Citi Rewards+ Card Review 2024

Is It the Best Credit Card for Your Startup?

Smiling business person pointing at 3.9 stars and the Citibusiness logo.

Citibank has become a trusted name in the banking industry, and their Rewards+ Card is no different. The card offers a great way for entrepreneurs to earn rewards while also providing some great perks and features. 

In this article, we'll take a closer look at the Citi Rewards+ Card and whether it’s right for you, including all of its features and how it compares to the competition. 

Recommended: Read our full guide to the Best Credit Cards for Startups.

Citi Rewards+ Card Eligibility Requirements

Business owners looking for their first reward card will find easy access to Citi and their accompanying cards. There are very few eligibility requirements needed to be considered and the application process is simple. Below is all the information you need to get started with the Citi Rewards+ Card.

  • A credit score of 650 or higher
  • Must be 18 years or older
  • Must be US resident or citizen

The minimal eligibility requirements for the Citi card make it perfect for entrepreneurs who may not have an established credit history. High credit scores aren't mandatory, and you can start applying right on the website. 

Pros and Cons of Citi Rewards+ Card

Pros of Citi Rewards+ Card

  • Intro bonus offers up to $200 in gift cards
  • Round-up reward system 
  • Multiple reward tier

Cons of Citi Rewards+ Card

  • Bonus rewards have spending caps
  • Redemptions for rewards are complicated

The Citi Rewards+ Card is a perfect start for a business owner just learning how to use credit cards. The intro offer is decent, it includes some rewards systems, and there is no annual fee. 

Where the card starts to lose favor is after the initial 12 months of signing up. The reward structure depreciates significantly and there are no more bonus offers based on your spending. 

To make things worse, redeeming your rewards is one of the more complicated processes of any credit card. When you do figure out how to redeem your points, the value is often less than a dollar for every point.

Citi Rewards+ Card Fees and Features

Fees are usually the downfall of many seemingly good cards. With Citi, you'll pay some fees but they are all listed upfront so you aren't hit with a hidden charge you didn't know about.

Learn what the current card fees, rewards, and interest rates are for the Citi Rewards+ Card below.

Rewards and Benefits

  • 5x ThankYou points per $1 spent at eligible restaurants for up to $6000 in the first 12 months of signing up
  • 2x ThankYou points at any participating supermarkets and gas stations for up to $6000 per year 
  • 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,500 in the first 3 months

Interest Rates

  • Intro APR: 0% for first 15 months on any purchases and balance transfers
  • Variable APR: 16.49%–26.49% after first 15 months 

Fees

  • Transfer Fees: 3% for the first 4 months, 5% thereafter
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: 3%
  • $0 annual fees

Citi offers fees that are consistent with most reward cards in the same class. You'll incur fees for balance transfers or foreign purchases, however, there is no annual feel.

Unfortunately, the rewards aren't as standard. The longer you have the card, the worse the rewards get. The saving grace for the Citi Rewards+ Card is that every purchase is rounded up to the nearest 10 points. That means smaller purchases will end up accounting for a greater point value than larger purchases. 

How does the Citi Rewards+ Card Compare?

Even though the Citi Rewards+ Card has an intro offer bonus as well as a tiered rewards system, it may not have everything you need to be efficient.

Below, you'll learn the differences between the Citi Rewards+ Card and the Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard.

Citi Rewards+ Card

$0 Annual Fee 

Rewards round up to the nearest 10 points on every purchase

Best For: Startups who plan on making lots of small purchases

Business Advantage Unlimited Cash Rewards Mastercard®

$0 Annual Fee

Every purchase made receives a 1.5% cash back reward for an unlimited amount of purchases.

Best For: Startups looking to earn cash back on all purchases instead of miles or other rewards.

Final Thoughts on Citi Rewards+ Card

The Citi Rewards+ Card comes with an intro bonus offer and a decent rewards system for the first year. After that, the rewards drop off, and you won't receive any more bonuses based on spending amounts. It's a great card if you make lots of small purchases because the rewards points are rounded up. 

However, many business owners will easily eclipse the $6,000 spending cap placed on all the reward categories. Redeeming rewards is also very complicated, and the point value is much lower than with other cards.

Unless you’re going to make lots of small purchases throughout the year, it's best to go with another card in the same class that offers greater rewards.

Frequently Asked Questions

What credit score do you need for a Citi Rewards+ card?

You need a credit score of 650 or higher to apply for the Citi Rewards+ Card. Credit scores are not the only contributing factor to being approved for the Citi Rewards+ Card. Other factors include your country of residence and age. 

Does the Citi Rewards+ card have an annual fee?

There is no annual fee for the Citi Rewards+ Card. You will, however, receive a 3% fee for any foreign transactions you make. You'll also receive a 5% fee for any balance transfers you make, including a minimum of $5. Although, in the first four months of your account, you'll only incur a 3% balance transfer fee. 

What is the benefit of a Citi Rewards+ Card?

The Citi Rewards+ Card offers startups a great chance to earn extra reward points even on small purchases. Entrepreneurs who don't have an extensive credit history but still want to earn rewards can use this card as a starting point to leverage better cards in the future.


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