details
- Earn 15,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
- Earn 2x AAdvantage miles per dollar on groceries and eligible American Airlines purchases
- Earn 1x AAdvantage mile per dollar on all other purchases
- No annual fee
- 25% savings on inflight food and beverage purchases on American Airlines flights when card is used
Earn 15,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
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.