In the ever-evolving world of technology, individuals continuously seek ways to enhance their convenience, particularly in the realm of credit cards.
The Citi Rewards+® Card emerges as a distinguished option in this competitive field.
With its combination of bonus points, innovative rounding-up feature, and absence of an annual fee, this card appeals to consumers who want to optimize their rewards from daily expenditures.
Key Highlights of Citi Rewards+® Card
Let’s take a look at Citi Rewards+® Card’s key highlights:
- Receive 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,500 within the first 3 months of opening your account. These points can be redeemed for $200 in gift cards at thankyou.com.
- Additionally, until December 31, 2025, earn 5 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com.
- Enjoy a 0% introductory APR on balance transfers for 15 months from the date of the first transfer and on purchases from the date of account opening. Afterward, the variable APR will range from 18.74% to 28.74%, depending on your creditworthiness. The intro balance transfer fee is 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, the fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
- Earn double ThankYou® Points at supermarkets and gas stations for the first $6,000 per year and then 1X Points after that. Additionally, earn 1X ThankYou® Points on all other purchases.
- The Citi Rewards+® Card is unique in that it automatically rounds up to the nearest 10 points on every purchase, with no cap.
- There is no annual fee for this card.
Citi Rewards+ Card Review
If you’re exploring rewards cards with no annual fee, the Citi Rewards+® Card is worth considering. This card grants 2 ThankYou Points for each dollar spent at supermarkets and gas stations up to $6,000 annually and 1 ThankYou Point per dollar on other eligible purchases.
You’ll also earn 5 ThankYou® Points per dollar on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com until the end of 2025. One of its standout features is the rounding up of points to the nearest 10 on all purchases.
Additionally, new cardholders can look forward to a welcome bonus: earn 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,500 within the first 3 months, which can be redeemed for $200 in gift cards at thankyou.com.
Evaluating the Earnings Structure
While the Citi Rewards+® Card has attractive features, its earnings structure might be outmatched by other cards.
The unique point-rounding feature may not seem as valuable when compared to cards that offer higher rewards from the start.
However, if you already have other ThankYou Points-earning cards, pairing them with the Citi Rewards+® Card could enhance your rewards.
Maximizing Rewards with Multiple Citi Cards
For those who hold a Citi Premier card, combining it with the Citi Rewards+® Card can be beneficial. You can transfer points to airline partners and get 10% of your transferred points back on the first 100,000 points redeemed.
Pairing the Citi Rewards+ card with other Citi cards can also boost your points-earning potential. Strategically using the card that offers the most points for your purchase types can also help.
Your personal preference and credit card usage habits determine whether you should juggle multiple cards for extra points.
The Pros and Cons of Citi Rewards+® Card
To give an overview to why you should and shouldn’t order this card, here are the pros and cons:
Pros:
- All purchases rounded up to the nearest 10 reward points.
- A 10% points bonus is added to the first 100,000 points redeemed annually.
- No rotating categories to manage.
Cons:
- Foreign transaction fee.
- Potentially high APR depending on your creditworthiness.
- High balance transfer fee
- Annual $6,000 spending cap on 2x points category.
Citi Rewards+ Card Rewards
The Citi Rewards+ Credit Card offers a variety of rewards:
- You can earn 2 ThankYou Points at supermarkets and gas stations for every dollar spent, up to the first $6,000 annually. After that, and for all other eligible purchases, you earn 1 ThankYou Point per dollar.
- Additionally, until December 31, 2025, you can earn 5 ThankYou® Points per dollar on hotel stays, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com.
- Your points get rounded up to the nearest 10 on every purchase without any limit.
- You’ll receive 10% of your points back for the first 100,000 ThankYou® Points you redeem each year.
As a bonus for new cardholders, you can earn 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,500 in the first three months of opening your account. These points can be redeemed for $200 in gift cards at thankyou.com.
Redeeming Rewards
Here’s a revamped take on the Citi Rewards+® Card’s redemption options:
- Gift Cards: Trading in your points for gift cards through the ThankYou Center? Expect them to be valued at roughly one cent each.
- Shop With Points: Ready to shop directly with your points? At select retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and CVS, your points might fetch slightly less than one cent each. For BestBuy.com and 1800Flowers.com, you’ll see a statement credit after you’ve made your purchase and redeemed your points.
- Travel Bookings: When booking travel through the ThankYou Travel Center, your points will generally be worth one cent apiece.
- Transfer to Travel Partners: Feeling adventurous? Transfer your ThankYou Points to partners like Choice Privileges or Wyndham Rewards. Just keep in mind, the transfer value might not be top-notch. But, if you hold a premium card like the Citi Premier® Card, you can merge your points for a better transfer ratio and access a wider array of partners, including Emirates Skywards and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer.
- Statement Credit: If you opt for a statement credit, your points will be valued at half a cent each, and there is no minimum redemption amount.
- Straight Cash Back: Fancy some cold hard cash? Redeem your points for a check, also valued at half a cent each. Just remember, there’s a $5 minimum for this option, and your check will be valid for 180 days.
Potential Rewards
The Citi Rewards+® Card’s potential is best understood by examining its bonus categories and a household’s typical spending patterns.
According to Forbes Advisor, which utilizes government data, a household in the 70th percentile with an annual income of $116,000 incurs about $36,177 in expenses that can be charged to credit cards.
This includes an estimated $6,692 on groceries and $2,479 on gas.
Earning Points
The card’s structure allows you to earn two points per dollar on the first $6,000 spent annually and one point per dollar thereafter.
This results in 15,171 points from grocery and gas spending. Other purchases also earn one point per dollar, adding another 27,006 points, for a total of 42,177 points.
Additionally, the first-year welcome bonus further boosts your rewards, not to mention the potential savings from 10% Points Back redemptions.
Introductory Offers on the Citi Rewards+® Card
The Citi Rewards+® Card provides an enticing introductory offer: a 0% APR on balance transfers for the initial 15 months from the first transfer date and on purchases from the account opening date.
Following this period, a variable APR ranging from 18.74% to 28.74%, depending on your credit score, will apply.
For the first 4 months after opening your account, a balance transfer fee of either 3% of each transfer or $5, whichever is greater, is applicable. Subsequently, a fee of 5% of each transfer (minimum $5) will be charged for each balance transfer.
Other Citi Rewards+ Card Advantages
Below are some of the advantages when you purchase and use Citi Rewards+ Card:
- Citi Entertainment: Get special access to purchase tickets for live entertainment, including concerts and sporting events, including presale tickets and exclusive experiences
- Citi Concierge: Access to a staff of experts to help with a variety of tasks
- Points Back: Get 10% points back on all redemption options for the first 100,000 ThankYou Points you redeem per year
Fine Print
Interest Rates:
- Standard APR: Ranges from 18.74% to 28.74%, and it varies based on the prime rate.
- Introductory APR for Purchases: Enjoy a 0% introductory rate for the first 15 months.
- Introductory APR for Balance Transfers: Benefit from a 0% rate for 15 months on balance transfers.
Fees:
- No Annual Fee: Enjoy the perks of this card without an annual fee.
- Balance Transfer Fee: Pay 5% of each balance transfer, with a minimum of $5, applicable after the first four months of account opening.
- Foreign Transaction Fee: A 3% fee applies to purchases made outside the U.S.
Evaluating the Citi Rewards+® Card
Chase Freedom Flex℠ offers 5% cash back on rotating categories, travel, 3% on dining and drugstores, and 1% on other purchases, with no annual fee.
Rewards are in the form of Chase Ultimate Rewards.
Citi Rewards+® Card vs Capital One SavorOne Cash Rewards Credit Card
Capital One SavorOne offers 3% cash back on dining, entertainment, streaming, and groceries, 5% on hotels and rental cars, and 1% on other purchases, with no annual fee and a 0% intro APR for 15 months.
Citi Rewards+® Card vs Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card
Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards offers 3% cash back in a chosen category, 2% on groceries and wholesale clubs, and 1% on other purchases, with a $200 bonus after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days and no annual fee.
Is the Citi Rewards+ Card Right for You?
The Citi Rewards+® Card isn’t a poor choice, but it’s important to note that other alternatives provide greater Citi Rewards+ card benefits.
Suppose you’re not specifically devoted to Citi or seeking a supplementary card to earn ThankYou Points alongside your current Citi rewards card.
In that case, you might want to consider a card with more advantages.
How to Order the Citi Rewards+ Card?
Now that you’ve decided to consider this card, here are some simple steps on how to order this card:
- Visit the Citi Website: Go to the official Citi website and navigate to the credit cards section.
- Find the Citi Rewards+® Card: Look for the Citi Rewards+® Card among the list of available credit cards. It is usually listed under the rewards or points category.
- Review the Card Details: Before applying, ensure you understand the card’s features, benefits, fees, and interest rates. Take note of any promotional offers or signup bonuses.
- Click on “Apply Now”: Once you’ve decided that the Citi Rewards+® Card is the right choice for you, click on the “Apply Now” button to start the application process.
- Fill Out the Application Form: You’ll be required to provide personal information such as your name, address, Social Security number, income details, and employment information.
- Review and Submit: Double-check all the information you’ve entered to ensure accuracy. Once you’re confident that everything is correct, submit your application.
- Wait for Approval: After submitting your application, you’ll need to wait for Citi to review your information and make a decision. This can take a few minutes to several days. You may receive an instant decision online, or Citi might require additional time to review your application.
- Receive Your Card: If approved, Citi will send your Citi Rewards+® Card to the address you provided in your application. It may take a few days to a few weeks for your card to arrive.
- Activate Your Card: Once you receive your card, follow the instructions provided to activate it. This typically involves calling a phone number or activating it online through Citi’s website or mobile app.
Contact Information for Inquiries
For general support or inquiries about your Citi Rewards+® Card, you can contact the following numbers:
- General Support for Citi Cards: 1-800-950-5114
- Servicio al cliente español: 1-800-947-9100
If you prefer to communicate via mail, you can use the following address for general correspondence:
- Citibank Customer Service P.O. Box 6500 Sioux Falls, SD 57117
For payments, you can send your check or money order to:
Payments by Regular Mail: P.O. BOX 9001037 Louisville, KY 40290-1037
Overnight Delivery / Express Payments: Citibank Express Payments 6716 Grade Lane Building 9, Suite 910 Louisville, KY 40213
Ensure your payment is in proper form by including a valid check or money order, your name, and the last four digits of your account number.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Citi Rewards+® Card offers a compelling package for those looking to amplify their rewards on everyday purchases.
With its unique point-rounding feature, generous bonus categories, and absence of an annual fee, it is an attractive choice for savvy spenders.
However, as with any financial product, it’s essential to evaluate your individual spending habits and financial goals to determine whether this card meets your needs.
Disclaimer
Please note that the information provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice.
Always consult with a financial advisor or conduct thorough research before making any credit card decisions.
