Apply Now
With up to 2% cash back on all purchases and no annual fee, the Citi Double Cash® Card is versatile and lucrative for all spenders. Plus, the long intro APR on balance transfers makes this card a multitasker that can help you pay off debt while earning rewards.
| Credit Cards | Our Ratings | Rewards Rate | Welcome Offer | Recommended Credit Credit scores ranges may vary. Your individual chance at approval may vary due to factors such as creditors using a particular variation at their discretion | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Citi Double Cash® Card
Apply Now
on Citibank's secure site Rates & Fees |
Winner
|
2% - 5% cash back
| $200 cash back
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.
| Fair / Good / Excellent |
Apply Now
on Citibank's secure site Rates & Fees |
Citi Strata Premier® Card
Apply Now
on Citibank's secure site Rates & Fees |
Travel
|
1X - 10X points
| 60,000 points
Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.
| Good / Excellent |
Apply Now
on Citibank's secure site Rates & Fees |
Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard®
Apply Now
on Citibank's secure site Rates & Fees |
Business
|
1X - 2X miles + 1X point
| 65,000 miles
Earn 65,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening.
| Excellent |
Apply Now
on Citibank's secure site Rates & Fees |
Citi® Secured Mastercard®*
|
Secured
|
N/A | N/A | Limited | |
Citi Rewards+® Card*
|
Rewards
|
1X - 5X points
| 20,000 points
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
| Good / Excellent | |
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
Apply Now
on Citibank's secure site Rates & Fees |
Airline
|
2X miles / 1X points
| 80,000 miles
For a limited time, earn 80,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $3,500 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening.
| Good / Excellent |
Apply Now
on Citibank's secure site Rates & Fees |
Citi Custom Cash® Card*
|
Gas
|
1% - 5% cash back
| $200 cash back
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.
| Good / Excellent | |
Citi Simplicity® Card
Apply Now
on Citibank's secure site Rates & Fees |
Balance transfer
|
N/A | N/A | Good / Excellent |
Apply Now
on Citibank's secure site Rates & Fees |
My Best Buy® Visa® Card*
|
Best Buy
|
1% - 5% back in rewards
| 10% back
10% back in rewards on your first day of purchases when you are approved for the card
| N/A | |
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi*
|
Costco
|
1% - 5% cash back
| N/A | Excellent | |
Citi Rewards+® Student Card*
|
Students
|
N/A | 5,000 bonus points
Earn 5,000 bonus points after spending $500 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $50 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com
| Good |
To bring you the list of best Citi cards, we use an objective rating and ranking system that compares features across a large set of credit cards (over 200 cards from over 50 issuers). We use calculations to estimate the value of each card for the average cardholder, based on LendingTree and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
We calculate the savings on a balance transfer, based on the length of the introductory period. We assume a transfer amount of $6,000 and a monthly payment of $300. We subtract balance transfer fees, annual fees and the amount paid on interest for any amount left over after the introductory period expires.
We calculate the amount saved on interest given the length of the card’s introductory period. We assume a purchase of $6,000 and a monthly payment of $300. We subtract the card’s annual fee and interest paid on any amount remaining after the introductory period expires. We also add in the amount earned on rewards for the average cardholder, including the card’s sign-up bonus, minus the card’s annual fee. We look at the average rewards earned over two years to balance out a card’s ongoing value with its first-year value.
We calculate the rewards earned for the average cardholder using Bureau of Labor Statistics data and an annual spend of $20,000, minus the annual fee. This value includes sign-up bonus and annual bonuses (including annual free night certificates). For travel cards, this value includes travel perks like lounge access and travel credits. We look at the average rewards earned over two years to balance out a card’s ongoing value with its first-year value.
We calculate how much the average cardholder can save with the card on a yearly basis. If it is a rewards card, we use U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and $300 in monthly spend (the typical starting credit limit for an introductory card) to calculate how much the average cardholder can earn in rewards. We then subtract fees — including annual fees and maintenance fees — from this amount.
Depending on the category, we also look at the flexibility rewards, features for building credit and how the card’s overall list of benefits compares to other cards.
Note, that our ratings are a starting point for comparing and choosing the best credit card.
However, your needs may be different from the average cardholder. You should consider the amount you’re likely to spend in a card’s rewards categories and which benefits you value to choose the best card for you.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here. Apply Now
Welcome offer: $200 cash back
The Citi Double Cash® Card is Citi Bank’s best credit card because its straightforward rewards program and high cash back rate make it easy for spenders of all kinds to maximize their earnings. The unlimited 2% back on every purchase is about as good as it gets with flat-rate cash back cards.
Rewards are earned in the form of Citi ThankYou® Points, which are more flexible than standard cash back. You can redeem points for cash back via statement credit, travel, gift cards and more. If you pair this with a premium Citi travel card — like the Citi Strata Premier® Card or Citi Prestige® Credit Card — you can transfer your points to any of Citi’s hotel and airline partners.
The card also comes with a generous cash welcome bonus and one of the longest balance transfer offers on the market.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here. Apply Now
Welcome offer: 60,000 points
The Citi Strata Premier® Card is the best Citi card for travel because it offers excellent rewards on a wide variety of categories in addition to a high-value welcome offer. The points you earn with this card are worth 1 cent each when redeemed through the travel portal, but they’re worth quite a bit more when transferred to one of Citi’s hotel and airline partners (which include Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Flying Blue and JetBlue).
The icing on the cake is its $100 annual hotel credit, which effectively cancels out the card’s $95 annual fee.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here. Apply Now
Welcome offer: 65,000 miles
The Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard® is the best small business credit card from Citi because its lucrative welcome bonus and long list of perks offer more value than your typical business credit card. The welcome bonus alone could cover up to three roundtrip domestic flights in coach.
It’s one of few business credit cards to offer an annual companion certificate. While you’ll have to spend $30,000 in a card membership year to earn it, you can squeeze hundreds of dollars in value out of this perk. The ability to earn 1 Loyalty Point toward elite status for every $1 spent with no cap is another uncommon and generous perk.
This Citi business credit card nearly pays for itself after one round-trip flight on American Airlines thanks to the free first checked bag benefit — and the annual fee is waived in the first year.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Open an account with a $200 deposit and a $0 annual fee
As the only secured credit card option from Citi, the Citi® Secured Mastercard® is the best Citi credit card for building credit. It doesn’t charge an annual fee and Citi reports your usage to all three major credit bureaus. Plus, it even offers a flexible credit limit that’s based on your security deposit, ranging from $200 to $2,500.
It doesn’t earn rewards, but it is an affordable option with a lower-than-average deposit and no hidden fees. Citi even lets you choose your own payment due date.
Unfortunately, it does have a high APR (26.74% (Variable)), so make sure you avoid charging more than you can repay each month to avoid this high interest rate.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Welcome offer: 20,000 points
The Citi Rewards+® Card is a solid no-annual-fee rewards credit card for those who want to rack up Citi ThankYou® Points with bonus rewards on supermarkets and gas. It’s a great option for small purchases like coffee or ice cream, because of its unique roundup feature: On every purchase, Citi rounds your points up to the nearest 10 points. For instance, a $2 purchase earns 10 points instead of 2.
You can redeem points for travel, statement credits, gift cards and more. In addition, you’ll get 10% of your redeemed points back each year (up to 100,000 points redeemed). New cardholders can also qualify for a welcome bonus and an intro APR offer on purchases and balance transfers.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here. Apply Now
Welcome offer: 80,000 miles
People who like to fly American Airlines will find significant value in the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®, one of the best airline credit cards. It features complimentary benefits on American Airlines flights: You’ll get a first checked bag free, preferred boarding and a 25% discount on in-flight purchases. This American Airlines credit card also provides a large welcome bonus and up to 2X miles on purchases. And for every mile you earn on purchases, you’ll also receive 1 Loyalty Point toward earning AAdvantage elite status.
Cardholders can also earn a $125 American Airlines flight credit when they spend at least $20,000 each year. Plus, the card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees, so it’s a great travel companion on international flights.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Welcome offer: $200 cash back
The Citi Custom Cash® Card, is the best Citi credit card for gas, since you can earn 5% on your first $500 spent on gas when it’s your highest category of spend for the month — a rate matched by few other cards.
Unlike similar 5% cash back cards, you don’t have to preregister or activate the 5% bonus — Citi automatically applies the bonus cash back to your highest eligible category. It earns Citi ThankYou® Points, which you can redeem for cash back, travel, gift cards and more.
Plus, you’ll get a 0% intro APR for 15 months on Purchases (followed by an APR of 18.24% - 28.24% (Variable)) and a 0% intro APR for 15 months on Balance Transfers (followed by an APR of 18.24% - 28.24% (Variable)). However, a balance transfer fee applies with this offer; 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum. This is much higher than the 3% found on competing balance transfer offers.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here. Apply Now
Intro balance transfer APR: 0% intro APR for 21 months on Balance Transfers; after that, a 18.24% - 28.99% (Variable) APR applies.
The Citi Simplicity® Card is one of the best credit cards for people who want to save interest when paying off debt. It offers a 0% intro APR for 12 months on Purchases (followed by a 18.24% - 28.99% (Variable) APR). Plus, it offers an intro APR on purchases.
The card doesn’t earn rewards, offer a welcome bonus or provide many benefits. However, it excels as a balance transfer card with a purchase intro APR offer, all without charging an annual fee. Once your debt is paid off, you can then consider opening a card that earns rewards.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Welcome offer: 10% back
Earn 10% back in rewards on your first day of purchases when you are approved for the card
The My Best Buy® Visa® Card is the best card for Best Buy shoppers because its 5% back in rewards certificates on Best Buy purchases is as good as it gets for rewards on electronics spending. You’ll also get an elevated rewards rate on gas, grocery and dining purchases.
This card also comes with 0% foreign transaction fees, which is a rare feature on a $0 annual fee credit card.
You can also opt into flexible financing plans instead of earning rewards. However, these plans charge deferred interest. That means if you don’t pay off your purchase in full before the promotional period ends, you’ll owe the full amount of interest on your purchase with an extremely high 31.49% variable APR.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.One of the few Citi credit cards with purchase protection and rental car protection.
Costco members will find great value in the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi, because it offers a high cash back rate on gas purchases at any eligible gas station (not just Costco). It also features great rewards on restaurant and travel purchases. Notably, this card is also one of the few Citi credit cards with purchase protection and rental car protection.
As a drawback, you’re limited to redeeming your rewards once per year. You receive your rewards with your February billing statement, and you can redeem them for cash or merchandise at U.S. Costco locations. If you cancel your membership before then, you forfeit your rewards.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Welcome offer: 5,000 bonus points
The Citi Rewards+® Student Card is a fantastic starter card for students seeking to build a credit history. It has a $0 annual fee, doesn’t require a deposit, and it’s exceptionally rewarding for a student credit card. It features a small sign-up bonus and similar rewards to the Citi Rewards+® Card. You’ll 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. Earn 5X total ThankYou® Points on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/2025.
Just like the Citi Rewards+® Card, this card rounds up all your purchases by the nearest 10 points, making it a good option for small purchases. Plus, you get a 10% bonus on all the points you redeem.
Citi offers a variety of good card options for customers with different budgets and goals, including some of the best cash back and balance transfer credit cards. Citi is also a great option for those who want to earn travel rewards. Many of its cards are part of the Citi ThankYou Rewards program — one of the most valuable and flexible rewards programs around.
Citi’s credit card lineup is limited compared to American Express and Chase, and it doesn’t have premium cards for its ThankYou or business customers. Also, while you can transfer points to outside travel programs with its Citi ThankYou Rewards cards, Citi doesn’t have any major U.S. airline partners.
Additionally, most of its cards lack travel and purchase protections that are standard with many rewards credit cards. However, Citi does offer appealing choices if you like its transfer partners or co-partner brands, want to earn flexible points or are seeking an intro APR offer.
Citi credit card benefits vary by card, but here are some common benefits you may get with a Citi card.
No foreign transaction fees
When making purchases outside the U.S., banks may charge fees up to 3% of your purchase amount. These hidden fees automatically increase how much you spend while traveling. However, several Citi cards omit this fee, including the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®.
Points transfer
Transferring points to hotel and airline partners allows cardholders to book award travel for a potentially higher value. If you own the Citi Strata Premier® Card, you can transfer Citi ThankYou® Points to more than 15 travel partners, including Etihad, Qantas and Virgin Atlantic. Other Citi ThankYou® cards, like the Citi Rewards+® Card, allow you to transfer points to a smaller set of partners.
Intro APR offers
An intro APR offer helps you save interest on purchases, balance transfers or both. The Citi Double Cash® Card and the Citi Simplicity® Card are two of the best options for an intro APR on balance transfers.
Citi Entertainment®
Citi offers exclusive access to presale tickets and unique experiences for its cardholders. The Citi Double Cash® Card includes this feature in its array of benefits.
Travel credits
Some Citi cards offer credits for travel that can help cover your annual fee each year. For example, the Citi Strata Premier® Card gives you a $100 credit for a hotel stay of $500 or more booked on CitiTravel.com each year. Meanwhile, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® includes a credit for Global Entry/TSA PreCheck, among a notable list of benefits.
Lounge access
Travelers visit airport lounges for complimentary snacks, drinks and Wi-Fi while enjoying comfortable seating and other amenities. The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® gives you complimentary access to Admirals Club® lounges when flying on American Airlines or its partners.
Citi ThankYou is a flexible rewards program where cardholders can earn and redeem points in a variety of ways. Citi ThankYou® Points are valuable because you can redeem your points a variety of ways for at least 1 cent per point. In addition, when you transfer points to airline and hotel partners, you may be able to get an even higher value.
You can redeem points for cash back, statement credits, travel and more by logging in to your account at Citi.com or ThankYou.com. The value of your Citi ThankYou® Points varies depending on how you redeem them.
Not all Citi credit cards earn ThankYou Points. These four cards earn ThankYou Points as a welcome bonus and on purchases. Since you can combine points from multiple cards, you should consider signing up for multiple Citi cards to maximize your earnings on different categories.
You can transfer Citi ThankYou® Points to airline and hotel partners by linking your loyalty accounts to your Citi account. Generally, points transfer on a 1:1 basis, though this ratio may vary by program or which card you have. Most cards, like the Citi Double Cash® Card and the Citi Rewards+® Card, only let you transfer points to a few partners. However, the Citi Strata Premier® Card includes all of Citi’s travel partners.
Citi’s travel partners are mostly international brands. Even though Citi issues co-branded airline credit cards for American Airlines, it doesn’t have a major U.S. airline as a transfer partner like many of the best travel credit cards. Instead, the U.S. brands that you may be familiar with are JetBlue, Choice Privileges and Wyndham Rewards.
If you’re interested in a Citi credit card, here’s how to apply and increase your odds of approval.
If you’re hesitant to apply for a new credit card out of fear of being declined, it may be wise to get preapproved for a Citi credit card.
Start by checking the Citi prescreen page to get a list of prequalified cards. If you’re a current Citi customer, you can also check for offers in your account by going to the Citi Offers For You page and logging in. Your credit score won’t be impacted by checking for prequalified offers.
While prequalification doesn’t guarantee approval, it highlights the cards you have the best chance of getting approved for.
Yes, many Citi credit cards have foreign transaction fees, meaning you’ll pay a 3% fee on purchases made outside of the U.S. However, most of Citi’s travel cards — including the Citi Strata Premier® Card, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® — do not have foreign transaction fees.
It typically takes three to 10 business days to get a Citi card once you’ve been approved. Citi may immediately approve your credit card application, or you may receive a message saying your application requires further processing. In that case, Citi will mail you a decision at a later date.
The Citi Strata Premier® Card and the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi* come with rental car insurance. Coverage is secondary to any insurance you already have. Most other Citi credit cards do not cover rental car insurance.
You’ll have the best chance at qualifying for most of Citi’s credit cards with good or excellent credit. However, the is a secured credit card designed for people with less-than-perfect credit.
Citi offers both Visa and Mastercard® credit cards. Most Citi credit cards are Mastercard® cards, but the Citi Costco Anywhere cards are Visa cards.
You can have two or more Citi credit cards, but there are limits to how often you can apply for a Citi credit card. The Citi 8/65 rule limits you to applying for no more than one Citi credit card every eight days and no more than two Citi credit cards every 65 days. Also, you often can’t receive a new cardholder bonus for the same card more than once every 48 months.
Citi will allow you to combine points earned on different credit cards into one ThankYou rewards account as long as you are the primary cardholder on all cards. Having multiple credit cards from Citi can be an excellent way to maximize your earnings.
Many Citi cards once offered purchase and travel protections — however, Citi removed these benefits from most cards a few years ago. The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi and Citi Strata Premier® Card are exceptions among our picks.
You should check out the Citi Strata Premier® Card if you’re looking for a card with travel insurance. It features a solid suite of travel protections, including:
The information related to the Citi® Secured Mastercard®, Citi Rewards+® Card, My Best Buy® Visa® Card, Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi, Citi Rewards+® Student Card, Citi Custom Cash® Card, Citi Prestige® Credit Card and Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® has been independently collected by LendingTree and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer of this card prior to publication. Terms apply.
The content above is not provided by any issuer. Any opinions expressed are those of LendingTree alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any issuer. The offers and/or promotions mentioned above may have changed, expired, or are no longer available. Check the issuer's website for more details.
