Best Citi Credit Cards of February 2023
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Citi-branded credit cards include a fantastic flat-rate cash-back card, cards with extra-long 0% APR periods for balance transfers, and even an outstanding store card.
Some Citi cards earn rewards in the form of ThankYou points, and many Citi cards offer access to Citi Entertainment deals.
Citi-branded credit cards include a fantastic flat-rate cash-back card, cards with extra-long 0% APR periods for balance transfers, and even an outstanding store card.
Some Citi cards earn rewards in the form of ThankYou points, and many Citi cards offer access to Citi Entertainment deals.
Find the right credit card for you.
Whether you want to pay less interest or earn more rewards, the right card's out there. Just answer a few questions and we'll narrow the search for you.
Best Citi Credit Cards From Our Partners
Credit card | NerdWallet rating | Annual fee | Rewards rate | Intro offer | Learn more |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Citi Custom Cash℠ Card Apply now on Citibank's application | Best for High rewards + no annual fee | $0 | 1%- Cashback | $200 | Apply now on Citibank's application |
Citi Premier® Card Apply now on Citibank's application | Best for Travel rewards | $95 | 1x- Points | 60,000 Points | Apply now on Citibank's application |
Citi Simplicity® Card Apply now on Citibank's application | Best for Balance transfers + late fee waiver | $0 | N/A | N/A | Apply now on Citibank's application |
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card Apply now on Citibank's application | Best for Balance transfers | $0 | N/A | N/A | Apply now on Citibank's application |
Citi® Double Cash Card Apply now on Citibank's application | Best for Cash back | $0 | 1%- Cashback | N/A | Apply now on Citibank's application |
Citi Rewards+® Card Apply now on Citibank's application | Best for Outsize rewards on small purchases | $0 | 1x- Points | 20,000 Points | Apply now on Citibank's application |
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi Apply now on Citibank's application | Best for Wholesale shoppers | $0 | 1%- Cashback | N/A | Apply now on Citibank's application |
Our pick for
High rewards + no annual fee
on Citibank's application
on Citibank's application
$0
1%-5%
Cashback
$200
The Citi Custom Cash℠ Card is one of the most valuable, versatile and low-maintenance cards in the issuer's portfolio, offering a 5% rewards rate on eligible purchases for an annual fee of $0. Terms apply.
The Citi Custom Cash℠ Card is one of the most valuable, versatile and low-maintenance cards in the issuer's portfolio, offering a 5% rewards rate on eligible purchases for an annual fee of $0. Terms apply.
Pros
You'll earn 5% back automatically on up to $500 spent in your eligible top spending category per billing cycle. (Other purchases earn 1% back.) Those eligible spending categories include major ones like restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations, travel and more. The card also features an intro APR and a rich sign-up bonus.
Cons
Your bonus rewards will be limited by that $500-a-month spending cap. And the card's ongoing rate on other purchases — 1% back — is pretty low. So you'll want to use this card strategically.
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 18.24% - 28.24%, based on your creditworthiness.
Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
No rotating bonus categories to sign up for – as your spending changes each billing cycle, your earn adjusts automatically when you spend in any of the eligible categories.
No Annual Fee
Citi will only issue one Citi Custom Cash℠ Card account per person.
Our pick for
Travel rewards
on Citibank's application
on Citibank's application
$95
1x-3x
Points
60,000
Points
The rewards on the Citi Premier® Card are generous. It earns 3X points on airfare, hotels, gas stations, and restaurants and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. It also offers a good sign-up bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
The rewards on the Citi Premier® Card are generous. It earns 3X points on airfare, hotels, gas stations, and restaurants and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. It also offers a good sign-up bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
Pros
The sign-up bonus and ongoing rewards make the Citi Premier® Card an attractive travel card. The card also comes with no foreign transaction fees, concierge service, early ticket and VIP access to events, and the ability to transfer points to participating airline loyalty programs.
Cons
The annual fee is $95. And as with other Citi cards that earn ThankYou points, the value of the points varies depending on how you redeem them; choosing cash back gives you less bang for your buck. The list of airline transfer partners is lacking in good domestic options.
Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants and Supermarkets
Earn 3 Points per $1 spent at Gas Stations, Air Travel and Hotels
Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Annual Hotel Savings Benefit
60,000 ThankYou® Points are redeemable for $600 in gift cards when redeemed at thankyou.com
No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
Our pick for
Balance transfers + late fee waiver
on Citibank's application
on Citibank's application
$0
N/A
N/A
The Citi Simplicity® Card offers an introductory APR of 0% Intro APR for 21 months on Balance Transfers and 12 months on Purchases, and then the ongoing APR of 18.24%-28.99% Variable APR. That's a solid no interest window. The card also stands out for its lack of late fees.
The Citi Simplicity® Card offers an introductory APR of 0% Intro APR for 21 months on Balance Transfers and 12 months on Purchases, and then the ongoing APR of 18.24%-28.99% Variable APR. That's a solid no interest window. The card also stands out for its lack of late fees.
Pros
If you're looking to consolidate debt, or even if you just need short-term financing, this card can fit the bill. Aside from its lack of late fees, it has an annual fee of $0. The card also allows you to select your own payment due date, which can be helpful if your bank account tends to run low at times.
Cons
The card offers no rewards. If you're primarily looking to finance a purchase rather than transfer debt, you can get a longer 0% purchase APR period on other cards, including many that offer rewards.
No Late Fees, No Penalty Rate, and No Annual Fee... Ever
0% Intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers from date of first transfer and 0% Intro APR for 12 months on purchases from date of account opening. After that the variable APR will be 18.24% - 28.99%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening.
There is an introductory balance transfer fee of $5 or 3% of the amount of the transfer, whichever is greater for balance transfers completed within 4 months of account opening.
Stay protected with Citi® Quick Lock and $0 liability on unauthorized charges.
Our pick for
Balance transfers
on Citibank's application
on Citibank's application
$0
N/A
N/A
The Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card is all about the long 0% intro APR period. It's about as much breathing room as you'll find anywhere for transferring debt.
The Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card is all about the long 0% intro APR period. It's about as much breathing room as you'll find anywhere for transferring debt.
Pros
The long 0% period for transfers is this card's defining feature, giving you more than a year to whittle down debt.
Cons
Because this card doesn't earn rewards, there's not a lot of ongoing value to the card once that 0% period runs out. Plus, it charges a 5% balance transfer fee (minimum $5).
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 17.24% - 27.99%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening.
There is a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Get free access to your FICO® Score online.
With Citi Entertainment®, get special access to purchase tickets to thousands of events, including concerts, sporting events, dining experiences and more.
Our pick for
Cash back
on Citibank's application
on Citibank's application
$0
1%-2%
Cashback
N/A
The Citi® Double Cash Card offers one of the highest flat cash-back rates available. You get 2% back on everything you buy: 1% when you make purchases and 1% when you pay them off. The introductory 0% APR period for balance transfers also appeals to anyone looking to consolidate credit card debt.
The Citi® Double Cash Card offers one of the highest flat cash-back rates available. You get 2% back on everything you buy: 1% when you make purchases and 1% when you pay them off. The introductory 0% APR period for balance transfers also appeals to anyone looking to consolidate credit card debt.
Pros
The Citi® Double Cash Card stands out for both for its simplicity and relative generosity. You don’t have to worry about keeping track of rotating rewards categories or opting into quarterly offers. You can get a high ongoing rewards rate on all purchases. Another upside? The $0 annual fee.
Cons
The 0% introductory APR offer applies only to balance transfers, so it's not ideal for financing a purchase — nor is it ideal for using abroad, thanks to its foreign transaction fee. Plus, there's a $25 minimum redemption threshold for rewards. Lastly, this card has no sign-up bonus.
Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 18.24% - 28.24%, 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).
Our pick for
Outsize rewards on small purchases
on Citibank's application
on Citibank's application
$0
1x-2x
Points
20,000
Points
The Citi Rewards+® Card is an intriguing choice for people who make a lot of small purchases because it automatically rounds up the number of points you earn when you buy something.
The Citi Rewards+® Card is an intriguing choice for people who make a lot of small purchases because it automatically rounds up the number of points you earn when you buy something.
Pros
You earn 2 points per dollar spent at supermarkets and gas stations (for the first $6,000 spent per year) and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. Every purchase is rounded up to the next 10 points. So a $4 coffee earns 10 points, and a $54 bill at the supermarket becomes 110 points (54 x 2 = 108, rounded up to 110). You get 10% of your points back when you redeem, on up to 100,000 redeemed points per year. There's a decent sign-up bonus and a good 0% intro APR period.
Cons
The rewards earning system is rather complicated, and rewards redemption isn't as straightforward as cash back. If you spend a lot on groceries and gas, in particular, you can find more lucrative options.
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
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 17.74% - 27.74%, 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
Our pick for
Wholesale shoppers
on Citibank's application
on Citibank's application
$0
1%-4%
Cashback
N/A
If you’re already a Costco member and spend a lot on gas, restaurants and travel, the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi could make a lot of sense for you. And it can be used anywhere, not just at Costco.
If you’re already a Costco member and spend a lot on gas, restaurants and travel, the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi could make a lot of sense for you. And it can be used anywhere, not just at Costco.
Pros
The ongoing rewards are rich: 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases on up to $7,000 in spending a year (1% after that); 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases; 2% cash back at Costco and Costco.com; and 1% back on all other purchases. The annual fee is $0 (though you do have to be a Costco member, which requires a yearly membership fee). The card charges no foreign transaction fee, so it's a good travel companion.
Cons
The card offers no sign-up bonus, and cardholders are limited in how and when they can redeem their rewards. You receive a rewards certificate once a year in your February billing statement. Also, for a store card, 2% back at Costco and Costco.com is a surprisingly low rate. Other store cards can offer better incentives for shopping specifically with that retailer.
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.
BEST CITI CREDIT CARDS
Before applying, confirm details on the issuer’s website.
Citi Custom Cash℠ Card
Our pick for: High rewards + no annual fee
Citi® Double Cash Card
Our pick for: Cash back
Citi Premier® Card
Our pick for: Travel
Citi Simplicity® Card
Our pick for: Balance transfers + late fee waiver
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
Our pick for: Balance transfers
Citi Rewards+® Card
Our pick for: Outsize rewards on small purchases
Citi Rewards+℠ Student Card
Our pick for: College students
The Citi Rewards+℠ Student Card offers bonus rewards at gas stations and supermarkets, and its rounding-up feature means you can earn outsize rewards on small purchases. A good option for students with a lot of little expenses. Read our review.
Citi® Secured Mastercard®
Our pick for: Building credit
The Citi® Secured Mastercard® is a straightforward card for people new to credit — put down a security deposit, use the card to establish a positive credit history and then move up to a better card (and get your deposit back). One note: This card is for people just starting out with credit, rather than people with bad credit from past mistakes. Read our review.
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
Our pick for: Wholesale club shoppers
The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi turns everyday spending into rewards you can redeem at Costco (although you can only redeem them once a year). You earn bonus rewards on gas, at restaurants, on travel and at Costco itself. There's no annual fee for the card, but you have to be a Costco member (which does require a fee). Read our review.
Other cards issued by Citi
Citi issues branded credit cards in partnership with American Airlines. Learn more about these cards by reading the reviews linked below:
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Last updated on January 5, 2023