Citi credit cards offer a variety of rewards programs, from cashback to travel points, making them appealing to a wide range of cardholders. Whether you’re looking to earn rewards on everyday purchases or seeking travel perks, Citi has options that cater to different lifestyles and financial goals. Here’s an overview of the rewards systems on Citi credit cards and how to make the most of them.
1. Citi ThankYou® Points
The ThankYou® Rewards program is Citi’s flagship rewards system, available on many of their credit cards. These points can be earned through a variety of spending categories and redeemed for a range of rewards, from travel to gift cards.
How to Earn Citi ThankYou Points:
- Everyday purchases: Some cards, like the Citi Rewards+® Card, offer 2x points on gas stations and supermarkets, while others like the Citi Premier® Card offer 3x points on airfare, hotels, and dining.
- Bonuses: Many Citi cards come with a sign-up bonus. For example, the Citi Premier® offers 60,000 points after spending a certain amount in the first few months.
- Special promotions: Citi often runs limited-time promotions, such as offering extra points in specific categories or during certain periods.
How to Redeem Citi ThankYou Points:
- Travel: Points can be used to book flights, hotels, and car rentals through the Citi ThankYou Travel Center, with points typically valued at around 1 cent per point.
- Transfer to travel partners: Citi allows you to transfer ThankYou points to airline and hotel loyalty programs such as JetBlue, Qatar Airways, and more. This option is popular among frequent travelers, as you can often get more value by transferring points to partner airlines.
- Cashback or statement credit: You can redeem ThankYou points for cash back or statement credits, but the value might be lower (often 0.5 to 1 cent per point).
- Gift cards and merchandise: Points can also be redeemed for gift cards, electronics, or other items, though redemption rates vary.
Cards with Citi ThankYou Points:
- Citi Premier® Card: Offers 3x points on travel, gas, and dining.
- Citi Rewards+® Card: 2x points at supermarkets and gas stations, plus the unique feature of rounding up to the nearest 10 points on every purchase.
- Citi Custom Cash℠ Card: Earns 5% cashback on your top spending category (up to $500 monthly), which can be converted to ThankYou points if you hold a ThankYou-earning card.
2. Citi Cash Back Cards
For those who prefer simpler cashback rewards, Citi offers credit cards with straightforward cashback systems. These cards are ideal for people who want cash back on everyday purchases rather than dealing with travel rewards or point systems.
How to Earn Cashback:
- Flat-rate cashback: Some Citi cards, like the Citi® Double Cash Card, offer a flat rate on all purchases. With Double Cash, you earn 2% cashback: 1% when you make a purchase and 1% when you pay it off.
- Category-based cashback: Cards like the Citi Custom Cash℠ Card earn 5% cashback in your top spending category each billing cycle (up to $500 in purchases), and 1% on all other purchases.
How to Redeem Citi Cashback:
- Statement credits: The most common way to redeem cashback is by applying it as a statement credit to reduce your card balance.
- Direct deposit: Some Citi cards allow you to deposit your cashback directly into a checking or savings account.
- Checks: You can request your cashback to be sent to you via a check, offering flexibility in how you spend your rewards.
Cards with Cashback Rewards:
- Citi® Double Cash Card: Offers 2% cashback on all purchases (1% when you buy, 1% when you pay off).
- Citi Custom Cash℠ Card: Earns 5% cashback in your highest spending category each month, making it great for those who have fluctuating spending habits.
3. Citi Costco Cards
For Costco members, Citi offers credit cards that provide cashback rewards specifically designed for purchases at Costco and beyond. These cards are a great option for frequent Costco shoppers looking to maximize their rewards.
How to Earn Cashback with Citi Costco Cards:
- Costco purchases: You earn rewards on purchases at Costco, with categories such as gas, travel, and dining offering higher cashback rates.
- Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi: This card offers 4% cashback on gas (up to $7,000 annually), 3% on restaurants and eligible travel, 2% at Costco, and 1% on all other purchases.
How to Redeem Costco Cashback:
- Cashback from Costco-branded Citi cards is redeemed once a year in the form of a reward certificate, which can be used at Costco warehouses or redeemed for cash.
4. Citi AAdvantage® Credit Cards
If you frequently fly with American Airlines, Citi offers AAdvantage® credit cards, which earn miles instead of ThankYou points or cashback. These miles can be used for flights, seat upgrades, and other travel-related benefits.
How to Earn AAdvantage Miles:
- Spending on the card: Earn miles for every dollar spent, with bonus miles on American Airlines purchases.
- Sign-up bonuses: Some AAdvantage cards offer a large mileage bonus after meeting minimum spending requirements in the first few months.
How to Redeem AAdvantage Miles:
- Flights: Miles can be redeemed for award flights on American Airlines or partner airlines through the Oneworld alliance.
- Seat upgrades: Use miles to upgrade to a premium seat on eligible flights.
- Other travel perks: Miles can also be redeemed for hotel stays, car rentals, and other travel-related expenses.
Cards with AAdvantage Miles:
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®: Earns miles on American Airlines purchases and provides free checked bags, priority boarding, and discounts on in-flight purchases.
Maximizing Your Citi Rewards
Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your Citi credit card rewards:
1. Choose the Right Card for Your Spending Habits
- If you spend a lot on travel and dining, a Citi ThankYou card like the Citi Premier or Citi Prestige (if available) might offer the most rewards.
- For those who prefer simple cashback on all purchases, the Citi® Double Cash Card provides 2% cashback with no category restrictions.
- If you’re a Costco member, the Citi Costco Anywhere Visa® maximizes your rewards on Costco purchases, gas, and dining.
2. Redeem Points for Maximum Value
- Points redeemed for travel through the Citi ThankYou portal or transferred to airline partners generally offer the best value. Cashing out points for statement credits or gift cards typically provides lower returns.
- For AAdvantage miles, using them for flights or seat upgrades often gives the best value compared to non-flight redemptions.
3. Take Advantage of Promotions
- Keep an eye on special offers that Citi runs for earning bonus points or cashback in certain categories or with specific merchants. These offers can greatly boost your rewards earnings.
4. Pair Cards for Maximum Rewards
- You can pair a Citi Double Cash with a Citi ThankYou card to convert cashback into ThankYou points, which can then be transferred to airline partners for even more valuable redemptions.
Conclusion
The rewards systems on Citi credit cards offer flexibility for different spending habits, whether you’re looking for ThankYou points, cashback, or miles. Choosing the right Citi card—and redeeming rewards strategically—can help you maximize the value of every dollar spent. Whether you’re a traveler, a frequent shopper, or simply looking for cashback on daily purchases, Citi has a rewards program that can fit your needs.