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Best Citi credit cards of March 2024

Updated March 14, 2024

Since launching its first credit card in 1967, when it was called First National City Bank, Citi has become a global bank specializing in investments, mortgages and credit cards. 

The best Citibank credit cards have generous cash back rewards, lengthy intro offers or both. The issuer has something for nearly every type of cardholder. Here are our top picks for  Citi credit cards, featuring essential information for deciding on the best card to add to your financial toolbox.

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2024 Bankrate Awards Winner
Best for automatic bonus category
Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5
4.4
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Apply now Lock
on Citi's secure site
Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
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Recommended Credit
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Intro offer

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1% - 5%

Rewards rate

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Annual fee

Regular APR

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Best for travel rewards on everyday purchases
Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
4.7
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Apply now Lock
on Citi's secure site
Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
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Recommended Credit
Info

Intro offer

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$960

Offer valuation

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1X - 3X

Rewards rate

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Annual fee

Regular APR

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Best overall cash back card
Rating: 4.2 stars out of 5
4.2
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Apply now Lock
on Citi's secure site
Fair to Good (580 – 740)
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Recommended Credit
Info

Intro offer

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1% - 5%

Rewards rate

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Annual fee

Regular APR

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Best balance transfer card
Rating: 4.1 stars out of 5
4.1
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Apply now Lock
on Citi's secure site
Good to Excellent (670 – 850)
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Recommended Credit
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Balance transfer intro APR

Regular APR

N/A

Rewards rate

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Annual fee

Compare Bankrate’s top Citi credit cards

Card Name Best For Annual Fee Rewards Highlights Bankrate Review Score

Best for automatic bonus category

$0

5% cash back in top eligible spending category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent and then 1%

4.4 / 5

Info
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock
on Citi's secure site

Best for travel rewards on everyday purchases

$95

3X ThankYou Points per $1 on restaurant, supermarket, gas station, hotel and air travel purchases; 1X Points on all other purchases. Plus, for a limited time, earn a total of 10 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi TravelSM portal through June 30, 2024.

4.7 / 5

Info
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock
on Citi's secure site

Best overall cash back card

$0

Up to 2% cash back (1% at time of purchase, then 1% at time of payment) on all purchases

4.2 / 5

Info
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock
on Citi's secure site
Best balance transfer card
$0

N/A

4.1 / 5

Info
(Read card review)
Apply now Lock
on Citi's secure site
On This Page

A closer look at our top Citibank credit cards

Image of Citi Custom Cash® Card

Citi Custom Cash® Card

Best for automatic bonus category

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Earning a lot of cash back is relatively easy with this card since it automatically adjusts based on your highest eligible spend category per billing cycle.

If you’re seeking a lucrative cash back card with a simple rewards structure, this is the card for you.
The Chase Freedom Flex℠ offers a solid alternative for consumers who love almost everything about the Citi Custom Cash, but want a more straightforward welcome bonus in the form of a statement credit, unlike the Custom Cash, with which you’d have to redeem ThankYou points. The Freedom Flex is also a bit easier to obtain because the spending requirement is much lower.
Read our full Citi Custom Cash Card review or jump back to offer details.
Image of Citi Premier® Card

Citi Premier® Card

Best for travel rewards on everyday purchases

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The bonus categories reward major spending categories — supermarkets, gas stations, air travel and dining at restaurants — at the same rate of 3X points, a rare feature in a rewards credit card. Plus, for a limited time, earn a total of 10 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi TravelSM portal through June 30, 2024.

Infrequent travelers who want to earn travel rewards on everyday spending

If the bulk of your spending falls outside Citi Premier's categories, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is a solid alternative. Capital One Venture Rewards cardholders will earn 5X miles on rental cars and hotels booked through Capital One Travel and 2X miles on everything else.

Read our full Citi Premier Card review or jump back to offer details.
Image of Citi Double Cash® Card

Citi Double Cash® Card

Best for overall Citi cash back card

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This card provides cardholders with a solid cash back rate and impressive security perks. The Citi lost wallet service ensures that a lost or stolen card will be replaced within 24 hours. There’s also no spending cap so your earning potential is unlimited.
The Citi Double Cash is best for simple cash back seekers who always pay off their balances. This card doesn’t have many perks, but it will give cardholders the chance to earn pretty solid rewards.
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card is a strong second choice thanks to its flat cash rewards rate, sign-up bonus and cellphone protection.
Read our full Citi Double Cash Card review or jump back to offer details.
Image of Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card

Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card

Best balance transfer card

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This card touts a decent intro APR period for purchases and balance transfers. It can be valuable for anyone planning a large purchase or paying down debt.
Anyone who wants to save on interest payments for either purchases or balance transfers with its intro period
If you were considering the Citi Diamond Preferred card to complete a balance transfer, the Wells Fargo Reflect® Card might be a good alternative. The Reflect also skips the annual fee and provides cardholders with a long balance transfer period.
Read our full Citi Diamond Preferred Card review or jump back to offer details
Image of Citi Simplicity® Card

Citi Simplicity® Card

Best for intro APR offers and no late fee

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Cardholders will get one of the longest introductory APR periods on balance transfers available on the market. They’ll also skip late fees and penalty APRs with late payments.
People who want to build better credit habits and pay off credit card debt. If you’re having trouble learning to manage your credit effectively, this card has consumer-friendly terms that can help.

If you want to stick with Citi, but are hoping to earn more rewards, the Citi Double Cash is a potential alternative. Citi Double Cash cardholders can still benefit from a lengthy intro balance transfer intro APR and no annual fee while earning cash back at a generous flat rate on all purchases.

Image of Citi® Secured Mastercard®

Citi® Secured Mastercard®

Best for building credit

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You’ll get the standard credit-building tools, plus a potentially higher-than-average credit limit compared to other secured credit cards.
Credit builders who don’t tend to carry a balance. This card is easily accessible and meant to help people with lower scores build their credit. However, if you carry a balance or make a late payment, the card’s high variable APR and penalty charges make it a deal breaker.
The Discover it® Secured Credit Card is one of the only secured cards that earns substantial rewards, making it a terrific option for credit builders looking for a starter cash back card. 
Image of Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®

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

Best for American Airlines flyers

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For occasional travelers, this middle-of-the-road card offers solid perks and a respectable welcome bonus. Plus, you can continue earning 2X miles on gas station and restaurant purchases.

Occasional travelers who prefer to fly American Airlines. It has a lower rewards rate than many competing cards, but its low annual fee and hefty welcome bonus make it a great pick for people who fly occasionally and want to earn rewards on both travel and everyday purchases.

For more serious travelers who want to get more from their American Airlines credit card — like lounge access around the world and an up to $100 application fee for Global TSA Precheck — the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® is an excellent choice.
The information about the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®  been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer. 
Image of Citi Rewards+® Card

Citi Rewards+® Card

Best for pairing with other Citi credit cards

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This card's standout feature rounds up your points to the nearest 10, offering a low-effort way to increase your earnings on everyday purchases.

Someone with another Citi card that earns rewards outside of gas and supermarkets who wants to make the most of their rewards. 
The Citi Premier Card also works as an alternative to the Citi Rewards+ Card. You’ll get more rewards category variety, and it’s particularly lucrative for frequent travelers and foodies.

What to know about Citi credit cards

CitiBank is one of the largest financial institutions in the world, with more than 200 million customers and operations in more than 100 countries. CitiBank also has a long history of giving back to the communities it serves through its philanthropic endeavors and community partnerships.

The company offers a variety of financial products, including credit cards that come with different features, rewards programs and benefits, depending on your needs. 

Types of Citi credit cards

In addition to popular rewards cards for consumers, Citi issues business credit cards, balance transfer cards and even a secured credit card. Depending on your credit score and the features that matter most to you, Citi may have what you want. Here’s an overview of Citi’s main credit card types:

Pros and cons of Citi credit cards

Pros

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    Variety: Citi offers cash back cards, travel cards, student cards, balance transfer cards and more.

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    Categories: You can earn rewards on gas, travel, dining, supermarkets and more at both tiered and flat rates depending on the card.

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    Sign-up bonuses: Several Citi cards have decent sign-up bonuses, adding short-term value to the card, and there are plenty of options with no annual fee.

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    Pairing cards: There are plenty of opportunities to pair cards to maximize value.

Cons

  • Credit score requirements: Most options require good credit or better (FICO score above 670).

  • Penalty APR: A late payment on many Citi cards can lead to a stiff penalty that lasts indefinitely.

  • Limited options for beginners: Cardholders focused on building credit will have few options with Citi.

  • Cardholder protections: Travel and shopping protection availability is limited compared to Citi’s competitors.

Tips on choosing the best Citi card

Before applying for a credit card from any issuer, consider your spending habits, your current financial situation and what you want out of the card. The tips below should help narrow down your options when choosing a Citi card:

  • Determine if you need an intro APR offer. Do you want a temporary break from interest on purchases or balance transfers? If yes, focus on Citi cards with introductory 0 percent APR offers designed to help you temporarily avoid interest charges.
  • Choose what type of rewards you want to earn.  When choosing a rewards card, make sure it matches up with categories where you spend the most and the type of earnings you want in return, such as cash back, points or miles. If you travel often, for example, the Citi Premier card earns maximum rewards on travel-related expenses, such as hotels and air travel. If if struggle to keep track of bonus categories, the Citi Custom Cash card rewards you automatically in your highest eligible spending category.
  • Consider the card’s perks and benefits. Some Citi cards have travel-related perks, like free checked bags on select flights that can be beneficial if you travel often. But if you don’t travel frequently, consider other Citi options.
  • Know if you’re already loyal to one of Citi’s partners. If you’re a frequent American Airlines flyer or a Costco member, Citi's co-branded cards could have plenty of value to offer you. For example, the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi offers cardholders cash back on gas, restaurant, travel purchases and purchases from Costco and Costco.com. And casual travelers may find value in one of Citi’s AAdvantage credit cards.
  • Check your credit score. Most Citi cards require good credit or better, meaning you’ll have the best approval odds with a score higher than 670. Citi doesn’t have many cards in its portfolio that cater to credit-builders, so if your score is less than 670, you should consider cards for fair credit or a secured credit card.

Still deciding if a Citi credit card is right for you? Check out our Credit Card Spender Type Tool where you can get personalized credit card recommendations based on your credit score, spending habits and daily needs.

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LEARN MORE A guide to Citi ThankYou points
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Expert advice for Citi Cards

Our team of financial experts provides expert advice on Citi credit cards, helping you make informed decisions and maximize rewards and features.

  • Credit Card Best

    Learn how the Citi rewards program works

    Citi’s ThankYou rewards program allows cardholders to earn ThankYou Points by making eligible purchases. You can earn two types of points with Citi credit cards:

    • Basic Citi ThankYou points: With Citi’s most basic points, you have limited redemption options — the most crucial being you can’t transfer them to travel partners for redemption. You can, however, still redeem basic points for travel through Citi.
    • Full-fledged” Citi ThankYou points: These points have a bit more reach and versatility, given that you can transfer and redeem your full-fledged ThankYou points with Citi’s travel partners. Overall, the ability to transfer these points makes this version more valuable.

    Only the Citi Premier card earns full-fledged Thank you points. But, like the Chase Trifecta, the Citi Trifecta allows you to combine ThankYou points and rewards from three different Citi cards: The Citi Double Cash, the Citi Custom Cash and the Citi Premier. By pooling the points from these cards together, you can redeem more at once and transfer them to Citi travel partners for maximum value.

  • Credit Card Search

    Decide if Citi rewards are worth it

    The Citi credit card rewards program is worth it if you can maximize everyday spending, but the program isn't for everyone. Citi offers credit cards that have different reward structures, so you'll have to decide which one works best for your needs.

    Some people may find that they can get more value out of the rewards program by pooling and transferring rewards to an airline or hotel loyalty program. However, navigating the differences between basic and full-fledged ThankYou points could be difficult for credit beginners, and the bulk of your value may be limited to one or two redemption options.

    Overall, it may be worthwhile if you believe you could benefit from the Citi Trifecta or if one of Citi's cards aligns well with what you want from a credit card.

  • Credit Card Reviews

    Maximize Citi credit card benefits

    To maximize the benefits of your Citi credit card, it is important to understand and strategically use the various features and perks offered based on your spending habits and financial goals.

    Here are some Citi credit card benefits you can use to get special offers, features and financing:

    • Concierge service: Provides a team of experts to assist with everyday needs like locating restaurants and pharmacies.
    • Citi® Quick Lock: This lets you lock a misplaced Citi card without affecting any recurring transactions.
    • Citi Entertainment: Offers special access to exclusive event experiences, ticket presales and purchases for top sporting events, concerts, dining experiences and more. 
    • Citi Flex Loans: Though not every cardholder will be eligible, this invitation-only program lets you take out a loan against your Citi card’s credit line with a fixed APR. There’s no application, credit inquiry or origination fee for Citi cardholders, and you have the flexibility to choose your loan terms.
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    Avoid carrying a balance with your Citi credit card

    While Citi credit cards offer various benefits and rewards, it’s important to be aware of pitfalls. One potential drawback is the high interest rates some Citi credit cards carry.

    Half of Citi’s credit card offerings have APRs higher than the current average credit card interest rate, so if you carry a balance on your card often, the interest charges can quickly accumulate and become a financial burden.

    If you avoid carrying a balance and pay off the full amount each month, you can prevent expensive interest charges on your account. Avoiding interest can help you avoid unnecessary debt.

Have more questions for our credit cards editors? Feel free to send us an email, find us on Facebook, or Tweet us @Bankrate.

How we assess the best Citi credit cards

Document
250+
cards rated
Congrats
50+
rewards programs valued
Search
5000
data points analyzed
Credit Card Reviews
40+
perks evaluated

When evaluating the best credit cards, we take into account several factors, including how cards score in our proprietary card rating system and whether they offer features that fit the priorities of a diverse group of cardholders, from earning rewards to scoring a large sign-up bonus to saving on interest. 

We analyzed over 250 of the most popular credit cards and selected standouts. We scored each card based on the factors most relevant to its primary category, including its rewards rate, estimated annual earnings, intro APR period, ongoing APR, perks and more to determine whether it belonged in this month’s roundup. 

Here are some of the key factors that we considered:

Frequently asked questions about Citi credit cards