Credit Cards » Credit Card Reviews » Citi Rewards+ Card: 2023 Review
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Citi Rewards+ Card: 2023 Review

Citi Rewards+® Card is the only card that rounds up to the nearest 10 points, significantly increasing the user's chance to earn rewards.
Author: Lorraine Smithills
Lorraine Smithills

Writer, Contributor

Experience

Lorraine is a freelance finance writer with years of experience in the banking sector and after a successful career in one of the largest retail and commercial financial services providers. She has a passion for helping people with less financial confidence to get control of their money through budgeting, saving, and responsible credit practices.
Interest Rates Last Update: September 20, 2023
The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.
Author: Lorraine Smithills
Lorraine Smithills

Writer, Contributor

Experience

Lorraine is a freelance finance writer with years of experience in the banking sector and after a successful career in one of the largest retail and commercial financial services providers. She has a passion for helping people with less financial confidence to get control of their money through budgeting, saving, and responsible credit practices.
Interest Rates Last Update: November 1, 2023

The banking product interest rates, including savings, CDs, and money market, are accurate as of this date.

We earn a commission from our partner links on this page. It doesn't affect the integrity of our unbiased, independent editorial staff. Transparency is a core value for us, read our advertiser disclosure and how we make money.

Citi Rewards+® Card
citi rewards

Rewards Plan

Up to 2X points 2x points on purchases up to $6,000 per year on supermarkets & gas stations (then 1x thereafter) and 1 point per $1 on all other purchase. Plus, users are awarded 10% back on the ThankYou points they redeem, up to 100,000 points per year [/sc]

Sign up Bonus

25,000 points 25,000 bonus points after you spend $1,500 in purchases with your card within 3 months of account opening; redeemable for $250 in gift cards at thankyou.com. Plus, for a limited time, earn 5 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel Portal through June 30, 2024

Credit Rating

Excellent

0% Intro

15 months on purchases and balance transfers

Annual Fee

$0

APR

18.74% – 28.74% (Variable)
Citi Rewards+® Card
citi rewards

Rewards Plan

Up to 2X points 2x points on purchases up to $6,000 per year on supermarkets & gas stations (then 1x thereafter) and 1 point per $1 on all other purchase. Plus, users are awarded 10% back on the ThankYou points they redeem, up to 100,000 points per year [/sc]

Sign up Bonus

25,000 points 25,000 bonus points after you spend $1,500 in purchases with your card within 3 months of account opening; redeemable for $250 in gift cards at thankyou.com. Plus, for a limited time, earn 5 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel Portal through June 30, 2024

0% Intro

15 months on purchases and balance transfers

PROS

CONS

APR

18.74% - 28.74% (Variable)

Annual Fee

$0

Balance Transfer Fee

3%

Credit Requirements

Excellent

Citi Rewards+® Card offers new cardholders up to 25,000 bonus points after you spend $1,500 in purchases with your card within 3 months of account opening; redeemable for $250 in gift cards at thankyou.com. Plus, for a limited time, earn 5 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel Portal through June 30, 2024. There is a 2x points on purchases up to $6,000 per year on supermarkets & gas stations (then 1x thereafter) and 1 point per $1 on all other purchase. Plus, users are awarded 10% back on the ThankYou points they redeem, up to 100,000 points per year. There are no yearly renewal fees, and customers enjoy zero percent introductory APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers ( 18.74% - 28.74% (Variable) after that) .

Points are redeemable as gift cards, travel rewards by transferring them to airlines or hotels, and to shop at partner merchants like Amazon and BestBuy.  Clients enjoy unique access to ticket presales for the top events and shows across different cities, with the best seats for a full experience. 

There is a mobile application for easy and convenient transactions from the comfort of your home and is downloadable on your mobile device. Citi Rewards+® can be used for international transactions like shopping for clothes from foreign stores and planning your trips to avoid a last-minute rush. However, you'll pay a foreign transaction fee of 3%.

  • 0% Introductory Rate
  • Travel Benefits
  • Mobile App
  • Exciting Rewards
  • Insurance Benefits
  • No Annual Fee
  • Foreign Transaction Fee
  • Cap on Rewards

How hard is it to get Citi Rewards+ Card?

It is not too hard to get your hands on this type of credit card once you meet the credit score requirements that are in place.

Table of Contents

Advantages

Let’s take a look at the advantages of this card and see if it’s the right one for your wallet or not.

There is a zero percent introductory rate for the first fifteen months for purchases and balance transfer, after which is the standard APR of 18.74% – 28.74% (Variable) . Citi Rewards+® Card is suitable for customers who want a minimal interest rate.

 There is a series of travel benefits to be enjoyed with the Citi Rewards+® Card, like the protection against flight cancellation and accident insurance. You can rent a car throughout your stay in a foreign country and be guaranteed coverage in case of damages and theft. You can spend less on your flight and hotel expenses by transferring points to partner airlines and hotels.

The mobile application is downloadable on android phones and iPhones via the google play store and apple play store. The mobile app makes transactions easy and convenient. With a working mobile device and an internet connection, you can make payments within seconds and monitor all transactions made with your account. 

There is an introductory bonus of 25,000 bonus points after you spend $1,500 in purchases with your card within 3 months of account opening; redeemable for $250 in gift cards at thankyou.com. Plus, for a limited time, earn 5 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel Portal through June 30, 2024. Customers win 2x points on purchases up to $6,000 per year on groceries and gas stations and one point for every one dollar spent on other purchases. 

New users will be happy to know that Citi Rewards+® Card holds the record as the only credit card that rounds up to the nearest 10 points. You also get 10x points back on thank you points up to 100,000 within a year, which is 10% of the rewards within twelve months.

Citi Rewards+® Card gives clients insurance coverage for rental cars and travel accidents anywhere in the world. Rental cars are insured for damages such as collision and theft to minimize the client's financial responsibility.

There is no yearly renewal fee for your Citi Rewards+® card. This feature minimizes the cost of managing your credit card and increases customers’ potential to earn more.

Disadvantages

Let’s take a look at the disadvantages of this credit card and see if it’s the right one for your wallet or not.

There is a charge for international transactions of 3%. Users who often patronize international stores or companies will be discouraged from opening a Citi Rewards+® Card account because of this feature.

The card has $6,000 annual cap on bonus spending categories, which can be low low for many people. 

Rewards Simulation: How Much You Can Earn?

The best way to see if the Citi Rewards+ Card is the right choice for your needs, is to calculate the amount of rewards and benefits you suppose to earn. 

Keep in mind that this is a general breakdown of expenses, so make sure to adjust it to your own consumer preferences and spending habits.

citi rewards
Spend Per Category
Citi Rewards+ Card
$10,000 – U.S Supermarkets
16,000 points
$3,000 – Restaurants
3,000 points
$1,500 – Airline
1,500 points
$1,500 – Hotels
1,500 points
$4,000 – Gas
4,000 points
Total points
26,000 points
Estimated Redemption value
1 point =~ 1 cent
Estimated Annual Value
$260

Where to Redeem Your Rewards?

Cardholders earn 2x points on purchases up to $6,000 per year on supermarkets & gas stations (then 1x thereafter) and 1 point per $1 on all other purchase. Plus, users are awarded 10% back on the ThankYou points they redeem, up to 100,000 points per year.

Citi also has a number of reward redemption options that include:

  • Checks: You can request a check when your rewards balance is above $25. You can also take a credit towards your Citi savings or checking account.
  • Statement Credit: You can redeem your rewards for statement credit of at least $25.
  • Convert to ThankYou Points: If you have a minimum rewards balance of $1, you can convert your rewards to Citi ThankYou points.
  • You can also use them in other ways, such as spending on gift cards, Amazon.com, and on travel.

Leverage Your Card Smartly

If you want to make the best use of your Citi Rewards+ card , there are some tips to help you:

  • Combine With Other Cards: You can maximize the Citi Rewards+'s higher-paying categories, which are primarily relevant for everyday spending, while making up the difference in other areas with different cards. If you are a frequent flyer, for example, obtaining a travel credit card can provide you with a higher rewards rate on travel-related purchases.
  • Redeem Correctly: Determine which of the redeeming options for your accumulated points will be the best fit for your needs.
  • Avail of the Signup Offer: You can get a 25,000 bonus points after you spend $1,500 in purchases with your card within 3 months of account opening; redeemable for $250 in gift cards at thankyou.com. Plus, for a limited time, earn 5 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel Portal through June 30, 2024.

How To Apply For Citi Rewards+® Card?

Visit the website at citic.com and click on the “Apply Now’ button. 

citi rewards plus apply

Scroll down to fill in your personal information: name, home address, date of birth, phone number, social security number, and citizenship status

After filling, scroll down to fill in your security word, which is the answer to a personal question: your spouse’s name, pet’s name etc. Now, proceed to fill in your financial information like your total annual income, mortgage, and account type.

Scroll down to add an authorized user by ticking the box (optional), and read the terms and conditions of using the Citi Rewards+ Card. Scroll down some more to tick the box if you agree and click on “Submit.” 

Your application is now complete, and you will be contacted via any of the contact details you provided for approval on your application. 

Is the Citi Rewards+® Card Right for You?

Citi Rewards+® Card is the only card that rounds up to the nearest 10 points, significantly increasing the user's chance to earn rewards. It is suitable for users who make a lot of small purchases because of the low sign up bonus threshold – 25,000 bonus points after you spend $1,500 in purchases with your card within 3 months of account opening; redeemable for $250 in gift cards at thankyou.com. Plus, for a limited time, earn 5 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals, and attractions (excluding air travel) booked on the Citi Travel Portal through June 30, 2024.

Customers that frequently make large purchases will not find this credit card rewarding enough for their spending habits due to the low annual cap. This credit card is also not suitable for users who frequently deal with foreign merchants because of the foreign fee of 3%, which is high compared to most credit cards that charge $0 for international transactions.

Compare The Alternatives

Let’s also review some other high cash back rewards credit cards so you can make a comparison to determine if the Citi Rewards+ card is for you or not.

Wells Fargo active cash card

chase freedom unlimited card

Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards

Wells Fargo Active Cash℠ Card
Chase Freedom Unlimited®
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards credit card
Annual Fee
$0
$0
$0
Rewards
2% 2% cash rewards on purchases (unlimited)
1.5% – 5% 5% on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards, 3% on dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services, 3% on drugstore purchases and 1.5% cash back on all purchases
1% – 5% 3% cash back in the category of your choice: gas, online shopping, dining, travel, drug stores, or home improvement/furnishings, 2% cash back at grocery stores and wholesale clubs and 1% cash back on all other purchases. The 3% and 2% cash back available on the first $2,500 in combined choice category/grocery store/wholesale club purchases each quarter (then 1%)
Welcome bonus
$200 $200 cash rewards bonus when you spend $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
Up to $300 additional 1.5% cash back on everything you buy (on up to $20,000 spent in the first year)- worth up to $300 cash back
$200 $200 cash rewards bonus after making at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening
Foreign Transaction Fee
3%
3%
3%
Purchase APR
20.24% to 29.99% variable APR
20.24%–28.99% variable
18.24% – 28.24% Variable APR will apply. A 3% fee (min $0) applies to all balance transfers

FAQ

There are certain types of credit cards that will allow you to get free car rental insurance with them. However, the Citi Rewards+ Card is not the case with this type of card.

There is no limit to the rewards that you are able to get with this card. Therefore, it is ideal for people who are often spending large sums with their credit card.

In order to redeem the Citi Rewards+ Card points, you can get gift cards, shop at the likes of Amazon.com, use them as statement credit, or redeem them for travel rewards.

If you like consistent rewards and a decent signup offer then this could be a good credit card for you to check out. It ticks a whole lot of boxes.

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Lorraine Smithills

Lorraine Smithills

Lorraine is a freelance finance writer with years of experience in the banking sector and after a successful career in one of the largest retail and commercial financial services providers. She has a passion for helping people with less financial confidence to get control of their money through budgeting, saving, and responsible credit practices.
Best Cards Per Category
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Top Offers From Our Partners
citi-custom-cash_
Rewards Plan:
1-5% 5% cash back on your highest eligible spend category each billing cycle up to the first $500 spent and 1% cash back thereafter
Welcome Bonus: $200 $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening (20,000 ThankYou® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back)

citi double cash

Rewards Plan:
2%* 2% cash back rewards rate – 1% every time you swipe and another 1% upon payment.
0% Intro: 18 months on balance transfers, then 19.24% – 29.24% (Variable) APR

citi simplicity

0% Intro: 12 months on purchases and 21 months on balance transfers, then 19.24% – 29.99% (Variable) APR
Welcome Bonus / Rewards: None

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The product offers that appear on this site are from companies from which this website receives compensation. 

Table of Contents

Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.

Credit Card Reviews Methodology

In order to determine the best possible credit cards, we look at things like fees, interest rates and rewards. We do this with companies that are associated with us as partners as well as other offerings. From there, we make a decision about what the best card is related to different categories and needs. We focus on interest rate cost & fees, especially the cost of carrying a balance, rewards – cards accumulate rewards in different currencies—points, miles, cash back—and their values vary widely usability – cards that accept a wide range of credit profiles and offer simple solutions for things like checking your credit score or contacting. We also consider customer reviews.

We look at cards related to good or excellent credit ratings that will then provide a range of different benefits and improvements for someone who has these scores. We also look at low fees when it comes to those who have lower credit scores.