
The Citicard Premier Card is a premium credit card that offers an array of benefits and rewards.
You can earn 3x points on travel purchases, which can be redeemed for travel experiences or other rewards.
The card also comes with a $100 annual travel credit, which can be used towards travel-related expenses.
This card is perfect for frequent travelers who want to earn rewards and enjoy travel perks.
Here's an interesting read: Is Premier Bank Credit Card Legit
Cons
The Citi Premier Card isn't perfect, and there are some downsides to consider.
The annual fee is a whopping $95, which might be a hard pill to swallow, especially if you're not using the card's benefits frequently.
No special financing offers are available, which means you won't be able to take advantage of any promotional APRs or payment plans.
After the first year, the annual fee becomes harder to justify, especially if you're not earning enough points to make up for the cost.
However, if you're spending in the bonus categories often, the points you earn might be worth the fee.
Here are some key cons to consider:
- $95 annual fee
- No special financing offers
Welcome Bonus and Rewards
The Citi Premier Card offers a generous welcome bonus of 60,000 ThankYou Points after spending $4,000 within the first three months from account opening.
This bonus is worth $1,080 when valued at 1.8 cents each, making it a significant incentive for new cardholders.
You can transfer your Citi ThankYou Points to 19 different partners, including Air France-KLM Flying Blue, which can be used to book business class awards from the U.S. to Europe for just 50,000 miles per person one-way.
The Citi Premier Card also offers a limited-time promotion that earns you a total of 10 points per dollar on hotel, rental car, and attractions booked via the Citi Travel portal, for a limited time through June 30, 2024.
Here's a comparison of the Citi Premier Card's welcome bonus with other similar cards:
The Citi Premier Card's welcome bonus may not be the largest, but it's still a generous offer that's worth considering, especially when combined with the card's other benefits.
Additional reading: Activate Premier Bank Credit Card
$100 Annual Credit
The $100 annual credit on the Citi Premier Card is a benefit that can save you money on a single hotel stay of $500 or more. This credit is available once every calendar year, not cardmember year, so you can use it again after the new year begins.
To earn the credit, you must pay for your eligible hotel stay in advance with your Citi Premier Card, Citi ThankYou points, or a combination of the two. You'll have the option to apply the credit during the booking process.
You can book your hotel stay through ThankYou.com or by calling 1-800-THANKYOU. However, you should shop around and compare hotel pricing on sites other than thankyou.com, as Citi's travel portal may not always have the lowest rate.
Here are the details of the $100 annual hotel savings benefit:
- Reservations must be made by the primary cardmember, although reservations can be made in the name of the primary cardmember or authorized users.
- Vacation packages do not qualify for this benefit.
- The $100 annual hotel savings benefit cannot be combined in the same transaction with the Citi Prestige Card’s complimentary fourth-night free perk.
- This benefit cannot be combined with any other promotions or discounts.
The credit is equivalent to up to 20% off a hotel stay of $500 or more. While this may not seem like a lot, it can add up to significant savings over the course of the year.
Benefits and Protections
The Citi Premier card offers some great benefits and protections to its cardholders. The card has two significant protections: extended warranty protection and damage and theft protection.
The extended warranty protection adds an additional 24 months to a manufacturer's warranty, giving you extra peace of mind when making purchases. This can be a huge advantage when buying big-ticket items.
Damage and theft protection can provide for the repair or replacement of an item that's damaged or stolen within 90 days of purchase, up to $10,000 per item and a $50,000 annual limit. This is a great safety net in case something unexpected happens.
To take advantage of the $100 hotel savings benefit, you'll need to book your hotel stay through ThankYou.com or by calling 1-800-THANKYOU. This benefit is available to cardholders once every calendar year, and it's good for single hotel stays of $500 or more, excluding charges for taxes and fees.
For more insights, see: Synchrony Premier Credit Card
You can earn the savings benefit by paying for your eligible hotel stay in advance with your Citi Premier Card, Citi ThankYou points or a combination of the two. This way, you can enjoy your hotel stay and still get the $100 savings.
Here are some key details to keep in mind when using the $100 hotel savings benefit:
- Reservations must be made by the primary cardmember, although reservations can be made in the name of the primary cardmember or authorized users.
- Vacation packages do not qualify for this benefit.
- The $100 annual hotel savings benefit cannot be combined in the same transaction with the Citi Prestige Card’s* complimentary fourth-night free perk (if you have both Citi credit cards).
- This benefit cannot be combined with any other promotions or discounts.
Entertainment and Travel Perks
The Citi Premier Card has some perks that are worth mentioning, but it's not the most comprehensive package out there. For example, it lacks travel insurance benefits, which is a notable absence compared to some other travel cards.
One of the few perks included is Citi Entertainment access, but for many cardholders, this isn't a game-changer. If travel insurance is a must-have for you, you might want to look elsewhere.
Here's a brief rundown of the Citi Premier Card's travel benefits:
- Annual hotel savings benefit: a discount on hotel bookings through the Citi travel portal
- Travel credits: not as generous as some other cards, but still a decent perk
- Transferable points: can be transferred to Citi airline partners, including Aeromexico, Asia Miles, and many others
Earn 3X Points on Everyday Spending and Travel
Earning 3X points on everyday spending and travel is a major perk of the Citi Premier card. You can earn 3 points per dollar spent in categories like restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, air travel, and hotels.
The Citi Premier card offers unlimited earning potential in these categories, making it easy to maximize your rewards. For example, the average family of four spends around $20,640.80 per year in categories that earn 3 points per dollar, which would yield 61,922 points.
These points can be redeemed for a variety of rewards, including cash back, travel, and gift cards. The Citi Premier card also offers a flexible rewards program, allowing you to redeem your points in a way that suits your needs.
Intriguing read: Citicards Rewards
Entertainment Perks
If you have a Citi credit card, including the Citi Premier card, you can access Citi Entertainment, which offers exclusive events and priority access to concerts, shows, and performances.
Citi Entertainment can also provide advance ticket sales to film festivals and more.
Key Information and Changes
Citi Premier Card members can take advantage of new rewards rates, with 3X ThankYou Points per $1 spent at restaurants and supermarkets, as of June 2, 2020.
Some benefits are ending or being lowered for the Citi Premier Card, including 3X ThankYou Points per $1 spent on other travel and 2X ThankYou Points per $1 spent on entertainment, as of April 10, 2021.
The card has a $95 annual fee, but a $100 annual hotel benefit offsets it each year, making it a worthwhile perk for those who use it.
Here are the benefits that are ending or being lowered:
- 3X ThankYou Points per $1 spent on other travel (previously)
- 2X ThankYou Points per $1 spent on entertainment (previously)
- 25% more value on points redeemed for airfare, hotels, cruises and car rentals through the ThankYou Travel Center (still available)
Benefits Ending 4/10/2021
If you're a Citi Premier Cardholder, you should know that some benefits are ending on April 10, 2021. This includes 3X ThankYou Points per $1 spent on other travel, such as cruises, tolls and parking, and 2X ThankYou Points per $1 spent on entertainment.
These changes only affect existing cardmembers, so new cardholders will still be able to earn these rewards. The 25% more value on points redeemed for airfare, hotels, cruises and car rentals through the ThankYou Travel Center remains unchanged for all cardmembers.
To give you a better idea of the benefits ending, here are the details:
- 3X ThankYou Points per $1 spent on other travel (cruises, tolls, parking)
- 2X ThankYou Points per $1 spent on entertainment
Member Changes June 2, 2020

On June 2, 2020, Citi Premier Card members saw some changes to their rewards rates.
The rewards rates were expedited to June 2, 2020, from August 23, 2020.
You can now earn 3X ThankYou Points per $1 spent at restaurants, up from 2X previously.
Supermarkets also saw an increase, with 3X ThankYou Points per $1 spent, up from 1X previously.
Here's a summary of the changes:
- 3X ThankYou Points per $1 spent at restaurants (previously 2X)
- 3X ThankYou Points per $1 spent at supermarkets (previously 1X)
Member Changes Aug. 23, 2020
On August 23, 2020, Citi Premier Card members experienced changes to their benefits.
Existing members who were approved before April 10, 2020, will earn 3X ThankYou Points per $1 spent on air, hotel, and gas stations, among other categories.
New members, however, will earn 3X ThankYou Points per $1 spent on air, hotel, and gas stations only.
The categories with 3X ThankYou Points for new members are air, hotel, and gas stations, restaurants, and supermarkets.
Existing members will earn 3X ThankYou Points per $1 spent on entertainment, but this benefit ends on April 9, 2021.

New members, on the other hand, earn 1X ThankYou Points per $1 spent on entertainment.
Both existing and new members can redeem their points for airfare, hotels, cruises, and car rentals through the ThankYou Travel Center with 25% more value.
Existing members can also get a $100 annual hotel benefit, while new members will have this benefit as well.
Here's a summary of the changes:
How to Use and Decide
To maximize your rewards, use the Citi Premier Card for all your purchases and bills, especially in everyday spending categories like dining out, gas, and groceries. You'll earn 3 points per $1 spent in these areas.
To earn the card's sign-up bonus, spend $4,000 on purchases within three months of account opening. This will get you off to a great start with your rewards.
Using the card abroad is a breeze, as there are no foreign transaction fees. This makes it a great option for travelers.
The annual hotel benefit is a nice perk, but only if you book a $500 or more hotel stay through ThankYou.com. This will give you a $100 credit towards your stay.
Consider the following benefits and drawbacks before deciding if the Citi Premier Card is right for you:
The annual fee of $95 may seem steep, but it's worth considering the rewards you'll earn and the benefits you'll receive.
How to Use
Using the Citi Premier Card's $100 hotel savings benefit requires some planning and booking through the right channels. You can book your hotel stay through ThankYou.com or by calling 1-800-THANKYOU.
To earn the savings benefit, you must pay for your eligible hotel stay in advance with your Citi Premier Card, Citi ThankYou points, or a combination of the two. You'll have the option to apply the benefit during the booking process.
Reservations must be made by the primary cardmember, although reservations can be made in the name of the primary cardmember or authorized users. This means you can book a hotel stay for someone else as long as you're the primary cardholder.

Vacation packages do not qualify for this benefit, so be sure to book a single hotel stay to take advantage of the $100 savings.
You can cancel your hotel booking if the property offers a flexible cancellation policy, and the $100 hotel savings benefit will go back into your account so you can use it within the remainder of the calendar year.
Here are some key details to keep in mind:
- Reservations must be made by the primary cardmember.
- Vacation packages do not qualify for this benefit.
- The $100 annual hotel savings benefit cannot be combined in the same transaction with the Citi Prestige Card’s complimentary fourth-night free perk.
- This benefit cannot be combined with any other promotions or discounts.
Is Right for You?
The Citi Premier Card is a great option to consider, with a generous sign-up bonus and flexible rewards program. The annual fee is only $95, which is relatively low compared to other cards.
The card's bonus categories can work for almost anyone, making it a versatile choice. However, the cardholder benefits are limited, which may be a drawback for some users.
If you're looking for a card with a few convenient perks, you may want to consider a different option. The Citi Premier Card's lack of benefits may not be worth the annual fee for some people.
For another approach, see: First Premier Bank Program Fee
Key Takeaways and Summary
The Citi Premier Card is a solid choice for those looking for a travel credit card with an annual fee under $100.
It costs just $95 per year, which is a relatively low fee considering the benefits it offers.
Cardholders can earn 3X points in everyday spending categories, making it a great option for those who want to earn rewards on their daily purchases.
You can redeem your Citi ThankYou points for cash back, statement credits, gift cards, or even donations to charity.
The Citi Premier Card also offers a generous welcome offer, which is a great bonus for new cardholders.
Here are the key takeaways from this card:
- The Citi Premier Card offers rewards on both travel and everyday purchases for a $95 annual fee.
- One of its standout perks includes an annual hotel savings benefit that can help reduce the cost of an eligible hotel stay once every calendar year.
- While pricier travel cards offer more impressive travel credits, this benefit is on par with those of similar cards.
Overall, the Citi Premier Card is a great option for those who want a low-fee travel credit card with flexible rewards and a generous welcome offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Citi Premier card hard to get?
Getting approved for the Citi Premier card is possible with a credit score of 706 or higher, but meeting other requirements is also crucial. Approval is not solely based on credit score, so it's worth exploring the full eligibility criteria.
What is the credit limit for Citi Premier?
The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card has a minimum credit limit of $2,000, which is determined by factors like income and credit history. Your actual credit limit may be higher, depending on your individual financial situation.
What is Citi Premier card best for?
The Citi Premier card is ideal for earning miles on both local and international transactions. It offers a well-rounded miles earning experience, making it a great choice for frequent travelers.
Should I upgrade to Citi Premier?
Consider upgrading to Citi Premier for triple points on everyday expenses like groceries, dining, and gas, plus transferable points for travel rewards. This card offers a great balance of everyday benefits and travel flexibility.
Sources
- https://www.cnbc.com/select/is-citi-premier-card-worth-annual-fee/
- https://thepointsguy.com/news/citi-premier-worth-annual-fee/
- https://www.cnbc.com/select/citi-premier-card-new-rewards-benefit-changes/
- https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/reviews/citi-premier-annual-hotel-savings-benefit/
- https://www.creditcards.com/reviews/citi-premier-card/
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