Citi Credit Cards Review

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If you rank US banks by order of assets, Citi comes in a distant third to JP Morgan Chase and Bank of America.  Founded way back in 1812 as the City Bank of New York, Citibank has operations in more than 100 countries, including 1,400+ branches in the United States.  Up until 2008, Citibank was regarded as one of the most popular banks amongst consumers, although a bailout of more than $50 billion saw Citi fall from first to (near) worst.

One aspect of Citi that remains strong is their credit card offers.  Even in the last few years while issuers were cutting down the number of credit cards and perks they offer, Citi continues to pepper consumers with big bonuses and outstanding overall offers.  The brand has always been focused on the low-interest, balance transfer type cardholder, but has recently branched out to the cash back and rewards world, offering bonuses of $500 or more in some cases.

Below you’ll find a list of current Citi credit card offers.  There’s a good smattering of this and that, and if you happen to own a Citi card which is still offered that didn’t make the list, let us know.

Citi Consumer Credit Cards

Citi® Platinum Select® Visa Card® – The Citi Platinum Select Visa Card currently sports a 0% intro APR on both purchases and balance transfers for 18* months.  That duration is the longest offered by any credit card and the balance transfer fee is only 3%.  Once the intro rate expires, the standard APR becomes 11.99% – 21.99% variable and the Citi Platinum Select Visa Card has no annual fee.  This card also doesn’t have a rewards program but it’s designed for consumers who need to transfer a balance, or pay little to nothing in interest.

Citi Forward® Card – $300 in Gift Cards – A credit card designed for young adults just out of college or starting their career, the Citi Forward Card gives up to 30,000 bonus ThankYou points to new cardholders.  The bonus is split up into thirds, offering $100 in gift cards each time you meet a spending criteria.  The rewards program on the Citi Forward Card gives members 2 points for every dollar spent at restaurants and on books, movies and music and one point for every dollar spent elsewhere.  This card has no annual fee and also has a bonus 2% APR reduction for paying on time and staying within our credit limit.

Citi ThankYou℠ Premier Card – If you’re after a quick $300 in gift cards, the Citi ThankYou Premier Card is the right choice.  30,000 ThankYou Points are earned after spending $2,000 in the first three months of card ownership, which is good enough to redeem for $300 in gift cards.  This card offers 1.2 ThankYou points for every dollar spent at at gas stations, supermarkets, drugstores, commuter transportation and parking merchants and one ThankYou point is given for every dollar spent on all other purchases.  There is no limit to the amount of ThankYou points that can be earned on the Citi ThankYou Premier Card and the $125 annual fee is waived the first year.

Citi Simplicity® Card – The name says it all really, as the Citi Simplicity Card will keep things simple for consumers.  The card offers a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 18* months (3% BT fee) and does not charge an over-limit, annual fee or late payment fee.  It’s the only credit card that offers these perks but it lacks a rewards program so the Citi Simplicity Card should only be owned if you need the great 0% intro offer or no fee structure.  The standard APR after the 0% intro rate expires is 12.99% – 21.99% variable depending on credit history.

Citi® Dividend Platinum Select® Visa® Card – $100 Cash Back – Cardholders of the Citi Dividend Platinum Select Visa Card will receive $100 in cash after spending $500 in the first three months.  This is the only true cash back credit card Citi offers and it earns 5% cash back in rotating categories every month and 1% cash back on all other purchases.  There’s also a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for a full 12 months to consider, which makes the Citi Dividend Platinum Select Visa Card a “jack of all trades” credit card.  Also important to mention … there’s no annual fee to own the card.

Citi® Hilton HHonors™ Visa Signature® Card – Any frequent hotel stayer would do well by owning the Citi Hilton HHonors Visa Signature Card.  40,000 bonus points are earned after spending $1,000 in the first four months, good enough for a one night stay at a top of the line hotel, or a three night stay at an average Hilton hotel.  Six points are earned for every buck spent on Hilton hotels, three points for every buck spent on supermarkets, drugstores and gas stations and two points for every other buck spent.    The Citi Hilton HHonors Visa Signature Card has no annual fee.

Citi ThankYou℠ Preferred Card – $250 in Gift Cards – One of the newer cards in the Citi portfolio, the Citi ThankYou Preferred Card opens by offering $250 in gift cards after you spend $2,000 in the first three months.  One ThankYou point is earned for every dollar spent with an anniversary bonus awarded every year you keep the card.  The purchase APR is 12.99% – 22.99% variable depending on the applicants credit history and the Citi ThankYou Preferred Card has no annual fee.

Citi Business Card

CitiBusiness® World Card – An initial $100 gift card bonus is earned when spending $300 in the first three months on your new CitiBusiness World Card and it also includes a 0% intro APR on purchases for six months.  The small business card offers triple ThankYou points on all office supply merchants and professional services and has a standard APR of 13.24% once the intro rate expires.  There’s no pre-set spending limit for card owners, meaning that even though you’ll have a credit line, the CitiBusiness World Card can approve your purchases even if you’re over your spending limit; for no additional fee.  Last but not least, this card carries no annual fee.

Published or updated February 2, 2012.