Citi credit cards: Which one is best for you?

<div class=”has-padding-xsmall”></div>

<h3 class=”header-sideline” id=”best”>The best Citi credit cards</h3>
Finder’s credit card experts reviewed all of these cards and compared them against one another based on several factors, including: the value they offer versus their annual fee, additional card features and APRs.

We’ve ranked the eight best Citi credit cards based on our unbiased evaluations to help you make the right choice for your financial needs. Unlike our competitors, Finder’s credit card experts research and write about <strong>all </strong>credit cards, including those from providers who aren’t partners on our site.
<article class=”luna-card luna-card–alt”>
<div class=”luna-card__block”>
<div itemscope itemprop=”mainEntity” itemtype=”https://schema.org/Question”>
<h4 itemprop=”name” id=”best”>Quick look at the best Citi credit cards</h4>
<div itemscope itemprop=”acceptedAnswer” itemtype=”https://schema.org/Answer”>
<div itemprop=”text”>
<ul class=”list-10″>
<li><strong>Finder’s pick</strong>: <b><a class=”scroll” href=”#card1″>Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card:</a></b> Best for balance transfers</li>
<li><a class=”scroll” href=”#card2″><b>Citi® Double Cash Card</b>:</a> Best for cash back</li>
<li><a class=”scroll” href=”#card3″><b>Citi Custom Cash℠ Card</b>:</a> Best for cash back</li>
<li><a class=”scroll” href=”#card4″><b>Citi Premier® Card</b>:</a> Best for travel</li>
<li><a class=”scroll” href=”#card5″><b>Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi</b>:</a> Best for gas</li>
<li><a class=”scroll” href=”#card6″><b>Citi Rewards+® Card</b>:</a> Best for rewards rounding</li>
<li><a class=”scroll” href=”#card7″><b>Citi® Secured Mastercard®</b>:</a> Best secured credit card</li>
<li><a class=”scroll” href=”#card8″><b>Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®</b>:</a> Best value for American Airlines flyers</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</article>

<div id=”card1″></div>
<h3>Best for balance transfers</h3>

<div id=”card2″></div>
<h3>Best for 2% cash back</h3>

<div id=”card3″></div>
<h3>Best for 5% cash back</h3>

<div id=”card4″></div>
<h3>Best for general travel</h3>

<div id=”card5″></div>
<h3>Best for gas</h3>

<div id=”card6″></div>
<h3>Best for rewards rounding</h3>

<div id=”card7″></div>
<h3>Best secured credit card</h3>

<div id=”card8″></div>
<h3>Best value for American Airlines flyers</h3><h3 id=”howto” class=”header-sideline”>How to apply for a Citi card</h3>
<ol>
<li>Browse through our listed Citi credit cards and review their details to find one that best suits you. </li>
<li>After making your selection, choose <b>Apply now</b>.</li>
<li>Fill in the application with required information. This typically includes your full name, email address, residential address and phone number, date of birth, Social Security number and total annual income. For a business credit card, enter additional information such as your legal business name, years in business, annual business revenue and federal tax ID. You must be at least 18 years of age to apply.</li>
<li>Review and submit your application. Once approved, you can <a href=”https://www.finder.com/credit-cards/citibank-credit-cards” title=”How to activate a Citi credit card”>activate your Citi card</a> online, by phone or through the Citi mobile app.

</li>
</ol>

<h4>How many Citi cards can I have?</h4>
You may own as many Citi credit cards as you can get approval for. But there is an 8/65/95 rule to keep in mind.

Essentially, this rule says you can apply for your second Citi card eight days after you applied for your first card. After that, you have to wait 65 days to apply for your third card. The number 95 means you have to wait at least 95 days between Citi business credit card applications.
<h4>Is this the same as the Citi-48-month rule?</h4>
No. The Citi 48-month rule is a policy that restricts you from gaining the signup bonus from a card more than once within a 48-month period.

<h4>How do I prequalify for a Citi credit card?</h4>
Citi gives you the option to prequalify for a card without a hard pull on your credit. All you have to do is visit Citi’s prequalification page, fill out the form and wait to receive your offer.

Once you choose your card and apply for it, Citi will perform a hard pull on your credit.

<div itemscope itemprop=”mainEntity” itemtype=”https://schema.org/Question”>
<h3 itemprop=”name” class=”header-sideline”>How do I choose the best Citi credit card?</h3>
<div itemscope itemprop=”acceptedAnswer” itemtype=”https://schema.org/Answer”>
<div itemprop=”text”>
<p>Citi has plenty of great card options, so you might find choosing one a little tough. To narrow down the best choice for your wallet, you’ll want to look into several factors:</p>

<ul class=”list-7″>
<li><strong>Consider your existing debt.</strong> Citi boasts three cards with long intro APRs of 18 months or more on balance transfers. If you want to consolidate your existing debt and pay it off within that intro period interest-free, you’ll want to check out these balance transfer options.</li>
<li><strong>Review your typical spending.</strong> You have a few solid reward options available to you through Citi, so pick a card that will earn you the most rewards on your specific spending habits. And if your spending is more spread out over various categories, the Citi® Double Cash Card is a great flat cashback pick.</li>
<li><strong>Look for appealing travel perks.</strong> If you frequently travel, Citi has a few solid options to choose from when it comes to additional perks and features. Citi is the go-to provider for American Airlines cobranded credit cards, including favorites like the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®. Another consideration is the Expedia cards for a more general travel card option.</li>
<li><strong>Look at the credit requirements.</strong> Several of Citi’s cards require a good or excellent credit score to qualify. If you need help building your credit score, the Citi® Secured Mastercard® is a good choice, as you can apply with no credit score, make a security deposit and start building your credit.</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>

<h3 class=”header-sideline”>Types of Citi cards</h3>
Citi is known for offering simple but effective cashback credit cards and balance transfer credit cards with some of the longest 0% intro APR periods on the market. You can also find great travel cards that use the ThankYou rewards program, and cobranded travel cards with American Airlines, Expedia and Costco.

On the downside, Citi doesn’t have a whole lot of small business cards to choose from, and no cards available for poor credit. You also only have two cobranded credit card options — an American Airlines card and a Costco card.

<div class=”has-padding-xsmall”></div>

<h4>Citi card for bad or fair credit</h4>
Unlike other card providers that specialize in cards for building credit, Citi doesn’t offer a credit card specifically for those with bad credit. Instead, Citi offers a secured card for those who are <strong>new </strong>to credit. It’s an excellent card, but you won’t qualify if you have a bad credit score.

<h3 id=”features” class=”header-sideline”>Standout benefits of Citi credit cards</h3>
<ul class=”list-9″>
<li><b>Rewards.</b> Most Citi credit cards offer rewards. This can either be in the form of cash back, ThankYou points or cobranded miles and points.</li>
<li><b>ThankYou rewards program.</b> Some Citi credit cards are part of the ThankYou program, which is similar to Chase Ultimate Rewards and Amex Membership Rewards. If you already bank with Citi and want to get into one of the best travel rewards program, a ThankYou rewards card is the way to go.</li>
<li><b>Long balance transfer periods.</b> Citi offers the longest 0% intro APR period of 21 months on two of its cards. This length occasionally dips based on market conditions, but it has remained relatively consistent over the life of the two cards.</li>
<li><b>Virtual credit cards.</b> Citi is one of the rare card providers that offers <a href=”https://www.finder.com/credit-cards/citibank-credit-cards”>virtual credit card numbers</a> to some of its cards. This is an excellent safety feature that hides your actual credit card information when shopping at shady online vendors.</li>
<li><strong>Citi Entertainment</strong>. The Citi Entertainment program offers discounts on a variety of entertainment events when you book online with your Citi card. You also get exclusive access to presale tickets and experiences.</li>
<li><strong>New card tracker</strong>. A newer feature for Citi cards is the ability to track the processing and shipping of your new credit card through the Citi app. Best of all, you can view your card number through the card tracker, allowing you to use your card before you receive it in the mail. </li>
<li><strong>Concierge service</strong>. Most Citi credit cards offer this perk, though the Citi Prestige® Credit Card offers a slightly more premium version. Use the concierge to contact experts who will help connect you to various services in travel, dining, shopping and entertainment categories, or you can ask for recommendations.
</li></ul>

<pre></pre>

<div itemscope itemprop=”mainEntity” itemtype=”https://schema.org/Question”>
<h3 itemprop=”name” class=”header-sideline”>What are some alternatives to Citi credit cards?</h3>
<div itemscope itemprop=”acceptedAnswer” itemtype=”https://schema.org/Answer”>
<div itemprop=”text”>
Citi isn’t the only provider to look at if you want high-level cards. For example, <a href=”https://www.finder.com/credit-cards/american-express-credit-cards” title=”Best American Express credit cards”>American Express</a>, <a href=”https://www.finder.com/credit-cards/compare-discover-credit-cards” title=”Compare Discover credit cards”>Discover</a>, or <a href=”https://www.finder.com/credit-cards/chase-credit-cards” title=”Best Chase credit cards”>Chase</a> are a few other examples of providers that offer the same breadth of quality and variety as Citi.
</div>
</div>
</div>

<h3 data-toc=”false” id=”bottom” class=”header-sideline”>Bottom line</h3>
While travel cards are Citi’s bread and butter, the provider offers a superb cashback product and top-notch balance transfer cards.

If you’re not sure whether a Citi product is right for you, <a href=”https://www.finder.com/credit-cards/best-credit-cards” title=”The best credit cards”>check out market-leading credit cards</a> to compare more options.

<h3 data-toc=”false” class=”header-sideline”>Frequently asked questions</h3>
<strong>How does Citi keep my credit card information secure?</strong>
Citi uses advanced technology to keep your information safe online and on mobile. It deploys 128-bit SSL encryption to secure the information you transmit, as well as an SSL certificate that helps you confirm you’re on the correct website. Additionally, the bank uses two-step verification if it needs to confirm your identity.

<strong>What should I do if I lose my Citi card?</strong>
First, lock your card with Citi Quick Lock. Then call 800-950-5114 to report your lost card. Citi will cancel your current account, then issue you a new account number and credit card.

<strong>Can I cancel my Citi card without calling?</strong>
To <a href=”https://www.finder.com/credit-cards/how-to-cancel-a-credit-card” title=”How to cancel a Citi credit card”>cancel your Citi card online</a>, you have to chat with a Citi representative. This may not always work, in which case you’ll need to call in to cancel.

<div class=”box has-shadow” style=”padding-bottom: 0px;”>
<h4 id=”methodology” style=”text-align: left;”>How we rate our cards</h4>

</div>