Bottom line
This credit card provides substantial and continuous rewards, making it a favorable option for frequent international travelers. However, alternative cards may present more valuable partnerships and broader interpretations of travel. Let’s dive into the Citi Premier Card!
Star FUNDSamentally Rating
Citi Premier Card
ANNUAL FEE: $95
REWARDS RATES: 1x-3x points
INTRO OFFER: 75,000 points
RECOMMENDED CREDIT SCORE: 690-850
(Good – Excellent)
Pros
- 3x rewards on nearly all purchases
- Rewards on travel, supermarkets and gas stations
Cons
- Annual fee
At a Glance
| Citi Premier Card | |
| Annual Fee | – $95 |
| Sign up bonus | – Earn 60,000 bonus 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. |
| Ongoing rewards | – 1x-3x Points |
| Foreign transaction fee | – None |
| APR | – 21.24% – 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness |
| Value of points redeemed | – points can be redeemed for travel at a rate of 1.25 cents each – 1 cent value from your ThankYou points. |
| Balance transfer fee | – Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater. |
| Additional benefits | – Big sign-up bonus – Multiple big international travel partners – 3x points on “big 3” – 3x points on flights and hotels |
Citi Premier® Card: Maximize Travel and Everyday Spending
Introduction to the Citi Premier® Card
The Citi Premier® Card is a top-tier travel rewards credit card that offers generous rewards on travel, dining, groceries, and gas. Whether you’re booking flights, dining out, or filling up your tank, this card helps you earn valuable Citi ThankYou® Points that can be redeemed for travel, cash back, gift cards, and more.
With a lucrative welcome bonus, strong earning potential, and flexible redemption options, the Citi Premier® Cardis an excellent choice for travelers and everyday spenders alike.
Key Benefits of the Citi Premier® Card
✔ Welcome Bonus: Earn 60,000 ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months—worth $600 in travel
✔ Bonus Categories: Earn 3X points on air travel, hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations
✔ 1X points on all other purchases
✔ $100 annual hotel savings when booking a hotel stay of $500 or more through Citi Travel℠
✔ Flexible redemption options for flights, hotels, cash back, and more
✔ Transfer points to airline & hotel partners for potentially higher value
✔ No foreign transaction fees—perfect for international travelers
If you’re looking for a powerful mid-tier travel card that rewards both travel and everyday purchases, the Citi Premier® Card is a strong option.
Rewards & Earning Structure
Welcome Bonus
- Earn 60,000 ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
- Value: $600 in travel through Citi Travel℠ or potentially more when transferring to airline partners
Ongoing Earning Rates
- 3X points per $1 on air travel & hotels
- 3X points per $1 at restaurants
- 3X points per $1 at supermarkets
- 3X points per $1 at gas stations
- 1X points per $1 on all other purchases
💡 Pro Tip: The Citi Premier® Card is one of the few travel cards that earns 3X points on groceries and gas, making it a great everyday spending card.
Best Ways to Redeem Citi ThankYou® Points
The Citi Premier® Card offers versatile redemption options, allowing you to maximize the value of your rewards.
1. Travel Through Citi Travel℠ (Best Value: 1 cent per point)
✔ Use points to book flights, hotels, rental cars, and more through Citi Travel℠
✔ 60,000 points = $600 in travel
2. Transfer Points to Airline & Hotel Partners (Potentially Higher Value)
✔ Citi ThankYou® Points can be transferred to over 15 airline partners, including:
- Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles (great for booking Star Alliance flights)
- Avianca LifeMiles (great for premium cabin redemptions)
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
- Flying Blue (Air France/KLM)
💡 Pro Tip: Transferring points to airline partners can unlock even more value—sometimes 1.5-2 cents per point or more.
3. Cash Back & Gift Cards (Lower Value: 0.8-1 cent per point)
✔ Redeem for statement credits, direct deposit, or gift cards
✔ Lower redemption value compared to travel
💡 Pro Tip: Stick to travel redemptions or airline transfers for the best value.
Additional Perks & Benefits
$100 Annual Hotel Credit
- Get $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more when booking through Citi Travel℠
- Can be used once per calendar year
No Foreign Transaction Fees
- Use the card worldwide without extra fees
- Ideal for international travelers
Travel Protections & Purchase Benefits
✔ Trip Cancellation & Interruption Protection
✔ Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver (secondary coverage)
✔ Extended Warranty Protection
✔ Purchase Protection (covers damage or theft for up to 90 days)
Citi Premier® vs. Other Travel Credit Cards
| Feature | Citi Premier® | Chase Sapphire Preferred® | Capital One Venture |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $95 | $95 | $95 |
| Welcome Bonus | 60,000 points ($600) | 60,000 points ($750) | 75,000 miles ($750) |
| Best Earning Rate | 3X on travel, dining, gas, groceries | 2X on travel & dining | 2X on all purchases |
| Foreign Transaction Fees | None | None | None |
| Point Value for Travel | 1 cent per point | 1.25 cents per point | 1 cent per point |
| Airline Transfer Partners | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hotel Perks | $100 annual hotel credit | None | None |
✔ Best for everyday spending: Citi Premier®
✔ Best for flexible travel rewards: Chase Sapphire Preferred®
✔ Best for simple travel redemptions: Capital One Venture
Who Should Get the Citi Premier® Card?
✔ Frequent travelers who want flexible redemptions
✔ People who spend heavily on travel, dining, gas, and groceries
✔ Anyone looking for a strong welcome bonus
✔ Cardholders who want to transfer points to airline partners
✔ Those who want a no-fuss rewards card with solid bonus categories
Bottom Line: Is the Citi Premier® Card Worth It?
The Citi Premier® Card is a fantastic travel rewards card with:
✔ High earning rates (3X on travel, dining, groceries, and gas)
✔ Valuable airline transfer partners
✔ Flexible travel redemptions
✔ A $100 annual hotel credit
✔ No foreign transaction fees
For a $95 annual fee, the card offers impressive rewards and perks, making it one of the best mid-tier travel credit cards available.
If you love earning rewards on everyday purchases and want flexible travel redemptions, the Citi Premier® Card is an excellent choice.
