Unlocking Citi Rewards: A Comprehensive Guide to Their Top Credit Cards and Benefits
Citi has been a major player in the credit card rewards space for years, offering a diverse selection of cards that cater to different types of spenders. From their popular ThankYou Rewards program to co-branded airline cards, cash back options, and business solutions, Citi provides flexibility and value for those looking to maximize their rewards. In this deep dive, we’ll explore Citi’s card offerings, how to earn and redeem points, and everything you need to know about their transfer partners.
Why Choose Citi?
Citi stands out for its versatility and variety of rewards programs. Whether you want to earn flexible ThankYou Points, save on your favorite airline, or earn simple cash back, Citi has a card to fit your lifestyle. Here’s why many people choose Citi:
ThankYou Rewards Program: A flexible program that allows cardholders to earn points on purchases and transfer them to a range of travel partners.
Strong Earning Rates on Key Categories: Many Citi cards provide bonus points or cash back on dining, travel, groceries, and more, helping you maximize your everyday spending.
Variety of Card Options: From cash back to co-branded travel cards, Citi offers a diverse range of products to match different spending habits and goals.
Let’s take a closer look at their card lineup, transfer partners, and how to redeem rewards for maximum value.
Citi ThankYou Rewards-Earning Cards
These cards earn Citi ThankYou Points, which can be redeemed for travel, gift cards, statement credits, and more. Here are some of the popular options:
1. Citi Premier® Card
Most Common Bonus Offer: Earn 60,000 ThankYou Points after spending $4,000 in the first three months. (Occasionally, offers may be elevated to 80,000 points or more.)
Earning Rates: 3x points on air travel, hotels, dining, supermarkets, and gas stations; 1x on everything else.
Annual Fee: $95
Why It’s Great: This card is excellent for those who want to earn flexible points on a variety of everyday spending categories. ThankYou Points can be transferred to several travel partners, giving you plenty of options for redemption.
2. Citi Rewards+® Card
Most Common Bonus Offer: Earn 20,000 ThankYou Points after spending $1,500 in the first three months.
Earning Rates: 2x points at supermarkets and gas stations (on the first $6,000 per year, then 1x), 1x on all other purchases. Points round up to the nearest 10 on every purchase.
Annual Fee: $0
Why It’s Great: This card rounds up points to the nearest 10 on every purchase, making it easy to earn a bit more on smaller transactions.
3. Citi Double Cash® Card
Most Common Bonus Offer: No traditional sign-up bonus, but occasionally there are promotional offers for extra cash back or introductory APR.
Earning Rates: 2% cash back on every purchase — 1% when you buy and 1% when you pay off your purchases.
Annual Fee: $0
Why It’s Great: This card’s simple earning structure makes it an excellent choice for those who want consistent cash back without tracking bonus categories. Plus, cash back can be converted to ThankYou Points if you also have a ThankYou Rewards-earning card, enhancing its value.
4. Citi Custom Cash℠ Card
Most Common Bonus Offer: Earn $200 cash back (equivalent to 20,000 ThankYou Points) after spending $1,500 in the first three months. (Elevated offers may occasionally be available.)
Earning Rates: 5% cash back (or 5x ThankYou Points) on your top eligible spending category each billing cycle (up to $500 spent), 1% on everything else.
Annual Fee: $0
Why It’s Great: This card adapts to your spending, rewarding you with 5% cash back on whichever category you use the most. Pair it with a ThankYou Rewards card, and you can convert cash back to ThankYou Points for more flexibility.
Citi Cash Back Cards
These Citi cards earn cash back rewards, making them ideal for those who prefer a straightforward way to save on everyday purchases.
1. Citi® Double Cash Card
Most Common Bonus Offer: No sign-up bonus, but sometimes offers a promotional intro APR.
Earning Rates: 2% cash back on every purchase (1% when you buy and 1% when you pay off your purchases).
Annual Fee: $0
Why It’s Great: Simple and straightforward cash back card that offers consistent rewards across all spending categories.
2. Citi Custom Cash℠ Card
Most Common Bonus Offer: $200 cash back after spending $1,500 in the first three months.
Earning Rates: 5% cash back on your top eligible category each billing cycle (up to $500), 1% on all other purchases.
Annual Fee: $0
Why It’s Great: The card automatically rewards your highest spending category each month, allowing you to maximize your cash back without manually selecting categories.
Citi Co-Branded Airline Cards
Citi also offers co-branded cards that help you earn frequent flyer miles and enjoy benefits with specific airlines. Here are some popular options:
1. Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
Most Common Bonus Offer: Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® miles after spending $2,500 in the first three months. (Elevated offers may sometimes include more miles or additional perks.)
Earning Rates: 2x miles on American Airlines purchases, gas stations, and restaurants; 1x on everything else.
Annual Fee: $0 for the first year, then $99.
Why It’s Great: If you frequently fly with American Airlines, this card offers benefits like free checked bags, priority boarding, and preferred boarding. It’s perfect for travelers who want to earn miles quickly and enjoy exclusive perks.
2. CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®
Most Common Bonus Offer: Earn 65,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® miles after spending $4,000 in the first four months. (Occasionally, there are elevated offers that include more miles or benefits.)
Earning Rates: 2x miles on American Airlines purchases, car rentals, gas stations, cable and satellite providers, and select telecommunications merchants; 1x on everything else.
Annual Fee: $99 (waived for the first year)
Why It’s Great: This business card is ideal for small business owners who frequently travel with American Airlines. It offers similar perks to the consumer AAdvantage card, along with bonus earning categories for business expenses.
Citi Hotel Cards
While Citi no longer offers a wide variety of co-branded hotel cards, you can still redeem Citi ThankYou Points for hotel stays via transfer partners like Choice Privileges and Wyndham Rewards.
1. Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard®
Most Common Bonus Offer: Earn 60,000 Choice Privileges points after spending $1,000 in the first three months.
Earning Rates: 5x points on Choice Hotels, 2x on all other purchases.
Annual Fee: $95
Why It’s Great: This card is perfect for frequent travelers who prefer to stay at Choice Hotels properties, offering rewards for hotel bookings and other perks.
How to Earn Citi ThankYou Points
Citi ThankYou Points are one of the most flexible rewards currencies, and there are several ways to earn them. Here’s how you can maximize your earning potential:
Use Multiple Citi Cards: Pairing cards like the Citi Premier and Citi Double Cash allows you to earn points across different spending categories, with the ability to convert cash back into ThankYou Points.
Take Advantage of Bonus Offers: Keep an eye out for elevated sign-up bonuses and special promotions to earn extra points.
Refer Friends: Citi occasionally runs referral programs that let you earn extra points when your friends sign up for a Citi card through your referral link.
Citi Transfer Partners
One of the biggest advantages of the ThankYou Rewards program is the ability to transfer points to airline and hotel partners. Here are some of Citi’s key transfer partners:
Airlines:
Air France/KLM Flying Blue
Avianca LifeMiles
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
Emirates Skywards
Etihad Guest
EVA Air Infinity MileageLands
Qantas Frequent Flyer
Qatar Airways Privilege Club
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
Hotels:
Choice Privileges
Wyndham Rewards
Pro Tip: Transferring points to airline partners is often the best way to maximize the value of your ThankYou Points, especially for international flights in premium cabins. Be sure to compare redemption options to get the best deal.
Final Thoughts
Citi offers a diverse range of credit cards that provide excellent value through its ThankYou Rewards program, co-branded airline partnerships, and cash back cards. Whether you’re looking to earn points for your next big trip, save on everyday purchases, or enjoy exclusive airline perks, Citi has a card that can fit your needs.
By understanding how to earn, transfer, and redeem ThankYou Points, you can unlock a world of possibilities. So, if you’re ready to maximize your rewards, consider adding one of these Citi cards to your wallet.