Best Citi Credit Cards of January 2025
Updated: Dec 23, 2024
+ 2 more+ 2 more
Citi-branded credit cards include a fantastic flat-rate cash-back card, a card with rewards that adjust to your spending, cards with extra-long 0% APR periods for balance transfers, and even an outstanding store card. Some Citi cards earn rewards in the form of ThankYou points, and many Citi cards offer access to Citi Entertainment deals.
Why trust NerdWallet
400+ credit cards reviewed by our team of experts (See our top picks)
80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance
27,000+ hours spent researching and reviewing financial products in the last 12 months
Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics (Methodology)
NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, The New York Times, MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America" and many other national, regional and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
Citi-branded credit cards include a fantastic flat-rate cash-back card, a card with rewards that adjust to your spending, cards with extra-long 0% APR periods for balance transfers, and even an outstanding store card. Some Citi cards earn rewards in the form of ThankYou points, and many Citi cards offer access to Citi Entertainment deals.
Why trust NerdWallet
400+ credit cards reviewed by our team of experts (See our top picks)
80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance
27,000+ hours spent researching and reviewing financial products in the last 12 months
Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics (Methodology)
NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards.
Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today,
The New York Times, MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America"
and many other national, regional and local media outlets.
Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
Show More
Citi-branded credit cards include a fantastic flat-rate cash-back card, a card with rewards that adjust to your spending, cards with extra-long 0% APR periods for balance transfers, and even an outstanding store card. Some Citi cards earn rewards in the form of ThankYou points, and many Citi cards offer access to Citi Entertainment deals.
Why trust NerdWallet
400+ credit cards reviewed by our team of experts (See our top picks)
80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance
27,000+ hours spent researching and reviewing financial products in the last 12 months
Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics (Methodology)
NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, The New York Times, MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America" and many other national, regional and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
Citi-branded credit cards include a fantastic flat-rate cash-back card, a card with rewards that adjust to your spending, cards with extra-long 0% APR periods for balance transfers, and even an outstanding store card. Some Citi cards earn rewards in the form of ThankYou points, and many Citi cards offer access to Citi Entertainment deals.
Why trust NerdWallet
400+ credit cards reviewed by our team of experts (See our top picks)
80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance
27,000+ hours spent researching and reviewing financial products in the last 12 months
Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics (Methodology)
NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, The New York Times, MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America" and many other national, regional and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
Why trust NerdWallet
400+ credit cards reviewed by our team of experts (See our top picks)
80+ years of combined experience covering credit cards and personal finance
27,000+ hours spent researching and reviewing financial products in the last 12 months
Objective comprehensive ratings rubrics (Methodology)
NerdWallet's credit cards content, including ratings and recommendations, is overseen by a team of writers and editors who specialize in credit cards. Their work has appeared in The Associated Press, USA Today, The New York Times, MarketWatch, MSN, NBC's "Today," ABC's "Good Morning America" and many other national, regional and local media outlets. Each writer and editor follows NerdWallet's strict guidelines for editorial integrity.
NerdWallet's Best Citi Credit Cards of January 2025
Citi Double Cash® Card: Best for Flat-rate cash back
Citi Custom Cash® Card: Best for Automatic 5% rewards
Citi Strata Premier℠ Card: Best for Travel rewards
Citi Simplicity® Card: Best for Balance transfers + no late fees
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card: Best for Balance transfers
Citi Rewards+® Card: Best for Outsize rewards on small purchases
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi: Best for Wholesale shoppers
Show SummaryHide Summary
Best Citi Credit Cards From Our Partners
| Credit card | NerdWallet rating | Annual fee | Rewards rate | Intro offer | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Citi Double Cash® CardApply Now on Citibank's application on Citibank's application | Best for Flat-rate cash back | $0 | 1%-5% | $200 | Apply Now on Citibank's application on Citibank's application |
 Citi Strata Premier℠ CardApply Now on Citibank's application on Citibank's application | Best for Travel rewards | $95 | 1x-10x | 75,000 points | Apply Now on Citibank's application on Citibank's application |
 Citi Custom Cash® CardApply Now on Citibank's application on Citibank's application | Best for Automatic 5% rewards | $0 | 1%-5% | $200 | Apply Now on Citibank's application on Citibank's application |
 Citi Simplicity® CardApply Now on Citibank's application on Citibank's application | Best for Balance transfers + no late fees | $0 | N/A | N/A | Apply Now on Citibank's application on Citibank's application |
 Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by CitiApply Now on Citibank's application on Citibank's application | Best for Wholesale shoppers | $0 | 1%-4% | N/A | Apply Now on Citibank's application on Citibank's application |
 Citi® Diamond Preferred® CardApply Now on Citibank's application on Citibank's application | Best for Balance transfers | $0 | N/A | N/A | Apply Now on Citibank's application on Citibank's application |
 Citi Rewards+® CardApply Now on Citibank's application on Citibank's application | Best for Outsize rewards on small purchases | $0 | 1x-5x | 20,000 points | Apply Now on Citibank's application on Citibank's application |
Find the right credit card for you.
Whether you want to pay less interest or earn more rewards, the right card's out there. Just answer a few questions and we'll narrow the search for you.
Whether you want to pay less interest or earn more rewards, the right card's out there. Just answer a few questions and we'll narrow the search for you.
Our pick for: Flat-rate cash back
Rewards breakdown
Card details
- 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, a special travel offer, earn 5% total cash back on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on the Citi Travel℠ portal through 12/31/25.
- Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 18.49% - 28.49%, 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).
- View Rates & Fees
NerdWallet's take
The Citi Double Cash® Card offers one of the highest flat cash-back rates available. You get 2% back on everything you buy: 1% when you make purchases and 1% when you pay them off. The introductory 0% APR period for balance transfers also appeals to anyone looking to consolidate credit card debt.
The Citi Double Cash® Card stands out for both for its simplicity and relative generosity. You don’t have to worry about keeping track of rotating rewards categories or opting into quarterly offers. You can get a high ongoing rewards rate on all purchases. Another upside? The $0 annual fee.
The 0% introductory APR offer applies only to balance transfers, so it's not ideal for financing a purchase — nor is it ideal for using abroad, thanks to its foreign transaction fee.
Our pick for: Travel rewards
Rewards breakdown
Card details
- For a limited time, earn 75,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $750 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
- View Rates & Fees
NerdWallet's take
The rewards on the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card are generous. It earns 10X points on hotels, rental cars and attractions booked through Citi and 3X points on airfare, other hotels, gas stations, and restaurants. Other purchases earn 1 point per dollar. It also offers a good sign-up bonus: For a limited time, earn 75,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $750 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.
The sign-up bonus and ongoing rewards make the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card an attractive travel card. The card also comes with no foreign transaction fees, concierge service, early ticket and VIP access to events, and the ability to transfer points to participating airline loyalty programs.
The annual fee is $95. And as with other Citi cards that earn ThankYou points, the value of the points varies depending on how you redeem them; choosing cash back gives you less bang for your buck. The list of airline transfer partners is lacking in good domestic options.
Our pick for: Automatic 5% rewards
Rewards breakdown
Card details
- 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.
- 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 18.49% - 28.49%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Also, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2026.
- No rotating bonus categories to sign up for – as your spending changes each billing cycle, your earn adjusts automatically when you spend in any of the eligible categories.
- No Annual Fee
- Citi will only issue one Citi Custom Cash® Card account per person.
- View Rates & Fees
NerdWallet's take
The Citi Custom Cash® Card is one of the most valuable, versatile and low-maintenance cards in the issuer's portfolio, offering a 5% rewards rate on eligible purchases for an annual fee of $0. Terms apply.
You'll earn 5% back automatically on up to $500 spent in your eligible top spending category per billing cycle. (Other purchases earn 1% back.) Those eligible spending categories include major ones like restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations, travel and more. The card also features an intro APR and a rich sign-up bonus.
Your bonus rewards will be limited by that $500-a-month spending cap. And the card's ongoing rate on other purchases — 1% back — is pretty low. So you'll want to use this card strategically.
Our pick for: Balance transfers + no late fees
Card details
- No Late Fees, No Penalty Rate, and No Annual Fee... Ever
- 0% Intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers from date of first transfer and 0% Intro APR for 12 months on purchases from date of account opening. After that the variable APR will be 18.49% - 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening.
- 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).
- Stay protected with Citi® Quick Lock
- View Rates & Fees
NerdWallet's take
The Citi Simplicity® Card offers an introductory APR of 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months and 0% intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months, and then the ongoing APR of 18.49%-29.24% Variable APR. That's a solid no interest window. The card also stands out for its lack of late fees.
If you're looking to consolidate debt, or even if you just need short-term financing, this card can fit the bill. Aside from its lack of late fees, it has an annual fee of $0. The card also allows you to select your own payment due date, which can be helpful if your bank account tends to run low at times.
The card offers no rewards. If you're primarily looking to finance a purchase rather than transfer debt, you can get a longer 0% purchase APR period on other cards, including many that offer rewards.
Our pick for: Wholesale shoppers
Rewards breakdown
Card details
- Discover one of Citi's best cash back rewards cards designed exclusively for Costco members
- 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter
- 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases
- 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
- View Rates & Fees
NerdWallet's take
If you’re already a Costco member and spend a lot on gas, restaurants and travel, the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi could make a lot of sense for you. And it can be used anywhere, not just at Costco.
The ongoing rewards are rich: 4% cash back on eligible gas and EV charging purchases on up to $7,000 in spending a year (1% after that); 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases; 2% cash back at Costco and Costco.com; and 1% back on all other purchases. The annual fee is $0 (though you do have to be a Costco member, which requires a yearly membership fee). The card charges no foreign transaction fee, so it's a good travel companion.
The card offers no sign-up bonus, and cardholders are limited in how and when they can redeem their rewards. You receive a rewards certificate once a year in your February billing statement. Also, for a store card, 2% back at Costco and Costco.com is a surprisingly low rate. Other store cards can offer better incentives for shopping specifically with that retailer.
Our pick for: Balance transfers
Card details
- 0% Intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers from date of first transfer and 0% Intro APR for 12 months on purchases from date of account opening. After that the variable APR will be 17.49% - 28.24%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance transfers must be completed within 4 months of account opening.
- There is a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
- Get free access to your FICO® Score online.
- With Citi Entertainment®, get special access to purchase tickets to thousands of events, including concerts, sporting events, dining experiences and more.
- No Annual Fee - our low intro rates and all the benefits don’t come with a yearly charge.
- View Rates & Fees
NerdWallet's take
The Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card is all about the long 0% intro APR period. It's about as much breathing room as you'll find anywhere for transferring debt.
The long 0% period for transfers is this card's defining feature, giving you more than a year to whittle down debt.
Because this card doesn't earn rewards, there's not a lot of ongoing value to the card once that 0% period runs out. Plus, it charges a 5% balance transfer fee (minimum $5).
Our pick for: Outsize rewards on small purchases
Rewards breakdown
Card details
- Earn 20,000 bonus points after you spend $1,500 in purchases with your card within 3 months of account opening; redeemable for $200 in gift cards at thankyou.com
- Plus, as a special offer, earn a total of 5 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com through December 31, 2025.
- 0% Intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months from date of first transfer and on purchases from date of account opening. After that, the variable APR will be 17.99% - 27.99%, 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 2X ThankYou® Points at Supermarkets and Gas Stations for the first $6,000 per year and then 1X Points thereafter. Plus, earn 1X ThankYou® Points on All Other Purchases.
- The Citi Rewards+® Card - the only credit card that automatically rounds up to the nearest 10 points on every purchase - with no cap.
- No Annual Fee
- View Rates & Fees
NerdWallet's take
The Citi Rewards+® Card is an intriguing choice for people who make a lot of small purchases because it automatically rounds up the number of points you earn when you buy something.
You earn 2 points per dollar spent at supermarkets and gas stations (for the first $6,000 spent per year) and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. Every purchase is rounded up to the next 10 points. So a $4 coffee earns 10 points, and a $54 bill at the supermarket becomes 110 points (54 x 2 = 108, rounded up to 110). You get 10% of your points back when you redeem, on up to 100,000 redeemed points per year. There's a decent sign-up bonus and a good 0% intro APR period.
The rewards earning system is rather complicated, and rewards redemption isn't as straightforward as cash back. If you spend a lot on groceries and gas, in particular, you can find more lucrative options.
ALSO SEE: Best credit cards of 2025 || Visa || Mastercard || American Express || Discover || Bank of America® || Capital One || Chase || Citi || US Bank || Wells Fargo
BEST CITI CREDIT CARDS
Before applying, confirm details on the issuer’s website.
Citi Double Cash® Card
Our pick for: Flat-rate cash back
Year after year, the Citi Double Cash® Card has been a top choice among flat-rate cash-back cards. You earn 2% cash back on every purchase — 1% when you buy something and 1% when you pay it off. There's no 0% intro period for purchases and no bonus categories, but the high rewards rate more than makes up for the lack of bells and whistles. Read our review.
Citi Custom Cash® Card
Our pick for: Automatic 5% rewards
The Citi Custom Cash® Card offers a lot of value for a $0 annual fee: 5% back automatically in your eligible top spending category on up to $500 spent per billing cycle (1% back on other spending). The list of eligible 5% categories is varied and includes biggies like restaurants, grocery stores and more. And unlike with its competitors, there's no activation schedule or bonus calendar to keep track of. Read our review.
Citi's cash back credit cards — the Citi Double Cash® Card and the Citi Custom Cash® Card — technically earn rewards in the form of ThankYou points. These points are worth 1 cent apiece when redeemed for cash back. So "2% cash back" appears in your rewards account as 2 points per dollar spent, while "5% cash back" would appear as 5 points per dollar.
Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
Our pick for: Travel
The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card earns bonus points on select travel, supermarkets, dining, gas stations and EV stations. There's a solid sign-up bonus as well. Read our review.
Citi Simplicity® Card
Our pick for: Balance transfers + no late fees
The Citi Simplicity® Card has an excellent 0% intro APR period on balance transfers, and an OK one on purchases. It doesn't charge an annual fee, late fees or penalty APRs either. Read our review.
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
Our pick for: Balance transfers
The Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card offers a super-lengthy 0% intro APR period on balance transfers, and there's also a decent offer on purchases. But the balance transfer fee is pricey. It doesn't have the late-fee forgiveness of Citi's other balance-transfer card, but it's still a great option. Read our review.
Citi Rewards+® Card
Our pick for: Outsize rewards on small purchases
The Citi Rewards+® Card might not be right for everyone, but its unique rounding-up feature means that every purchase will earn at least 10 points. The card offers bonus rewards at gas stations and supermarkets and has no annual fee. And the 0% intro APR period shouldn't be overlooked. Read our review.
Citi® Secured Mastercard®
Our pick for: Building credit
The Citi® Secured Mastercard® is a straightforward card for people new to credit — put down a security deposit, use the card to establish a positive credit history and then move up to a better card (and get your deposit back). One note: This card is for people just starting out with credit, rather than people with bad credit from past mistakes. Read our review.
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
Our pick for: Wholesale club shoppers
The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi turns everyday spending into rewards you can redeem at Costco (although you can only redeem them once a year). You earn bonus rewards on gas, at restaurants, on travel and at Costco itself. There's no annual fee for the card, but you have to be a Costco member (which does require a fee). Read our review.
OTHER CARDS ISSUED BY CITI
Citi also issues branded credit cards in partnership with American Airlines and AT&T. Learn more about these cards by reading the reviews linked below:
ASK OUR CREDIT CARD EXPERTS
Kenley Young
Kenley YoungWHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE CITI CARD, AND WHY?
The Double Cash is, for me, the magical island of misfit spending. Paying your HOA fees? Your dentist? Your day care? Good luck finding a card with those as bonus categories. Put that spending on the Double Cash and at least get your 2% back.
Kenley Young
Editor, credit cards
Craig Joseph
Craig JosephWHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE CITI CARD, AND WHY?
Custom Cash is my dedicated gas card. It has no annual fee, and gives me 5% cash back every time I fill up my car or RV.
Craig Joseph
Writer, travel rewards
Melissa Lambarena
Melissa LambarenaWHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE CITI CARD, AND WHY?
The Citi Double Cash is my favorite card because you don’t have to give much thought to the rewards you’ll earn. It’s simple and easy to use.
Melissa Lambarena
Writer, credit cards
Sara Rathner
Sara RathnerWHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE CITI CARD, AND WHY?
The Double Cash has a dedicated spot in my wallet. Everyone needs a decent card that goes with everything, like a well-fitting pair of jeans.
Sara Rathner
Writer/spokesperson, credit cards
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE CITI CARD, AND WHY?
The Double Cash is, for me, the magical island of misfit spending. Paying your HOA fees? Your dentist? Your day care? Good luck finding a card with those as bonus categories. Put that spending on the Double Cash and at least get your 2% back.
Kenley Young
Editor, credit cards
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE CITI CARD, AND WHY?
Custom Cash is my dedicated gas card. It has no annual fee, and gives me 5% cash back every time I fill up my car or RV.
Craig Joseph
Writer, travel rewards
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE CITI CARD, AND WHY?
The Citi Double Cash is my favorite card because you don’t have to give much thought to the rewards you’ll earn. It’s simple and easy to use.
Melissa Lambarena
Writer, credit cards
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE CITI CARD, AND WHY?
The Double Cash has a dedicated spot in my wallet. Everyone needs a decent card that goes with everything, like a well-fitting pair of jeans.
Sara Rathner
Writer/spokesperson, credit cards
WHAT CREDIT SCORE DO YOU NEED TO GET A CITI CREDIT CARD?
Most Citi credit cards require good to excellent credit to qualify, generally defined as a credit score of 690 or better. Keep in mind, though, that while credit scores are important, they're only one of the variables that credit card issuers use to decide whether you qualify for a given card. The application may ask about other factors, such as your income, employment and other debts. With any credit card, applying strategically can also increase your odds of approval.
The Citi® Secured Mastercard® is an option for those who are new to credit. This card requires a cash deposit to secure the credit line and doesn't offer any rewards. Learn how secured cards work.
WHAT ARE THE INTEREST RATES ON CITI CREDIT CARDS?
The interest rate that applies to your Citi credit card account depends on the card you apply for and your credit history. Most Citi cards specify a range of interest rates, which can be found in the Schumer box for the card. For example, the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card offers an interest rate range of 20.49%-28.49% Variable APR. Your specific rate within that range will be determined based on your credit profile. Some cards, like the Citi Custom Cash® Card and the Citi Rewards+® Card, offer an introductory 0% APR period when you open your account.
WHAT CREDIT LIMIT CAN I GET WITH A CITI CREDIT CARD?
For most Citi cards, your credit limit will depend on your credit profile, including your credit score and payment history, as well as financial factors like your income and current obligations. For the Citi® Secured Mastercard®, your credit limit will be equal to the security deposit you put down (minimum of $200). Citi will review your account within 18 months to decide whether to refund your security deposit and transition you to a regular unsecured card.
HOW CAN I GET A CREDIT LIMIT INCREASE ON A CITI CREDIT CARD?
The easiest way to get a credit limit increase on your Citi card is just to ask for one. Call the number on the back of your card and ask a customer service representative about increasing your credit line. Citi may request a review of your credit report to increase your credit line, which might result in a hard pull.
Citi may also conduct periodic reviews of your account and automatically increase your credit line if you’ve been using the account responsibly. You may be able to improve your chances of an automatic increase by making on-time payments and not carrying a balance from month to month.
If you have an existing credit card with Citi and are approved for a new card, Citi will let you consolidate your credit limits and transfer a portion of your existing credit line to the new account. Call customer service and let them know how much of the existing credit line you’d like to transfer to the new account.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF CITI CREDIT CARDS?
All Citi cards offer free access to a cardholder's FICO credit score from Eqiufax. Many cards come with targeted offers that let you earn bonus rewards by shopping with specific merchants. And most Citi cards offer access to Citi Entertainment deals.
The Citi Flex Loan program allows qualifying cardholders to borrow money against their card’s credit limit at a fixed interest rate; the loan can then be paid off with fixed monthly installments (similar to a car loan). The minimum loan is $500, and the maximum depends on your creditworthiness and available credit limit.
Additional benefits depend on the card. If you’re looking for travel rewards and benefits, the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card offers a sign-up bonus, useful bonus rewards categories and the ability to transfer points to more than 15 travel loyalty programs. If you want to finance a new purchase, the introductory 0% APR offer on the Citi Custom Cash® Card might be worth checking out. Or if you are looking to consolidate debt under an introductory 0% APR balance transfer option, take a look at the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card or Citi Simplicity® Card.
DOES CITI HAVE A PREAPPROVAL PROCESS FOR ITS CREDIT CARDS?
Citi lets you see whether you’re "pre-qualified" for any card offers. But pre-qualification does not necessarily guarantee approval when you apply for a card. The pre-qualification process includes a so-called soft pull of your credit report, which doesn't have any effect on your credit scores. Think of pre-qualification as a "soft yes" — it means the issuer estimates that it's likely you'll be approved. If you like what you see, you can formally apply for a card, which will involve a more detailed review and will result in a hard pull that can knock some points off your credit score.
CAN YOU COMBINE POINTS ON CITI CREDIT CARDS?
If you have multiple cards that earn Citi ThankYou points, you can consolidate the points on one account. This can be done online or by calling customer service. Although each ThankYou point is worth 1 cent when redeemed for a statement credit, regardless of what type of card you have, combining points has its benefits.
If you have both the Citi Double Cash® Card and the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card, you can move points to the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card account and gain access to travel partners with points earned on your Citi Double Cash® Card.
Or if you have the Citi Rewards+® Card, you can consolidate points to that account and earn a 10% rebate on the first 100,000 ThankYou points you redeem each year.
IF MY APPLICATION FOR A CITI CARD IS DENIED, IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO TO GET APPROVED?
Citi has a reconsideration line you can call if an application is denied. A Citi representative will review the application and let you know why you were originally denied. Sometimes turning a denial into an approval is as simple as asking to reallocate credit from an existing card to the card you want to open. You won’t receive another hard pull, so there’s no harm in calling for reconsideration.
NerdWallet's Craig Joseph contributed to this article.
METHODOLOGY
NerdWallet's credit cards team selects the best credit cards in each category based on overall consumer value. Factors in our evaluation include fees, promotional and ongoing APRs, and sign-up bonuses; for rewards cards, we consider earning and redemption rates, redemption options and redemption difficulty. A single card is eligible to be chosen as among the "best" in multiple categories. Learn how NerdWallet rates credit cards.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What’s the easiest Citi card to get?
Citi’s credit cards mostly require good to excellent credit — think in terms of a credit score in the 700s and up. Generally, the more perks a card offers, the better your credit needs to be to qualify. If you're building credit, you could consider the Citi® Secured Mastercard®, which requires you to put down a security deposit. Note, however, that the Citi® Secured Mastercard® is mostly for people who are new to credit, not people who have bad credit because of past problems.
How do I cancel a Citi credit card?
You can cancel your Citi card online through the Citi website or app, by calling the number on the back of your card or by visiting a Citi bank branch. You’ll lose the available credit on your card when you cancel, but you may be able to transfer that credit line to another Citi card if you have one.
How many Citi credit cards can you have?
There is no limit to the number of Citi cards you can have at once. However, Citi has some specific rules you’ll want to know about before you apply for multiple Citi cards.
How do I activate a Citi credit card?
You can activate a new Citi card through the Citi website or mobile app, or by calling the number on the sticker on the front of your new card once you receive it in the mail.
How do I check my Citi credit card application status?
You can check your Citi card application status online or by calling 888-201-4523.
About the author
