Citi Rewards+® Card
vs. Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card

Updated: April 22, 2024

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If you're looking for a Citibank credit card with no annual fee and introductory 0% APR offers, you may be considering the Citi Rewards+ Card and the Citi Diamond Preferred Card. The Citi Rewards+ Card is the better choice for earning rewards, with a sign-up bonus and points on every purchase. In contrast, the Citi Diamond Preferred Card is ideal for those prioritizing a longer balance transfer offer to manage existing debt. Both cards cater to good to excellent credit profiles and offer a $0 annual fee.

Credit Card logo for Citi Rewards+® Card
Citi Rewards+® Card
Credit Card logo for Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
MoneyGeek Rating
3.5/ of 5
MoneyGeek Rating
3.5/ of 5

  • Regular APR
    18.74% - 28.74% variable
    18.24% - 28.99% variable
    0% APR Offer
    0% for 15 months on purchases
    0% for 12 months on purchases
    Balance Transfer Offer
    0% for 15 months on balance transfers
    0% for 21 months on balance transfers
    Annual Fee
    $0
    $0
    Rewards Summary
    Earn 1X – 5X ThankYou® Points
    -
    Recommended Credit
    670-850 (Good to Excellent)
    670-850 (Good to Excellent)
    Not sure?

Citi Rewards+ Card vs. Citi Diamond Preferred Card: Which Is Better for You?

You might prefer the Citi Rewards+ Card if: you enjoy earning rewards on your everyday purchases. This card offers a robust rewards program, including ThankYou points on travel booked through Citi and double points at supermarkets and gas stations for the first $6,000 per year. Additionally, the card entices new users with an introductory offer of 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,500 in purchases within the first three months. With a $0 annual fee and a 15-month 0% APR period on both purchases and balance transfers, it's a compelling option for those who want to maximize their spending benefits while also having the opportunity to manage existing debt.

You might prefer the Citi Diamond Preferred Card if: your primary goal is debt management. This card stands out with its extended 21-month 0% APR offer on balance transfers, one of the longest available. It can be particularly valuable for those looking to pay down existing balances without accruing additional interest. While it doesn't offer a rewards program, it provides a 12-month 0% APR period on purchases, which can be useful for making large purchases you plan to pay off over time. With the same $0 annual fee and recommended credit score range as the Citi Rewards+ Card, the Citi® Diamond Preferred Card is tailored for individuals who prioritize a longer runway for balance transfers over earning rewards.

MoneyGeek's Take on the Citi Rewards+ Card

The Citi Rewards+ Card is rated at 3.2 by MoneyGeek for balance transfers, indicating a solid option for those looking to manage existing credit card debt. With a recommended credit range of 670 to 850, this card is accessible to individuals with good to excellent credit. The absence of an annual fee makes it a cost-effective choice for budget-conscious consumers. This card is particularly good for those who frequently redeem points; it offers a unique benefit of 10% points back on the first 100,000 ThankYou points redeemed each year.

Additionally, the card's rewards program is tailored for travelers and everyday spenders, with a special offer to earn five ThankYou Points per $1 spent on travel through Citi Travel, double points at supermarkets and gas stations for the first $6,000 per year, and one point per $1 on all other purchases. These features make the Citi Rewards+ Card a versatile tool for earning rewards on a wide range of spending categories.

Citi Rewards+® Card
Credit Card logo for Citi Rewards+® Card
MoneyGeek Rating
3.5/ of 5

Regular APR
18.74% - 28.74% variable
0% APR Offer
0% for 15 months on purchases
Balance Transfer Offer
0% for 15 months on balance transfers
Rewards Summary
Earn 1X – 5X ThankYou® Points
Recommended Credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)

MoneyGeek's Take on the Citi Diamond Preferred Card

The Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card is a standout option for consolidating debt and saving on interest. With a MoneyGeek Balance Transfer Score of 4.1 out of 5, this card is highly regarded for its balance transfer capabilities. It offers an outstanding 21-month, 0% introductory balance transfer period, which is one of the longest available, making it an excellent choice for individuals with existing credit card debt looking to minimize interest charges.

The card also boasts a $0 annual fee and is best suited for those with a credit score ranging from 670 to 850. While it doesn't offer rewards or cash back, its other features, such as Citi Entertainment® access, add value for cardholders seeking entertainment experiences. If your primary goal is to tackle high-interest debt, the Citi Diamond Preferred Card could be a powerful tool in your financial arsenal.

Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
Credit Card logo for Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
MoneyGeek Rating
4.1/ of 5

Regular APR
18.24% - 28.99% variable
0% APR Offer
0% for 12 months on purchases
Balance Transfer Offer
0% for 21 months on balance transfers
Rewards Summary
N/A
Recommended Credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)

Details Comparison: Citi Rewards+ Card vs. Citi Diamond Preferred Card

Our breakdown will help you compare APRs, fees, required credit, rewards, introductory offers and other features of the Citi Rewards+ Card and the Citi Diamond Preferred Card. By examining these aspects side by side, you can pinpoint which card aligns with your spending patterns and financial objectives. For instance, if you're looking to transfer a balance and want a long introductory APR period, one card may stand out over the other. Alternatively, if earning rewards on every purchase is your priority, the other card might be more suitable.

    discount icon

    Regular APR

    The Citi Diamond Preferred Card offers a slightly lower minimum APR of 18.24% compared to the Citi Rewards+ Card's 18.74%. However, its maximum APR is marginally higher at 28.99%, against the Citi Rewards+ Card's 28.74%. The Citi Diamond Preferred Card is marginally better for those prioritizing a lower minimum APR.

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    Annual Fee

    Both the Citi Rewards+ Card and the Citi Diamond Preferred Card have no annual fee. This makes them equally appealing for individuals seeking to avoid yearly charges.

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    Introductory 0% APRs

    The Citi Diamond Preferred Card is better for balance transfers with a 0% APR for 21 months, compared to the Citi Rewards+ Card's 15 months. For purchases, the Citi Rewards+ Card offers a more extended 0% APR period of 15 months versus 12 months for the Citi Diamond Preferred Card.

    coins icon

    Rewards

    The Citi Rewards+ Card is better for rewards, offering 2x ThankYou® Points on groceries and gas stations for the first $6,000 spent annually and 1x points on everything else. The Rewards+ card also rounds up to the nearest 10 points - a $2 purchase rounds up to 10 points. You also receive 10% points back on redeemed points for the first 100,000 points you redeem annual. Citi Diamond Preferred Card, on the other hand, does not offer cash back, miles or points rewards.

    rewards icon

    Welcome Offers

    The Citi Rewards+ Card is better for welcome offers, offering 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,500 in the first 3 months. The Citi Diamond Preferred Card does not currently have a welcome offer.

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    Recommended Credit Score

    Both the Citi Rewards+ Card and the Citi® Diamond Preferred Card require a credit score in the range of 670 to 850, indicating they are aimed at individuals with good to excellent credit.

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    Penalties and Fees

    Both cards have identical penalties and fees, with a late fee of up to $41, a penalty APR of up to 29.99%, a cash advance fee of 5% or $10 minimum, and a foreign transaction fee of 3%. Neither card is better in terms of penalties and fees.

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    Issuer Satisfaction

    Both the Citi Rewards+ Card and the Citi Diamond Preferred Card are issued by Citibank, which has an issuer satisfaction rating of 4.1.

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    Other Features & Perks

    The Citi Diamond Preferred Card offers unique access to Citi Entertainment, allowing cardholders to purchase tickets to thousands of events. The Citi Rewards+ Card provides a welcome bonus of 20,000 points after spending $1,500 in the first three months, which may appeal to those looking to boost their points balance quickly. The choice between these perks depends on personal preference for entertainment access or bonus points.

FAQ: Citi Rewards+ Card vs. Citi Diamond Preferred Card

What are the main differences in rewards between the Citi Rewards+ Card and the Citi Diamond Preferred Card?
Which card offers a longer 0% introductory APR period on balance transfers?
Are there foreign transaction fees associated with either card?
What credit score is required for the Citi Rewards+ Card and the Citi Diamond Preferred Card?
Do either of the cards offer special access to events or experiences?

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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