Introduction

For starters, it's one of the finest cards for earning rewards on regular purchases. You get three points for every dollar spent on airfare, motels, gas stations, restaurants, and grocery stores. Considering an annual cost of $95, it's not terrible. Citi Premier rewards points are one of the most flexible incentive currencies, being redeemable for 1.8 cents each.

That's because, over time, Citi has significantly upgraded the Rewards program to compete with other reward programs. Our calculations show that the 80,000-point sign-up bonus is worth around $1,440. There are now 14 airline transfer partners in the Citi program. Along with these changes, the program has acquired two new hotel partners, and now that Airways is accepting points as loyalty currency, you can effectively transfer your points to Airways.

Who Is This Card For?

One of the most extensive collections of bonus categories we've seen offered on any card, the Citi Premier rewarded its cardholders for spending at petrol stations, restaurants, supermarkets, airplane tickets, and hotels. The Citi Premier is a great option if you're seeking to branch out from Chase Ultimate Rewards and American Express Membership Rewards. If you've already used all your 5/24 spots with Chase, this card's sign-up bonus becomes even more enticing.

In addition, the Citi Custom CashSM Card, which offers a flat 1% cash back and Citi ThankYou points in exchange, could greatly complement the Premier. Custom Cash offers a rewards rate of 1% limitless cash back even on the other purchases, with a maximum of 5% cash back on each first billing cycle. You can quickly amass a big number of ThankYou points if you use this card in conjunction with Citi Premier, which offers an exceptional rewards rate for everyday and travel expenditures.

Rewards

Earning Rewards

You can combine ThankYou points from other Citi banking products, including the Citi Premier Card, into a single account. The Citi Premier Card was designed for frequent flyers; cardholders could earn three ThankYou points for every dollar spent at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, airlines, and hotels and one point for every dollar spent elsewhere. To kick off your new credit card account, the issuer offers 80,000 bonus points once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months.

Redeeming Rewards

Your ThankYou points are redeemable for many rewards, including gift cards, goods, travel, and more.

Cash Rewards

Starting at $50, Citi ThankYou points can be used for redeeming cash at a rate of 0.5 cents per point. ThankYou points are more valuable than cash when used to pay down a mortgage or a school debt because each point is equivalent to one penny.

Citi Premier Card Bonus Eligibility

If you want to get the Citi Premier welcome bonus, you need to know about the limitations. If you meet any of the following requirements, you will not be eligible for the welcome bonus. Citi Rewards+, Citi ThankYou Preferred, Citi Premier, or Citi Prestige new card member incentive within the prior 24 months. Recently completed a Citi Rewards+, Citi ThankYou Preferred, Citi Premier, or Citi Prestige account closure within the prior 24 months. One of those other cards is acceptable but must not have been activated or closed during that time. If you're a current cardholder of the Citi Prestige but received your bonus more than 24 months ago, you're eligible for the Citi Premier Card.

Top Perks

Sign Up Bonus

Spend $4,000 in the first three months to qualify for the 80,000-point sign-up incentive. The incentive can be worth up to $1,000 in travel expenses, given that each point is worth up to $0.0125 when used in the Citi ThankYou travel portal.

Versatile Rewards Program

This card's rewards program allows you to earn up to 3 points for $1 spent at participating restaurants and supermarkets. Gas stations, airlines, and motels offer three points for every dollar spent. For every dollar spent elsewhere, you'll earn one point.

No Foreign Transaction Fee

The Citi Premier® Card is a great option if you're looking for a travel credit card that doesn't charge you any foreign transaction fees. It's a Mastercard, one of the most universally accepted credit card brands so you can use it anywhere Mastercard is accepted, which is pretty much everywhere.

Conclusion

When it comes to Citi's credit card rewards scheme, the Citi Premier® Card is the middle-of-the-road option. After making $4,000 in transactions during the first three months of opening an account, cardholders will receive a generous 80,000 bonus points. Regular spending at retailers, including grocery stores, gas stations, motels, and airlines, earns you substantial rewards. The card participates in ThankYou, a versatile rewards program that offers a variety of options to spend earned points. However, the Citi Premier Card's absence of travel and purchase protection coverage is a major drawback compared to other premium credit cards in the same price range.