Best Citi credit cards of December 2025
Citi has changed its credit card offerings several times over the last few years. Whether you are a current or prospective Citi cardholder, here’s what you need to know about the best Citi credit cards currently available.
TPG's experts have compiled an in-depth list of the best Citi credit cards, including those with lucrative cash-back options, based on how we have personally used the cards. Check out the picks from our partners below to see how they compare to one another and make the best choice for you.
- Citi Strata Elite℠ Card: Best for earning AAdvantage miles without flying
- Citi Strata℠ Card: Best for Citi ThankYou points enthusiasts who want flexibility and a no-annual-fee card
- Citi Strata Premier® Card: Best for starter travel
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard®: Best for mid-tier American Airlines rewards
- Citi Double Cash® Card: Best for no-frills cash-back rewards
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®: Best for American Airlines lounge access
- Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi: Best for Costco shoppers
- Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard®: Best for business owners loyal to American Airlines
Comparing the best Citi cards
Best for earning AAdvantage miles without flying
at Citi's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 12X | Earn 12 Points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on cititravel.com. |
| 6X | Earn 6 Points per $1 spent on Air Travel booked on cititravel.com. |
| 6X | Earn 6 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants including Restaurant Delivery Services on CitiNights℠ purchases, every Friday and Saturday from 6 PM to 6 AM ET. Earn 3 Points per $1 spent any other time. |
| 1.5X | Earn 1.5 Points per $1 spent on All Other Purchases. |
Citi Strata Elite℠ Card is a premium travel card that balances premium benefits alongside flexible lifestyle perks. It offers elevated earning rates on Citi Travel bookings, a generous mix of travel and lifestyle statement credits and exclusive 1:1 point transfers to American Airlines AAdvantage — something no other issuer currently provides. With unique benefits like four Admirals Club passes and elevated weekend dining rewards, the card delivers strong value for those who fly American Airlines a few times a year or frequently book through Citi’s travel portal. While the $595 annual fee is steep, the credits and perks can easily outweigh the cost for the right cardholder.
Pros
- The only major issuer with American Airlines as a travel partner
- Four Admirals Club passes annually
- Up to $1,100 in combined lifestyle and travel statement credits
- High earning potential through Citi Travel and weekend dining
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Limited travel bonus categories outside of Citi Travel
- Limited lounge access compared to other premium travel cards
- Authorized user fee of $75
- For a limited time, earn 100,000 bonus Points after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.
- Earn 12 Points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on cititravel.com and 6 Points per $1 spent on Air Travel booked on cititravel.com
- Earn 6 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants including Restaurant Delivery Services on CitiNights℠ purchases, every Friday and Saturday from 6 PM to 6 AM ET. Earn 3 Points per $1 spent any other time
- Earn 1.5 Points per $1 spent on All Other Purchases
- Up to $300 Annual Hotel Benefit: Each calendar year, enjoy up to $300 off a hotel stay of two nights or more when booked through cititravel.com.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees
Best for Citi ThankYou points enthusiasts who want flexibility and a no-annual-fee card
at Citi's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 5X | Earn 5 ThankYou® Points for each $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals and Attractions booked on Citi Travel® via cititravel.com. |
| 3X | Earn 3 ThankYou Points for each $1 spent at Supermarkets, on Select Transit purchases, and at Gas & EV Charging Stations. |
| 3X | Earn 3 ThankYou® Points for each $1 spent in an eligible Self-Select Category of your choice (Fitness Clubs, Select Streaming Services, Live Entertainment, Cosmetic Stores/Barber Shops/Hair Salons, or Pet Supply Stores). Choose your eligible Self-Select Category on Citi Online or by calling customer service. The default Self-Select Category is Select Streaming Services. |
| 2X | Earn 2 ThankYou® Points for each $1 spent at Restaurants. |
| 1X | Earn 1 ThankYou® Point for each $1 spent on All Other Purchases. |
The Citi Strata℠ Card offers solid reward rates and a welcome bonus of 30,000 points after spending $1,000 in the first three months from account opening — not bad for a card that doesn’t charge an annual fee. Plus, the Citi Strata allows cardholders the flexibility to self-select an eligible bonus category of their choice that earns 3 points per dollar spent, making it an even more valuable prospect for potential applicants.
Pros
- No annual fee
- Solid reward rates in popular bonus categories
- Flexibility to self-select a bonus category that earns 3 points per dollar spent
Cons
- Available self-select bonus categories may not be suitable for everyone
- For a limited time, earn 30,000 bonus Points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.
- 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months; after that, the variable APR will be 18.74% - 28.74%, based on your creditworthiness. There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
- Earn 3 ThankYou® Points for each $1 spent in an eligible Self-Select Category of your choice (Fitness Clubs, Select Streaming Services, Live Entertainment, Cosmetic Stores/Barber Shops/Hair Salons, or Pet Supply Stores). Choose your eligible Self-Select Category on Citi Online or by calling customer service. The default Self-Select Category is Select Streaming Services.
- Earn 5 ThankYou® Points for each $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals and Attractions booked on Citi Travel® via cititravel.com; earn 3 ThankYou Points for each $1 spent at Supermarkets, on Select Transit purchases, and at Gas & EV Charging Stations.
- Earn 2 ThankYou® Points for each $1 spent at Restaurants; earn 1 ThankYou® Point for each $1 spent on All Other Purchases.
- No Annual Fee
at Citi's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 10X | Earn 10 Points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on CitiTravel.com. |
| 3X | Earn 3 Points per $1 on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, at Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas and EV Charging Stations. |
| 1X | Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases |
The Citi Strata Premier has some valuable transfer partners to make the most of your rewards plus, you’ll get a $100 hotel credit for any single-stay hotel booking that exceeds $500 or more, excluding taxes and fees, when you book through the Citi Travel website.
Pros
- Earn 10 points per dollar spent on hotels, car rentals and attractions when you book through the Citi Travel portal
- Earn 3 points per dollar spent at restaurants, supermarkets, gas and EV charging stations and on air travel and other hotel purchases
- Enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more, excluding taxes and fees, once per calendar year when you book through cititravel.com
- Transfer points to 14 airline programs (including JetBlue), 5 hotel programs (including Wyndham Rewards and Choice Privileges) and one retail program
- Get trip delay protection, trip cancellation and interruption protection, lost or damaged luggage protection and MasterRental coverage for car rentals when you use your card for eligible purchases
Cons
- $95 annual fee
- Airline transfer partners mostly include foreign programs (JetBlue is the only U.S. carrier)
- 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.
- Earn 10 Points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
- Earn 3 Points per $1 on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, at Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas and EV Charging Stations.
- Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- $100 Annual Hotel Benefit: Once per calendar year, enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through CitiTravel.com. Benefit applied instantly at time of booking.
- No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
- No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
Best for mid-tier American Airlines rewards
at Citi's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 6X | Earn 6 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on eligible hotels booked through aadvantagehotels.com. |
| 3X | Earn 3 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases. |
| 2X | Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent at restaurants, including takeout and delivery. |
| 1X | Earn 1 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on all other purchases. |
The Citi AAdvantage Globe Mastercard is a mid-tier travel card designed for American Airlines flyers. It stands out for its combination of travel perks and value, offering Four Admirals Club Globe passes each calendar year (worth over $300), one annual American Airlines Companion Certificate after card renewal and up to $100 in statement credits on inflight purchases made on qualifying American Airlines flights each calendar year.
Cardholders also enjoy preferred Group 5 boarding on American Airlines flights, up to $240 in annual Turo credits (up to $30 in statement credits for each eligible completed trip on Turo) and access to Citi Entertainment presales and experiences, making it a well-rounded option for travelers who want premium perks without the premium price tag.
The card also stands out for its Flight Streak bonus, rewarding cardmembers with 5,000 points after every four qualifying American Airlines flights for up to 15,000 additional points each status-qualifying year. This is the only card currently available that offers this feature.
Pros
- Four Admirals Club Globe passes per calendar year (each valid for 24 hours)
- One American Airlines Companion Certificate each year after card renewal
- Free first checked bag (on qualifying domestic American Airlines itineraries) for the primary cardmember and up to eight companions on the same reservation
- Up to $120 in Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee credits every four years (issued as statement credits every four years, as reimbursement for the application fee)
- Up to $100 Annual Splurge Credit each calendar year (choice of two eligible categories)
- Access to Citi Entertainment for exclusive event presales and experiences
- Access to Mastercard’s World of Legends benefits
Cons
- Complimentary lounge access is limited to four passes per year
- For a limited time, earn 90,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after $5,000 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening.
- American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles are not available if you have received AAdvantage® bonus miles for a new AAdvantage® Globe™ account in the past 48 months or if you converted another Citi credit card account on which you earned a new account bonus in the last 48 months into a AAdvantage® Globe™ account.
- Every calendar year, receive four Admirals Club® Globe™ Passes.
- Global Entry® or TSA PreCheck® application fee credit of up to $120 every 4 years.
- Earn 6 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on eligible hotels booked through aadvantagehotels.com.
- Earn 3 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases.
- Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent at restaurants, including takeout and delivery.
- Earn 1 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
at Citi's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 2% | Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. |
| 5% | Plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel. |
The Citi Double Cash Card takes all of the stress and complication away from credit card rewards with a simple (yet lucrative) 2% earning scheme and straightforward cash-back redemption options. Check out our Citi Double Cash Card review for more details.
Pros
- Earning 2% back on every purchase is an industry-leading return on everyday spending for a no-annual-fee credit card.
- Now that you have the ability to convert rewards to ThankYou points with an eligible card, your redemption options are even more flexible.
Cons
- Those looking to make a balance transfer will have to pay 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
- 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.
- Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time. Plus, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked with Citi Travel.
- Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 17.74% - 27.74%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
- If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
- There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
Best for American Airlines lounge access
at Citi's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4x AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases. |
| 1X | 1 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on other purchases |
The Citi AAdvantage is the only card that provides a full Admirals Club membership as well as elite perks for American Airlines flyers. See our Citi / AAdvantage Executive card review for more information.
Pros
- Offers Admirals Club lounge access
- Priority check-in, airport screening, boarding and a free checked bag for you and up to 8 travel companions
- 25% discount on inflight food and beverages
- Receive a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck Fee Statement Credit
Cons
- Miles redemption limited to American Airlines and its Oneworld partners
- 25% inflight credit doesn't include Wi-Fi
- Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first 3 months of account opening.
- Admirals Club® membership for you and access for up to two guests or immediate family members traveling with you
- No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
- Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases
- First checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to 8 companions traveling with you on the same reservation
at Citi's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4% and 5% | Earn 5% cash back rewards on gas at Costco and earn 4% cash back on other eligible gas and electric vehicle (EV) charging purchases for the first $7,000 combined spend per year, and then 1% thereafter. |
| 3% | 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases and eligible travel, including Costco Travel. |
| 2% | 2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com |
| 1% | 1% cash back on all other purchases |
This no-annual-fee card is a no-brainer for Costco shoppers who want to earn even greater savings with cash-back rewards. Read our Costco Anywhere Visa Card review for more information.
Pros
- Purchase protection
- Earn 5% cash back rewards on gas at Costco and 4% cash back on other eligible gas and EV purchases (on up to $7,000 per year in combined spend; then 1%), 3% back at restaurants and on eligible travel purchases, 2% back on in-store and online Costco purchases
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you're not a Costco shopper
- Cash back can only be redeemed in the form of a reward certificate
- Discover one of Citi's best cash back rewards cards designed exclusively for Costco members
- Earn 5% cash back rewards on gas at Costco and earn 4% cash back on other eligible gas and electric vehicle (EV) charging purchases for the first $7,000 combined spend per year, and then 1% thereafter.
- 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases and eligible travel, including Costco Travel.
- 2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com
- 1% cash back on all other purchases
- No annual fee with your paid Costco membership and enjoy no foreign transaction fees on purchases
- Receive an annual credit card reward certificate, which is redeemable for cash or merchandise at U.S. Costco warehouses, including Puerto Rico
Best for business owners loyal to American Airlines
at Citi's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 2X | Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles per $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases, and on purchases at telecommunications merchants, cable and satellite providers, car rental merchants and at gas stations |
| 1X | Earn 1 AAdvantage® mile per $1 spent on other purchases |
| 1X | Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible mile earned from purchases |
If you have a small business that doesn’t meet the standard requirements for the AAdvantage Business program, the Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard® is the best way to get access and earn extra miles and Loyalty Points on your company travel. Other perks when flying American Airlines, including preferred boarding, your first checked bag free on domestic itineraries and 25% off select inflight purchases can also provide value to frequent flyers.
Pros
- Join the AAdvantage Business program even if your small business doesn’t otherwise qualify
- First checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to four companions on the same reservation
- 25% savings on inflight Wi-Fi, food and beverage purchases on American Airlines flights when you use your card
- Earn 1 Loyalty Point per dollar spent on purchases with your card
Cons
- The primary cardholder doesn't earn Loyalty Points on purchases made by authorized users
- Perks and miles aren’t as useful if you don’t frequently fly with American Airlines and use the AAdvantage program
- Designed for businesses
- Earn 65,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening.
- First checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries to reduce travel costs and boost your bottom line.
- 25% savings on American Airlines inflight Wi-Fi when you use your card
- Enjoy preferred boarding on American Airlines flights
- Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles per $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases, and on purchases at telecommunications merchants, cable and satellite providers, car rental merchants and at gas stations
- Earn 1 AAdvantage® mile per $1 spent on other purchases
- Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases
- No Foreign Transaction Fees
Comparing the best Citi cards
Credit card | Best for | Intro offer | Earning rate | Annual fee | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Limited-time offer at Citi's secure site | earning AAdvantage miles without flying | Earn 100,000 bonus Points Open Intro bonus For a limited time, earn 100,000 bonus Points after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months of account opening. | 1.5 - 12X points Open Rewards rates
| $595 | ||||||||||
at Citi's secure site | Citi ThankYou points enthusiasts who want flexibility and a no-annual-fee card | Earn 30,000 bonus Points Open Intro bonus For a limited time, earn 30,000 bonus Points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months of account opening. | 1 - 5X points Open Rewards rates
| $0 | ||||||||||
at Citi's secure site | starter travel | Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points Open Intro bonus 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. | 1 - 10X points Open Rewards rates
| $95 | ||||||||||
Limited Time Offer at Citi's secure site | mid-tier American Airlines rewards | Earn 90,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles Open Intro bonus For a limited time, earn 90,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after $5,000 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening. | 1 - 6X miles Open Rewards rates
| $350 | ||||||||||
at Citi's secure site | no-frills cash-back rewards | $200 cash back Open Intro bonus 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. | 2 - 5% cash-back Open Rewards rates
| $0 | ||||||||||
at Citi's secure site | American Airlines lounge access | Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles Open Intro bonus Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first 3 months of account opening. | 1 - 4X miles Open Rewards rates
| $595 | ||||||||||
at Citi's secure site | Costco shoppers | no offer | 1 - 5% cash-back Open Rewards rates
| $0 | ||||||||||
at Citi's secure site | business owners loyal to American Airlines | Earn 65,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles Open Intro bonus Earn 65,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening. | 1 - 2X miles Open Rewards rates
| $99, waived for first 12 months |
More details on the best Citi credit cards
Citi is the only major issuer that lets you transfer points to American Airlines AAdvantage at a 1:1 rate. Add in four annual Admirals Club passes, elevated earning on Citi Travel bookings and more than $800 in flexible statement credits, and the Strata Elite delivers serious value for the right traveler.
Frequent diners, Citi loyalists and travelers who want American Airlines access without a full lounge membership.
If you want to earn American Airlines miles without flying, enjoy airport lounge access without a full Admirals Club membership and easily offset a high annual fee with versatile statement credits, the Citi Strata Elite deserves a spot in your wallet.
The American Express Platinum Card® offers more robust lounge access and flexible travel credits, while the Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers a more flexible annual travel credit and access to a broader range of travel partners.
The Citi Strata℠ Card offers elevated reward rates in key bonus categories that almost everyone can enjoy (think hotels, rental cars, gas, dining and more).
This card is an excellent choice for Citi ThankYou points enthusiasts who want to earn rewards across every purchase without incurring an annual fee.
If you frequently spend money at supermarkets, on transit, gas and EV charging stations and want to earn Citi ThankYou points without having to pay an annual fee, the Citi Strata should be in your wallet. It earns solid reward rates in popular bonus categories and a flat rate of 1 point per dollar spent in non-bonus categories, so you’re earning rewards every time you tap to pay.
If you don’t mind paying an annual fee and still want to stay in Citi’s ecosystem, consider the new Citi Strata Elite℠ Card. It features a hefty annual fee of $595 but offers decent value for travelers, like an up to $300 annual hotel benefit, Priority Pass Select membership and four Admirals Club lounge passes every calendar year. The Strata Elite also earns at least 1.5 points per dollar spent in nonbonus categories, making every purchase rewarding.
When you take advantage of the $100 annual hotel credit on this card, you essentially cancel out the $95 annual fee — while still being able to take advantage of solid earning rates and other benefits the Strata Premier offers.
The Citi Strata Premier is a good card for both occasional and frequent travelers who will take advantage of the annual $100 hotel credit and elevated travel bonus rates.
Even if you only travel a few times each year, this card basically pays for itself when you utilize its perks and benefits.
If you’re seeking a more premium travel card that earns miles instead of points, consider the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. The Venture X earns a flat rate of 2 miles per dollar spent across all purchases with the exception of 10 miles per dollar spent on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5 miles per dollar spent on flights and vacation rentals also booked within the Capital One Travel portal.
Lounge benefits, a free checked bag on qualifying domestic American Airlines itineraries and elevated earning rates on eligible AAdvantage Hotels bookings and American Airlines purchases make this card a rewarding option for frequent travelers. The annual $100 Splurge Credit and access to Mastercard’s World of Legends experiences add extra flexibility and value beyond air travel.
American Airlines loyalists who travel often enough to take advantage of the premium travel perks.
If you are looking for a rewarding airline card that offers lounge access, valuable statement credits and elevated earning rates on American Airlines purchases, the Citi AAdvantage Globe Mastercard could be a worthwhile addition to your wallet.
For travelers who prefer a lower annual fee, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® offers 2 miles per dollar spent on American Airlines purchases, restaurants and gas stations, plus a free checked bag on domestic itineraries — all for a $0 introductory annual fee in the first year, then $99.
For frequent travelers who value unlimited lounge access, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® may be a better fit. It carries a $595 annual fee but includes a complimentary Admirals Club membership and additional elite-style perks.
The Citi Double Cash Card is easy to love due to its 2% cash back on all purchases, offered as 1% back when you buy and 1% back when you pay, with no annual fee. You’ll earn cash-back rewards as basic ThankYou points, which are easy to redeem for a direct deposit to your bank account, a statement credit or a check in the mail.
The Citi Double Cash Card is an excellent option if you want a cash-back rewards card for all your purchases. It’s also a good option for consumers who need a card for non-bonus category purchases.
“The Citi Double Cash Card is a simple yet valuable cash-back rewards card that I frequently recommend to family and friends. It's a great everyday spending card with 2% cash back, offered as 1% when you buy and 1% when you pay. And since it has no annual fee, it's earned a long-term place in my wallet.” — Katie Genter, senior points and miles writer
The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card also earns 2% cash back on purchases, so it may be a better option if you prefer a Wells Fargo card.
The Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard offers a complimentary Admirals Club membership for the primary cardholder and Admirals Club access for authorized users with a same-day boarding pass for an eligible flight. The annual fee on this card is less than the cost of an Admirals Club membership, making it a good deal for some frequent American Airlines flyers.
If you frequently fly American Airlines and could benefit from perks like Admirals Club access, priority boarding and a first checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries, then you should consider the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard.
“I frequently find myself on American out of Miami, and I love that I can access the Admirals Club with my immediate family. I can also add up to three authorized users for an additional $175 (total) per year — and each of them gets club access as well (with a same-day boarding pass for an eligible flight). Beyond that, I save hundreds of dollars a year thanks to Citi Merchant Offers on the card.” — Nick Ewen, director of content
If you don’t need an Admirals Club membership, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® might be a better option due to its lower annual fee.
The information for the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi is a great option for Costco members. We love that cardholders earn 5% cash back on gas purchases at Costco and 4% cash back on other eligible gas and electric vehicle charging (on the first $7,000 per year in combined spend, then 1% after that) and 3% on restaurants and eligible travel.
This card has no annual fee if you have a paid Costco membership, making it a good option for Costco members. You’ll get cash back each year once your monthly billing statement closes as a certificate redeemable for cash or merchandise at U.S. Costco Warehouses. So, you’ll only want to use this card if you have a Costco Warehouse nearby and don’t mind only getting cash-back rewards once a year.
If you frequently shop at Costco, plan to keep your Costco membership for the foreseeable future and can benefit from bonus cash back in the gas or EV charging categories, the Costco Anywhere Visa card may be a good addition to your wallet.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a good alternative card option for earning at least 1.5% cash back on all purchases. And since it’s a Visa credit card, you can use it at Costco Warehouses.
This card offers elite-like perks when flying American Airlines. Cardholders can also earn Loyalty Points on purchases with this card, which can help them earn American Airlines elite status.
If you have a small business that can benefit from the AAdvantage Business program and perks when flying on American Airlines, this card is for you.
“With a small business that has too few employees to meet the standard requirements for the AAdvantage Business program, this card is my business’ key to the extra earnings available through the AAdvantage Business program.” — Katie Genter, senior points and miles writer
Small business owners could also consider consumer American Airlines cards, such as the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® for an Admirals Club membership or the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® for some of the same perks as this card.
The information for the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
How we rate
Ask our experts
What's your favorite Citi card — and why?
How to choose a Citi credit card
- It's a good idea to select a Citi credit card with a decent sign-up bonus that you can maximize to meet your goals. Determine what you want from a card — be it cash back, miles to redeem on airline purchases or transferable points to use in a variety of programs — and select one with a solid offer that holds value to you.1Sign-up bonus
- Citi credit cards come with a range of annual fees, and many options don't carry an annual fee at all. Still, some cards with higher annual fees offer strong protections and other benefits that justify the additional payment. It's important to consider your comfort level with annual fees when you choose a card.2Annual fee
- Pick the card that earns the most in categories you do the most spending, such as dining, groceries or gas. That way, you will maximize on your everyday spending to get a solid return.3Bonus categories
Pros + cons of Citi credit cards
Pros
- Using a Citi credit card responsibly can help you improve your credit score
- Citi credit cards can earn useful points, miles or cash back on your spending
- Most Citi credit cards offer credit and account protection
- Some Citi credit cards come with valuable travel perks, such as hotel benefits, lounge access and checked bags, among others
Cons
- Credit cards can encourage overspending
- Carrying a balance and using your Citi card irresponsibly can negatively impact your credit score
- If you don't pay your Citi credit card balance each month, you may accrue steep interest charges
- Having too many credit card applications can negatively impact your credit score
- Some Citi credit cards carry foreign transaction fees, meaning they aren't always the best cards to carry abroad
Frequently asked questions
Most consumers find that Citi is a good credit card issuer. However, some cardholders occasionally have issues with functionality on the Citi website or app.
The best Citi credit card depends on what you’re looking for in a card. However, one of our favorites is the Citi Double Cash® Card for its simple earnings on all purchases.
You can apply for a Citi credit card by clicking the hyperlinked card names in this guide. Or, you can navigate to the Citi website and apply for cards there.
Some, but not all, Citi credit cards have foreign transaction fees. One examples of a Citi card that doesn't have foreign transaction fees is the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®.
If you have a Citi credit card that earns ThankYou Rewards points, you can redeem points for cash-back rewards at a rate of 1 cent per point. And if you have a Costco card from Citi, you’ll get an annual credit card reward certificate that you can redeem for cash or merchandise at U.S. Costco Warehouses.
You’ll usually need fair to excellent credit to be approved for a new Citi credit card. This means you’ll likely need a credit score of at least 580.
If you have limited credit or bad credit, you may still be able to get approved for the Citi® Secured Mastercard®. This card lets you build credit by providing a security deposit and then getting a credit limit on your card equal to the amount of your security deposit.
The information for the Citi® Secured Mastercard® has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
You can cancel a Citi credit card by calling the number on the back of your card, starting an online chat from your account or sending a secure message. It's usually best to call if you want to cancel your card, as then you might be informed of a lucrative retention offer that encourages you to keep your card for another year.