Bottom Line
If you have exhausted your Chase 5/24, this card is a reasonable option. While the Chase Sapphire Preferred is still superior with its ease of use and transferring program, this particular Citi card is comparable. It does have some exclusive options only offered by Citi, like Price Rewind, Private Pass and pay your bill with points. All said and done, if you still qualify for Chase cards, use your application toward that first and then revisit this card later.
Why You Might Want This Card
5/24 Exhausted?
One endearing thing about Citi's ThankYou program is its far-reaching options to redeem. You can transfer points for cash back, gift cards, travel, bill payment and more. Utilize Citi Price rewind (registering your recently purchased product) and let Citi do the work of finding it cheaper for you and reimbursing you some (if not all) of the difference. This card offers a sign-up bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. Rack up more ThankYou points with 3x points on travel, including gas, and 2x on dining and entertainment. Then transfer them to any of the partner airlines, which are weighty with international carriers. Another unique benefit is the private pass option that allows you access to entertainment tickets before they are available to the public.
Exceptions To The Rule
About Citi ThankYou Points
Citi ThankYou points may not look like much at first glance, but they certainly demand our attention. While redemption can vary considerably -- depending on which credit card you hold and how you decide to redeem your points -- you can tap into some pretty significant savings. Your two best options for earning and redemption will be through the Citi Prestige or Citi Premier cards. Both cards offer a substantial sign-up bonus and extra points earned on certain spending categories. Some of the best value comes from transferring, which can only be done if you hold one of these 2 cards in your wallet.
Earning can be quick and easy, especially when you wait for a good sign-up bonus and then keep an eye on extra point categories. For example, the Prestige card gets you 5x points per $1 on airfare and restaurants, while the Premier can earn you 3x points on all travel, including gas. Make sure retention offers are on your current card so you can maximize points earned on everyday spending. We like to call every 6 months or so to make sure that the current retention offer is on the card.
Now let's talk about redeeming. ThankYou points stand out because they're transferable to every major alliance: OneWorld, SkyTeam and Star. We’ll forgive the fact that transfers aren’t always instantaneous, because Citi ThankYou points are so diverse with their partners that they’ll cover you whether you’re looking for a free domestic flight or a deluxe international fare. It can take a little research and pulling out your savvy side, but it's well worth it in the end. Some of the best redemption comes through Avianca LifeMiles, Etihad Guest, Virgin Atlantic and Singapore KrisFlyer. Just remember: you must hold the Prestige or Premier Card to transfer. We suggest checking those airlines to see if your route is covered by any of them.
Where Citi Premier Card Fits In This Point Ecosystem
Personal Experience