Citibank Credit Card Reviews, Rules & Opinions

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Updated: November 4, 2024

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Citibank credit card offerings include reward, business, balance transfer, travel, cashback and student credit cards. Citi also offers co-branded cards with organizations like Costco and American Airlines.

Citibank card benefits range from generous reward programs and cashback rates to lengthy balance transfer periods and perks like access to Citi Entertainment. However, you will need a good to excellent credit score of 670 or higher to be approved for most Citibank credit cards.

Featured Credit Cards Offered by Citibank

Citibank’s credit card portfolio consists of 14 credit card options that include business, rewards, balance transfer, travel, co-branded and cashback credit cards.

Credit CardCard SummaryRewards SummaryAnnual FeeRecommended Credit
One of the longest 0% intro APRs on balance transfersN/A
$0670-850 (Good to Excellent)
On Issuer's Site
A great no-annual-fee card that offers up to 2% cash backEarn 1%–5% cash back
$0670-850 (Good to Excellent)
On Issuer's Site
5% cash back on your highest qualifying spend category up to $500 per monthEarn 1%–5% cash back
$0670-850 (Good to Excellent)
On Issuer's Site
An excellent travel rewards card for international useEarn 1X – 10X points
$95670-850 (Good to Excellent)
On Issuer's Site
An excellent no-annual-fee rewards card with a 0% introductory APR offerEarn 1X–5X ThankYou® Points
$0670-850 (Good to Excellent)
On Issuer's Site
Best credit card for building credit with no or limited credit historyN/A$0(No Credit History)
On Issuer's Site

Other Cards Issued by Citi

Citibank’s portfolio also includes these cards:

  • Citi Custom Cash℠ Card: This cashback card has no annual fees and earns 5% cashback on your highest spending category plus 1% on all other purchases.
  • Citi Simplicity Credit Card: This balance transfer card has a 21 month 0% introductory APR, no annual fees or penalty fees and is a great choice for those who want to pay off debt from other credit cards.
  • AT&T Access Credit Card From Citi: This rewards card is offered in partnership with AT&T and rewards cardholders 3 points per dollar spent at AT&T.
>>MORE: WHAT IS THE CITI TRIFECTA & IS IT STILL WORTH IT?

The Best Citibank Credit Cards in 2024

With cards offering options of no annual fees, 0% introductory fees and varying reward rates, Citibank offers consumers and businesses credit cards to suit different profiles and needs.

Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi

Rewards Rate
4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purch...
APR
19.99% - 27.99% variable
Annual Fee
$0
Recommended Credit
740-850 (Excellent)
Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

Rewards Rate
Earn 10 points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals...
APR
20.74% - 28.74% variable
Annual Fee
$95
Recommended Credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card

Balance Transfer Offer
0% for 21 months on balance transfers
Balance Transfer Fee
5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum
Annual Fee
$0
Recommended Credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)

Rules for Applying, Acceptance & Welcome Bonuses

If you want to apply for a Citibank credit card, it is important to consider factors such as your credit score. It is also important to understand Citi’s policies on multiple credit card applications, bonuses and approval processes.

What is the accepted credit score range for most cards?
How many cards can you own?
How many times can you apply?
How many times can you get approved?
How many times can you claim a welcome bonus?

Other Considerations About Citibank

Aside from benefits and fees, it is also important to consider factors such as user experience and customer satisfaction before choosing a Citi credit card.

Feature
Description

Customer Service & Satisfaction

Citi received a J.D Power customer satisfaction rating of 805, ranking sixth among national issuers in a 2021 survey. Citi bank offers cardholders 24-hour customer service via telephone. You can also manage your credit card account online or using the Citi mobile app.

Mobile Apps & Online Services

Citi’s mobile app allows users to make bill payments, check transaction history, set up account activity notifications, activate a new card and manage their accounts with just a few taps. It is available for both Apple and Android devices.

According to a J.D Power 2021 Mobile Banking App Satisfaction Study, Citi ranks sixth among national issuers with a score of 856 out of 1000.

Security & Credit Monitoring Services

As a Citi customer, you can automatically use Citi Identity Theft Solutions for free. This identity theft protection provides personal support and cardholders are not held liable for any fraudulent transactions made on their Citi cards.

Additionally, the Citi Quick Lock feature accessible through Citi's website and mobile app lets you lock your lost or stolen credit card.

Loyalty Programs & Other Issuer Perks

Citi’s credit card portfolio includes multiple cards that earn ThankYou Rewards points that can be redeemed for cash back, gift cards, travel and hotel accommodation. Citi ThankYou Points can be transferred to 18 airline and hotel loyalty programs at no charge.

Citi also offers cards that include cash back rewards based on partnership with airlines and other partners. Select Citi credit cards even come with access to Citi Entertainment, which gives cardholders presale and VIP access to various events.

Authorized Users

Citi allows the primary cardholder to add anyone as an authorized user on their Citi credit card. Most Citi cards allow you to add authorized users for no additional charge. There is no minimum age requirement for an authorized user, so children can also be added to your Citi credit card. However, Citibank does not allow you to set spending limits for authorized users on most of their cards.

Authorized users have access to the same benefits that primary cardholders have depending on the particular Citi credit card. That said, purchases made by authorized users on your card will earn you reward points, but only the primary cardholder can redeem those rewards.

Overall Opinion of Citibank & Their Credit Card Offerings

Citibank offers a wide variety of credit cards that may fit the needs and preferences of different consumer profiles. Citi’s reward and cash back credit cards offer competitive rewards that can help users earn rates that might benefit businesses and consumers who are looking for low-cost rewards cards. Citi also offers generous welcome bonuses as well as introductory APRs that are ideal for those looking to pay down debt and save on interest charges.

Citi cards are worth considering if you fit any of the following profiles:

    girlThinking icon

    You are paying down debt

    The Citi Simplicity card has a 0% introductory APR for 21 months and no annual fees. It is ideal if you want to pay down debt on other credit cards.

    worldTraveler icon

    You are a small to medium-sized business that frequently uses American Airlines

    Citi cards like the CitiBusiness/AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard and the Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard allow you to earn rewards on business expenses and receive convenient travel perks.

    cashBack icon

    You are looking for a cash back card with no annual fees

    Citi’s Double Cash Credit Card earns a 2% flat-rate cash back reward on all purchases and comes with flexible redemption options. This card has no annual fees meaning you can get maximum value for your rewards.

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EXPERT OPINION

"Citibank offers a variety of attractive credit cards for both consumer and small business customers. Citi ThankYou Points offer tremendous value when transferred to partners and its co-branded partners can save both money and time with valuable benefits. Small business owners can maximize their rewards by getting both the business and personal versions of their co-branded cards."

- Lee Huffman, credit card expert at BaldThoughts.com

Still Not Sure About This Issuer? Consider These Options.

Citi is one of the top national credit card issuers in the U.S with a solid portfolio of credit card options offering a wide range of benefits and rewards. However, if you are still undecided, you can check out other issuers such as American Express and Chase for more credit card options.

Learn More About Credit Cards in General

About Doug Milnes, CFA


Doug Milnes, CFA headshot

Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.

Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.


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*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
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