Editor’s observe: This publish has been up to date with new info and provides. Citi is a TPG promoting associate.
Citi Premier® Card overview
The Citi Premier® Card is an under-the-radar gem with an outstanding vary of bonus classes. Whereas the cardboard isn’t as sturdy on the redemption facet as related choices from Chase or Amex, the flexibility to earn 3 factors per greenback on air journey, resorts, gasoline stations, supermarkets and eating places (together with takeout) for simply $95 a yr continues to be a reasonably nice deal. Card ranking*: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
* Card ranking is predicated on the opinion of TPG’s editors and isn’t influenced by the cardboard issuer.
This card is without doubt one of the finest earners on on a regular basis spending. It accrues 3 factors per greenback on air journey, resorts, gasoline stations, eating places and supermarkets. Not unhealthy for a card with a $95 annual price.
Not solely that, however the factors you earn with the Citi Premier are among the many most versatile rewards currencies and are value 1.8 cents every by TPG valuations. That’s as a result of Citi has improved the ThankYou Rewards program considerably over time to compete with American Specific Membership Rewards and Chase Final Rewards.
Right here’s what else you need to learn about this card — and why you would possibly need to apply now.
Associated: The most effective Citi bank cards
Citi Premier welcome provide
The Citi Premier is at present providing 60,000 bonus factors after you spend $4,000 on purchases inside the first three months of account opening. Citi makes use of a somewhat fascinating rule to find out bonus eligibility, although.
You gained’t be capable of earn the bonus on the Citi Premier in the event you’ve opened or closed the Citi Rewards+® Card, Citi ThankYou® Most well-liked*, Citi Premier or Citi Status® Card* within the final 24 months. Most issuers rely that point solely based mostly on whenever you opened a card or obtained a bonus, however with Citi, your clock additionally resets in the event you shut a card, so it’s all within the timing.
*The Citi ThankYou Most well-liked and Citi Status are not obtainable for brand spanking new candidates. The data for the Citi Status has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.
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There’s a $95 annual price on the Citi Premier.
Associated: The last word information to bank card utility restrictions
Incomes factors with the Citi Premier
The Citi Premier’s incomes construction is one side the place the cardboard shines. Cardholders earn 3 factors per greenback on purchases within the following classes, with no caps or annual limits:
The cardboard additionally earns 1 level per greenback on all different purchases.
These incomes charges are among the many most spectacular of any journey rewards card, particularly contemplating the Citi Premier’s inexpensive annual price.
Nonetheless, to coincide with the launch of Citi Journey with Reserving.com, Premier cardholders can earn 10 factors per greenback on bookings for resorts, rental automobiles and eligible points of interest when reserving by way of the portal by way of June 30, 2024.
Associated: The 8 finest bank cards with annual charges beneath $100
Citi Premier advantages
The Citi Premier can also be a best choice for vacationers, because of its participation within the ThankYou Rewards program, which at present has 14 airline switch companions and two resort companions.
Whilst you’ll discover that lots of the frequent-flyer packages are these of worldwide airways, there are nonetheless some high-value (and simply redeemable) awards to be booked by way of them.
As an illustration, you possibly can leverage Air France-KLM Flying Blue miles for respectable business-class award availability on these airways and their SkyTeam companions, get some phenomenal offers on Star Alliance awards utilizing Avianca LifeMiles and offset paid fares with JetBlue TrueBlue.
You too can redeem your ThankYou Factors for journey immediately by way of the Citi portal at a fee of 1 cent every, however that’s effectively under TPG’s valuation of ThankYou factors at 1.8 cents every, a quantity derived partly from Citi’s in depth listing of switch companions.
Associated: The last word information to Citi ThankYou Rewards
CITI PREMIER BENEFITS
A lot of the Citi Premier’s worth proposition comes from its capability to earn bonus factors in a slew of classes with out charging a hefty annual price. As such, you shouldn’t count on an awesome variety of perks, however there are a number of advantages of this card that may provide help to recoup your annual price:
- $100 annual resort credit score: You’ll get pleasure from a $100 credit score as soon as per calendar yr for single-stay resort bookings of $500 or extra (excluding taxes and charges) made by way of the Citi journey portal.
- Prolonged guarantee safety: Provides 24 months to a producer’s guarantee.
- Harm and theft safety: Repairs or replaces an merchandise broken or stolen inside 90 days of buy (as much as $10,000 per incident and $50,000 per yr).
- World Elite Mastercard advantages: As a World Elite Mastercard, the Citi Premier confers a number of travel-related perks that buyers may not learn about. These embrace a $5 month-to-month Lyft credit score after taking three rides in a calendar month and entry to the Mastercard luxurious resorts and resorts portfolio for on-property perks like complimentary breakfast and room upgrades upon availability. Via the World Elite Mastercard program, you’ll additionally get pleasure from perks like cellphone safety and International Emergency Providers.
- Citi® Leisure: This program provides cardholders particular entry to buy tickets to 1000’s of occasions — from concert events and sporting occasions to distinctive eating experiences and film screenings — earlier than most people can purchase them.
- No overseas transaction charges: Like all good journey card, the Citi Premier permits you to journey freely with out incurring a price on worldwide spending.
Which playing cards compete with the Citi Premier?
As an inexpensive journey rewards card, the Citi Premier has a couple of direct rivals that is likely to be a greater match for you:
- In case you choose Chase playing cards: The Chase Sapphire Most well-liked Card, with an annual price of $95, competes immediately with the Citi Premier. Whereas Chase’s switch companions (together with United MileagePlus and Southwest Fast Rewards) is likely to be extra helpful for a lot of vacationers, there are some overlaps, together with Singapore KrisFlyer, Emirates Skywards and Virgin Atlantic Flying Membership. For extra info, learn our full evaluate of the Sapphire Most well-liked.
- If you need a flat earnings fee: Attempt the Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card. It, too, expenses a $95 annual price, however this card comes with a much less profitable (however a lot less complicated) incomes fee of two miles per greenback on all purchases. As an alternative of an annual resort credit score, you’ll rise up to a $100 International Entry or TSA PreCheck utility credit score as soon as each 4 years with the Enterprise. You’ll even get two annual lounge visits per yr to Capital One’s nascent community of airport lounges — or use these passes at over 100 Plaza Premium lounge areas. For extra info, learn our full evaluate of the Enterprise Rewards.
- If you need a great deal of perks: One of many Citi Premier’s closest rivals over at American Specific is the American Specific® Gold Card, which earns 4 factors per greenback at eating places, 4 factors per greenback at U.S. supermarkets on the primary $25,000 in purchases per calendar yr (then 1 per greenback), 3 factors per greenback on flights booked immediately with airways or by way of Amex Journey and 1 level per greenback on different eligible purchases. The Amex Gold Card additionally comes with as much as $10 in month-to-month eating credit at choose eating places (as much as $120 in annual assertion credit) and as much as $10 in month-to-month U.S. Uber Money (as much as $120 yearly), offsetting nearly all of the $250 annual price (see charges and charges). Enrollment is required for choose advantages. For extra info, learn our full evaluate of the Citi Premier.
For added choices, try our full listing of journey rewards playing cards.
Learn extra: Chase Sapphire Most well-liked vs. Citi Premier: Which mid-tier journey card is best?
Backside line
Regardless of a bevy of rivals, the Citi Premier’s lengthy listing of bonus classes and strong sign-up bonus make it one of the crucial profitable points-earning playing cards in its worth vary. The strong of ThankYou Rewards switch companions makes this card compelling, particularly for vacationers who need the flexibleness to redeem factors with varied loyalty packages. It is value a glance in the event you’re a fan of Citi.
Official utility hyperlink: Citi Premier Card with 60,000 bonus ThankYou factors after $4,000 in spending within the first three months of account opening.
Further reporting by Ryan Wilcox, Stella Shon, Eric Rosen and Christina Ly.
For charges and charges of the Amex Gold Card, click on right here.
