Essential Insights
The Citi Rewards+® Card* once stood out as a solid pick for daily use, thanks to its standout rewards on supermarket and fuel station purchases (terms and conditions apply). What’s more, its clever round-up points mechanism combined with an annual bonus on redemptions means your reward stash could grow faster than usual.
Additional perks include exclusive access to Citi Entertainment, a tempting welcome incentive, introductory APR deals, and the cherry on top — no annual fee.
Note: The Citi Rewards+® Card has been phased out and is no longer accepting new applications.
How Rewards Roll In
Cardholders earned double points (2X) at grocery stores and gas pumps, capped at $6,000 in yearly spending before reverting to single points (1X). Alongside this, the card’s introductory APR offers for both purchases and balance transfers, plus multiple avenues for boosting your rewards haul, made it a favorite among savvy spenders.
Quick Fact:
According to available data, supermarkets and gas stations constitute approximately 30-40% of average US household spending, making cashback or points in these categories notably valuable to cardholders.
Dissecting the Rewards Structure
The true upside lies in how you cash in on your points — the card doesn’t allow transferring points universally across all programs, restricting flexibility somewhat. Still, viable redemption paths include gift cards, shopping with points at select retailers like Amazon and Best Buy, or using points to offset eligible purchases via statement credits. Gift cards and travel redemptions typically deliver about 1 cent per point, often the highest bang for your buck, while other methods may offer less.
Points Round-Up Magic
A quirky hallmark of this card is its ability to round up your points to the closest 10. For instance, a $2 spend nets you 10 points instead of a mere 2, and a $43 purchase gets bumped up to 50 points.
This rounding applies after the 2X multiplier for groceries and fuel. For example, spending $64 at the supermarket yields 128 points, which then rounds elegantly to 130 points.
The Annual Bonus Boost
Every year, redeeming points comes with an added perk: 10% of the points you redeem (up to 100,000 points) bounce right back to your account. Maxing out this bonus lands you 10,000 extra points, effectively translating to $100 in gift cards. This nicety, however, doesn’t apply if you share points with others.
Introductory Perks That Shaped the Card
Welcome Bonus Highlight
One alluring feature was the sign-up reward — scoring 20,000 extra points after dropping $1,500 on purchases in the first 90 days. Redeeming those points can get you $200 in value, boosting your early spending power.
APR and Balance Transfers
During the first four months post-account opening, balance transfers were subject to a 3% fee (minimum $5). Beyond this introductory period, the fee escalated to 5% (minimum $5). Meanwhile, the card carried a variable APR ranging between 18.24% and 28.24%, depending on creditworthiness and other factors.
Beyond Rewards: Additional Advantages
No Annual Fee, No Fuss
This card’s appeal was amplified by its zero annual fee policy — no hidden costs to justify, no pressure to spend more just to break even. This freedom makes it ideal for everyday spending simply to rack up rewards.
Citi Entertainment Access
All Citi cardholders enjoyed exclusive privileges such as early access to concert tickets, sporting event passes, unique dining experiences, and more — adding layers of lifestyle value beyond just points.
Getting the Most Out of Citi Rewards+
- Leverage the round-up feature by making frequent, smaller purchases to maximize point earnings.
- Aim to redeem points primarily through gift cards or travel for optimal 1 cent per point value.
- Keep an eye on the annual redemption bonus to squeeze additional free points from your efforts.
While stripped of some bells and whistles, the Citi Rewards+ Card delivered a respectable suite of benefits, especially notable given its lack of an annual fee. Its focus on grocery and fuel spending rewards continues to resonate with everyday spenders looking for straightforward value.
*Details regarding the Citi Rewards+® Card have been independently compiled by Bankrate. The card issuer has neither reviewed nor sanctioned this information.