Citi Rewards credit cards earn extremely flexible points, being able to be redeemed for cashback, gift cards, shopping, travel and more.
How to compare Citi Rewards credit cards
Citi Rewards credit cards are available with a variety of points earning rates, complimentary benefits and annual fees.
- Points caps. Two Citi Rewards cards, the Citi Rewards Classic Credit Card and Citi Rewards Platinum Card, have points caps, limiting the number of points that can be earned in a single month. The caps are, however, quite generous and are unlikely to be reached regularly by most cardholders. The Citi Rewards Signature Credit Card and Citi Prestige Card have no points capping, so there is no limit to the number of points that can be earned with those cards.
- Citi Rewards Points don’t expire. Unlike some of its competitors, Citi does not impose an expiry date on its rewards points. You can continue to accrue points for a major redemption such as a long haul flight, and take as much time as you need. Any points remaining after a card account is closed cannot be redeemed, however.
- Sign up bonus. From time to time Citi offers first purchase bonus points (sometimes known as sign-up bonus points) to new cardholders. This means that cardholders will receive a significant points boost for reaching a specified spending target within a set time period (e.g. 100,000 points for spending $3,000 within the first 90 days after card approval). Bonus points can be redeemed in just the same way as regular points, and therefore have considerable value.
- Not all cards — and points — are created equal. The various Citi Rewards cards earn points at varying rates per dollar spent. Cards with a higher annual fee earn points faster. Also, when it comes to redeeming points, Citi Rewards Points earned by the Prestige, Signature and Platinum cards are more valuable than those earned by the less expensive Classic card. That is, Prestige, Signature and Platinum cardholders will require fewer points for some redemptions.
Other benefits of Citi Rewards credit cards
It depends on which card you have. The higher-fee cards have more complimentary benefits, but all Citi Rewards cards include at least some of the following.
- International and domestic travel insurance
- Extended warranty cover, purchase protection and price protection insurance
- Free nights at premium hotels
- Airport lounge membership and other travel benefits
- Free bottle of wine when you dine at selected restaurants
- Premium hotel privileged guest membership
- Green fees at selected golf courses
- Visa Front Line Access
- Citi World Privileges
- Introductory interest rates on balance transfers and/or purchases
FAQs
Do all Citi credit cards earn Citi Rewards points?
No. Citi currently offers nine credit cards, only four of which are connected to the Citi Rewards program.
How many Citi Rewards points will I earn per dollar spent?
This depends on the particular Citi Rewards card you hold. Some cards may have a blanket rate (e.g. 1 point per dollar spent) while other may have a tiered points system depending on the type of purchase (e.g. 3 points for spending at hotels and restaurants, 2 points at petrol stations and supermarkets, 1 point everywhere else).
Do all card transactions earn Citi Rewards points?
Only eligible purchases earn points. In practice, this usually means all card spending except balance transfers, cash advances, interest charges, the annual fee and other card fees, foreign currency purchases, insurance payments and payments to the ATO.
Do all Citi Rewards credit cards charge the same annual fee?
No. Citi Rewards cards’ annual fees currently range from $99 to $700. The higher the annual fee, the faster you will earn points and the more complimentary benefits you will receive.
Do supplementary cardholder purchases earn Citi Rewards points too?
Yes. The points earned by supplementary cardholders are credited to the points account of the primary cardholder.
