Credit Cards » Compare Credit Cards » Citi® Diamond Preferred® vs Citi Rewards+® Card
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Citi® Diamond Preferred® vs Citi Rewards+® Card

Each of these cards has its own goal - transferring your balance and use the long 0% intro APR, or getting decent rewards & sign up bonus
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.

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Table of Content

Citi is one of the bigger financial institutions around and has a range of different credit card options. This review will highlight the key similarities and contrasts between the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card and the Citi Rewards+® Card.

You will then be able to see if one of these cards is going to be worthwhile signing up for.

General Comparison

citi diamond preferred

citi rewards
Citi Diamond Preferred
Citi Rewards+ Card
Annual Fee
$0
$0
Rewards
None
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
Welcome bonus
None
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 APR
21 months on balance transfers and 12 months on purchases , then 18.24% – 28.99% (Variable) APRAPR
15 months on purchases and balance transfers, then 18.74% – 28.74% (Variable) APR
Foreign Transaction Fee
3%
3%
Purchase APR
18.24% – 28.99% (Variable)
18.74% – 28.74% (Variable)
Read Review
Read Review

Simulation: Which Card Gives More Rewards?

As only one of these cards offers cashback rewards, we will only do a worked-out example for this offering.

As you can see, there is a consistent level of rewards that you can get with the Citi Rewards+ Card. The only premium categories will be for supermarket and gas station purchases. This makes it a solid card for everyday use.

However, keep in mind to adjust the numbers to your regular spending categories, which may be different – so the exact calculation depends on your personal 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

Compare Welcome Bonus And Fees

The Citi Diamond Preferred Card signup offer gives you 0% intro APR for 21 months on balance transfers and 12 months on purchases . The Citi Rewards+ card signup offer sees you getting awarded 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. This will be redeemable for $200 worth of gift cards.

Neither of these cards have an annual fee that people have to pay and there is a 3% charge on foreign transactions. Both cards also have 0% intro APR offers and no balance transfer fees for certain periods of time. The Citi Diamond Preferred Card has variable APR rates of 18.24% – 28.99% (Variable) while the Citi Rewards+ card has APR rates of 18.74% – 28.74% (Variable) .

Compare The Perks

There are additional benefits associated with Citi credit cards, outside of the fees and signup offers. Here is a look at what both of the cards in this comparison have in common and where they differ.

Here are the additional benefits you'll get on both cards:

  • Constant Customer Service: With both of these cards, you will get access to 24/7 customer service.

  • No Liability on Unauthorized Charges: If you notice any unauthorized charges on your statement, then you will not have to pay for them with either of these cards.

  • Digital Wallets: You are able to use digital wallets with both cards that speed up the online checkout process and allow you to unlock all of the great perks associated with these cards.

  • Citi Entertainment: With both of these cards you will get access to the Citi Entertainment program which allows you to avail of different types of music, sports coverage, and other types of perks.

The Citi Diamond Preferred card offers some unique features:

  • Automatic Alerts: You will be able to set up alerts and get them sent to you automatically about your balance levels, due payments, and when you go past your credit limit.
  • Choose Payment Date: With this card, you are able to decide on what date you pay your bill.
  • Identity Theft Solutions: This card helps you resolve any identity theft issues and also you will have $0 liability on unauthorized charges.

The Citi Rewards+ card offers some unique features:

  • Cashback Offer: You will get 10% of your points back, up to the first 100,000 points that you redeem.

  • Round Up: You will get all of your points automatically rounded up to the nearest 10. For example, A $2 snack earns 10 points. A $12 meal earns you 20 points. There is no cap on purchases that are rounded up.

Compare The Drawbacks

There are no perfect financial products, so it is important to be aware of the potential drawbacks of a new credit card before you sign up.

Here we’ll highlight some of the possible negatives to help you make an informed decision.

Citi Diamond Preferred

citi diamond preferred

You will not earn cashbacks rewards or sign up bonus through this card. 

Citi Rewards+ Card

citi rewards

You’ll still get a great Intro APR on purchases, but the Intro APR on Balance Transfers is shorter than the Citi Diamond Preferred.

Citi offers credit cards with better rewards rate and sign up bonus.

Compare Redemption Options

With the Citi Rewards+ Card, you are able to get 2x points when you make purchases at gas stations and supermarkets. The remaining purchases that you make will earn you 1x points. In order to redeem the points, you can get gift cards, shop at the likes of Amazon.com, use them as statement credit, or redeem them for travel rewards.

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.

How to Maximize Cards Benefits?

As there is no cashback rewards available with this card, it is really only good for people who want extended 0% APR, as well as access to tickets to the likes of sports events and concerns.

citi diamond preferred

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

  • 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.

  • Combine With Other Cards: You can make the most of the higher paying categories for the Citi Rewards+ which is mainly relevant for everyday spending,  while making up the difference in other areas with different cards. For example, if you're a frequent flyer, getting a travel credit card can get you higher rewards rate on travel related purchases.

  • Redeem the Right way: You should figure out which of the redeeming options for your accumulated points is going to be the ideal fit for your needs.

citi rewards

Customer Reviews: Which Card Wins?

The Citi Diamond Preferred Card has a 4.4/5 star rating out of more than 5,600 reviews. The highest ratings come from people who enjoy the credit cushion that this card offers, as well as its simplicity. The lower rating talk about the lack of cashback rewards

For the Citi Rewards+ Card, it has a 4.7/5 rating for more than 3,000 reviews. People enjoy the security that it offers, as well as the good range of ways that people can redeem the reward points. The negative reviews are few and far between for this card.

When You Might Want the Citi Diamond Preferred?

The Citi Diamond Preferred is a great option that could be good you're looking for:

  • Looking to Accelerated Debt Repayments: The long 0% APR will be suitable for people who are looking to pay down their credit card debt on a much quicker basis than they could without the 0% APR. 

  • Simple Card: If you want a simple card that is not too complex, then this could be a good fit for you.

When You Might Want the Citi Rewards+ Card?

The Citi Rewards+ Card is a solid choice if you're looking for:

  • Predictability: There is a good range of rewards that you can get with this card that won’t be changing over time and are not capped. 

  • Everyday Spending: If you are looking for a card that will be a great fit for everyday spending, then this covers all bases.

  • Major Debt: If you are making a significant purchase, the 0% intro APR can be a good way to make this debt more manageable and pay it off at a quicker rate without the interest stacking up too much in the beginning.

Compare The Alternatives

The Citi Diamond Preferred Card does not really match up too well to the Citi Rewards+ Card. The latter has all of the cashback rewards and a great signup offer.

With a wide range of ways to redeem the earned points, it is an ideal fit for everyday use, providing you with great flexibility and protection.

However, there are a couple of alternatives that you may want to take a look before applying:

Chase Freedom Flex

capital-one-venture

American express everyday card review 2021

Chase Freedom Flex℠ Card
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
American Express EveryDay® Card
Annual Fee
$0
$95
$0
Rewards
1-5% 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in combined purchases on selected categories each quarter and 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. Also, you can earn 3% cash back on dining at restaurants (including takeout and eligible delivery services), drugstore purchases , and 1% on all other purchases
2X 2X miles per dollar on every purchase, plus 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
1X – 2X 2X at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 each year), then 1x on all purchases
Welcome bonus
$200 $200 bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
75,000 miles 75,000 miles once they spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
10,000 points 10,000 points after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new card within the first 3 months
Foreign Transaction Fee
3%
$0
2.7%
Purchase APR
20.24%–28.99% variable
19.99% – 29.99% (Variable)
17.49% – 28.49% variable

FAQ

You are not able to earn any sort of cashback rewards with the Citi Diamond Preferred Card. Therefore, you are not dealing with any types of purchases you can earn cashback or any sort of limits on rewards.

There are no stated income requirements when you are attempting to get this type of credit card. You might need to meet other sorts of requirements in order to be eligible.

You might not have fitted the requirements. You could look elsewhere at similar card options if this has happened to you as other providers or card types might have different eligibility requirements.

Once you keep your account open you will not have to worry about your reward points expiring. Therefore, you will not be under any pressure to use them in a certain time period.

The initial credit limit with this type of card is usually at least $1,000. The exact limit that you will get depends on your personal financial situation.

A big reason for you to not get this type of credit card will be if you want larger cashback rates. Certain other credit cards will provide you with better cashback rates

Review No Annual Fees Credit Cards

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.
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Rewards Plan:
1-6% 6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 per year in purchases, then 1%) and selected U.S. streaming subscriptions, 3% cash back on transit and U.S. gas stations, 1% cash back on other purchases
Welcome Bonus: $250 $250 statement credit after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card within the first 6 months
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)

Rewards Plan:
1% – 4% unlimited 4% cash back on dining, entertainment, and popular streaming services, 3% at grocery stores and 1% on all other purchases.
Welcome Bonus: $300 $300 cash bonus once you spend $3,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening

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

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.