What the Citi Premier Card offers and who it's designed for
The Citi Premier Credit Card is a rewards card that gives you points on everyday purchases — groceries, gas, dining, travel, and other categories. You earn 3 points per dollar on the first $6,000 you spend in combined purchases each year in those categories, then 1 point per dollar after that. On everything else, you earn 1 point per dollar. The card charges an annual fee, which means you need to use the rewards to make it worthwhile.
This card makes sense if you spend regularly on groceries, gas, and restaurants and want a straightforward rewards structure without rotating categories. It's not the best choice if you rarely use credit cards or if you want a card with no annual fee.
Key Takeaways
- The Citi Premier earns 3 points per dollar on groceries, gas, dining, and travel up to $6,000 per year in combined purchases, then 1 point per dollar after that.
- The card charges an annual fee, so you need to redeem enough points each year to cover it and come out ahead.
- Points can be redeemed for cash back, travel bookings, or transferred to airline and hotel partners, but the value depends on how you redeem.
- You need good to excellent credit to be approved, which typically means a credit score of 670 or higher.
- The card has no foreign transaction fees, which is useful if you travel internationally.
How the rewards structure actually works
The 3x points rate applies to a combined $6,000 per year across four categories: supermarkets, gas stations, restaurants, and travel. Once you hit $6,000 in combined spending across those four categories in a calendar year, every dollar in those categories earns only 1 point for the rest of that year. This is different from cards that give you 3x on each category separately — you're sharing a single $6,000 cap.
For example, if you spend $2,000 at supermarkets, $1,500 at gas stations, $1,800 at restaurants, and $800 on travel, you've hit $6,100 combined. The first $6,000 earns 3 points per dollar (18,000 points), and the extra $100 earns 1 point per dollar (100 points). After you cross $6,000 for the year, every purchase in those categories drops to 1 point per dollar until January 1.
Everything outside those four categories — online shopping, utilities, insurance, entertainment — earns a flat 1 point per dollar with no cap. You can redeem points for cash back at a rate of 1 cent per point, transfer them to airline and hotel partners, or use them to book travel through Citi's travel portal. The value of a point varies depending on how you redeem it.
Annual fee and whether it pays for itself
The Citi Premier charges an annual fee. To determine whether this card makes financial sense for you, calculate your expected points earnings and compare them to the fee. If you spend $6,000 per year in the bonus categories, you earn 18,000 points. At 1 cent per point in cash back, that's $180. If you spend another $4,000 in non-bonus categories, you earn 4,000 more points, or $40 in cash back. That's $220 total — enough to cover the fee and leave you with value, but only if you actually redeem the points.
If you spend less than $6,000 per year in the bonus categories, the math becomes tighter. Someone who spends $3,000 in bonus categories and $2,000 elsewhere earns 11,000 points, or $110 in cash back — likely not enough to justify the annual fee. You should only open this card if you're confident you'll spend enough in the bonus categories to make the rewards exceed the cost.
Credit score and approval requirements
Citi typically approves the Premier Card for people with good to excellent credit, which usually means a credit score of 670 or higher. If your score is below 670, you're unlikely to be approved. If you're approved, your credit limit depends on your credit history, income, and existing debt — Citi doesn't publish a minimum or maximum.
When you explore, Citi will perform a hard inquiry on your credit report, which can lower your score by a few points temporarily. If you're denied, you can call Citi's reconsideration line to ask whether they'll reconsider your process, though this doesn't always work. You can explore again, but multiple applications in a short time can hurt your score further.
How to redeem points and what they're worth
You can redeem Citi Premier points in three main ways. The simplest is cash back, where 1 point equals 1 cent — so 10,000 points = $100. You can request cash back directly to your bank account or as a statement credit. This is the most predictable redemption method.
The second option is to book travel through Citi's travel portal, where points may be worth more than 1 cent each depending on what you book. A flight that costs $400 might be bookable for 30,000 points, making each point worth about 1.3 cents. However, you can often find cheaper flights by booking directly with airlines, so this isn't always the best value.
The third option is to transfer points to airline and hotel partners — airlines like American, United, and Delta, and hotels like Hilton and Marriott. Transfer rates vary, but typically 1 point transfers to 1 mile or point with the partner. The value of a transferred point depends entirely on how you use it with that partner. Some people get excellent value this way; others find it complicated and end up with points they don't use.
No foreign transaction fees and travel protections
The Citi Premier has no foreign transaction fees, which means you won't pay an extra percentage when you use the card outside the United States. This is valuable if you travel internationally. Many other rewards cards charge 2% to 3% on foreign purchases, so this feature alone can save you money on a trip.
The card also includes travel protections like trip cancellation insurance, trip delay reimbursement, and lost luggage reimbursement. These protections have limits and conditions — for example, trip cancellation insurance typically covers only prepaid, non-refundable trip costs, and only if you cancel for a covered reason. Read the full terms before you rely on these protections, because they don't cover every situation.
Comparing the Citi Premier to similar cards
The Citi Premier competes with cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the American Express Gold Card. The Sapphire Preferred also charges an annual fee and earns 3x points on travel and dining, but it earns 2x on groceries and has a higher annual fee. The Amex Gold earns 4x on restaurants and 3x on groceries and travel, but it also has a higher annual fee and is harder to get approved for.
If you want a rewards card with no annual fee, the Citi Double Cash Card earns 2% cash back on all purchases with no cap and no annual fee. You'll earn less per dollar, but you won't pay a fee, so it may be better if your spending is modest. The choice depends on how much you spend in bonus categories and whether the extra rewards justify the annual fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use the card every month to keep the account open?
No, but Citi can close accounts that show no activity for an extended period — typically 12 months or longer. If you open the card and never use it, Citi may eventually close it without warning. To keep the account open, use it at least once every few months, even for a small purchase.
Can I get the annual fee waived?
Citi does not typically waive the annual fee for the Premier Card, even if you call and ask. Some cardholders have had success negotiating a waiver in their first year, but this is not may provide. Your best option is to decide before you explore whether the annual fee is worth the rewards you expect to earn.
What happens to my points if I close the card?
Your points don't expire when you close the card — they remain in your Citi account and you can redeem them anytime. However, you lose access to the card's benefits and protections once you close it. Redeem your points before you close the account if you want to use them.
How long does it take to earn enough points to cover the annual fee?
This depends on your spending. If you spend $500 per month in bonus categories, you earn 1,500 points per month, or 18,000 points per year. At 1 cent per point in cash back, that's $180 — enough to cover most annual fees within the first year. If you spend less, it may take longer or never happen.
Can I transfer points to someone else's account?
No, Citi does not allow you to transfer points between cardholders or to another person's account. Points are tied to your account and can only be redeemed by you. If you want to give someone a gift, you can redeem points for cash back and give them the money instead.