The Citi Premier® Card is a popular travel rewards credit card that offers generous points on travel, dining, and everyday purchases. But is it the best travel credit card for you? In this review, we’ll break down its benefits, rewards structure, fees, and how it compares to competitors.
Key Features of the Citi Premier® Card
The Citi Premier® Card is designed for frequent travelers and those who want to maximize their rewards on everyday spending. Here are its standout features:
- Generous Rewards Program: Earn 3X points on air travel, hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations.
- Sign-Up Bonus: Earn 60,000 ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
- Annual Hotel Credit: Get a $100 annual hotel savings benefit when booking a hotel stay of $500 or more through Citi Travel.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees: Ideal for international travelers.
- Flexible Redemption Options: Redeem points for travel, gift cards, statement credits, or transfer to airline partners.
How the Citi Premier® Card Rewards System Works
The Citi Premier® Card uses Citi’s ThankYou® Points system, which allows cardholders to earn and redeem points in various ways. Here’s how you can maximize your rewards:
Earn Points on Everyday Spending
With the Citi Premier® Card, you earn:
- 3X points on air travel and hotels.
- 3X points on restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations.
- 1X point on all other purchases.
Redeeming Citi ThankYou® Points
Points can be redeemed in multiple ways, including:
- Travel Bookings: Use points to book flights, hotels, and car rentals through Citi Travel.
- Transfer to Airline Partners: Convert points to miles with partners like Singapore Airlines, JetBlue, and Turkish Airlines.
- Gift Cards & Cash Back: Redeem points for gift cards or statement credits.
Pros and Cons of the Citi Premier® Card
Pros
- High Earning Potential: 3X points on multiple everyday categories.
- Valuable Sign-Up Bonus: 60,000 points can be worth up to $600 in travel.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees: Great for international travelers.
- Flexible Redemption Options: Transfer points to airline partners for maximum value.
Cons
- $95 Annual Fee: While reasonable, some no-annual-fee cards offer competitive rewards.
- No Travel Protections: Unlike some premium travel cards, it lacks trip cancellation or delay insurance.
- Limited Transfer Partners: While useful, the list of airline partners is smaller than competitors like Chase Ultimate Rewards.
How Does the Citi Premier® Card Compare to Competitors?
To determine if the Citi Premier® Card is the best travel credit card, let’s compare it to two major competitors: the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the American Express® Gold Card.
Citi Premier® vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred®
- Rewards: Both offer 3X points on travel, but Chase Sapphire Preferred® includes travel protections.
- Redemption Value: Chase points are worth 25% more when redeemed through Chase Travel.
- Annual Fee: Both have a $95 annual fee.
Citi Premier® vs. American Express® Gold Card
- Rewards: Amex Gold offers 4X points on dining and supermarkets, making it better for food lovers.
- Annual Fee: Amex Gold has a higher $250 annual fee but includes dining credits.
- Travel Benefits: Citi Premier® has better travel-focused rewards, while Amex Gold is stronger for dining.
Who Should Get the Citi Premier® Card?
The Citi Premier® Card is best suited for:
- Frequent Travelers: If you spend a lot on flights and hotels, the 3X points can add up quickly.
- Everyday Spenders: The 3X points on supermarkets and gas stations make it valuable for daily purchases.
- People Who Want Flexible Rewards: Citi ThankYou® Points offer multiple redemption options, including airline transfers.
Final Verdict: Is the Citi Premier® Card the Best Travel Credit Card?
The Citi Premier® Card is a strong contender in the travel credit card space, offering high rewards on travel and everyday spending. However, whether it’s the best travel credit card depends on your needs.
If you prioritize flexible rewards and a reasonable annual fee, the Citi Premier® Card is an excellent choice. However, if you want premium travel perks like lounge access or travel insurance
