Citi credit cards are some of our favorites because they make a card for just about every kind of consumer, and they're always in the good-to-excellent range. Whether you're a frequent business flyer or a college student in search of your first or second card, there's likely a Citi card that matches your profile.
Check out our picks for the best Citi cards of 2013 below based on category...
For 0% Balance Transfers – Citi Simplicity®
The Citi Simplicity Card isn't the only zero interest card that Citi offers, but it's the most dialed in for 0% balance transfers. The Simplicity® card offers cardholders zero interest on balance transfers AND purchases for 18 months as an introductory offer, and it's one of the most forgiving cards on the market today since it charges ZERO in penalty fees, including late payments. If you have excellent credit and you're hoping to move a balance and pay it down over a year-and-a-half, this is the Citi card we most recommend for you. (In fact, it's currently our favorite 0% interest card of any available today.)
For Gifts - Citi ThankYou® Preferred Rewards Card
A lot of cash back cards reward you with a $100 bonus when you spend a specific amount over a set amount of time; the Citi ThankYou® Preferred Rewards Card ups the ante by rewarding cardholders with a $150 gift card when they redeem the 15,000 bonus points received after $1,000 in purchases within 3 months of account opening. The 15-month 0% intro period on purchases and balance transfers is above average, and cardmembers receive an Anniversary Bonus (another gift!) every year that they're a cardmember. If you like gifts – and who doesn't – this is the card for you.
For Miles – Citi® Platinum Select® / AAdvantage® Visa Signature® Card
Frequent American Airlines fliers will find this card particularly rewarding, especially in their quest for miles and, eventually, discounted or free flights. Cardholders can earn 30,000 bonus miles after $1,000 in purchases within the first three months of cardmembership, and the $95 annual fee is waived for the first 12 months as an introductory offer. Finally, you'll earn priority boarding with Group 1 privileges on American Airlines® flights simply for carrying the card in your wallet.
For Hotel Rewards – Citi® Hilton HHonors™ Visa Signature® Card
Citi® teams up with Hilton for one of our favorite hotel cards of 2013. Members that spend $1,000 within 4 months of account opening earn 40,000 Hilton Hhonors Bonus Points, but perhaps even better is the fact that this Citi card rewards purchases made at supermarkets, drugstores and gas stations with 3x the bonus points! And unlike most hotel-branded credit cards, there's no annual fee to deal with.
For Students – Citi Forward® Card for College Students
Finally, students that want a credit card that rewards them for being a responsible consumer can look no further than the Citi Forward® Card for College Students. Students receive 5 Thankyou® Points for every $1 spent on restaurants and entertainment (pretty popular items with students last time we checked) and one point per dollar on all other purchases. But the best part is that students receive 100 ThankYou points each billing period that you pay on time and stay under your credit line. Simply pay your bill on time and you'll rack up the points with this Citi card for students.
