Traveling doesn’t come cheap. Wouldn’t it be nice to ease that sinking feeling that comes with forking out hundreds of dollars on flights? And wouldn’t it be even nicer to get rewarded for it?
The Citi Premier Card dishes out bonus points on travel, dining, and entertainment.
There’s also a tempting signup bonus and no foreign transaction fees.
But before you get started, let’s scope out its features, fees, and credit scores to see if it’s the perfect match for you—
This article will show you:
- If the Citi Premier Card is a good fit for you.
- Everything you need to know about fees, rewards, and points.
- How the Citi Premier compares to other cash back cards.
Read more:
Citi Premier Card at a Glance
Full name: Citi Premier® Card
Best for: Frequent travelers
Issuer: Citibank
Required credit score: 670 or higher
What’s the Citi Premier Credit Card?
The Citi Premier credit card is a rewards credit card that lets you earn points on your everyday purchases.
You can rack up points on most purchases, including air travel, dining, supermarkets, and gas stations.
The Citi Premier is a top pick for frequent travelers who want to earn rewards for travel expenses.
With 3x points on air travel and hotel purchases, it’s a great way to get rewarded while planning your next vacation.
The card also offers a sign-up bonus of 60,000 points when you spend $4,000 in the first three months.
All in all, the Citi Premier credit card is a solid choice for anyone who loves to travel and wants to earn rewards on their everyday purchases.
How does the Citi Premier Card work?
So how do you start earning these rewards, and what can you do once you’ve got them?
Let’s break it down for you—
- Sign up: To get started, you’ll need to apply for the Citi Premier Card online. Make sure you meet the eligibility requirements and have all your documents ready.
- Spend on eligible purchases: Once you have your card, you can use it to make eligible purchases. You can get rewarded for spending on travel, dining, groceries, and gas.
- Earn points: The Citi Premier Card offers bonus points on certain categories. For example, you can earn 3x points on travel purchases, which include airfare and hotels. You can also earn 3x points at supermarkets and gas stations.
- Redeem your points: You can redeem your points (worth one cent each) for cash back, gift cards, bill payments, or travel booked through Citi. You can also transfer your points to one of Citi’s Premier travel partners, such as JetBlue.
- Pay your balance: Don’t forget to pay your balance in full and on time every month to avoid interest charges and late fees. This will also help you keep up a good credit score.
Read more:
Citi Premier Card: Quick Summary Review
Let’s start with a rundown of the need-to-knows:
|
Detail |
Metric |
|
APR |
20.99%–28.99% variable |
|
Annual fee |
$95 |
|
Intro offer |
Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months |
|
Rewards (standard) |
1x points on all other purchases per $1 |
|
Rewards (maximum) |
3x points on hotel purchases per $1 3x points on air travel per $1 3x points on supermarket and gas per $1 3x points on restaurants per $1 |
|
Overall rating |
4.4/5 |
Citi Premier Card Fees
The Citi Premier card rewards are like a delicious cake, but no one likes to pay extra for the icing. It’s important to make sure the fees don’t take a big bite out of your rewards.
Let’s crunch some numbers to see if you’re getting a good deal or if it’s worth looking elsewhere:
|
Fee |
Detail |
|
Annual fee |
$95 |
|
Processing fee |
$0 |
|
Monthly maintenance fee |
$0 |
|
APR |
20.99%–28.99% variable |
|
APR for cash advances |
29.99% variable |
|
Balance transfer fee |
$5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater |
|
Cash advance fee |
$10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater |
|
Foreign transaction fee |
$0 |
|
Late fee |
Up to $41 |
|
Minimum interest charge fee |
$0.50 |
|
Returned payment fee |
Up to $41 |
|
Over limit fee |
$0 |
|
Additional card fee |
$0 |
So what should you be paying extra special attention to when deciding on the right credit card for you?
When choosing the right credit card, it’s good to keep an eye on two things. The first is the rewards you get, and the second is the annual fee. At a minimum, the benefits have to be worth more than the annual fee. And usually several times more to make it worthwhile.
Ian WrightFounder of Business Financing
Citi Premier Card: Pros & Cons
Time to find out if the Citi Premier Card benefits outweigh the drawbacks:
Pros
- Rewards categories.
- Annual hotel credit.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Welcome bonus.
- Travel redemption options.
Cons
- Annual fee.
- Requires good to excellent credit.
- No intro APR offer.
- High cash advance APR.
Pros—What We Like
Rewards categories
One of the best features of the Citi Premier Card is the rewards program.
The card uses ThankYou points to reward cardholders, worth around one cent each.
You can earn up to 3x points on a variety of categories, including groceries, gas, and other purchases.
If you’re a foodie who loves to travel, the 3x points on restaurants, hotel purchases, and air travel will make your taste buds sing, and your rewards balance soar.
Take a look at our top cash back credit cards for more rewards.
Annual hotel credit
Another great feature is the Citi Premier Card hotel credit.
Once a year, you can enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through thankyou.com via the Citi Travel site.
This bonus can be an instant upgrade to your travel game that can help you save money and make your trips even more enjoyable.
It’s also a great way to offset the card’s annual fee and get even more value from your rewards.
No foreign transaction fees
For all the jet-setters, you probably know how quickly foreign charges can add up.
Luckily, the Citi Premier Card has no foreign transaction fees. So you’re free to globe-trot without the burden of extra charges.
Welcome bonus
The Citi Premier Card also offers a generous welcome bonus.
New cardholders can earn 60,000 bonus points after they spend $4,000 within the first three months of account opening.
You can then redeem these points for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.
Travel redemption options
The Citi Premier Card offers a variety of travel redemption options.
Your points are worth one cent each, and you can redeem your points for travel booked through Citi, cash back, or gift card purchases.
You can also transfer your Citi Premier Card points to partner airlines at a 1:1 ratio.
These airline partners include JetBlue, Virgin Atlantic, and Singapore Airlines. So if you’re a travel junkie who loves rewards, this card could be your new co-pilot.
Check out our top travel credit cards.
Cons—Things to Consider
Annual fee
A potential drawback of the Citi Premier Card is the annual fee of $95.
While reward cards are no stranger to annual fees, it might be a turnoff for some cardholders (especially for those who use the card less often).
Requires good to excellent credit
The Citi Premier Card requires good to excellent credit to be approved.
This means your Citi Premier Card approval odds will be much higher with a FICO score of 670 or higher.
So, if your credit score is less than perfect, it might not be love at first swipe for you. And even if you do manage to snag this card with a lower score, they could hit you with a higher APR.
Read more:
No intro APR offer
Unlike other rewards credit cards, the Citi Premier Card doesn’t come with an introductory APR offer.
This means that you’ll be charged the regular variable APR if you decide to carry a balance, which ranges from 20.99%–28.99%.
That’s pretty steep compared to the average credit card APR of 20.92%.
High cash advance APR
Let’s not forget that Citi Premier Card’s cash advance APR of 29.99% (variable).
If you’re thinking about a cash advance, you might want to reconsider.
Stick to regular purchases whenever possible to avoid the cash advance trap at all costs. (Your wallet will thank you later.)
Citi Premier Card Credit Card: Things to Know
How do the Citi ThankYou points work?
Thankyou points are the name of the rewards you earn through Citibank or one of their eligible Citi cards.
You can access your points on the ThankYou website or through your Citi Bank account and redeem them for travel, gift cards, charity, and more.
Here’s how they work:
- Earn points: To start earning Citi ThankYou points, you’ll need to use a Citi credit card that offers the ThankYou rewards program. Several cards qualify, including the Citi Premier Card and the Citi Rewards+ Card.
- Redeem points: Once you’ve earned enough points, you can redeem them for rewards. This includes cash back, gift cards, travel rewards, and online merchandise (including from Amazon and Best Buy). You can redeem your points online or by phone through the ThankYou rewards center.
- Transfer points: Another option is to transfer your Citi ThankYou points to a partner loyalty program. This includes airline loyalty programs, such as JetBlue, and hotel loyalty programs, like Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy.
- Combine points: If you have multiple Citi credit cards in the ThankYou rewards program, you can combine your points into one account. This makes it easier to earn and redeem points, helping you to reach your rewards goals more quickly.
In most cases, each point is worth one cent, which is on par with other reward cards.
If you opt for the Citi Premier Credit Card, make sure you make the most of those rewards (especially the loyalty programs where you can redeem points at a 1:1 ratio).
What are the Citi Premier Card rewards?
The Citi Premier Card offers a variety of rewards that can help you save money and score some major perks.
Let’s break down some of the top Citi Premier rewards you can snag with this card:
|
Category |
Rewards |
|
Restaurants (including cafes, bars, lounges, and fast food restaurants) |
3x ThankYou Points for each $1 spent |
|
Supermarkets |
3x ThankYou Points for each $1 spent |
|
Gas stations |
3x ThankYou Points for each $1 spent |
|
Air travel |
3x ThankYou Points for each $1 spent |
|
Hotels |
3x ThankYou Points for each $1 spent $100 Annual Hotel Savings Benefit |
|
Other purchases |
1x ThankYou Points for each $1 spent |
There are plenty of ways to rack up those rewards, with no cap on how many points you can collect.
Balance transfers, cash advances, and a slew of other non-purchase transactions won’t earn you any rewards. (We’re talking wire transfers, lottery tickets, and gaming chips.)
But if you’re looking for a card that rewards your everyday spending habits, the Citi Premier Card is the real deal.
With no foreign transaction fees and the option to transfer points to airline loyalty programs, you can score some major travel benefits.
What’s the Citi Premier Card credit limit?
The Citi Premier Card minimum credit limit is typically around $2,000, but can reach up to $20,000.
That being said, your credit limit isn’t set in stone and can vary depending on your credit score, credit history, and income.
So if you’re already paving the way with a higher income or rock-solid credit history, you could start with a higher credit limit.
And no worries if you get hit with an initial low limit—you might be eligible for an increase over time if you show good credit behavior.
But let’s not get too ahead of ourselves. Just because you have a higher credit limit doesn’t mean you should go on a shopping spree and max out your card. Always spend within your means and pay off your balance in full and on time every month.
What are the Citi Premier Card credit score requirements?
While there’s no specific credit score requirement for the Citi Premier Card, it’s generally recommended to have a FICO score of at least 670.
Other factors that can play a role in your approval include credit history, income, and debt-to-income ratio.
So, if you’re thinking of applying, remember that Citi will also consider any other credit cards or loans you have open.
Feeling unsure about your credit score? Check out some free online tools like Credit Karma to get a better idea of where you stand.
Read more:
How do I contact Citi Premier Credit Card customer service?
Here are a few ways to contact Citi Premier Credit Card customer service:
- Phone: The Citi Premier Credit Card customer service number is 1-800-950-5114. This is a toll-free number that connects you with a representative who can help you with any questions or issues.
- Online chat: Another option for contacting Citi customer service is through online chat. You can access this feature by logging into your Citi account online and clicking on “Contact Us” at the top of the page. This will open a chat window where you can chat away in real-time.
- Social media: Citi has a pretty strong social media presence on Twitter and Facebook. While you probably won’t get in-depth help through social media, it’s a good way to get a quick response to basic questions.
Nobody wants to be chatting on the phone for too long, so make sure you come prepared. Have all your account information and any relevant details on hand. We’re talking about your trusty account number, recent transactions, and any error messages you may have received.
Is there a Citi Premier signup bonus?
Yes, there is a signup bonus for the Citi Premier Card.
You can earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account opening.
You can then redeem these points for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.
But to bag the signup bonus, you must hit the spending requirement within the first three months of opening your account.
So if you’re eyeing the Citi Premier Card, strategize your spending to rack up the rewards during that crucial window.
How Does the Citi Premier Card Credit Card Compare?
Citi Premier isn’t the only credit card offering points and travel perks.
Time for the reward card showdown—Citi Premier Card vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred vs. Capital One Venture.
|
Annual fee |
$95 |
$95 |
$95 |
|
Intro offer |
60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months |
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months |
75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months |
|
Rewards |
3x points on hotel purchases per $1 3x points on air travel per $1 3x points on supermarket and gas per $1 3x points on restaurants per $1 1x points on all other purchases per $1 |
5x points on travel purchased through Chase 3x points on online grocery purchases 3x points on dining 3x points on select streaming services 2x points on all other travel purchases 1x point per dollar spent on all other purchases |
Unlimited 5 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel Unlimited 2 miles per dollar on every purchase |
Check out more cards from Capital One:
Citi Premier Card: Useful Links
Is the Citi Premier Card Worth It?
The Citi Premier Card is best suited for:
- Frequent travelers.
- Those looking for travel and everyday rewards.
- Anyone who wants to save money on foreign transactions.
If you’re a jet-setter, foodie, or entertainment junkie, the Citi Premier Card is an eyebrow-raising choice.
It offers bonus points on travel, dining, and entertainment purchases to turbo-charge your rewards game.
Remember
You can transfer your points to airline loyalty programs and dodge foreign transaction fees to make your international adventures even sweeter. Sure, there’s a $95 annual fee, but with a signup bonus of 60,000 points and ongoing rewards, it might be worth it for big spenders.
Overall, the Citi Premier Card is a prime pick for those who want to earn rewards on their everyday spending and relish travel and dining perks.
FAQ
What’s the credit score for the Citi Rewards card?
There’s no set credit score requirement for the Citi Rewards card, but anything above 670 is recommended for approval.
Other factors like income and credit history are also considered. If you’re interested in applying, it’s best to check your credit score beforehand to see if it meets the recommended range (670–850).
Find out more about what makes a good credit score and how to get one.
Can I get Citi Premier Credit Card pre-approval?
No, Citibank says on their website that you currently can’t check if you pre-qualify for any of their cards. But you can check to see if you fit the eligibility criteria before applying.
And how hard is it to get a Citi Premier Card?
You’ll need to be at least 18 years old and a resident of the US. You should also have proof of income, a social security number (or TIN), and a good credit score.
If your credit isn’t up to par, find out how you can boost your score fast.
What is the Citi Prestige Credit Card?
The Citi Prestige Credit Card is no longer accepting applications, but existing cardholders can still use the card along with its hefty annual fee of $495.
With the Citi Prestige Card, you could earn 3x points on air travel and hotels, 2x points on dining and entertainment, and 1x points on all other purchases.
You could also get a $250 annual travel credit and enjoy perks like complimentary access to Priority Pass lounges and travel insurance.
The Citi Prestige Card is mostly targeted at big spenders who make the most of its rewards and benefits.
Keen to earn rewards? Take a look at our top cash back credit cards.
Citi Premier vs. Capital One Venture: Which is better?
The Citi Premier and Capital One Venture cards both offer rewards and benefits. But the best one depends on your own needs and spending habits.
Here are some key differences to consider:
- Rewards: The Citi Premier offers up to 3x bonus points on travel and gas stations, dining out, and entertainment. While Capital One Venture offers unlimited 2x miles on all purchases.
- Signup bonus: The Citi Premier offers a 60,000 bonus point signup bonus after spending $4,000 in the first three months. The Capital One Venture offers 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 in the first three months.
- Annual fee: Both cards have an annual fee of $95.
If you travel frequently and spend a lot on dining and entertainment, the Citi Premier may be a better choice. But, if you want a simple rewards program with flexible redemption options, the Capital One Venture may be a better fit.
Check out our review of the Capital One Venture X Card.
Does Citi Premier have travel insurance?
No, Citi Premier doesn’t offer travel insurance, but it remains a solid option for adventurers.
You can earn 3 points per $1 spent on air travel and hotels and enjoy no foreign transaction fees. Even without insurance, this card can save you a lot on travel expenses.
Take a look at the best travel credit cards.
Is there a Citi Premier referral bonus?
No, Citi Premier doesn’t offer referral bonuses, which means you won’t get any rewards for inviting friends or family.
However, there’s an intro bonus when first sign up for the card. You can get 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of the account opening.
Is the Citi Premier card metal?
Yes, the Citi Premier card is made of metal.
This can make it feel more premium and durable compared to cards made of plastic.
But while metal cards can be nice to hold and use, they may be more prone to scratches and can be heavier in your wallet.
