Citi has considered one of the largest credit card issuers in the United States going to the number of cards in circulation and outstanding balances.
As one of the first issuers of rewards credit cards, having launched the American Airlines AAdvantage card in the 1980s and the Shell Mastercard in the early 1990s.
Today, Citi offers a wide array of cards, including balance transfer, rewards, student, and secured credit cards. For the benefit of our followers, we have explored extensively to come out with the best Citi credit cards based on the needs of individual consumers and small business owners.
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Best Citi Credit Cards
Citi as a Store Credit Card has many credit cards for the different monetary targets. These cards earn rewards, offer 0% APR promos, build credit, and a lot more.
As appealing as the cards are, while selecting Citibank’s best credit card, we go for a card that offered a combination of the best rewards and perks available.
Our choice for the best Citi credit card is the Citi Double Cash Card. This earns unlimited 2% cashback, has no annual fee, and offers 18 months of no-interest financing on balance transfers for new cardholders.
Picks for Best Citibank Credit Cards
Citi Double Cash Card
Best Overall, Best for Cash Back
The Citi Double Cash Card is considered the best out of all the cards housed under Citibank. It is the best for cashback because it earns an unlimited 2% on all purchases: 1% on purchases and 1% when you pay your balance. The card also gives you four months to take advantage of the 0% APR promo for 18 months on balance transfers.
Citi Rewards+
Best for Points
The Citi Rewards+ when it comes to earning points, it is the best for points based on the earnings boost and rebate on redemptions. Every purchase is sum up to the next 10 points where a customer receives a 10% rebate on the points he/she redeem.
Citi Rewards+ Student Card
Best for Students
The Citi Rewards+ Student Card offers the same benefits just like the standard version of the card but is basically designed to accommodate students. This includes a 0% APR promo on purchases to give students more time to pay off their spending.
Citi Simplicity
Best for Balance Transfer
The Citi Simplicity avail cardholders of 18 months of no-interest financing on purchases and balance transfers with some of the lowest balance transfer fees available. It has no annual fee and does not charge late fees or a penalty APR should you miss a payment.
Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard
Best Airline
This is designed to suit people that fly American Airlines to receive many travel bonuses that will help save money and time with the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard. Every purchase earns a bonus on American flights, dining, and gas and can help you earn elite status.
CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard
Best Business
Owners of a business can change their expenses into free flights with the CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard. This has to do with free checked bags and priority boarding, and no foreign transaction fees while traveling internationally.
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Citi Secured Mastercard
Best for No Credit History
The Citi Secured Mastercard avails customers the opportunity to build their credit with credit lines ranging from $200 to $2,500, depending on their security deposit. Their report goes to all three credit bureaus and includes free access to your FICO score online.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Is the History of Citi?
As one of the global financial service giant Citigroup, Citibank is the issuer of Citi credit cards.
The issuance of this credit card dated back to the 1960s in New York City and its coverage was widely extended in the early 1980s when it took advantage of South Dakota’s repeal of usury laws that had limited some of the interest banks that could charge customers.
The new law in place allowed charges of high interest on the residents of the state, a move the Supreme Court ruling upholds.
This decision paves the way for moving Citi credit card operations from New York to South Dakota and it gradually grew rapidly by leveraging the mass medium of the day-direct mail to make these higher-rate offers to consumers across the nation.
Through these efforts, Citi’s credit card operations changed from being the least profitable to the most profitable division among Citigroup.
Today Citi offers a series of cards to consumers and small business owners, with rewards that include cashback, points, and miles. Its cards also provide options for cardholders wishing to transfer balances, manage to spend, and plan for larger purchases.
In addition, Citi maintains co-brand partnerships with major air carriers like American Airlines and major travel sites like Expedia.
What Kinds of Credit Cards Does Citi Issue?
Basically Citi issues Mastercard network-branded cards, with a few other cards via the American Express network. Citi offers series of card types for both consumers and small businesses in the following categories:
- Cashback credit cards
- Generic travel points
- Airline miles
- 0% APR promotions
- Co-branded cards
- Secured cards
- Small business
What Credit Score Is Needed for a Citi Credit Card?
The prime targets of Citi Credit Card are consumers and small business owners that have a good credit scores, although it can offer student and secured card products that can accommodate those with less credit history or lower credit scores.
The needed score before approval is issued for the best Citi credit cards depends on the card applied for. While most options require from 670 to 850 in FICO scores, the bank also has a secured card for people who need help with their credit.
Is a Citi Credit Card Right for Me?
The various credit cards provided by Citibank is aimed at satisfy the needs of the different customers and small businesses. In essence, Citibank has something for everyone.
The bank has cards that earn cash back, flexible points, or airline miles, while many offer 0% APR promos and other attractive benefits. It even offers secured credit cards for customers rebuilding their credit.
Can You Have More Than One Citi Credit Card?
Why not, your credit is a determinant factor that enables you to get approval; you may have more than one credit card.
Citibank restricts bonuses on new applications if you’ve received a bonus from the same card, or family of cards, in the previous two to four years, depending on the card being applied for.
How Does Citi’s ThankYou Rewards Program Work?
The variety of cards Citi offers earn ThankYou Rewards points, which is Citi’s propriety rewards platform. ThankYou points can be redeemed through Citi for airline travel, hotel stays, cashback, merchandise, or gift cards.
The following Citi Cards earn ThankYou Rewards:
- Citi Rewards+
- Citi Prestige
- Citi Premier
- AT&T Access Card from Citi
Apart from the Citi ThankYou Rewards program, other rewards cards offers of Citi include cash back (as with Citi Double Cash) and partner-based programs like airline and travel co-branded cards.
How Good Is Citi Customer Service?
Statistics from J.D. Power U.S Credit Satisfaction Study reveal that, Citi received a score of 801 out of 1,000 points in the 2020. The average score among major national issuers was 810.
Final THoughts
Citi offers online access to FICO credit scores through its mobile app and through its secure website when cardholders are logged in. There is no better way to explain Citi and customer cordial relationship as records attest.
It is our obligation to review all of the Citibank credit cards in details with emphasis on annual fees, rewards, interest rates, one-time bonuses, benefits, and more.
Data points were analyzed and ranked appropriate so as to establish the best Citi credit cards for different users. This list of the best credit cards from Citibank reflects the results of our calculations.
To keep this list current, we constantly monitor the Citi website for changes so that we can provide you with the most current rankings.
