Compare the Best Citi Credit Cards of 2024

About Citibank

Citi was originally founded in 1812, so this financial institution has been in operation for more than 200 years.

In addition to offering an array of credit cards, Citi offers additional financial products such as savings and checking accounts, mortgages, and personal loans. You can learn more about Citibank savings accounts in our helpful guide.

When it comes to their credit card offerings, Citi offers options for both consumers and small businesses. While some of their card options are co-branded with organizations like American Airlines and Costco, they also have their own Citi rewards program.

Benefits of choosing a Citi card

As you take a closer look at Citi credit cards, you may be wondering why you should choose them over other cards from issuers like Chase and American Express.

The fact is, there are a variety of perks you can only get with a Citi card, including the following:

• Earn Citi ThankYou points.
  Several credit cards earn Citi ThankYou points, including the Citi Premier® Credit Card and the Citi® Double Cash Card. Rewards in this program are incredibly flexible with the option to redeem for gift cards, cash back, or even payments to a student loan or a mortgage. Citi ThankYou points can also be used for travel-related redemptions through Citi, or for point transfers to the brand’s unique roster of airline and hotel partners.
• Sign up for the Citi Flex Plan.
  The Citi Flex Plan program extends a few unique ways for Citi card customers to pay down their credit card bill. With Citi Flex Pay, which is part of the Citi Flex Plan, customers can set up specific large purchases on a payment plan with fixed monthly payments.
• Enjoy competitive rewards rates.
  Several Citi credit cards offer exceptional rewards for spending, including the Citi® Double Cash Card and the Citi Premier® Credit Card.
• Enjoy an interest-free period of up to 21 months.
  If you need to consolidate high interest debt from other cards, Citi credit cards offer some of the best intro APRs out there. With the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card, for example, cardholders get access to the longest intro APR offer for balance transfers on the market today.

Citi credit card rewards

Like other credit card issuers, Citi offers credit cards that earn different types of rewards points.

Depending on the Citi card you choose, you could earn cash back, bonus miles in the American Airlines program, or Citi ThankYou points. With the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi, on the other hand, cardholders earn an annual reward certificate they can use for purchases in Costco stores.

Which type of Citi rewards work best for you? That really depends on your preferences and the type of redemptions you hope to make.

For example, cash back is a good option for people who rarely travel, yet Citi ThankYou points work better for people who travel often or just want some flexibility in how they redeem their rewards. At the same time, miles in the American Airlines program are best for cardholders who want to fly with American Airlines or with partner airlines like British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, or Iberia.

Who should get a Citi card?

Now that you’re up-to-date with the best Citi credit cards, you’re probably wondering if any of these cards can work for your needs and goals.

The following types of consumers should consider a Citi credit card:

Frequent travelers

Frequent travelers who want some flexibility in their rewards should look at cards that earn Citi ThankYou points. This dynamic and flexible rewards program lets users redeem points for a variety of travel redemptions if they prefer, which can include travel booked through Citi or point transfers to airlines and hotels.

Consumers who crave cash back

Citi offers some of the best cash back credit cards available today, including the Citi® Double Cash Card and the Citi Custom Cash Card, which did not make our list. Not only do cash back credit cards from Citi offer generous rewards rates, but they don’t charge an annual fee.

Consumers with heavy debts

People who are stuck paying a high regular APR on their debts can consider balance transfers with Citi. For example, the Citi Simplicity® Credit Card extends 0% APR on balance transfers for 21 months, followed by a standard variable APR of 14.99% to 24.99% based on an applicant’s creditworthiness.

People who fly with American Airlines

If you’re a frequent flyer with American Airlines, Citi offers several credit cards for you to consider. Options include the American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Mastercard®, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive Mastercard®, and the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard. All of these cards let members earn bonus miles with the American AAdvantage program, and some offer air travel benefits like free checked bags, priority check-in, Admirals Club airport lounge access, and more.

Costco enthusiasts

If you frequently shop at Costco, it definitely makes sense to get the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi. There’s no annual fee, and you get to earn 1% to 4% cash back for each dollar you spend. This includes 4% back on up to $7,000 in spending at gas stations per year (then 1% back) and 2% back on Costco and Costco.com purchases.

How we selected our top Citi credit cards

To make our selection for this ranking of top Citi credit cards, we looked for cards that appeal to the broadest range of consumers. We only chose cards with no annual fee or an annual fee under $100, as well as cards with exceptional rewards rates in bonus categories and for other purchases.

Other factors we considered include the variable APR range for each card, cardholder perks, any sign-up bonus offered, and approval odds based on creditworthiness.