Citi Premier® Card 2024: In our latest “What’s in our Wallet” series, I found myself as the sole member of the FM team actively utilizing the Citi Premier card in my household’s credit card rotation. This revelation may not come as a shock, considering that despite being a longtime Premier cardholder, it had taken a backseat in my credit card lineup for some time. I had been swayed by newer cards offering more enticing welcome bonuses. However, being part of a two-person household has shed new light on the value of this reasonably-priced workhorse, particularly in terms of accessing Citi ThankYou Points and their diverse range of transfer partners.
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Citi Premier Current Welcome Offer
Citi Premier Rewards Review: The Citi Premier card boasts top-tier category bonuses, offering 3x points on dining, gas, grocery, and travel. While its ThankYou Points may not be the flashiest, they provide a diverse range of air and hotel partners. It’s an ideal secondary card or a simple one-card solution. Pairing it with no annual fee cards like Double Cash, Rewards+, and Custom Cash enhances rewards with flexible categories and 10% back on point transfers. Despite limited perks, its low fee, transfer options, and robust earning potential make it a standout choice.
Annual Fee: $95
Authorized User Annual Fee: Free
Foreign Transaction Fee: None
Point Value: The Citi Premier card earns Citi ThankYou Points, valued at 1.45 cents each based on our Reasonable Redemption Values.
Best Redemption: Transferring ThankYou points to travel partners at a 1:1 ratio typically offers the best value. Notably, the card boasts a diverse range of hotel partners, including Accor, Wyndham, Leading Hotels of the World, and Choice Privileges. Choice stands out with a favorable 1:2 transfer ratio. While its airline partners may not be top-tier, they offer appealing options like Avianca LifeMiles, Air France/KLM Flying Blue, British Airways Avios, Eva Air, and Turkish Miles and Smiles. Citi’s 1:1 transfer to Eva Air is particularly attractive for US-Asia travel. Additionally, cardholders can redeem points for statement credit at a rate of 1 cent per point.
Earning Categories:
- 10X flights and hotels booked through Citi Travel (through June 30, 2024)
- 3x Gas
- 3x Grocery (uncapped)
- 3x Dining
- 3x Travel (airfare and hotels)
- 1x everywhere else
Credits:
- $100 Hotel Credit: Once yearly on a stay of $500 or more. Must book through Citi.
Travel Protections:
- None
Purchase Protections:
- Damage and Theft Protection: Covers damage or theft for 90 days up to $10,000 per claim or $50,000 per calendar year.
- Extended Warranty: Extends coverage by 24 months on items with a manufacturer’s warranty of 5 years or less, up to $10,000 per item.
Target Audience: Ideal for individuals seeking a single card with robust category bonuses. Also suitable for secondary cardholders who prefer simplicity.
Is the Citi Premier Worth Keeping? Absolutely. With a compelling mix of transfer partners and generous category bonuses, the Premier is a valuable asset. Since Citi bases welcome offer eligibility on when you last received a bonus on the same card, there’s no downside to applying for a new one every four years and then transitioning or canceling the old card.
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Citi Premier: Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Offers one of the most comprehensive sets of bonus categories among credit cards
- Grocery earnings with the Premier’s 3x multiplier are uncapped, unlike some other cards
- Provides industry-leading extended purchase protection
- Boasts an impressive array of hotel and air transfer partners
- Transfers to Choice Privileges at double the rate of competitors like Amex or Capital One
- Allows sharing of miles across cards and cardholders
- Combines exceptionally well with the Citi Double Cash, Custom Cash, and Rewards+ to create a powerful quartet for just $95
- Points can be redeemed at 1 cent each for statement credits if transferring to partners is not preferred (although, generally, not recommended)
Cons:
- Requires a partner card for earning more than 1x everywhere
- Lacks substantial perks compared to other cards
- Travel category is narrower compared to offerings from many other issuers
- Welcome offers are typically not among the best available
- Limited domestic airline transfer partner options, with JetBlue being the only choice
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