Tag: citibank

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Cards That Earn Bonus Rewards On Every Dollar Spent

There are plenty of options for cards that earn bonus rewards for spending. These are cards that offer you either cash back or points on each purchase you make. Some of the most popular rewards credit cards will give you bonus points or bonus cash back. The Discover It, for example, offers bonus cash back on rotating categories. The idea of rotating categories is that the categories will switch quarterly. You will earn 5% cash back (or 5% points, depending on the card) for that quarter.

Popular categories for the bonus rotating categories include purchases made at gas stations, grocery stores, dining, online shopping, home improvement stores, and department stores. They can be anything that the credit card company chooses and thinks that their customers will enjoy. Typically there is a cap on the spending in the bonus categories. Going back to the Discover It example, it has a $1,500 spending cap for their rotating bonus categories.

Fixed bonus categories would refer to cards that offer bigger bonuses on certain categories all the time. For example, the Barclaycard Rewards MasterCard offers two points per dollar spent on all gas station, grocery store and utility purchases. This is offered year round with no spending cap. With no annual fee, cardholders get great rewards at a fixed rate all year long.

What if I don’t like rotating categories?

If rotating categories are not for you and you would prefer to get great rewards all year long on all purchases, you are in luck. We have put together a great list of options for you. Each of these cards offers greater than 1% cash back on all purchases. Take a look and see if any of them are right for you!

Citi Double Cash

Want to earn cash back—twice? The Citi Double Cash card lets you do just that. Earn 1% cash back on every purchase, plus earn another 1% cash back for every payment that you make. In addition to the great cash back offer, the Citi Double Cash card offers a 0% introductory rate for the first 15 months that you have the card.

After that, the card offers a competitive APR of 12.99-22.99%, based on your creditworthiness. There is no annual fee for the Citi Double Cash card, so you have nothing to lose with this gem. No worries about spending in certain categories, or registering for rotating rewards. You get the same rewards year round, with no spending cap other than your credit limit. There is no limit to the cash back that you can earn with this card.

Capital One Quicksilver Card

Unlimited cash back is the name of the game with the Capital One Quicksilver Card. You will earn 1.5% cash back on every purchase you make using this card with no limit to the cash back you can earn. There are no specific spending categories or bonus categories to think about. Just use this card for any purchase and get the full reward. Capital One Quicksilver also offers you a $100 cash back reward after you spend $500 in the first three months that you have the card. This is a substantial bonus right off the bat for new cardholders, at 20% cash back!

The cash back rewards are easy and flexible to redeem. You can redeem them at any time for a check, gift card(s), statement credit, or even merchandise. There is no annual fee for this card. You can also enjoy a 0% introductory APR for a limited time on all purchases and balance transfers made using the Capital One Quicksilver card. After the introductory period, the APR will be 12.9-22.9% on purchases and all balance transfers. Another great perk is being able to track your credit score for free so that you can stay on top of any changes right as they occur.

Capital One BuyPower Card

Are you in the market for a new vehicle? The Capital One BuyPower Card might be just the answer. This card offers you 5% cash back rewards on the first $5,000 you spend each year, and 2% on all purchases you make after that. This is a huge reward. You can use the cash back rewards toward the purchase of a new Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, or Cadillac.

The earnings never expire, as long as you have the card. You can really rack up a lot of cash back toward your next vehicle with this card. Because there are no rotating categories, you can use this card for any and all purchases, and watch your cash back rewards add up. Also, Capital One BuyPower card offers an introductory 0% APR for the first 12 months that you have the card, for all purchases and balance transfers. When the introductory period ends, you will pay 11.90, 15.90, or 19.90% variable APR, depending on your creditworthiness.

Looking For Travel Rewards?

Rewards cards come in many shapes and forms. Some offer cash back or credit toward a new vehicle, like the cards listed above. Others will offer some pretty tremendous travel rewards for those who really want to maximize their rewards. Travel rewards are some of the best in the credit card world, since you can often get more than $1 for each point or mile earned. Here are a few of the best ones we can find for you.

Barclaycard Arrival Plus

Super value can be found for travelers when they have the Barclaycard Arrival Plus card. You can earn 40,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first 90 days that you have the card. Earn 2 points for every dollar spent on travel purchases or earn one point for every dollar spent on every other purchase. One of the biggest perks of this card is that cardholders get an extra 10% rewards when booking their travel through Barclaycard or anytime they redeem their miles for statement credits.

The Barclaycard Arrival Plus also offers a 0% introductory APR for the first 12 months on purchases and balance transfers. After that, the APR will be either 14.99% or 18.99%, depending on your creditworthiness. There is an $89 annual fee for this card, but that is waived for the first year.

Capital One Venture Rewards Card

Earn travel rewards fast at a rate of 2 points per dollar spent on every purchase you make with the Capital One Venture Rewards Card. Earn an additional 40,000 points when you spend $3,000 in the first three months of having the card. Cardholders will get a 0% introductory APR rate for the first 12 months after approval on purchases and balance transfers, with a 13.9-20.9% APR after that period ends.

The miles that you earn using the Capital One Venture Rewards card can be flexibly redeemed for flights, hotel, rental cars, and other travel benefits. There are no blackout dates or restrictions on airlines if you book through Capital One. If you prefer to book through your travel agent, the Purchase Eraser feature will allow you to redeem your miles and get credit within 90 days of making a travel purchase using your Capital One Venture Rewards card. Track your credit simply, with your credit score being available every month on your statement or through the online access. There is a $59 annual fee, which is waived for the first year.

BankAmericard Travel Rewards Card

With the BankAmericard Travel Rewards Card, you will earn 1.5 points per dollar spent on all purchases made with the card. There is no limit to the number of points that you can earn. Apply online and earn an additional 10,000 points by spending $500 within the first three months. This adds up to a $100 statement credit when you book any travel rewards.

Conveniently, there are no blackout dates and no restrictions on your travel rewards. There is no annual fee for the BankAmericard Travel Rewards card. Cardholders will enjoy a 0% introductory APR for the first 12 months on purchases and balance transfers when they are approved for the card. After that, an APR of 14.99-22.99% will apply. There are no foreign transaction fees for this card.

Wyndham Rewards Visa

The Wyndham Rewards Visa is a great card for those who love to travel and want to earn free nights at Wyndham hotels and participating partners. Earn 5 points for every dollar spent on participating hotel stays, and earn 2 points for every dollar spent on all other purchases.

You can earn an additional 30,000 points after making your first purchase using the Wyndham Reward Visa card, and another 5,500 bonus points each year. That is enough for a one night stay at any participating hotel. This card has a $69 annual fee, which is not waived for the first year. The APR is 15.24% or 19.99%, depending on your credit history.

Citi Hilton HHonors Reserve

With the Citi Hilton HHonors Reserve card, you will quickly build up plenty of points toward your next vacation at any Hilton hotel or participating partner. You can earn 10 HHonors points for every dollar spent on hotel stays at participating hotels. Or earn 5 HHonors points for other travel purchases, including flights and rental cars. Earn 3 HHonors points on all other purchases made using the card.

Cardholders will enjoy Gold Elite status with HHonors, which will be upgraded to Platinum status if you spend $40,000 in one calendar year. Spend $10,000 per year and earn a free weekend night each year on your anniversary. Earn two free weekend night certificates after spending $2,500 within the first 4 months after being approved for the card. This card has a $95 annual fee. There is a variable 15.24% APR for this card.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, there are a variety of rewards cards available right now, with more being added frequently. One of them is right for you. Some people prefer rewards cards with straight cash back rewards options, but if you are not a fan of rotating categories and just want to earn tons of points, or you are a frequent traveler (or want to become one), then choosing one of the awesome travel rewards cards that are available will help you quickly earn points toward your next travel adventure!

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5 Best Business Cards for Travel Rewards, Winter 2014

Some might argue that the recent announcement by Chase offering a bonus of 70,000 points for signing up for the Ink Plus business card makes it the greatest offer out there. But, don’t be afraid to explore the options, there are currently some great deals floating around that you might want to take advantage of. Here are just a few of the top business cards that we have found.

Ink Plus Business Card

As mentioned, this current offering from Chase gives cardholders a bonus of 70,000 points after they spend $5,000 within the first three months of having the card. Cardholders earn a whopping 5 points per dollar spent on office supplies, cell phone services, internet services, and cable and landline services. Earn 2 points per dollar spent at hotels and gas stations, and one point per dollar elsewhere. All points can be redeemed through the very flexible Chase Ultimate Rewards online portal, for a wide variety of options.

With an annual fee of $95, some may shy away from this card, but the many perks, including complimentary Lounge Club membership for several airlines. Recent news indicates that this offer may be ending soon, so if it interests you, then you had better act fast to take advantage.

Citi Business AAdvantage World MasterCard

This business card offers cardholders a bonus of 50,000 AAdvantage miles after spending $3,000 in the first three months after approval. You can earn 2 AAdvantage points per dollar spent on American Airlines purchases, and also when you spend money on office supplies, car rentals and telecommunications services. There is an annual fee of $95, but it is waived for the first year. With a high sign-up points bonus, this is a great card. When you consider this bonus, plus the first year’s annual fee waived, the Citi Business AAdvantage World MasterCard ranks high among the best business cards available this season.

United MileagePlus Explorer 

The United MileagePlus Explorer Business card not only has a great sign-up bonus of 50,000 after spending $1,000 in the first three months, but you also get a free checked bag when traveling on United flights, which can be up to a $50 savings every time you fly. Earn 2 miles per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants and gas stations, as well as on business supplies at office supply stores. Earn 2 points for every dollar spent on United Airlines purchases.

Get an additional bonus of 10,000 miles when you spend $25,000 in one calendar year. There is an annual fee of $95, but this is waived during the first year. With no foreign transaction fees, this card is great for international travel.

Business Platinum Card from American Express

The Business Platinum Card from American Express offers a great sign-up bonus of 40,000 points after you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months of having the card. There are occasional offers that are even better, sometimes up to 75,000 or 100,000 points for sign-up. With additional perks including Priority Pass membership, Delta SkyClub benefits, a $200 airline rebate, TSA PreCheck application and more, this card is worth considering.

It does have a hefty annual fee of $450, but if you play your cards right (pun intended), then you can make the most of the perks and make it worthwhile. Travel rewards are available at a rate of 1.25 cents per point, so each point has a great value. Tons of extra discounts are also available, including discounts for Hertz, Hyatt, FedEx and Barnes & Noble.

Starwood Preferred Guest 

Amex has a great business version of its popular Starwood Preferred Guest card, the Starwood Preferred Guest American Express Business Card. This great business card offers a 25,000 point sign-up bonus in the form of 10,000 points after cardholders make their first purchase and an additional 15,000 points after cardholders spend $5,000 in the first 6 months that they have the card.

Enjoy two points earned for every dollar spent on Starwood purchases, and one point for every dollar spent elsewhere. One of the great benefits is the ability to earn elite status qualification after 2 stays, and redeem that for 5 nights credit at any Starwood location. Gold Status is achieved when you spend $30,000 in the first year that you have the card. The annual fee is $65, which is not only reasonable, but also waived for the first year. Because Starwood Preferred Guest points are considered to be among the best in the industry right now, and it is easy to earn elite status, this is a card that you might want to seriously consider.

Do You Need a Business Card?

Not everyone needs a business card, but there certainly are many advantages. These advantages may be magnified when a person has a personal and a business version of the same card and can combine points and rewards to really maximize the returns. Often the sign-up bonuses are much larger for business credit cards and can help you build up a large rewards account. You don’t have to own a large company to get a business credit card, most allow you to sign up as a sole proprietor using your own credit history and social security number.

Conclusion

If you have been thinking about exploring the benefits of getting a business credit card, now is a great time with several terrific offers out there for you to check out. Your business credit can be separate from your personal credit, allowing you to build credit for your business, just like you would for yourself. This may ultimately lead to some new business opportunities for you! Check out these offers today!

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Citibank Offers Free Credit Scores to Cardholders

Citibank will join the short list of credit card issuers that offers easy access to FICO scores, beginning in January. Joining Discover, which has been offering free access to FICO scores for over a year now, Citibank will be helping their customers stay on top of their credit more easily.

Big Banks Offering Big Perks

Citibank is the third largest credit card issuer, when it comes to the amount of credit extended to customers. Bank of America and Chase are the top two right now, and are likely to soon follow in the footsteps of Discover and Citibank to help their customers have an increased awareness of their credit score.

With banks pushing creditors harder than ever to be more transparent, in an effort to slow the effects of major credit card debt, as well as slow the problem of identity theft by keeping borrowers more on top of things, Citi will now offer customers the ability to view their credit score online when they log in to their account.

Credit scores will be provided to Citibank cardholders who use Citi branded cards, but not to store credit cards that are offered through Citibank, such as Sears, Best Buy and Macy’s.

Free For Customers, Knowledge is Power!

The service is free, and information will be obtained through one of the major credit bureaus, Equifax. The decision to offer credit scores is one that will allow Citibank to more directly compete with other banks, as more banks will be likely to offer this service in the near future.

While it is great for cardholders to have access to their credit score on a regular basis, this is not the only solution for preventing credit problems. Those who use credit cards must learn to do so responsibly, and avoid building up debt that is impossible to pay off. Understanding what factors go into a credit score, and having some awareness of how it is calculated can help consumers take control of their credit and keep things in control.

Citibank is offering access to the credit score, but not the credit report. Consumers should also be periodically checking their credit report to ensure that it is accurate and that there are no fraudulent entries.

When offering credit scores, Citibank will be getting information directly from FICO, which is usually the most accurate credit score information and the number that is primarily used when customers apply for credit. Credit scores can vary among the different credit bureaus, but should generally be within 20-40 points of one another. Small changes from month to month are also common. Customers should act quickly if they notice that their credit score changes drastically within a short period of time, with no known reason.

With Citibank and Discover now offering credit scores to their customers for free, the possibility of customers being misled by scams promising their credit score and stealing their identity is lessened. Chase and Bank of America are likely to be the next to offer this feature for customers.

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Top 10 Points Credit Cards for Everyday Spending Bonuses

When it comes to everyday spending bonuses, you have plenty of cards to choose from. We’ve selected the top ten credit cards for everyday spending, meaning you can get more than a 1% rewards rate on more than one “everyday spending” category, such as gas or groceries.

In this post, we’re focusing on credit cards that earn points or miles in a rewards program. Take a look and see if any of these capture your interest!

1. Citi ThankYou Cards

There are 3 different versions of this card, and each one offers some great bonuses.

The Citi ThankYou Preferred card offers a 20,000 point sign on bonus after spending $1,500 in the first three months. Earn two points for every dollar spent on dining, travel and entertainment, one point on every dollar spent in other categories. There is no annual fee for this card. There is a 12 month 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers. You can redeem your points for cash, statement credit or gift cards. There is a separate offer for the Citi ThankYou Preferred card which also has no annual fee and offers a 15-month 0% introductory APR with no annual fee, and no sign on bonus.

The Citi ThankYou Premier credit card has a 20,000 point bonus after spending $2,000 in the first three months, and an additional bonus of 30,000 points after spending another $3,000 in the first three months of the second year you have the card. Earn 3 points for every dollar spent on dining, travel and entertainment, one point on all other purchases. There is no annual fee. Redeem for cash, statement credit, travel rewards and gift cards.

The Citi ThankYou Prestige offers 30,000 ThankYou points after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months of card membership. Earn 3x points on Air Travel and Hotels, 2x points on Dining at Restaurants and Entertainment and 1 ThankYou Point per $1 spent on other purchases.

2. Barclaycard Arrival World Mastercard

Earn 20,000 bonus points after spending $3,000 in the first three months. Earn two miles per dollar spent on all dining and travel purchases, one point per dollar on all other purchases. There is an introductory APR of 0% for the first 12 months that you have this card. Redeem for cash back or travel rewards; when redeeming for travel rewards you earn an additional 10% bonus on the travel purchases. There is no annual fee for this card.

Apply Now: Barclaycard ArrivalTM World MasterCard®

3. Chase Sapphire Preferred

Earn 40,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 in the first three months that you have the card. Earn an additional 5,000 points for adding another authorized user in the first three months. Earn two points for every dollar spent on dining and travel purchases, and one point for every dollar spent in other categories. Redeem for cash, travel, gift cards and more. There is no annual fee for the first year, after that the annual fee will be $95.

4. Barclaycard Rewards Mastercard

Although there is no sign on bonus for this card, you will earn two points for every dollar spent on gas, groceries, and utilities. Earn one point for every dollar spent in other categories. There is no introductory APR for this card. Redeem your points for travel, cash back, or gift cards. There is no annual fee for this card.

Apply Now:

Barclaycard® Rewards MasterCard® – Excellent Credit

Barclaycard® Rewards MasterCard® – Average Credit

5. American Express Premier Rewards Gold Card

Earn 25,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $2,000 in the first three months you have the card. Earn three points for every dollar spent on flights, two points for every dollar spent at gas stations and grocery stores, and one point for every dollar spent in other categories. There is no annual fee for the first year, after that the annual fee will be $175. Redeem your points with flexible options through many travel partners or gift cards.

6. Amex Everyday Preferred Card

Earn 15,000 points, plus a one year membership to Amazon Prime (worth $99 per year) after spending $1,000 in the first three months that you have the card. Earn a 50% bonus on all points when you make at least 30 purchases per month using the card. Earn three points for every dollar spent at grocery stores, up to $6,000 annually. Earn two points for every dollar spent at gas stations. Earn one point for every dollar spent on all other purchases. There is an introductory APR of 0% for the first 15 months. Use your Membership Rewards to pay for flights and hotel stays. The annual fee for this card is $95.

7. Citi Hilton HHonors Visa Signature Card

Earn 40,000 bonus sign on points after spending $1,000 in the first three months you have the card. Earn six points for every dollar spent at Hilton hotels. Earn three HHonors points for every dollar spent at grocery stores, gas stations and drug stores. Earn two HHonors points for every dollar spent on all other categories. There is no annual fee for this card. Redeem your HHonors points for hotel stays at participating Hilton group hotels and other travel.

8. Playstation Card from Capital One

Earn 5,000 bonus points after you make your first purchase in the first 90 days that you have the card. Earn 10 points for every dollar spent on Playstation Store purchases. Earn three points for every dollar spent on Playstation purchases at Sony Stores. Earn three points for every dollar spent on quick serve restaurants, movie theaters and mobile phone service. Earn one point for every dollar spent in other categories. There is a 0% introductory rate until September 2015 on purchases and balance transfers. Redeem your points for Sony products, movies, music and more. There is no annual fee for this card.

9. USAA Rewards Amex

Earn two points for every dollar spent on gas station and grocery store purchases. Earn a 2,500 point bonus after making your first purchase within the first three months you have the card. Redeem your points for cash, gift cards, travel and more. There is no annual fee for this card.

Apply Now: USAA Rewards™ American Express®

10. PayPal Mastercard and eBay Mastercard

Earn three points for every dollar spent at gas stations and restaurants. Earn two points for all PayPal and eBay transactions. Earn one point for every dollar spent in other categories. There is no annual fee for this card.

Each of these cards has something special to offer when it comes to earning rewards for your every day spending. Any time you can earn more than one point for every dollar you spend, it is worth taking a look at the options!

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New Citi Double Cash Card Review

It’s getting more and more difficult to find credit cards that have no annual fee but offer you cash back rewards. Citi just introduced a new card that will give you 1% back on all of your purchases—with an added bonus of giving you another 1% when you make your payment. The Citi Double Cash credit card gives you all of the regular Citi benefits, plus the added 1% on your paid purchases. Here are some more of the details you might be interested in!

 

The Benefits

No Annual Fee!

The Citi Double Cash credit card has no annual fee, which makes it very attractive. All of the perks that are included are free!

0% Intro APR for 15 Months

Cardholders will enjoy a 0% APR for the first 15 months that they have the Citi Double Cash card. At the end of the introductory period, the APR will be 12.99-22.99%, depending on your credit worthiness.

No Spending or Earning Cap

Earn 1% for all of your purchases, with no spending limit.

Earn an Extra 1% 

As long as you make your monthly payments on time, you will earn an additional 1% on all of your purchase. You do not have to pay your balance in full each month, just make at least the minimum payment on time for this added bonus. Keep in mind that if you carry a balance and your introductory APR has expired, the interest that you end up paying will probably offset the additional 1% cash back and eliminate this bonus for you.

The bonus points will be based on the amount that you pay, not the purchases that you have made. Also, if you redeem your points for a statement credit, you will be reducing the amount you can potentially earn with the 1% bonus for payments, since you will ultimately be paying less toward your balance and cannot get bonus points for statement credits applied.

High Tech Protection

The Citi Double Cash credit card offers a nice security perk in the form of an EMV chip to protect you from fraud. It is rare to find a card with no annual fee that offers this level of security.

Citi Price Rewind Protection

If you are paying attention to sale prices, you can often find that an item you purchased can be found cheaper somewhere else. When you make the purchase using your Citi Double Cash card, you can be reimbursed for the difference in price for up to 60 days after you make the purchase. This can be significant when it comes to some big-ticket items. You can get up to $300 back, with a limit of $1,200 per year.

Other Perks

Citi offers Double Cash card holders their standard list of perks, including Purchase Protection (get a refund if an item is stolen or damaged within 120 days after purchase, 90 days in New York State). This perk applies to purchases up to $1,000. Purchases are also protected by an extended warranty for up to a year. Travel protection including auto rental insurance and trip cancellation insurance are available. Get access to presale tickets and preferred seating with any Citi card.

 

The Nitty Gritty

This card offers no annual fee. There is a 0% introductory APR for the first 15 months, with a 12.99-22.99% APR after that period ends. Balance transfer fees are 3% or $5, whichever is greater. Earn points for every purchase, and points for every dollar you pay toward your balance. Foreign transaction fees are 3%. You will need to have excellent credit to be approved for this credit card.

 

Conclusion

This card is a solid offering from Citibank. But, if you don’t pay your balance in full, then your rewards are really cancelled out. Also, there are some cards, including Discover it® and Chase Freedom that offer better cash back rewards (up to 5% in rotating categories) and you can usually build up a bigger balance this way. Don’t rule out this card, just shop around to make sure it really meets your needs.

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A Look at the New Expedia Rewards Cards from Citibank

There can never be too many credit cards for travel, and now Citibank has teamed up with Expedia to offer a new rewards travel card with some interesting benefits. With two different versions to choose from, the Expedia+ Card and the Expedia+ Voyager card, you have some great options to choose from. Let’s take a look at both cards to see what they have to offer.

Expedia+ Card

The first version of the Expedia travel rewards credit card has some great perks:

  • Earn 3 points per dollar spent on Expedia purchases (this would include flights, hotel stays, entertainment activities and even vacation packages)
  • Earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases
  • Earn 15,000 bonus rewards points after spending $1,000 in purchases during the first three months you have the Expedia+ card
  • Earn automatic silver status; this usually requires you to book 7 qualifying nights or spend $5,000 per year. Once you are raised to gold status, you will earn one qualifying hotel night for every $2,500 spent on each year
  • No annual fee
  • 3% foreign transaction fee

Expedia+ Voyager Card

The Voyager is considered to be the upgraded version of the Expedia+ card, here are some of the major differences:

    • Earn 4 points per dollar spent on Expedia purchases (flights, hotels, vacation packages, entertainment
    • Earn 2 points per dollar spent on all dining and other entertainment purchases
    • Earn 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases
    • Earn 25,000 bonus rewards points after spending $2,000 in purchases during the first three months that you have the Expedia+ Voyager card
    • Earn automatic gold status; this is typically awarded after booking 15 eligible nights or spending $10,000 per year
    • Earn $100 statement credit toward any airline in-flight purchases
    • Earn 5,000 bonus rewards points on your anniversary, if you have spent $10,000 during the previous year
    • $95 annual fee
    • No foreign transaction fees

 

Worth it?

Both of these cards are great options from Citibank for those who prefer to use Expedia for travel arrangements. The Voyager offers considerably better benefits, and is well worth the $95 fee—since you are getting the statement credit that more than covers that, anyway. Plus, the huge sign up bonus after the first three months equates to up to 17% cash back on the first $2,000 you spend. Where else can you get that kind of reward?

The one major downside is that you are really tied to Expedia when you want to redeem your points. Sure, Expedia is great, but there are plenty of other great travel options for online reservations, and you may want to explore those, too. With travel becoming more and more expensive, choosing the best options for using your travel rewards is becoming increasingly important to those who want to get the best deals.

You can earn silver and gold status pretty easily with the Expedia+ card and the Expedia+ Voyager card, which will help you really get great deals from Expedia, so if you do travel frequently, it’s definitely not a bad option.

 

Other Cards to Consider

Barclaycard Arrival Plus 

With the Barclaycard Arrival PlusTM World Elite MasterCard®, you will get 2 miles per dollar on every dollar spent! That can add up to a lot of miles. You will also receive 40,000 bonus miles once you are approved for the card and spend $3,000 in the first 3 months of card membership. There is an $89 annual fee, but it is waived for the first year. The best thing about this card is that it is much like a cash back card in that you can redeem your miles for any travel purchase. This gives you great flexibility in how you use your travel rewards. Redeem for Expedia purchases, or any other travel purchase you make!

Sapphire Preferred

With the Chase Sapphire Preferred card, you will get 2 points per dollar spent on travel and dining purchases and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. When you sign up for this card and spend $3,000 in the first 3 months of having the card, you will receive a bonus of 40,000 Ultimate Rewards points. That’s more than enough for a round-trip domestic flight on United Airlines (one of their 11 top travel partners)! The great thing about this card is the flexibility of Ultimate Rewards points, since they have many travel partners to choose from. You can really get great value with UR points when redeeming for international flights that would cost you a pretty penny if you were to pay for them with cash.

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Citi ThankYou Adds Airline Transfer Partners

With so many credit cards that have programs for transferable points, the Citi ThankYou card has been often stuck in the shadows, perhaps unfairly. Now, the Citi ThankYou has added several airline partners that allow you to transfer points, making it a little more flexible when it comes to redeeming your points for travel rewards.

Historically, cardholders were able to use their ThankYou points for about 1.25 cents each with travel rewards redemptions. This only applied to those cardholders using the Citi Premier and the Citi Prestige cards, with other Citi cards not being eligible for the Citi ThankYou rewards program. Plus, all rewards had to be arranged through the ThankYou Rewards travel center. Unless you did it this way, the points could only be redeemed at face value through the regular rewards center, for gift cards or cash back.

Results of Peer Pressure?

While it might be a reaction to peer pressure from other travel rewards credit cards, Citi is now upping its game by partnering with several new airlines and hotels, allowing for a tremendous increase in redemption flexibility. Previously, Hilton HHonors was the primary partner, but, things have really started to roll for ThankYou members. Take a look at this list of new travel partners and get ready to book your next trip using your ThankYou points!

Great List of New Partners

  • Singapore Airlines
  • Cathay Pacific
  • Garuda Indonesia
  • Qatar Airways
  • Malaysia Airlines
  • Etihad
  • EVA Air
  • Thai Airways

The addition of Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Garuda Indonesia help to open many travel doors for Citi ThankYou cardholders. Because these three airlines help get Citi cardholders onto Star Alliance, OneWorld and SkyTeam airline partners, greater travel flexibility is possible. Each of these three top choices offers a one-point-for-one dollar redemption plan, while the Hilton HHonors still has a redemption rate of 1,500 HHonors points for 1,000 ThankYou points.

Still Some Limitations

The new partner additions to the ThankYou rewards program are still only going to be available to those using the Citi ThankYou Premier, Citi Prestige and Citi Chairman credit card holders. Because each of these cards comes with a huge sign on bonus (for example, the Citi ThankYou Premier comes with 50,000 bonus points after you spend $2,000 in the first three months and another 30,000 points after you spend $3,000 in the first three months of the second year that you have the card), this is certainly an incentive to keep the card for a while! There is an annual fee of $125, but it will be waived for the first year.

For those interested in the actual value of the points, we have done some calculations for you. Based on a value of 1.5 cents per point, the 50,000 bonus used to be worth about $625 when you redeemed them for travel benefits. After paying the $125 annual fee once, this left you with $500 in travel benefits. Under the new program, with more flexibility, you can get up to $750 in travel benefits for the same number of points. Plus, the ability to combine points from other Citi cards will help you get more—especially if you take advantage of the 5% bonus categories when you can.

Conclusion

Citi has always provided quality products and great service, and, now their ThankYou points are worth even more, with greater flexibility. Keep this in mind when you are looking for a great travel rewards card, since the ThankYou rewards program just moved up a few notches! If you’re looking to compare other credit cards with lots of travel partner options, definitely consider Chase’s Ultimate Rewards partners, which you have access to when you hold the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card or Business Ink cards, as well as American Express’ Membership Rewards earning cards.

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The Top Citibank Credit Cards of 2014

There are many credit card issuing banks out there on this earth.  Not all are created equal.  Some banks really are known for solid card products (looking at you, Amex and Chase) and support their customers.  Citibank is one of those companies.

But, which cards are the best to hold in your wallet in 2014?  Which ones have the best offerings for travelers, for big spenders, or for the thrifty among us?  This post is for you.  Let’s get into what the top Citi credit cards are for 2014, shall we?

 

Do You Like Rewards?

I would recommend the Citi ThankYou Premier card for those of you that enjoy redeeming points for the best rewards possible.  I love Citi’s “ThankYou” system, which gives you a twenty-five (25) percent boost for booking through Citi for flights and hotels.  This card is a powerhouse for earning with regular spending.

If you spend a lot of money on airfare or hotels, you’ll earn three points per dollar spent.  This is huge for business travelers.  For any other purchase, you’ll earn one point per dollar.  Still, if you are a big traveler (and taxi fares count under the travel category), this card is solid.  There is a $125 annual fee, though.

 

Big Balances

I know that many of us have had bad ‘luck’ with keeping up with our credit card bills.  Many don’t realize that a way out of some bad credit card debt with high interest rates is a balance transfer to another credit card with a lower interest rate.

The Citi Simplicity card is a good card for this type of trouble.  With the most 0% APR financing for purchases and balance transfers on the market today, at eighteen months, this card is awesome.  There are no penalty fees or penalty APRs with this card.  What an awesome credit card!

 

No Fees? No Problem.

The Citi Dividend Platinum Select card features no annual fee, and gives you a nice sign-up bonus- $100 after spending  $500 in the first three months of card membership.  Another one of those ‘cycling category’ credit cards, the Citi Dividend Platinum Select credit card additionally offers 5% cash back on four different categories a year.

The benefits are capped at $300 per year, though, limiting you a bit.  You’ll have unlimited 1% back on all other purchases, however.  There are better cash back credit cards out there, sure, but if you like Citi as a credit card issuer, this is your best option.

 

Conclusion

These are the best options from Citi, in my opinion.  Are they the best options available on earth?  No, but I do love a card that offers you mistake-free credit (the Simplicity card), or a card that offers three points per dollar spent on travel (ThankYou Premier) or a cash back card with bonus categories (Platinum Select).

What do you think? Do you think these cards are worthy of a spot in your wallet?  Or, do you think there are better cards out there?  We want to know in the comments!

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Citi Hilton HHonors Reserve Credit Card Review

For Hilton enthusiasts, the Citi Hilton HHonors Reserve credit card is worthy of consideration. Since Hilton Hotels has one of the largest footprints of any hotel chain out there, with 540 properties across 78 countries and six continents, it makes sense that some people stay loyal to Hilton. Travelers can find a Hilton in most of the major cities on earth.

If you are a loyal to a certain hotel chain, it just makes sense for you to have one of their co-branded credit cards.  Hilton has several, and the one being reviewed today is the Citi Hilton HHonors Reserve credit card.  Let’s check out some of the benefits below and see if it’s a card you need in your wallet!

 

 

Benefits

Every good credit card has a solid sign up bonus, and the Citi Hilton HHonors Reserve Credit Card doesn’t disappoint.  For spending $2,500 in the first four months of card membership, you’ll receive two weekend night certificates, good at almost every Hilton property out there.  The only ones excluded can be found here.

Furthermore, the Citi Hilton HHonors Reserve Credit Card earns points on every purchase made.  If you make a purchase within the Hilton HHonors portfolio, you’ll earn 10 HHonors points per dollar.  If you spend your money on airline and car rentals, you’ll earn 10 HHonors points per dollar.  Everything else, you’ll receive three HHonors bonus points per dollar.

Another great benefit is HHonors Gold status as long as you hold the credit card.  This means room upgrades and bonus points when you stay (and free breakfast!).  Plus, if you spend $40,000 on your card in a calendar year, you’ll be upgraded to Diamond status with Hilton, which allows you access to suites and even more bonus points.

For you foreign travelers, this credit card has no foreign transaction fees.  This means you avoid what is often a 3% fee on purchases when traveling abroad, a major annoyance.

As a reward for keeping the card more than a year, you’ll receive an anniversary bonus of one weekend night at a Hilton hotel if you spend more than $10,000 a year with the card.   This is a great incentive for those that want to use this as a ‘regular spend’ credit card, since that’s less than $2,000 per month in purchases.

The Nitty Gritty

For this card, you’ll have a 15.24% APR, with penalty APR up to 29.99%.  Annual fee is $95 a year, and balance transfers are charged either a $5 fee or 3% of the transaction, whichever is greater.  Cash advance is either $10 or 5%, whichever is greater.  Penalty fees run the standard $35.

 

Conclusion

This is a very solid card offering from Hilton.  The bonus weekend nights, the high points earning, and free status just for having a card make this a great deal.  I’ve used the card when staying at properties around the world and the Gold status really makes a difference, especially in Asia, where I’ve often been granted a suite.  If you plan on staying at a Hilton hotel at least once a year, I would definitely consider getting the Hilton HHonors Reserve Credit Card.  The benefits are just that good!

Interested in other Hilton cards? Check out our review of the Citi Hilton Visa Signature credit card.

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Citi Simplicity Card Review: Yes, It’s That Simple!

Citibank has made a huge effort toward eliminating some of the confusing fine print that has been frustrating for many consumers. When details are buried in endless paragraphs of fine print and disclaimers, it can be difficult to truly understand what you are signing up for, what the advantages are, and what you need to be aware of in terms of disadvantages. The Citi Simplicity card provides just that—simplicity for users.

0% Introductory APR for the First 18 Months

With a 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 18 months, you can save yourself oodles of money by not paying any interest. This can help you get out of debt, especially if you transfer balances from higher rate credit cards. All of the money that you put toward your payment goes toward paying off your balance – the bank keeps nothing! At the end of the introductory period, you will have a rate of 12.99-21.99% on the remaining balance transferred or any balance of purchases on your card, depending on your credit rating. Obviously, the better your credit is, the lower your APR will be.

Clear Policies About Fees: None!

The Citi Simplicity has a very clear policy about fees. There aren’t any. None – not any annual fees, not even late fees. There really aren’t any! Most cards will charge somewhere between $25-35 for late payments, but you won’t have to worry about this happening with the Simplicity card. Not only are there no late payments, but you won’t be surprised by a sudden interest rate spike when you make a late payment (usually after you are late twice within 6 months). Again, other cards will bump up your APR, sometimes to nearly 25% when you make a late payment, but your rate will stay consistent with the one you received at the time you were approved for the card, even if you make late payments. This can be a huge relief for those who are not as good about deadlines, or for when money is tight during certain months. Make your payment when you can, worry free, with the Citi Simplicity card.

Low Balance Transfer Charges

When you want to transfer a balance from a credit card with a higher interest rate, you will pay a low 3% charge for the transfer. For example, if you transfer $1,000, your charge will be $30. Some cards charge up to 5%, so you can keep your charges down and put more money toward your balance when you use the Citi Simplicity card to pay off the high interest debt.

Extra Perks for Citi Simplicity

Many of the credit cards that offer 0% APR have fewer perks than those with low or regular interest rates, but the Citi Simplicity offers many of the great benefits of those cards as well. For example, you are eligible for Price Protection from Citi when you use the Simplicity card. This means that when you make a purchase and then discover that another merchant offers the same exact item for less, you can get a refund up to $250 to make up the difference. This may not cover the entire difference (and, you should be aware that this protection does not apply when you make purchases over the internet), but it sure does help, especially when you find a sale price within 60 days on a high-end item, like electronics. Those consumers who are vigilant about price searching will find that they can really get the best deals with this type of protection!

Access to Private Pass

Private Pass is Citibank’s way of offering their customers excellent access to concert tickets, entertainment specials, and more. If you are considering purchasing tickets to a concert, theme park, sporting event or other entertainment event, check with Private Pass first to see what the deals are for presale or premium seating or even VIP packages. Citi wants their customers to have only the best when it comes to entertainment! With no fees to enroll for this great perk, it is something that helps set Citibank apart from the rest.

Get Real Information, From Real Human Beings!

Many of the large banks offer automated support when you have questions, problems or concerns. But, with Citi, you can quickly get a human being on the line to help you resolve any issues that arise. Sure, you can still access balance and payment due dates automatically, but when you really need someone, getting answers is quick and simple, and you won’t find that you are stuck in and endless hold loop listening to bad music.

Conclusion

The Citi Simplicity offers all of the perks that any Citicard holder gets, and more special deals like the ones above! Although this card does not offer any cash back rewards, the extended 0% APR and lack of annual fee or penalty charges makes it a great option for the longterm. Eliminate confusion and try Simplicity today!