Citibank once held the title of largest credit card issuer, but recent setbacks have led the company to rethink how it operates. It turns out that's good news for you, since many of Citi's most recent innovations include an enhance fraud prevention system, a revamped rewards program, and a new crop of balance transfer offers.
- $100 cash back after $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
- 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers and Purchases for 12 months. After that, the APR will be 12.99%-22.99% variable based on your creditworthiness*
- Earn 5% cash back from Citi at Home Depot, Home furnishing stores and home and garden stores between 4/1/13 and 6/30/13, with enrollment
- 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers and Purchases for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 12.99% - 21.99% based on your creditworthiness.
- There is a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
- No late fees - EVER
- Earn 40,000 Hilton HHonors Bonus Points after spending $1,000 within 4 months of account opening*
- Earn 6 HHonors Bonus Points for each $1 spent at a participating hotel within the Hilton HHonors portfolio.*
- Earn 3 HHonors Bonus Points for each $1 spent on purchases at supermarkets, drugstores and gas stations.*
- 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers and Purchases for 18 months. After that, the variable APR will be 12.99% - 21.99% based on your creditworthiness.
- There is a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
- No late fees - EVER
- Earn 2 weekend night certificates good at select hotels and resorts within the Hilton HHonors portfolio after $2,500 in eligible purchases within 4 months of account opening*
- Earn 10 HHonors Bonus Points per $1 spent on hotel stays within the Hilton HHonors portfolio*
- Earn 5 HHonors Bonus Points per $1 spent on airline and car rental purchases*
- Earn 15,000 bonus ThankYou Points after $1000 in card purchases within 3 months of account opening - enough for $150 in gift cards or other great rewards!
- 0% intro APR on Balance Transfers and Purchases for 12 months. After that, the variable APR will be 12.99%-22.99% based upon your creditworthiness*
- Earn 1 ThankYou Point for every $1 you spend on all purchases
- Get 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers and Purchases for 18 months. After that, the APR will be 11.99%-21.99% based upon your creditworthiness.*
- There is a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer.
- Citi® Price Rewind searches for a lower price. Learn how you can get lower price after you purchase an item.
- Earn 30,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after $1,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of cardmembership*
- Your first eligible checked bag is free*
- Priority Boarding with Group 1 privileges* and 25% savings on eligible in-flight purchases*
- Designed for businesses with an established credit history
- Earn 30,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after $1,000 in purchases in the first 3 months of cardmembership*
- First eligible checked bag free for you and up to 4 traveling companions*
- Enjoy 0% Intro APR on Balance Transfers and Purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 12.99% - 22.99% based upon your creditworthiness*
- Earn 1 ThankYou Point for every $1 you spend on purchases.
- Enjoy no limit on the number of points you can earn
- Designed for businesses with an established credit history
- Earn 15,000 bonus ThankYou® points after you make $3000 in purchases within 3 months of cardmembership - enough for $150 in gift cards
- 0% intro APR on Purchases for 6 months. After that, 13.24% variable.
- Earn bonus cash back each quarter on new must-have categories- like department stores, travel and more, with enrollment
- Earn a full 1% cash back on all other purchases
- Free enrollment each quarter for new categories that earn additional cash back.
Disclaimer:*These quotes are from credit card issuers which have paid for a link to their website. Offers are subject to change without notice and may not be the same for all consumers.
This content is not provided or commissioned by American Express. Opinions expressed here are author's alone, not those of American Express, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by American Express. This site may be compensated through American Express Affiliate Program.
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Best-known Citibank credit cards
Citibank rewards many of its cardholders through loyalty programs, including American Airlines' AAdvantage, Hilton HHonors, and Citi's own ThankYou Rewards. Rewards points still drive a significant amount of customer loyalty for Citi, especially with the bank's partnership with two of the biggest travel reward programs in the country. Its in-house reward program offers generous bonuses, especially for preferred cardholders. ThankYou Rewards members can choose from cash back rebates, retailer gift cards, discounted merchandise, and special experience awards.
Other types of Citibank credit cards
Citibank's newest credit card brand, Simplicity, streamlines the account management experience for cardholders who travel frequently or who have faced challenges keeping up with monthly payment cycles. Meanwhile, the Citi Forward Card for College Students rewards cardholders for using credit wisely. Citi's World MasterCard series connects cardholders to "priceless moments" and exclusive experience rewards. Finally, the Citi Diamond Preferred Card rivals other "black card" accounts by offering personalized concierge service and global travel perks.
A city bank with deep roots faces setbacks
Few American banks can say they've served customers for two centuries. However, Citi traces its roots to the City Bank of New York, chartered in 1812. The company first experimented with credit cards in the mid-1960s, purchasing Carte Blanche from Hilton. A few years later, the First National City Charge Service debuted its "Everything Card." Just as Bank of America's BankAmericard would evolve into what we now know as Visa, the Everything Card helped form the Master Charge service that turned into MasterCard.
Citibank shook up the credit card industry in 1980 by relocating its credit card operations from New York to South Dakota, where state banking laws set no cap on annual percentage rates. The company endured a substantial restructuring that began in 2007, forcing it to reconsider many of its policies toward sub-prime credit cards. Cyber-criminals gave Citi another black eye in 2011, when the bank sent more than 100,000 replacement cards to customers whose account details had been compromised during a hacking attack.
Citi breaks from its past to rebuild customer relationships
In spite of these challenges, Citi has returned to the marketplace in full force. Along with a revised product lineup, Citi has committed itself to making great experiences for its cardholders. The bank sponsors exclusive events and ticket pre-sales under its Private Pass program, while offering free customer Wi-Fi at a growing number of public locations. With beefed-up account security and a new approach to adding value for cardholders, Citi stands ready to bring its legacy firmly into its third century. Compare the credit card offers on this page to learn whether Citi can earn your business.
