Citi Premier® Card: An In-Depth Review

Features

• Annual Fee: $95
• APR: Variable 21.24%-29.24%
• Sign-up Bonus: Earn 60,000 ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 within the first 3 months.
• Earn Rate:
  • 3 points per $1 on air travel, hotels, restaurants, and supermarkets.
  • 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.
• Benefits:
  • No foreign transaction fees.
  • $100 annual hotel savings on bookings over $500.
• Credit Requirement: Good to excellent (690-850).

Benefits

• Rewarding Purchase Categories: Earns triple points in several significant spending categories such as travel, dining, and groceries.
• Sign-Up Bonus: High initial bonus points offer potentially high value if redeemed through partners.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees: Ideal for international travelers.
• Annual Hotel Savings: Recoup some of the annual fee with a $100 hotel credit.

Drawbacks

• Annual Fee: Not waived for the first year.
• Rewards Flexibility: Points are worth less when not transferred to airline partners.
• Limited Domestic Partners: Mostly beneficial for international travel due to primarily international airline partners.

Product Summary

The Citi Premier® Card offers substantial rewards for travelers and food enthusiasts with its 3X points on major spending categories and a strong sign-up bonus. However, its full potential is best realized in coordination with international travel and strategic point transfers. While the annual fee is notable, the benefits like the annual hotel credit and lack of foreign transaction fees can offset this cost for regular travelers. It's a solid option for those who frequently venture abroad and dine out.