How to choose your next Citi travel card (2019 guide)
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A rundown of Citi travel cards, including our “best of” picks.
Chase and American Express products often dominate in the travel space, but a Citi travel card might be well worth a look too.
To choose the right card, consider whether you want a product for ThankYou Points, American Airlines, Costco or Expedia. Then think about the bonus rewards you might earn.
Compare Citi travel credit cards
Citi travel card overview
There are 12 Citi travel cards that offer either rewards redeemable for travel or bonus rewards for travel spending.
These cards can be split into four categories: cards that let you earn ThankYou points, as well as cobranded American Airlines, Costco and Expedia cards.
In the following sections, we’ll cover the benefits of each Citibank travel card and pick our favorites in each category.
ThankYou Points are Citi’s in-house rewards. You can redeem them for multiple items, including flights, hotels, gift cards, merchandise, statement credit and charitable donations.
You can get the highest value from your ThankYou Points by transferring them to Citi’s travel partners, which include JetBlue, Singapore Airlines, Virgin Atlantic and more.
This is Citi’s flagship card, and it’ll set you back $495 a year. For the price, however, you’ll earn a stellar 5x points on air travel and restaurants, plus great rewards in other travel categories.
Airport lounge access and a strong annual travel credit are welcome, though expected, perks. The card’s real standout feature is its complimentary-fourth-night at a hotel benefit, which can easily offset the annual fee.
Signup bonus. Earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. According to Citi, they’re worth $500 in travel when redeemed through the ThankYou Travel Center.
Rewards. Earn 5x points on air travel and restaurants. Earn 3x points on hotels and cruise lines. And earn 1x points on all other purchases.
Complimentary-fourth-night. Get a complimentary fourth night when you book a four-night-minimum hotel booking through the ThankYou portal. Starting September 1, 2019, this benefit will be capped at two times a year.
Airport lounge access. Get complimentary access to airport lounges around the world with Priority Pass Select.
Travel credit. Enjoy a $250 annual travel credit, which applies to purchases in categories such as airlines, hotels, car rentals, car services, parking garages and cruises.
This Citibank travel card more than holds its own against the fan-favorite Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, which is an impressive feat.
It offers better rewards than its rival, including 3x points on travel and 2x points on entertainment and dining out. It also allows point transfers for great reward flexibility.
Annual fee. Get your annual fee waived for the first 12 months. After that, it’s $95.
Signup bonus. Earn 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening.
Rewards. Get 3x points on travel, 2x points on entertainment and dining out and 1x points on everything else.
Transfer points. Transfer your points to airline loyalty programs, including Asia Miles, LifeMiles and KrisFlyer. You can make transfers at a 1:1 ratio with most programs.
You’ll earn 2x points at supermarkets and gas stations on the first $6,000 per year, then 1x points. This isn’t bad, but you’ll find better grocery and gas credit cards from other providers.
If the card’s point rounding and point rebate catch your eye, consider your annual spending and see whether those features will produce substantial returns.
Annual fee. Don’t pay any fee to own the card.
Signup bonus. Earn 15,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
Rewards. Earn 2x points at supermarkets and gas stations on the first $6,000 per year, then 1x points. Earn 1x points on all other purchases.
Round up. Get your points rounded up to the nearest 10 points on every purchase.
Earn 10% points back. Earn this on the first 100,000 points you redeem each calendar year.
0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers. After that, 15.74% to 25.74% variable applies.
TheCiti Rewards+℠ Card is outclassed by other gas-and-grocery cards. But turn it into a Citi Rewards+℠ Student Card and it’s a good deal, with solid rewards and an intro APR on purchases.
Annual fee. Don’t pay anything to own the card.
Signup bonus. Earn 2,500 bonus points after you spend $500 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
Rewards. Earn 2x points at supermarkets and gas stations on the first $6,000 per year, then 1x points. Earn 1x points on all other purchases.
Round up. Get your pointed rounds up to the nearest 10 points on every purchase.
Earn 10% points back. Earn this on the first 100,000 points you redeem each calendar year.
0% intro APR for seven months on purchases. After that, 16.74% to 26.74% variable applies.
This card might make sense if you’re a frequent shopper, but its bonus rewards may feel limited. For a great cash back alternative, consider the AT&T Access Card from Citi.
Annual fee. Don’t pay a fee to own the card.
Signup bonus. Earn 10,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
Rewards. Earn 2x points on products and services you purchase directly from AT&T, as well as on purchases you make at eligible retail and travel websites. Earn 1x points on other eligible purchases.
American Airlines cards
Look into a Citibank travel card in this category if you’re a regular American Airlines flyer, or if you want to save your rewards for flights on the carrier.
On top of offering reward miles, these cards may offer American Airlines-specific perks like in-flight savings, free checked baggage and preferred boarding.
Read this before applying for an American Airlines credit card
American Airlines has one disadvantage versus its biggest competitors, Delta and United. While you can transfer Amex Membership Rewards points to Delta and Chase Ultimate Reward points to United, there’s no major credit card that allows direct point transfers to American Airlines.
Here’s what that means: If you get a cobranded American Airlines card from Citi, you have fewer options to supplement your rewards via a general-rewards card. Consider the rewards you’d earn with your American Airlines card and how long it might take to earn enough for an award flight.
Also, consider whether you’re set on flying on American Airlines, or whether you might be just as happy with Delta or United. In the latter case, you can still find great cobranded cards.
This isn’t the premium American Airlines card, but it’s the “just right” option for most travelers. It offers American Airlines perks you won’t get elsewhere, such as your first checked bag free and preferred boarding on itineraries with the carrier. It also offers 2x miles not just on American Airlines purchases but also on restaurants and gas.
Annual fee. Get your annual fee waived for the first 12 months. It’ll revert to a $99 fee starting your second card year.
Signup bonus. 60,000 American Airlines AAdvantage bonus miles after you make $3,000 in purchases within the first three months of account opening.
American Airlines perks. Get your first checked bag free, preferred boarding, and get 25% savings on in-flight food and beverage purchases.
Rewards. Earn 2x miles on eligible American Airlines purchases, and at restaurants and gas stations. 1x miles on other eligible purchases.
$125 American Airlines Flight Discount. Earn this after you spend $20,000 in purchases during your card year and renew your card.
This business credit card is similar to the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite™ Mastercard®. The main difference is it offers 2x miles in select business categories, such as cable and satellite providers and select telecommunications providers.
Annual fee. Get your annual fee waived for the first 12 months. After that, a $99 fee applies.
Signup bonus. Get 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage bonus miles after you make $4,000 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening.
American Airlines perks. Get your first checked bag free, preferred boarding, 25% savings on in-flight food and beverage purchases and 25% savings on in-flight Wi-Fi purchases.
Rewards. Earn 2x miles on eligible American Airlines purchases, cable and satellite providers, select telecommunications merchants, car rentals, and at gas stations. Earn 1x miles on other eligible purchases.
American Airlines Companion Certificate. Earn this after you make $30,000 in purchases in a card year and renew your card.
Unfortunately, this card doesn’t offer preferred boarding or your first checked bag free on American Airlines itineraries. But it could be useful if you don’t want to deal with an annual fee and want to save up slowly for an American Airlines award flight.
Annual fee. Don’t pay anything to own the card.
Signup bonus. Earn 10,000 American Airlines AAdvantage bonus miles and a $50 statement credit after you make $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
American Airlines perks. Earn 25% savings on inflight drinks and snacks.
Rewards. Earn 2x miles on eligible American Airlines purchases. 2x miles at grocery stores, including delivery services. 1x miles on all other purchases.
This is American Airline’s flagship card, and it can be an automatic pick for the carrier’s most loyal flyers.
If you’re a diehard fan of the Admirals Club lounges, this card is an easy choice. Otherwise, you’ll find better rewards — as well as a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit — with other travel cards. Plus, the less-expensive Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite™ Mastercard® offers many of the same American Airlines-specific perks.
Signup bonus. Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage bonus miles after you make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
American Airlines perks. Get complimentary Admirals Club membership, your first checked bag free, priority boarding, priority check-in, priority airport screening, boarding privileges and get 25% savings on in-flight food and beverage purchases.
Rewards. Earn 2x miles on eligible American Airlines purchases. 1x miles on other purchases.
Global Entry/TSA PreCheck. Get application fee credit.
Elite Qualifying Miles. Earn 10,000 Elite Qualifying Miles after you spend $40,000 in purchases within the calendar year.
Concierge service. Get access to concierge services.
Costco cards
If you prefer simple cashback rewards, try the Costco credit cards. Before applying for one, make sure you have a Costco membership.
Here, you’ll find a great 3% cash back on travel purchases. On top of that, you’ll find strong rewards on gas, Costco and Costco.com purchases.
Annual fee. Don’t pay an annual fee if you have a paid Costco membership.
Rewards. Earn 4% cash back on eligible gas purchases for the first $7,000 per year, then 1%. Earn 3% on travel and restaurant purchases and 2% cash back on purchases from Costco and Costco.com. Earn 1% cash back on everything else.
This card offers the same great rewards as its personal-card version, and it might be useful if you need to separate your business expenses from your personal expenditures.
Annual fee. Don’t pay an annual fee if you have a paid Costco membership.
Rewards. Earn 4% cash back on eligible gas worldwide for the first $7,000 per year, then 1%. Earn 3% cash back on restaurant and eligible travel purchases, 2% cash back on purchases from Costco and Costco and 1% cash back on all other purchases.
Expedia card
There’s one Expedia card, which offers accelerated rewards at the online travel agency (OTA) and complimentary status in the company’s loyalty program.
Though you’ll earn 3x points on Expedia purchases, points are worth around 0.7 cents apiece. That means you’re earning a 2.1% rewards rate on Expedia spending — still good, but not as impressive as you’ll find with some other travel cards.
You might find the complimentary boost to Expedia Rewards Silver more useful. It offers special perks at VIP Access hotels — such as spa credits and free breakfast — as well as 10% more points on bookings.
Annual fee. Don’t pay a fee to own the card.
Signup bonus. Earn a $50 statement credit after you make your first eligible Expedia purchase over $50 within the first 3 months of account opening. Earn 10,000 Expedia Rewards bonus points after you spend $1,000 within the first 3 months of account opening.
Rewards. Earn 3x Expedia Rewards points on eligible Expedia purchases. 1x points on other purchases.
Complimentary Expedia Rewards Silver status.
Elite Qualifying Hotel Night. Earn one Elite Qualifying Hotel Night toward Gold status every $2,500 in purchases you make between your January and December billing statements.
How we chose our best credit cards
For many of our “best” picks, we chose products with the highest rewards rates. This is an important factor because it consistently generates value for a cardholder.
Rewards rate isn’t the only deciding factor, however. We also placed heavy emphasis on each Citibank travel card with perks you can’t find with other products. In these cases, premium cards aren’t always the best option if their features are replicated elsewhere. A lower-priced option may be a better value for more consumers.
What’s changed in 2019
The Citi Prestige® Credit Card — which has traditionally lagged behind other premium cards — is now a force to be reckoned with. Its revamped rewards structure can be incredibly valuable, and its fourth-night-free benefit is getting a second look from many consumers.
Unfortunately, the fourth-night-free benefit will be capped at twice a calendar year starting September 1, 2019, though it’ll still be a great deal.
How to compare Citi travel credit cards
What type of card do you want?
It can be helpful to decide which of the four categories of Citi cards appeals to you. If you’re a loyal customer of one of Citi’s cobranded partners, you might like an American Airlines, Costco or Expedia card.
Otherwise, you might like a card that offers ThankYou Points, which will give you more flexibility for reward redemptions.
Annual fee.
Consider whether you want to pay an annual fee. An annual-fee card might offer better rewards, but a no-annual-fee card will let you accrue travel rewards without the pressure of offsetting your card’s cost.
What type of rewards do you want?
Cash back is simple, and its value usually doesn’t change. Points, on the other hand, can be more complicated, as you won’t know their true value until you redeem them. While they can represent more headaches, they can offer more value than cash back.
Bonus-reward categories.
Each Citi travel card offers bonus rewards for certain categories. To get the most out of your card, you’ll want the bulk of your spending to match with those categories.
If your normal spending will bring you few bonus rewards, consider another card.
Signup bonus.
A signup bonus can sweeten the prospect of getting a credit card. Annual-fee cards tend to have higher signup bonuses than no-annual-fee cards.
If you want a travel card, take a look through Citi’s catalog. You’ll find great options that hold up well against products from Chase, American Express and other providers.
Kevin Joey Chen is a credit cards writer at finder.com. He's passionate about helping you get your finances in order and travel the world like a pro. He's taken an extended trip around Europe as a digital nomad, gaining firsthand experience with exchange rates, ideal (and not-so-ideal) credit and debit cards, foreign transactions and budgeting strategies. He earned his BA from UC Davis and has written across many niches at Finder, including cryptocurrency, personal loans, car insurance, real estate and money transfers.
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