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Discover honest Citi credit card reviews from 2024, including Double Cash, Simplicity, and more. We break down ratings, pros, cons, rewards, and common complaints. Find out if Citi cards are right for you or explore better alternatives for cash back and low fees.
Quick Pick: Best Alternative to Citi Cards
Many customers report frustrations with Citi's service and account management. For more reliable rewards without the hassle, check our Best Prepaid Cards of 2024 – top picks with low fees and strong user ratings.
Citi, one of the largest banks in the U.S., offers a lineup of credit cards promising cash back, travel rewards, and flexible payment options. From the everyday earner like the Citi Double Cash to specialized cards like the Citi Custom Cash, these products aim to appeal to budgeters, travelers, and balance transfer seekers. However, with an overall customer rating of just 1.5 out of 5 stars based on over 2,456 verified reviews, Citi's cards spark strong reactions.
Our analysis dives into real user experiences, highlighting rewards potential (up to 5% cash back on select purchases) against frequent gripes like poor support and unexpected account changes. Whether you're eyeing the no-late-fee Citi Simplicity or the travel-focused Citi Premier, we'll help you decide – or point you to stronger options.
Here's a side-by-side look at Citi's popular credit cards, scored on key metrics from customer feedback and product specs:
| Card Name | Cash Back/Rewards | APR Range | Annual Fee | Avg. Customer Rating | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citi Double Cash | 2% on everything (1% + 1%) | 19.24%-29.24% | $0 | 2.1/5 | Everyday spending |
| Citi Simplicity | Balance transfers, no late fees | 20.24%-30.99% | $0 | 2.8/5 | Debt payoff |
| Citi Premier | 3x travel, 2x dining/gas | 20.99%-29.99% | $95 | 2.3/5 | Frequent travelers |
| Citi Custom Cash | 5% in top category (up to $500/mo) | 19.49%-29.49% | $0 | 3.4/5 | Rotating categories |
| Citi Rewards+ | 2x ThankYou points at supermarkets | 18.49%-28.49% | $0 | 2.5/5 | Grocery rewards |
| Citi Secured Mastercard | Builds credit, no rewards | 25.24% (fixed) | $0 | 2.0/5 | Credit building |
Ratings aggregated from 2024 reviews; APRs variable based on creditworthiness.
This no-annual-fee card shines with its straightforward 2% cash back on all purchases – split as 1% when you buy and 1% when you pay. Users love the simplicity, with one reviewer noting, "Easiest cash back I've found for groceries and gas."
Pros:
Cons:
Average score: 7.2/10 for rewards, but drops to 4.1/10 for service.
Designed for debt managers, it offers long intro APR periods (up to 21 months on transfers) and waives late fees – a rarity.
Pros:
Cons:
Users rate it 8/10 for transfers, but only 5/10 overall due to rate hikes.
Earning 3x points on air travel, hotels, and more, it's for jet-setters. Points transfer to airline partners at 1:1.
**Pros:**n- $100 annual hotel credit offsets fee somewhat
Cons:
Travel score: 7.5/10, service: 3.8/10.
The Custom Cash auto-selects your top spending category for 5% back (up to $500/month), earning praise for adaptability. Rewards+ doubles points at supermarkets quarterly. Both no-fee options score higher (3.4/5 and 2.5/5) but share Citi's service woes. The Secured Mastercard helps beginners build credit but charges a steep fixed 25% APR.
Patterns emerge across 2,456+ reviews:
Citi responds to ~20% of negative reviews, often with generic apologies and escalation promises – but follow-up satisfaction is low (35%).
Not all doom – 22% of reviews are 4+ stars. Praises include:
For disciplined users with excellent credit, Citi delivers value. Data shows 2%+ effective cash back beats many competitors.
Tired of the headaches? Skip Citi and explore proven options:
These alternatives often boast 4+ star ratings, faster support, and fewer surprises.
With strong rewards but persistent service issues, they're best for high-credit users who pay in full. Average satisfaction: 1.5/5.
Citi Custom Cash leads with 5% in your top category, followed by Double Cash's flat 2%.
Poor customer service, random account closures, high post-promo APRs, and billing errors top the list.
Limited options; Secured Mastercard is entry-level but has high rates. Aim for 700+ FICO for best approvals.
Explore no-fee cash back cards in our Best Prepaid Cards – many match 2% with better support.
Article updated October 2024. Ratings from aggregated customer data.
