Best of
Best Citi Credit Cards of 2019
NerdWalletJuly 8, 2019
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Our pick for
Cash-back rewards
on Citibank's application
on Citibank's application
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
15.74% - 25.74% Variable APR
Intro APR
0% on Balance Transfers for 18 months
recommended credit score
The Citi® Double Cash Card – 18 month BT offer 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 – 18 month BT offer 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 card has no sign-up bonus. 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.- Earn 2% cash back on purchases 1% when you buy and 1% as you make payments for those purchases
- To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time
- 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 15.74% - 25.74% based on your creditworthiness.*
- Balance Transfers do not earn cash back
- Click 'Apply Now' to see the applicable balance transfer fee and how making a balance transfer impacts interest on purchases
- No categories to track, no caps on cash back, no annual fee*
Our pick for
0% APR period for transfers
on Citibank's application
on Citibank's application
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
16.99% - 26.99% Variable APR
Intro APR
0% on Purchases for 12 months and 0% on Balance Transfers for 21 months
recommended credit score
The Citi Simplicity® Card - No Late Fees Ever offers an introductory APR of 0% on Purchases for 12 months and 0% on Balance Transfers for 21 months, and then the ongoing APR of 16.99% - 26.99% Variable APR. That's a no-interest window on balance transfers of nearly two years, which is best in class. 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, and its balance transfer fee — the greater of either $5 or 5% of each transfer amount — is on the high side. 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.- The only card with No Late Fees, No Penalty Rate, and No Annual Fee… EVER
- 0% Intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months from date of first transfer. All transfers must be completed in first 4 months. After that, the variable APR will be 16.99% - 26.99%, based on your creditworthiness
- 0% Intro APR on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening. After that, the variable APR will be 16.99% - 26.99%, based on your creditworthiness
- If you transfer a balance with this offer, after your 0% Intro purchase APR expires, both new purchases and unpaid purchase balances will automatically accrue interest until all balances, including your transferred balances, are paid in full
- There is a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
- The same great rate for all balances, after the introductory period
- Save time when you call with fast, personal help, 24 hours a day – just say “representative”
- Enjoy the convenience of setting up your own bill payment schedule on any available due date throughout the month
Our pick for
General travel rewards
on Citibank's application
on Citibank's application
Annual Fee
$95
Regular APR
18.24% - 26.24% Variable APR
Intro APR
N/A
recommended credit score
The rewards on the Citi Premier℠ Card are generous. It earns 3X points on travel, including at gas stations; 2X points on dining and entertainment; 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 on travel including gas stations
- Earn 2 points per $1 spent at restaurants and on entertainment
- Earn 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- 60,000 Points are redeemable for $750 in airfare on any airline, anytime with no blackout dates when booked through the ThankYou® Travel Center, or $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
- Points Transfer allows you to transfer points to participating airline loyalty programs
- No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
Our pick for
Wholesale shoppers
on Citibank's application
on Citibank's application
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
17.49% Variable APR
Intro APR
N/A
recommended credit score
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 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. That certificate can then be taken to a Costco store before the end of the year; it can’t be used elsewhere. 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 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*
- No matter where life takes you, experience 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
Our pick for
College students
on Citibank's application
on Citibank's application
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
16.74% - 26.74% Variable APR
Intro APR
0% on Purchases for 7 months
recommended credit score
The Citi Rewards+℠ Student Card is a good fit for students who don't spend a ton of money. Its unique "round up" feature means small purchases earn outsize rewards.
Pros
You earn 2 ThankYou points per $1 spent at supermarkets and gas stations (for the first $6,000 spent per year), and 1 ThankYou point per dollar on all other purchases. Rewards on every purchase are rounded up to the nearest 10 points — so a $2 cup of coffee earns you 10 points instead of 2. There's a modest sign-up bonus and a 0% intro APR period, too.Cons
Other student cards offer richer cash-back rates in categories that students may find more enticing. You need good credit to qualify for this card, which can be an obstacle to those just starting out.- Introducing the New Citi Rewards+℠ Student Card - the only credit card that automatically rounds up to the nearest 10 points on every purchase - with no cap
- Earn 2,500 bonus points after you spend $500 in purchases with your card within 3 months of account opening; redeemable for a $25 gift card at thankyou.com
- 0% Intro APR on purchases for 7 months. After that, the variable APR will be 16.74% - 26.74%, based on your creditworthiness
- Earn 2X ThankYou® Points at Supermarkets and Gas Stations for the first $6,000 per year and then 1X Points thereafter. Plus, earn 1X Points on All Other Purchases.
- Get 10% Points Back for the first 100,000 ThankYou® Points you redeem per year
- No annual fee
Our pick for
Newcomers to credit
on Citibank's application
on Citibank's application
Annual Fee
$0
Regular APR
24.74% Variable APR
Intro APR
N/A
recommended credit score
The Citi® Secured Mastercard® is a low-hassle card: Get it, use it to build credit, then move up to a product with better terms.
Pros
With an annual fee of $0 and a minimum deposit of $200, this is a low-cost, low-maintenance, no-fuss option for someone looking to build credit. When your credit improves, you may be able to graduate to one of the issuer's regular cards.Cons
This is a secured card, meaning you must put down a cash security deposit. But unlike many secured cards, it's not available to people with damaged or "bad" credit. It's for those building credit for the first time rather than rebuilding their standing after past mistakes.- The Citi® Secured Mastercard® is a no annual fee credit card that helps you build your credit when used responsibly.
- Unlike a debit card, it helps build your credit history with monthly reporting to all 3 major credit bureaus. Once available, you will also have free access to your FICO score online.
- Use your card anywhere Mastercard® is accepted — worldwide.
- A security deposit is required. Once approved, your credit limit will be equal to your security deposit (minimum of $200).
- Get help staying on track with Auto Pay and account alerts.
- With Flexible Payment Due Dates, you can choose any available due date in the beginning, middle or end of the month.
- Manage your account 24/7 online, by phone, or in our mobile app.
Last updated on July 8, 2019
Methodology
NerdWallet's credit cards team selects the best cards in each category based on overall consumer value. Factors in our evaluation include fees, promotional and ongoing APRs, and sign-up bonuses; for rewards cards, we consider earning and redemption rates, redemption options and redemption difficulty. A single card is eligible to be chosen in multiple categories.
