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The Best Citi Credit Cards to Match Your Spending and Savings Goals

Review Updated
Brooklyn Sprunger
Author: Brooklyn Sprunger
Brooklyn Sprunger
Brooklyn Sprunger

Brooklyn leads the content team behind product reviews and ratings at Motley Fool Money, ensuring readers get well-researched, expert-backed insights to make smarter financial decisions. With nearly seven years working full-time in financial content -- four of them at The Motley Fool -- she has developed a deep passion for personal finance, from investing strategies to everyday money management. Her financial goals include buying a house and planning as many trips as her budget allows. In her free time, you’ll likely find her listening to a pop culture podcast or telling anyone who will listen to get a high-yield savings account.

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Nathan Alderman
Fact Checked: Nathan Alderman
Nathan Alderman
Nathan Alderman
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Nathan Alderman has been a full-time Motley Fool employee since 2005, making errors his arch-enemies in a variety of roles including a six-year stint as the dedicated fact-checker for The Motley Fool's premium newsletter services. As Motley Fool Money's Compliance Lead, he makes sure that all the site's information is accurate and up to date, which ensures we always steer readers right and keeps various financial partners happy. A graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism, Nathan spends his spare time volunteering for civic causes, writing and podcasting for fun, adoring his wife, and wrangling his two very large young children.

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Many or all of the products here are from our partners that compensate us. It’s how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures that our product ratings are not influenced by compensation. Citi is an advertising partner of Motley Fool Money.

So you've narrowed down your search for the perfect credit card to Citi -- nice choice. Whether you're looking to rack up cash back, book your next getaway for less, or just get some breathing room from high-interest debt, Citi has a lineup that offers something for everyone.

Below, I'll break down the best Citi credit cards and who they might be right for.

  • Our team of experts reviewed over 260 credit cards
  • We evaluate all credit cards across the same 4 key criteria: value, welcome experience, fees, and perks
  • Our credit card ratings are never influenced by our advertising partners
  • If we wouldn't recommend an offer to a close family member, we won't recommend it to you

Our aim is to maintain a balanced best-of list featuring top-scoring credit cards from reputable brands. 'Best for' category selections on this page are determined by our editors, and a single card may be recognized in multiple categories.

Two of our favorite Citi cards

Great for paying down debt with no late fees: Citi Simplicity® Card

  • Get 0% intro APR for 21 months on Balance Transfers and 12 months on Purchases -- one of the longest offers out there. Plus, no late fees or penalty APR, ever. The standard 18.24% - 28.99% (Variable) APR applies at the end of the intro period.

Great for simple, unlimited cash back: Citi Double Cash® Card

  • Earn 2% cash back on every purchase -- 1% when you buy, 1% when you pay -- with a $0 annual fee and no categories to track.

Best Citi credit cards

Best for balance transfers: Citi Simplicity® Card

Ratings Methodology
Award Icon 2025 Award Winner

Citi Simplicity® Card

Great for: Balance transfers

Read Review
Rates & Fees External Link Icon
Citi Simplicity® Card
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Read Review
Rates & Fees External Link Icon
Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Intro APR

Purchases: 0%, 12 months on Purchases

Balance Transfers: 0%, 21 months on Balance Transfers

Regular APR

18.24% - 28.99% (Variable)

Rewards

N/A

Annual Fee Circle with letter I in it. N/A

$0

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. 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).

Long intro balance transfer APR

  • This is one of our favorite cards for balance transfers. It has 0% intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers and a discounted balance transfer fee for the first four months. That combo makes it one of the most generous balance transfer offers we’ve seen. But it doesn't have much ongoing value after the intro 0% APR period ends.

    • Great intro APR
    • No annual fee
    • No late fees
    • No penalty APR
    • Choose your own payment date
    • No rewards
    • Foreign transaction fee
    • No Late Fees, No Penalty Rate, and No Annual Fee... Ever
    • 0% Intro APR on balance transfers for 21 months and on purchases for 12 months from date of account opening. After that the variable APR will be 18.24% - 28.99%, 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
The information related to Citi Simplicity® Card has been collected by Motley Fool Money and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product or service.

The Citi Simplicity® Card does exactly what the name promises: it keeps things simple. It's our favorite Citi card for balance transfers because it's one of the most forgiving cards out there for anyone who's trying to pay down debt or manage a big purchase over time. No late fees and no penalty APR mean a little less stress if life happens.

This card is all about the intro APR, but it doesn't earn rewards. If you're hoping to keep using it for long-term perks after you pay down your balance, you'll find other cards that give you more ongoing value.

Best for cash back: Citi Double Cash® Card

Ratings Methodology

Citi Double Cash® Card

Great for: Cash back

Apply Now for Citi Double Cash® Card

On Citi's Secure Website.

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Citi Double Cash® Card
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Fair to Excellent (580-850)
Apply Now for Citi Double Cash® Card

On Citi's Secure Website.

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Fair to Excellent (580-850)

Intro APR

Purchases: N/A

Balance Transfers: 0%, 18 months on Balance Transfers

Regular APR

18.24% - 28.24% (Variable)

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. 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.

2% cash back

Annual Fee

$0

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. 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.

$200

  • This card combines a top-notch balance transfer offer with best-in-class unlimited 2% cash back on purchases. There's no introductory APR for purchases, so you'll need to pay those off in full every month if you want to avoid interest charges.

    Read Full Review
    • High cash back
    • 0% intro APR balance transfer offer
    • No annual fee
    • Free credit score monitoring
    • Foreign transaction fee
    • No 0% intro APR on purchases
    • 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 18.24% - 28.24%, 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).

If you're someone (like me) who doesn't want to track rotating categories or memorize bonus charts, the Citi Double Cash® Card just makes life easier. You'll earn a solid 2% cash back across the board, and it doesn't matter whether you're buying coffee, concert tickets, or groceries. Plus, there's no annual fee to cut into your earnings.

Of course, while 2% flat-rate cash back is solid, you won't get any extra rewards for specific categories like dining or travel. If you spend a lot in one specific category, you might be able to earn more with a different cash back card.

Best for travel rewards: Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

Ratings Methodology

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

Great for: Travel rewards

Apply Now for Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

On Citi's Secure Website.

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Apply Now for Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

On Citi's Secure Website.

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Intro APR

Purchases: N/A

Balance Transfers: N/A

Regular APR

20.24% - 28.24% (Variable)

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. 10x on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked through CitiTravel.com. Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases. Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Restaurants. Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Supermarkets. Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on 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. Travel insurance protection: Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption (Common Carrier), Trip Delay, Lost or Damaged Luggage, MasterRental Coverage (Car Rental).

1x - 10x points

Annual Fee

$95

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.

60,000 ThankYou® Points

  • Citi Strata Premier offers a unique combination of bonus categories we don't see on many travel cards. It earns 3X points on travel and everyday-type categories, including supermarkets and gas/EV charging. You can also earn a welcome bonus worth $600. That combination of rewards is an excellent value for a relatively low annual fee. Plus, if you run into any problems on a trip, its complimentary travel protections (including coverage for trip delays, trip cancellations and interruptions, and lost/damaged luggage) could save the day.

    • Big sign-up bonus
    • Annual hotel savings offer
    • Travel and dining rewards
    • Grocery and gas rewards
    • Flexible travel rewards points
    • Travel insurance protections
    • Annual fee
    • Redemption options
    • Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 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

The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card is a solid option for travelers who want everyday rewards and bonus earnings when they book big trips. The $100 hotel credit alone can nearly wipe out the annual fee if you use it once a year -- and booking through Citi Travel gives you a 10X points boost. You can redeem ThankYou® Points for travel, gift cards, or statement credit.

If you're not planning to book primarily through Citi Travel, you'll be leaving points on the table, and a more generic travel card might suit you better. The same applies for if you're looking for luxury travel perks like airport lounge access -- you won't find that here.

Best for Costco shoppers: Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi

Ratings Methodology

Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi

Great for: Costco shoppers

Apply Now for Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi

On Citi's Secure Website.

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
Rating image, 3.50 out of 5 stars.
3.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 3.50 out of 5 stars.
3.50/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Excellent (740-850)
Apply Now for Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi

On Citi's Secure Website.

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Excellent (740-850)

Intro APR

Purchases: N/A

Balance Transfers: N/A

Regular APR

19.49% - 27.49% (Variable)

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. Earn 5% cash back rewards on gas at Costco and earn 4% cash back on other eligible gas and electric vehicle (EV) charging purchases for the first $7,000 combined spend per year, and then 1% thereafter. 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases and eligible travel, including Costco Travel. 2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com. 1% cash back on all other purchases

1% - 5% back

Annual Fee Circle with letter I in it. N/A

$0

Welcome Offer

N/A

  • There aren't many cash back cards that earn this much on gas and EV charging. Bonuses at restaurants, on travel, and at Costco and costco.com make this a well-rounded card overall. But there are some frustrating downsides, including a slow cash back redemption process and the lack of a sign-up bonus.

    Read Full Review
    • Bonus gas and EV charging rewards
    • Bonus restaurant and travel rewards
    • No annual fee
    • No foreign transaction fees
    • Purchase protection
    • No sign-up bonus
    • No 0% intro APR
    • Inconvenient cash back redemptions
    • Discover one of Citi's best cash back rewards cards designed exclusively for Costco members
    • Earn 5% cash back rewards on gas at Costco and earn 4% cash back on other eligible gas and electric vehicle (EV) charging purchases for the first $7,000 combined spend per year, and then 1% thereafter.
    • 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases and eligible travel, including Costco Travel.
    • 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

If Costco runs are a regular part of your life, this card is basically an awesome choice. You'll earn solid rewards not just at Costco, but also at gas stations, restaurants, and when you travel -- making it one of the most well-rounded cash back cards out there for Costco members.

However, you have to be a Costco member to get and keep this card. Plus, your rewards are only redeemable once a year (as a reward certificate), which might feel a little restrictive if you're used to cashing out points anytime.

Best for small business owners who shop at Costco: Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi

Ratings Methodology

Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi

Great for: Small business owners who shop at Costco

Apply Now for Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi

On Citi's Secure Website.

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Excellent (740-850)
Apply Now for Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi

On Citi's Secure Website.

Rates & Fees External Link Icon

Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Excellent (740-850)

Intro APR

Purchases: N/A

Balance Transfers: N/A

Regular APR

19.49% - 27.49% (Variable)

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. Earn 5% cash back rewards on gas at Costco and earn 4% cash back on other eligible gas and electric vehicle (EV) charging purchases for the first $7,000 combined spend per year, and then 1% thereafter. 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases and eligible travel, including Costco Travel. 2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com. 1% cash back on all other purchases.

1% - 5% back

Annual Fee

$0

Welcome Offer

N/A

  • There aren't many business cards offering this much bonus cash back at the pump (and the charging station). It also earns high rates on travel, at restaurants, and at Costco, giving it a well-rounded set of bonus categories. Other benefits are limited, making this primarily a card for Costco loyalists and business owners who drive a lot.

    • Gas and EV charging cash back
    • Costco cash back
    • Travel and dining cash back
    • Purchase protections
    • No foreign transaction fee
    • No sign-up bonus
    • No 0% intro APR offer
    • Difficult cash back redemptions
    • Discover the only business credit card designed exclusively for Costco members
    • Earn 5% cash back rewards on gas at Costco and earn 4% cash back on other eligible gas and electric vehicle (EV) charging purchases for the first $7,000 combined spend per year, and then 1% thereafter.
    • 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases and eligible travel, including Costco Travel.
    • 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
    • Whether you're traveling for business or pleasure, 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

This is basically the business twin of the Costco Visa Card -- and that's a good thing. If you're a small business owner making regular Costco hauls or covering a lot of gas and dining expenses, this card gives you a powerful way to earn rewards without worrying about rotating categories. It's especially helpful for businesses with spending that lines up nicely with the 5%, 4%, and 3% cash back categories.

But like the personal version, the rewards only pay out once a year, and you'll need an active Costco membership to hold the card. Also, if your business spending is more online-software-heavy than restaurant-and-gas-heavy, another business card might fit better.

Best for American Airlines travelers: Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®

Ratings Methodology

Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®

Great for: American Airlines travelers

Rates & Fees External Link Icon
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5 Circle with letter I in it. Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale. 5 stars equals Best. 4 stars equals Excellent. 3 stars equals Good. 2 stars equals Fair. 1 star equals Poor. We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
 = Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair
= Poor
Credit Score: Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Rates & Fees External Link Icon
Credit Score Circle with letter I in it. Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.

Good/Excellent (670-850)

Intro APR

Purchases: N/A

Balance Transfers: N/A

Regular APR

20.24% - 29.24% (Variable)

Rewards Circle with letter I in it. Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent at gas stations and restaurants, and on eligible American Airlines purchases. Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases.

1x - 2x miles

Annual Fee Circle with letter I in it. N/A

$99, waived for first 12 months

Welcome Offer Circle with letter I in it. For a limited time, earn 75,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $3,500 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening.

75,000 miles

  • The rewards program makes this a compelling card to carry with OK earning opportunities beyond just American Airlines purchases.

    • Big sign-up bonus
    • Free checked bag
    • Preferred boarding
    • Earn a flight discount certificate
    • Annual fee
    • Lackluster rewards rate
    • Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $2,500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
    • Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent at gas stations and restaurants, and on eligible American Airlines purchases
    • Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases
    • No Foreign Transaction Fees
    • First checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to four companions traveling with you on the same reservation
    • Enjoy preferred boarding on American Airlines flights
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® is unavailable on Motley Fool Money. All information was collected independently from the issuer. Some items may be out of date.

If you're loyal to American Airlines, this card can be really powerful. Think: free checked bags, early boarding, and bonus miles that make it easier to rack up rewards and travel a little more comfortably. The annual fee is $99, waived for first 12 months, giving you time to see if the card fits your travel routine without any upfront cost.

But of course, the value here is heavily tied to flying American Airlines. If you don't fly with them often, or prefer more flexible travel rewards, you'll get more bang for your buck with a general travel rewards card.

At Motley Fool Money, we rate credit cards on a five-star scale (1 = poor, 5 = best). Our rating criteria includes rewards rates and 0% intro APR offers, welcome bonuses, fees, and perks like travel credits and purchase protections.

Our highest-rated credit cards have:

  • ​​High value through rewards or 0% intro APR offers
  • Attainable welcome bonuses that make up for any annual fees
  • Low annual fees or a balance transfer fee of 3%
  • Top perks such as purchase and travel protections, no foreign transaction fees, travel credits, and status upgrades

We combine these factors with an evaluation of brand reputation and customer satisfaction to ensure you're getting the best credit card recommendations. Our aim is to maintain a balanced best-of list featuring top-scoring credit cards from reputable brands. 'Best for' category selections on this page are determined by our editors, and a single card may be recognized in multiple categories.

Ordering within lists is influenced by advertiser compensation, including featured placements at the top of a given list, but our product recommendations are NEVER influenced by advertisers. Learn more about how Motley Fool Money rates credit cards.

At Motley Fool Money, we rate credit cards on a five-star scale (1 = poor, 5 = best). Our rating criteria includes rewards rates and 0% intro APR offers, welcome bonuses, fees, and perks like travel credits and purchase protections.

Our highest-rated credit cards have:

  • ​​High value through rewards or 0% intro APR offers
  • Attainable welcome bonuses that make up for any annual fees
  • Low annual fees or a balance transfer fee of 3%
  • Top perks such as purchase and travel protections, no foreign transaction fees, travel credits, and status upgrades

We combine these factors with an evaluation of brand reputation and customer satisfaction to ensure you're getting the best credit card recommendations. Our aim is to maintain a balanced best-of list featuring top-scoring credit cards from reputable brands. 'Best for' category selections on this page are determined by our editors, and a single card may be recognized in multiple categories.

Ordering within lists is influenced by advertiser compensation, including featured placements at the top of a given list, but our product recommendations are NEVER influenced by advertisers. Learn more about how Motley Fool Money rates credit cards.

How to choose the right Citi card for you

As you can see above, there are lots of good options for Citi cards. Picking the right one for you really comes down to what you need most. Here's a quick way to narrow it down:

Know your main goal

Are you hoping to earn travel rewards, cash back, or pay off debt without interest for a while? Cards like the Citi Double Cash® Card are great for simple cash back, while the Citi Simplicity® Card is better if you're focused on balance transfers and low fees.

Think about where you spend most

Some Citi cards reward you based on your top spending category each month. Others offer across-the-board rewards. If you're loyal to a brand like Costco or American Airlines, their cobranded cards could deliver the biggest perks for your lifestyle.

Weigh annual fees vs. rewards

A small annual fee isn't always a bad thing if the rewards you earn make it worthwhile, but if you're a light spender, you might want to stick with a no-annual-fee option.

Check for intro offers

Citi often offers strong welcome bonuses or 0% APR intro periods. If you have a big purchase or transfer coming up, timing your application to snag an intro offer could save you serious money.

FAQs

  • Most Citi cards require good to excellent credit, typically a FICO® score of 670 or higher. Some cards may be a little more flexible, but higher scores usually qualify for the best offers.

  • Yes! Citi offers a prequalification tool that lets you check your chances without a hard credit pull. Just know that prequalification isn't a guarantee of approval.

  • ThankYou® Points are Citi's flexible rewards currency. You can redeem points for travel, gift cards, cash back, or even transfer them to select airline partners if you have a premium card.

  • Sure can. Just be mindful of their application rules -- like waiting at least eight days between applications and no more than two Citi cards in a 65-day period.