If you love traveling and earning rewards along the way, the Citi Premier Card might be just what you’re looking for. With enhanced benefits and attractive reward structures, this card is perfect for anyone who wants to maximize their travel rewards. But how does it compare to other popular credit cards? Let’s break down the key features of the Citi Premier Card and compare it to some of its competitors.
Key features of the Citi Premier Card
The Citi Premier Card is tailored for travel lovers, offering a generous rewards structure and a suite of travel-related benefits. Here are its standout features:
1. Sign-up bonus
The Citi Premier Card offers a 80,000-point bonus after you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months from account opening. When redeemed through the Citi ThankYou Rewards program, these points can be worth up to $1,000 in gift cards or travel.
2. Rewards structure
The rewards structure is a major draw for this card, offering:
- 3x points on air travel, hotels, and restaurants
- 2x points on entertainment
- 1x point on all other purchases
This makes the Citi Premier Card ideal for frequent travelers, as it rewards a wide range of travel-related purchases and dining expenses. With these rates, cardholders can quickly accumulate points for future trips or other rewards.
3. Annual fee
One of the most significant factors to consider is the annual fee, which is $95 for the Citi Premier Card. While not as expensive as some premium travel cards, it is still a factor to weigh if you’re not a frequent traveler.
4. Travel benefits
The Citi Premier Card comes with several travel benefits that enhance your experience:
- Travel protection: Includes trip cancellation, baggage delay, and travel accident insurance.
- No foreign transaction fees: A huge perk for international travelers who want to avoid extra charges while abroad.
- Access to the Citi ThankYou Rewards program: Points can be redeemed for flights, hotels, car rentals, and more.
Additionally, the card provides access to exclusive events and experiences through the Citi Entertainment program, which includes early access to concert tickets, special event invitations, and more.
5. Introductory APR offers
New cardholders can take advantage of a 0% introductory APR for the first 12 months on purchases and balance transfers. After that, the APR will be 15.24% – 23.24% (variable), depending on creditworthiness. This is a great feature if you need to make a large purchase and want to pay it off over time without accruing interest.
Who Is the Citi Premier Card ideal for?
The Citi Premier Card is best for:
- Frequent Travelers: If you often travel by air, stay at hotels, or dine out, the 3x points on these categories can help you rack up rewards fast.
- Foodies and Diners: With 3x points at restaurants, this card is a great option for those who love dining out, whether at home or abroad.
- Reward Maximizers: If you like to earn points on a variety of expenses, this card offers a well-rounded rewards structure with 2x points on entertainment and 1x on everything else.
- International Travelers: The no foreign transaction fees make this card perfect for use abroad.
How does the Citi Premier Card compare to other cards?
To help you decide whether the Citi Premier Card is the right fit, let’s compare it to some other top travel rewards cards. We’ll focus on cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, the American Express Gold Card, and the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card.
1. Chase Sapphire Preferred Card
- Sign-Up Bonus: The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card offers a generous 60,000-point bonus after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months, which is worth about $750 in travel when redeemed through the Chase Ultimate Rewards program.
- Rewards Structure:
- 2x points on travel and dining
- 1x point on all other purchases
- Annual Fee: $95, the same as the Citi Premier Card.
While the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card offers fewer bonus categories, it does have the edge with valuable point transfers to travel partners and more flexibility in how you redeem your points.
2. American Express Gold Card
- Sign-Up Bonus: The American Express Gold Card offers 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 6 months.
- Rewards Structure:
- 4x points on dining (including takeout and delivery)
- 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com
- 1x point on all other purchases
- Annual Fee: $250, which is significantly higher than the Citi Premier Card.
The American Express Gold Card stands out with its higher rewards on dining and travel but comes with a steep annual fee. It’s better for people who prioritize dining out and frequent travel.
3. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
- Sign-Up Bonus: The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months.
- Rewards Structure:
- 2x miles on every purchase
- Annual Fee: $95
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card is perfect for travelers who want a simple, flat-rate rewards structure, while the Citi Premier Card offers more flexibility with its bonus categories like air travel and dining.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Citi Premier Card | Chase Sapphire Preferred Card | American Express Gold Card | Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sign-Up Bonus | 80,000 points after spending $4,000 in 3 months | 60,000 points after spending $4,000 | 60,000 points after spending $4,000 | 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 |
| Rewards Rate | 3x points on air travel, hotels, and restaurants; 2x on entertainment; 1x on other purchases | 2x points on travel and dining; 1x on others | 4x points on dining; 3x points on flights; 1x on others | 2x miles on all purchases |
| Annual Fee | $95 | $95 | $250 | $95 |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | None | None | None | None |
| Introductory APR | 0% for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers | 0% for 12 months on purchases | None | 0% for 12 months on purchases |
| Ideal For | Frequent travelers, diners, and entertainment lovers | Travelers who want flexible point transfers | Dining enthusiasts and frequent flyers | Simple, flat-rate earners |
Conclusion
The Citi Premier Card is a fantastic choice for frequent travelers and those who love dining out. With 3x points on travel, restaurants, and entertainment, and a solid sign-up bonus, it offers great value, especially for those who want to earn rewards in a variety of categories. While it doesn’t have the luxury benefits of some premium cards, it provides excellent flexibility and value at a more reasonable $95 annual fee.
Compared to other top travel cards, it strikes a great balance between rewarding everyday purchases and offering solid travel perks. Whether you’re booking your next vacation or dining out with friends, the Citi Premier Card can help you earn the rewards you need to make your travels more rewarding.