Top 6 Best Citibank Credit Cards | 2017 Ranking & Reviews | Top Credit Cards from Citibank (Personal/Business Cards)

2017 RANKING & REVIEWS
TOP RANKING BEST CITIBANK CREDIT CARDS

Endless Choices with Citibank Credit Cards

If you’re going to apply for a brand new credit card, you want to make sure it has every feature you’ve been considering.

Radios are filled with catchy jingles about rewards programs, commercials advertise various cards with low rates and no annual fees, and your cousin just got the newest credit card on the market. Which lender and program is the right fit for you?

Award Emblem: Top 6 Best Citibank Credit Cards

Citibank credit cards cover a wide range of products from personal cards to student cards to a Citibank business credit card. Each one comes equipped with its own set of standard features that allow it to qualify as one of the best Citi credit cards in its category. You’ll find features like airline miles rewards programs, extra insurance for your next trip, and generous cashback rewards.

What is it that you really need in your next Citibank business credit card or personal credit card? We’ve compiled a list of the best Citi credit cards that have the top features consumers love. Let AdvisoryHQ help you wade through the numerous offers on Citibank credit cards with our detailed Citi credit card review.

AdvisoryHQ’s List of the Top 6 Best Citibank Credit Cards

List is sorted alphabetically (click any of the credit card names below to go directly to the detailed review section for that credit card):

Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Gold World Elite™ MasterCard®
Citi^® Double Cash Card
Citi Prestige^® Card
Citi Simplicity^® Card
Citi ThankYou^® Preferred Card
Citi ThankYou^® Preferred Card for College Students

Top 6 Best Citibank Credit Cards| Brief Comparison & Ranking

Credit Card Names	Annual Fee	APR
Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Gold World Elite™ MasterCard^®	$50, waived first year	14.24% –22.24%
Citi^® Double Cash Card	None	13.24% –23.24%
Citi Prestige^® Card	$450	15.49%
Citi Simplicity^® Card	None	13.24% –23.24%
Citi ThankYou^® Preferred Card	None	13.24% –23.24%
Citi ThankYou^® Preferred Card for College Students	None	14.24% –24.24%

Table: Top 6 Best Citibank Credit Cards | Above list is sorted alphabetically

How Do You Understand Rates and Fees?

Before we dive too far into the specifics of what Citibank credit cards can offer consumers, it’s imperative to have a basic understanding of some of the jargon. Knowing what things mean is key to understanding the rates and fees that the various best Citi credit cards are offering. We’ll cover a handful of the most important terms when it comes to the real cost of your credit cards:

Balance Transfer Fee: A balance transfer fee is the amount that your Citi financial credit card will charge on balances that you roll over from another, usually high interest, credit card. There are minimum amounts, but transfers are generally subject to a percentage of the amount you will be transferring. Shifting funds from a credit card to one of the best Citibank credit card choices can drastically cut the amount you pay in fees and interest. Expect rates around 3% to 5% on the best Citi credit cards.

Introductory APR: This is exactly what it sounds like – an annual percentage rate that is valid during the very beginning of your open account. The best Citibank credit card options will usually offer a 0% APR introductory rate (on either new purchases, balance transfers or both).

Annual Fee: This is the membership cost paid yearly for your Citibank credit cards. In some cases, there are no annual fees as a part of Citibank credit card deals. Other times, the annual fee may be waived for the first year to entice you to make the most of its best Citi credit cards.

Interest Rates: These fees are separate from your annual fee and from the introductory APR. These interest rates or APRs will apply after your introductory offer ends and in combination with your annual fee. This is one of the biggest factors to consider on Citibank credit cards because your interest rates affect how much you will pay on any balances that remain on your card at the end of the month.

You can use these terms to help you evaluate which of the best Citibank credit card options will work for you. Understanding what you will be paying and ultimately what you can afford on a Citibank credit card is key to having a successful run with your credit limit.

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AdvisoryHQ’s Selection Methodology

What methodology does AdvisoryHQ use in selecting and finalizing the credit cards, financial products, firms, services, and products that are ranked on its various top rated lists?

Please click here “AdvisoryHQ’s Ranking Methodologies” for a detailed review of AdvisoryHQ’s selection methodologies for ranking top rated credit cards, financial accounts, firms, products, and services.

Detailed Review – Top Ranking Best Citibank Credit Cards

Below, please find the detailed review of each credit card on our list of best Citibank credit card options. We have highlighted some of the factors that allowed these best Citi credit cards to score so high in our selection ranking.

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Citi® / AAdvantage^® Gold World Elite™ MasterCard^®Review

Frequent fliers will love the travel discounts and membership benefits associated with this Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Gold World Elite™ MasterCard^®. Enjoy low annual fees and a great rewards program with this best Citibank credit card.

Source: Citi® / AAdvantage® Gold World Elite™ MasterCard®

Rewards Program

Among Citibank credit cards, this Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Gold World Elite™ MasterCard^® gives generous airline miles that are available for quick redemption. Each dollar you spend scores you one AAdvantage^® mile. Your miles are easily redeemed for a domestic roundtrip flight through American Airlines and American Eagle airlines starting at 25,000 miles.

Don’t forget that you can also take advantage of the promotions on this credit card from Citibank. Spend $750 in the first three months, and you’ll automatically receive 25,000 American Airlines AAdvantage^® bonus miles.

The Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Gold World Elite™ MasterCard^® also has a few features that allow us to qualify it as one of Citibank’s best credit card choices:

25% discount on in-flight food and beverage
No blackout dates
Reduced Mileage Awards
Lost baggage protection
Worldwide car rental and travel accident insurance

Rates and Fees

Citibank credit cards are often accompanied by some sort of introductory offer in terms of its rates and fees. TheCiti^® / AAdvantage^® Gold World Elite™ MasterCard^® is no exception. For the first year, it will waive the annual fee ($50).

When it comes to interest rates, they will range from 14.24% to 22.24% APR based on your creditworthiness. Rates apply to purchases with your Citibank credit card as well as balance transfers made in the first 60 days of opening your account.

Citi^® Double Cash Card Review

Make the most of a rewards program with this Citi^® Double Cash Card, designed to help you maximize every dollar you spend on this best Citibank credit card.

Source: Citi^® Double Cash Card

Program Details

What’s better than earning cash back with one of the best Citi credit cards? Earning it twice, of course!

The Citi^® Double Cash Card helps you to automatically double the amount of cash back you receive on your purchases just by paying your bill. When you first make the purchase, you get a 1% cash back bonus on every buy. As you begin to pay off that balance (whether immediately or over time), you’ll earn an additional 1% cash back.

No restrictions and no caps apply on this best Citibank credit card, allowing you to earn unlimited rewards based on your spending. Points and cashback rewards can be cashed in for checks, statement credits or gift cards

Of course, the benefits of the Citi^® Double Cash Card don’t end there. You also receive trip cancellation and interruption protection, worldwide travel accident and car rental insurance, Citi Price Rewind and Private Pass, and a late pass fee on your first late payment. The sum of all the perks associated with the Citi^® Double Cash Card is what makes this one of the best Citi credit card choices.

Rates and Fees

Let this Citi financial credit card help you to pay down your debt faster with its lengthy introductory rates on balance transfers. Balance transfers made within the first four months of the account opening have a 0% introductory APR for the first eighteen months. Be prepared for the 3% ($5 minimum ) transfer fee as well.

When your introductory rate wears off, you’ll find competitive rates when compared to other Citibank credit cards. You’ll be assigned a rate from 13.24% to 23.24% APR based on your creditworthiness, with no annual fee.

Citi Prestige^® Card Review

Earn more points and receive more credit towards airfare and travel with one of the best Citi credit cards for travel, the Citi Prestige^® Card.

Rewards Program

Calling itself Citibank’s best credit card for travel, the Citi Prestige^® is ideal for avid travelers looking to save on their expenses. It has a detailed breakdown of how the rewards are categorized on this Citi financial credit card to make the most of your spending:

Triple points on air travel and hotels
Double points on dining and entertainment
Regular points (one point per dollar) on all other purchases

The ThankYou^® points are able to be redeemed through its ThankYou^® Travel Center, allowing you to purchase travel accommodations or experiences, or you can use them for cash, statement credits, gift cards, electronics, and more. Frequent fliers may even prefer to transfer their ThankYou^® points earned on these Citibank credit cards to loyalty programs like the Virgin Atlanic, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer or Flying Blue.

The other travel benefits really categorize this as one of the best Citibank credit card choices though:

40,000 bonus ThankYou^® points for your first $4,000 worth of purchases in the first three months
$250 annual air travel credit for airline tickets, baggage fees, upgrades, and more
Extend your trip with a fourth night stay at any hotel after a 4-night booking through Citi Prestige^® Concierge
$100 Global Entry application fee credit
Discounts on tours and vacation packages

Rates and Fees

The interest rate on this Citibank credit card is relatively low, making it a clear choice as one of the best Citi credit cards. You’ll pay just 15.49% APR on both purchases and balance transfers completed within the first two months.

The biggest disadvantage to this credit card from Citibank is the extremely high annual fee of $450. However, you do receive much of that fee back in rebates and statement credit for airline expenses and Global Entry application fees. If you are a very frequent flier who spends a lot on your credit card, it will likely still qualify as one of the best Citibank credit card choices for you.

Citi Simplicity^® Card Review

The Citi Simplicity^® Card easily falls into the category of being of the best Citi credit card choices due to its flexibility and lack of penalties for late payments.

Account Features

If you’ve heard of these Citibank credit cards already, it’s likely due to one of the biggest draws associated with the Citi Simplicity^® Card: no late fees. For consumers who struggle to remember exactly when their bill is due or who often find themselves in situations where they can’t scrape the money together in time, this is one of the best Citi credit cards around.

There are never any late fees, but even more than that, there is no penalty rate either. Many Citibank credit cards (and cards from other lenders) will issue a higher interest rate if payments are routinely late in addition to a late fee. The Citi Simplicity^® saves you money with this handy feature, worthy of noting on any Citi credit card review.

What else qualifies it as one of the best Citi credit cards? Like most of the Citibank’s best credit card options, you’ll also enjoy car rental insurance, travel and emergency assistance, extended warranty, the ability to choose your payment date, and automatic account alerts.

Rates and Fees

Have a high interest credit card that’s racking up fees in your wallet? When you switch to this credit card from Citibank, you’ll enjoy its longest and lowest introductory APR: 0% APR for the first 21 months on all balance transfers and purchases. Bear in mind that balance transfers may have a 0% APR introductory rate, but they are still subject to a 3% fee or $5 minimum on this best Citi credit card.

When the introductory offer on the Citibank credit card wears off, you’ll find interest rates ranging from 13.24% to 23.24% APR depending on your creditworthiness. The other draw for this Citibank credit card is the absence of an annual fee.

Citi ThankYou^® Preferred Card Review

Use one of Citibank’s best credit card choices for a simple rewards program that allows you to make the most of your purchases: the Citi ThankYou^® Preferred Card.

Source: Citi ThankYou^® Preferred Card

Rewards Programs

Consumers who desire one of the top Citibank credit card deals will enjoy the flexibility and ease with which they can use this Citi ThankYou^®Preferred Card. Easily one of Citibank’s best credit card choices, you can earn ThankYou^® points on each and every one of your purchases at a rate of one point per dollar spent. On restaurant dining and entertainment, these Citibank credit cards grant double the rewards.

This Citi financial credit card allows you to earn unlimited points with no expiration date. You can redeem them online for gift cards, electronics, travel, home goods, books, media, donations, and even cash. The Citi ThankYou^® Preferred Card allows you to redeem points either through its website or over the phone.

You can still enjoy the extra benefits of trip cancellation and interruption protection, worldwide car rental insurance, extended warranty, Citi Price Rewind, and Citi^® Private Pass^®.

Rates and Fees

Among Citibank credit card deals, the Citi ThankYou^® Preferred Card has great introductory offers that make it ideal for consumers. You’ll find a 0% APR introductory rate on purchases and balance transfers over the first fifteen months. You will still be subject to a 3% balance transfer fee though.

When your initial offer on the Citibank credit card expires, you’ll face interest rates ranging from 13.24% to 23.24% APR determined by your creditworthiness and no annual fee.

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Citi ThankYou^® Preferred Card for College Students Review

Make the most of your college years by building your credit and earning cashback rewards with the Citi ThankYou^® Preferred Card for College Students.

Rewards Program

In the repertoire of the best Citi credit cards available, it isn’t just personal Citibank credit cards that make the cut. You can often find a Citibank business credit card or student credit card as well. This Citi ThankYou^® Preferred Card for College Students offers a generous rewards program that simultaneously assists with building credit.

Similar to the above Citi ThankYou^® Preferred Card, you earn one point per dollar spent on all purchases and double the points on purchases at restaurants and for entertainment. However, you’ll also receive a 2,500 bonus. All you need to do is spend $500 on this Citibank credit card within the first three months.

Continue to enjoy other perks of the Citi ThankYou^® Preferred Card for College Students as well, including access to Citi^® Private Pass^®, worldwide car rental and travel accident insurance, trip cancellation and interruption protection, and $0 liability on unauthorized charges.

Rates and Fees

When it comes to Citibank credit card deals, the Citi ThankYou^® Preferred Card for College Students doesn’t offer as many as the standard Citi ThankYou^® Preferred Card. You receive a shorter introductory offer of just seven months with 0% APR before resuming rates that range from 14.24% to 24.24% APR.

However, you do still get the advantage of having no annual fee on this best Citibank credit card. The low rates and no annual fee, as well as the rewards program, make this one of the best Citi credit cards to assist students in building and maintaining credit.

Conclusion—Top 6 Best Citibank Credit Cards

Chances are that you already know what you’re hoping to gain by applying for one of the best Citi credit cards available. You’re savvy enough to find the best offers on Citibank credit cards, the best deals, and the overall best value. So which of these top ranking Citibank credit cards is going to be your next selection for a new credit card?

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Choosing a credit card means making a long-term commitment to a company’s rates, fees, and rewards programs. You need to be absolutely sure that the best Citi credit cards line up with your current financial needs and situation before you click on that “apply now” button.

Let our detailed Citi credit card review be the stepping stone you need to weigh all of the options it presents to you. If you’re searching for one of the best Citi credit cards, you’re likely to find what you’re looking for here.

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Reasonable efforts have been made by AdvisoryHQ to present accurate information, however all info is presented without warranty. Review AdvisoryHQ’s Terms for details. Also review each firm’s site for the most updated data, rates and info.

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