Unbiased review Maybe I am lucky but I currently hold 4 Citi Cards in my 50 card portfolio. I would say the Rewards+ card when paired with the Citi Premier is a major 🔑. Thanks for the great video!
Rewards+ Makes the Premier 3.33x on all Dining, 3.33x on Unlimited Grocery - not $25,000 only US, and 3.33x on a much broader Travel category vs flights only, plus 3.33x Gas - for currently $155 less than the AMEX Gold - which will only go up this year...and with no credits to deal with.
Another great video, Luke! I think the premier is a great option for a P2 that is willing to play but doesn't want to have to manage a lot of cards. Also, the annoying thing for me, as an aggressive player, is that the other issuers are so much better that I had to start with them, but now that I am searching the bottom of the well with Citi, it will be hard to get the cards after the velocity I've had.
Fair enough! I dont think i would look too hard at citi if I was still chasing sign up bonuses. They aren't very good for churning. but I think i'll be getting another premier bonus in a couple of years.
I keep getting mailers for the CCC! Maybe one day I'll pull the trigger and get it. At least my P2 has one so we're not missing out on that 5% cash back goodness, I'll probably encourage (make) her apply for the Citi Premier in due time, hah!
I only have one Citi card in my 13 premium travel cards setup! I have the beautiful Citi Addvantage Executive World Elite card. I have it for the Admiral Club Lounges membership. Also, I like priority boarding (group 4 out of 9) when not flying in First Class. The $10 monthly Grubhub credit helps with the $595 AF. Btw, authorize users also get Admiral Club Lounge access. AUs fee is $175 for up to 3 AUs. Not bad!!! I’ll keep this card till death do us part! 🍻
@@LukesPointsandMiles hopefully, you can this card too in the next couple of years. American is remodeling (upgrading) its Admiral Clubs Lounges and I have visited a few of the new ones. Amazing lounges.
I do most of my work travel between PHL and ORD, so admirals club access is so valuable, but I've been disappointed with the quality of AA's lounges. So I find myself going to the centuiorn lounges in Philly. In ORD there no alternative so I grit an bear it lol. Do you have a favorite AA Lounge location?
@@ranktank45 I get your point about being disappointed with some of the Admirals Clubs. I have been in many of them and it was a hit or miss (although way better than Priority Pass Lounges). But like I said, American is upgrading their lounges one by one and the ones completed (or new ones) are really good. Of course, the Centurion Lounges are amazing too and they have been the top dog for a long time (I have access to them too). My #1 Admiral Club Lounge is the new one in DCA located in Concourse E. DCA has three Admirals Clubs all easy walking distance between them. But the one in Concourse E is amazing. Hopefully you can visit this one soon. I honestly also like the two in MIA. Cheers 🍻.
My only issue with Citi cards are they are Mastercard cards... Costco is my #1 expense and they only take Visa. 😅. But when that 80k offer comes back around I'm jumping on it!
I think the Citi system is great for roadtrips for sure. I have the trifecta and after I got the Premier elevated SUB completed last August, the cards sit in my sock drawer. Great earners but when you are SUB hunting.... Good video Uncle Luke as always!!!
The custom cash is easily the best cash back card on the market assuming you’re able to acquire multiple of them to cover the different categories it earns 5% on
Agree that Citi can serve as a great secondary travel setup, at least that's its role for my P2. I also see it as a good SUB play especially if/when the 75k/80k bonus on the Citi Premier comes back. Great video luke!
Next week we will be in Barbados, using the CITI Premier's 3% for gas, groceries, and dining. AMEX is worthless overseas. CSP only has 3% dining overseas.
I just got my Citi premier Master Card since Costco Japan only uses Master Card. Was able to get the intro offer of 60,000 and transferred all the points into Virgin points with the 30% bonus. Nice card.
@@LukesPointsandMiles Yeah they have some great cards and I even recommend their cards to friends but I just don’t want to have cards from a bunch of different issuers
Citi is one of the best 2nd choice setups. They lack protections and benefits, but that's why you have your primary setup, so that's not a problem. They have the best multipliers and cover the most categories so they cover whatever holes you have. They have decent transfer partners including Choice 1:2 which the others don't have.
I'm a big fan of my pop up Merchant promos on my cards. Lol I actually spend a few minutes daily checking my cards as I have a morning coffee. We have the csr and I can cover $100 of the outstanding $250 af just by these offers. Our Citi is the Grandfathered Citi Dividends. Catogorys card. YOu can max it out with $6k in one purchase for the x5.
The citi primer is on my radar but I also want to stay under 5/24 so I want to wait a bit. I'll probably pull the trigger when there is another elevated offer
I feel like Citi needs to do something exciting to get us talking about them more. If the Premier goes back up to 80k I’ll probably apply. That would be my first TY card. I’ve got a CC from a product change but never use it.
nice video, I hope that one day Citi will revamp the Premier to either make it more appealing to travelers or revamp it so cashback people can easier justify the card and take advantage of the 3x categories
I don’t think the card is getting any revamp. Maybe travel protections but the card is pretty good the way it is “if” you want to use the thank you portal once per year
Using a cash back approach ATM, but i love that Wyndham is a transfer partner. They've got some good properties in the Midwest where the big hotel groups are lacking.
The Custom Cash is the perfect wild card for a cash-back setup. Use it for whatever the rotators are not covering. If I had a handful of them, I could get rid of most of my other cards. And I think City has some other cards too . . .
I actually posted that before watching the video 😛 Lots of people speak highly of the TY points system, but something you said in the vid pretty much nailed it in my opinion: "I think Citi cards are just fine, but it's very hard to rank them higher than the competitors." I'm not someone who spends enough or travels enough to justify multiple travel setups. And I just haven't seen anything to make me think Citi should be The One for me.
@@mikegoodwin2386 yeah I think it’s not as common for folks to be able to get the value from having multiple ecosystems. I like it because I can take advantage of the Bonuses.
Cesar Joel, the new ambadassor of Citi would like to debate you on these points hahaha One of these days I give the Citi Addvantage Executive World Elite a chance. But not untill after I lower some of my other annual fees
very fair assessment. I’m considering getting the Premier, but no elevated sign up bonus and I wouldn’t use the $100 hotel credit, so looking like a nah. Keep it up !
I still think the premier is worth it even without the hotel credit. If you can mitigate the AF with Citi merchant offers than it’s basically a free set up and it out earns Chase
Luke your missing the boat as Citi has many merchant offers. For instance I routinely get gas offers of 5% or 10% all the time. I also have Sam's Club offer. Citi is 1 of 3 buckets I collect points.
Feel like custom cash is a foil for the premier cause whats stopping one from getting three ccc and a double cash or two ccc, a rewards+ and a double cash card. And no annual fee. Lol
@@LukesPointsandMiles yeah it's a bit of product changing around which citi is super generous with. One could also go for one premier, rewards+, DC and custom cash. That might be the setup I settle with in the long run.
Quick question so with their 24 month rule with sign up bonuses does that transfer to cards in the same card family? Like if I get the Citi premier do I need to wait 2 years to get the sign up bonus on the Citi rewards plus? Or same scenario with the Citi double cash and Citi custom cash? The wording on their website is really confusing lol.
@@LukesPointsandMiles I have total of more than 50 cards. With Citi I also have Citigold account, which gives a lot of value. I have most of my points with Citi, followed by Chase, and use them a lot.
Uncle Luke, did you buy the IHG Ambassador? how do you use the free weekend certificate? do you need to have 1 paid stay and use the certificate on the 2nd night? does it have to be an Intercontinental? thanks
For Team Cash Back, what is better than Citi Double Cash (2% non-category) and Custom Cash (5% highest spend category)? The TYP can be combined for a statement credit on the CC card.
The double cash is irrelevant for what you are looking for imo. Assuming you can find variable load vgc or mgc (and not using them internationally) for even a 1.5% fee on 500, that's still 3.5 ppd net as a floor vs the dubcash 2x, and you still have x custom cashes to spend 500 @ 5x per month. Citi allows you to change any personal card (except costco) into a custom cash btw
Personally I would avoid Citi. Awful customer service, weak high end card, expiration dates when you move points from Custom Cash & Double Cash to Premier, travel partners are just ok, with hotels being abysmal. Much better choices out there. Stick with Chase or Capital One for now.
@@LukesPointsandMiles I tried posting a link to Citi's website twice. Both times the links were taken down. But try Googling shared TY points expiration date. It should link you to Citi's website.
Ok@@LukesPointsandMiles Now that I actually finished the video. I completely agree with you. Citi is a great secondary lender to fill the gaps in a Chase, Amex, or C1 setup. Particularly it helps Amex the most for gas, rotating categories, and acceptance over seas. If necessary, it could even replace the gold card. The set up could be the Platiunm, Premiere, CCC, BBP and a Hotel card. Capital One would also benefit greatly since it would fill in the gas and 5x rotating categories the duo is missing.
The citi premier actually has superior shopping protections. I've never had any poor customer service from them but i guess the reputation is something that sticks @@curmudgeonextraordinaire1884
Unbiased review
Maybe I am lucky but I currently hold 4 Citi Cards in my 50 card portfolio.
I would say the Rewards+ card when paired with the Citi Premier is a major 🔑.
Thanks for the great video!
That’s a great point!!!
Just got the Citi Rewards+ and excited to pair it with the Premier!
Rewards+ Makes the Premier 3.33x on all Dining, 3.33x on Unlimited Grocery - not $25,000 only US, and 3.33x on a much broader Travel category vs flights only, plus 3.33x Gas - for currently $155 less than the AMEX Gold - which will only go up this year...and with no credits to deal with.
@@arteephact There is $100 credit.
Yeah wow… the $100 rebate U get from Rewards+ will pay for the annual fee on the Premier. Good point.
The Citi Custom Cash is a must have imo.
@@anthonyjames4319 it’s good but the $500 cap keeps it from being awesome n
Most jacked credit card reviewer that's what's up! 🤙
@@B47ANCE. 🤣 thanks!
Another great video, Luke! I think the premier is a great option for a P2 that is willing to play but doesn't want to have to manage a lot of cards. Also, the annoying thing for me, as an aggressive player, is that the other issuers are so much better that I had to start with them, but now that I am searching the bottom of the well with Citi, it will be hard to get the cards after the velocity I've had.
Fair enough! I dont think i would look too hard at citi if I was still chasing sign up bonuses. They aren't very good for churning. but I think i'll be getting another premier bonus in a couple of years.
I keep getting mailers for the CCC! Maybe one day I'll pull the trigger and get it. At least my P2 has one so we're not missing out on that 5% cash back goodness, I'll probably encourage (make) her apply for the Citi Premier in due time, hah!
CCC is a must in most wallets!!
I only have one Citi card in my 13 premium travel cards setup! I have the beautiful Citi Addvantage Executive World Elite card. I have it for the Admiral Club Lounges membership. Also, I like priority boarding (group 4 out of 9) when not flying in First Class. The $10 monthly Grubhub credit helps with the $595 AF. Btw, authorize users also get Admiral Club Lounge access. AUs fee is $175 for up to 3 AUs. Not bad!!! I’ll keep this card till death do us part! 🍻
Nice moves Leo!!
@@LukesPointsandMiles hopefully, you can this card too in the next couple of years. American is remodeling (upgrading) its Admiral Clubs Lounges and I have visited a few of the new ones. Amazing lounges.
I do most of my work travel between PHL and ORD, so admirals club access is so valuable, but I've been disappointed with the quality of AA's lounges. So I find myself going to the centuiorn lounges in Philly. In ORD there no alternative so I grit an bear it lol. Do you have a favorite AA Lounge location?
@@ranktank45 I get your point about being disappointed with some of the Admirals Clubs. I have been in many of them and it was a hit or miss (although way better than Priority Pass Lounges). But like I said, American is upgrading their lounges one by one and the ones completed (or new ones) are really good. Of course, the Centurion Lounges are amazing too and they have been the top dog for a long time (I have access to them too). My #1 Admiral Club Lounge is the new one in DCA located in Concourse E. DCA has three Admirals Clubs all easy walking distance between them. But the one in Concourse E is amazing. Hopefully you can visit this one soon. I honestly also like the two in MIA. Cheers 🍻.
Bhai kaise bnwaye the process bata do
My only issue with Citi cards are they are Mastercard cards... Costco is my #1 expense and they only take Visa. 😅. But when that 80k offer comes back around I'm jumping on it!
I’ve read that a few times. I prefer MasterCard because of simply miles
I find it odd that out of all banks Citi has the Costco card, I think it's the only Visa they have.
@@PhoenixSniperTTG that’s funny to even think about. Haha
I think the Citi system is great for roadtrips for sure. I have the trifecta and after I got the Premier elevated SUB completed last August, the cards sit in my sock drawer. Great earners but when you are SUB hunting....
Good video Uncle Luke as always!!!
You're right but those subs come way slower after 35 or so cards! haha
And you are right about that too 🙂
I was just thinking about road trips!
The custom cash is easily the best cash back card on the market assuming you’re able to acquire multiple of them to cover the different categories it earns 5% on
Yeah and see I think it’s even better when it’s used to accrue TY points
I really liked my Premier… It is a great all in one set up, just wish it was Visa.
Oh man. I love that it’s Mastercard - for simply miles
CITI Custom Cash is no joke. Thanks for the info + video!
Its strength I think is it’s pretty easy to use.
You can downgrade to a citi rewards plus and transfer 1000 ty points to 1500 choice privilege points. Also with double cash. Great video ❤
That’s a great idea!!
Agree that Citi can serve as a great secondary travel setup, at least that's its role for my P2. I also see it as a good SUB play especially if/when the 75k/80k bonus on the Citi Premier comes back. Great video luke!
Thanks Monty!!
This actually may be my favorite set up
it can make a lot of sense for a lot of folks
I am waiting for hopefully another 80K of Welcome Bonus for the Citi Premier Card as I need the EVA-miles!
Fingers crossed!
Next week we will be in Barbados, using the CITI Premier's 3% for gas, groceries, and dining. AMEX is worthless overseas. CSP only has 3% dining overseas.
Citi and Cap1 are big league overseas.
I just got my Citi premier Master Card since Costco Japan only uses Master Card. Was able to get the intro offer of 60,000 and transferred all the points into Virgin points with the 30% bonus. Nice card.
Nice work!!
Great video. Thanks for this one Luke! For whatever reason Citi is the one major player that I don’t have too much interest in
I’m a big fan of Citi!!
@@LukesPointsandMiles Yeah they have some great cards and I even recommend their cards to friends but I just don’t want to have cards from a bunch of different issuers
Currently rocking the Citi Trifecta with my new Strata Premier 🎉🎉🎉
Nice work!!
Citi is one of the best 2nd choice setups. They lack protections and benefits, but that's why you have your primary setup, so that's not a problem. They have the best multipliers and cover the most categories so they cover whatever holes you have. They have decent transfer partners including Choice 1:2 which the others don't have.
Yeah, can’t argue that. They really do work well as a second option.
Nice video Luke. I've got 3 Citi Custom Cash cards
Nice! are they for cash back or stacking TY points?
@@LukesPointsandMiles Cash back. Don't have the Citi Premier. Have CSR and Amex for transfer points to travel partners
I'm a big fan of my pop up Merchant promos on my cards. Lol I actually spend a few minutes daily checking my cards as I have a morning coffee.
We have the csr and I can cover $100 of the outstanding $250 af just by these offers.
Our Citi is the Grandfathered Citi Dividends. Catogorys card. YOu can max it out with $6k in one purchase for the x5.
I try to stay on top of them as well but I fall short. I just completely missed a good SW offer on my CIP last week. I booked it with the platinum.
The citi primer is on my radar but I also want to stay under 5/24 so I want to wait a bit. I'll probably pull the trigger when there is another elevated offer
Nice move!!
I feel like Citi needs to do something exciting to get us talking about them more. If the Premier goes back up to 80k I’ll probably apply. That would be my first TY card. I’ve got a CC from a product change but never use it.
Yeah I always thought the CCC was overreacted as a stand alone card but I think it shines as part of a Citi Type system.
nice video, I hope that one day Citi will revamp the Premier to either make it more appealing to travelers or revamp it so cashback people can easier justify the card and take advantage of the 3x categories
I don’t think the card is getting any revamp. Maybe travel protections but the card is pretty good the way it is “if” you want to use the thank you portal once per year
Thanks to all Citi thank you bonuses I am now moved to village.
Using a cash back approach ATM, but i love that Wyndham is a transfer partner. They've got some good properties in the Midwest where the big hotel groups are lacking.
Wyndham popularity seems to be growing my the second.
The Custom Cash is the perfect wild card for a cash-back setup. Use it for whatever the rotators are not covering. If I had a handful of them, I could get rid of most of my other cards.
And I think City has some other cards too . . .
I actually posted that before watching the video 😛
Lots of people speak highly of the TY points system, but something you said in the vid pretty much nailed it in my opinion: "I think Citi cards are just fine, but it's very hard to rank them higher than the competitors." I'm not someone who spends enough or travels enough to justify multiple travel setups. And I just haven't seen anything to make me think Citi should be The One for me.
@@mikegoodwin2386 yeah I think it’s not as common for folks to be able to get the value from having multiple ecosystems. I like it because I can take advantage of the
Bonuses.
I wish the CC game was like this in Canada 😢
This is our golden age. We’re Lucky that so many others love going into debt and paying fees.
Cesar Joel, the new ambadassor of Citi would like to debate you on these points hahaha
One of these days I give the Citi Addvantage Executive World Elite a chance. But not untill after I lower some of my other annual fees
I can see that card being worth it but yeah not right now.
very fair assessment. I’m considering getting the Premier, but no elevated sign up bonus and I wouldn’t use the $100 hotel credit, so looking like a nah.
Keep it up !
I still think the premier is worth it even without the hotel credit. If you can mitigate the AF with Citi merchant offers than it’s basically a free set up and it out earns Chase
@@LukesPointsandMiles okay, appreciate the insight. Could you elaborate on the merchant offers ?
@@nicky_rads credit card issuers usually have merchant offers or deals. Like 5% back on certain products. Amex offer, Chase offers, etc
I also use citi premier for high ticket items because of their 2 year extended warranty (other cards offer just 1)
Yup. Everyone thinks the premier doesn’t have purchase protection but it’s really good
Thanks for the video Luke! What is the latest on whether Citibank will introduce a new high end travel card?
Everyone is waiting!!!!
@@LukesPointsandMiles Thanks for replying!
Luke your missing the boat as Citi has many merchant offers. For instance I routinely get gas offers of 5% or 10% all the time. I also have Sam's Club offer. Citi is 1 of 3 buckets I collect points.
Ok, I’m going to keep an eye out for
Them!!!
Feel like custom cash is a foil for the premier cause whats stopping one from getting three ccc and a double cash or two ccc, a rewards+ and a double cash card. And no annual fee. Lol
It seems some can get multiple CCC but some have not been permitted. Either way the cap on the ccc, at least for me, keeps it balanced
@@LukesPointsandMiles yeah it's a bit of product changing around which citi is super generous with. One could also go for one premier, rewards+, DC and custom cash. That might be the setup I settle with in the long run.
@@crazykenbei I’m a big fan of citi cards. Simple and good earners.
I just got the custom cash. hopefully premier go to 80k again.
I’m sure it will. Hopefully soon!!
How many Custom Cash cards can you have? Why not just get several of those to cover all of those categories?
You can have more than one. I know some folks that have 3
Thank you Luke 👍
Thank you for watching!!
Uncle Luke can u make a video about the new welcome offer cards for Marriott. The brilliant and bevy. I think they have new welcome bonuses
I try to stay away from “current event” videos.
Oh gotcha. I’ve been trying to get into Marriott since I have an international trip coming up. Thanks for the videos!
@@AdamJohannessburg I may talk more about Marriott soon, I just don’t like doing the “latest best bonus” videos. I feel like that’s low hanging fruit
I use both of my custom cards and I use the strictly for restaurants and switch to my CSP if i'm close to that 500 limit
Do you use them for cash back or for TY points?
@@LukesPointsandMiles I use my custom card for cash and CSP for transfer partners.
Quick question so with their 24 month rule with sign up bonuses does that transfer to cards in the same card family? Like if I get the Citi premier do I need to wait 2 years to get the sign up bonus on the Citi rewards plus? Or same scenario with the Citi double cash and Citi custom cash? The wording on their website is really confusing lol.
That’s one I can’t tell you with 100% certainty. Mostly because I can’t get approved for citi cards that often
What sets Citi apart is their pay by phone system which allows daily debit card payments on Citi credit cards.
I didn't know that.
I have a Citi DC and have been eyeing their premier card too. I'm trying to simplify right now so they're on my radar. So is capital one
Both are great options for simplification
Citi is my primary issuer. I have 16 Citi cards, but I have 21 with Chase.
Whoa. I’ve never even heard of someone having 16 cards. Thats awesome
@@LukesPointsandMiles I have total of more than 50 cards. With Citi I also have Citigold account, which gives a lot of value. I have most of my points with Citi, followed by Chase, and use them a lot.
Uncle Luke, did you buy the IHG Ambassador? how do you use the free weekend certificate? do you need to have 1 paid stay and use the certificate on the 2nd night? does it have to be an Intercontinental? thanks
I bought it. Never used it yet. Yes paid stay and yes had to be an inter continental
Citi credit cards are only for US citizens or green card holders
Thank you for the information!
Good video.
Thanks for watching!!
For Team Cash Back, what is better than Citi Double Cash (2% non-category) and Custom Cash (5% highest spend category)? The TYP can be combined for a statement credit on the CC card.
What is better? Maybe the double cash and 4 custom cash cards. 💳
@@LukesPointsandMilesHow to get 4 CC cards? I had been thinking of applying for the Rewards+ card, then doing a product change.
@@Aren-Tibbs there’s a start! Premier next then maybe the AA card
The double cash is irrelevant for what you are looking for imo. Assuming you can find variable load vgc or mgc (and not using them internationally) for even a 1.5% fee on 500, that's still 3.5 ppd net as a floor vs the dubcash 2x, and you still have x custom cashes to spend 500 @ 5x per month. Citi allows you to change any personal card (except costco) into a custom cash btw
The issue for me is eva which c1 does at 2:1.5 while citi does 1:1.
Yeah I guess that is a difference. I just never knew too many folks that used EVA !
You can transfer easily to many popular destinations once you get to Taiwan via eva.
very cool@@Cookiekaikai
Citi being on master card is my biggest issue
Ha! i keep hearing that. It's my favorite part! (Simply Miles)
Except Costco
I like their cards but their customer service is a nightmare from my experience
I don’t think I’ve dealt with them much.
Worst customer service in the business. Removed myself as an AU on my wife’s cards.
@@MattMcGrathOfficial interesting.
3rd 🥉
🥉🥉🥉
Personally I would avoid Citi. Awful customer service, weak high end card, expiration dates when you move points from Custom Cash & Double Cash to Premier, travel partners are just ok, with hotels being abysmal. Much better choices out there. Stick with Chase or Capital One for now.
What is the time frame for points moved from the CCC to the premier? I don’t think once never redeemed them.
@@LukesPointsandMiles90 days, if I interpreted it correctly.
@@jackiejackajaque0734 do you have a link because this is not something I can find information on.
@@LukesPointsandMiles I tried posting a link to Citi's website twice. Both times the links were taken down. But try Googling shared TY points expiration date. It should link you to Citi's website.
2nd
🥈🥈🥈
First
🥇🥇🥇
Ok@@LukesPointsandMiles Now that I actually finished the video. I completely agree with you. Citi is a great secondary lender to fill the gaps in a Chase, Amex, or C1 setup. Particularly it helps Amex the most for gas, rotating categories, and acceptance over seas. If necessary, it could even replace the gold card. The set up could be the Platiunm, Premiere, CCC, BBP and a Hotel card.
Capital One would also benefit greatly since it would fill in the gas and 5x rotating categories the duo is missing.
you have some great points!
No interest in any Shittybank cards
I can understand. Any reason?
@@LukesPointsandMiles no shopping protections, and a reputation of poor customer service.
The citi premier actually has superior shopping protections. I've never had any poor customer service from them but i guess the reputation is something that sticks
@@curmudgeonextraordinaire1884
@@LukesPointsandMiles with an AF. Chase offers excellent protections on even their no AF cards.
Sears ThankYou from Citi. Best earner to pool TYP with Citi Premier.
Well that’s interesting.