Home / Blogs

Best Citi Credit Cards by Category: From 0% Balance Transfers to Student Rewards

Submitted on Wed, 2013-03-13 16:43 | by Jason Bushey

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...

Apply Now
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.)

Apply Now
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.

Apply Now
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.

Apply Now
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.

Apply Now
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.

Chase Southwest Airlines Card: New Limited-Time Offer Can Net You 2 Roundtrip Flights!

Submitted on Tue, 2013-03-12 08:42 | by Jason Bushey

Update: This offer is no longer available - Last updated May 7, 2013.

For a limited-time only, the Southwest Airlines Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is offering cardholders two roundtrip flights after they spend $2,000 in the first three months of opening their account. (Government fees as low as $10 do not apply.) This isn't the first time Southwest has uses bonus points - in this case 50,000 - as an incentive, but it's one of the best deals they've ever offered and gives consumers in the market for an airline miles credit card an excellent option to consider.

Our Top Gas Credit Cards for Spring, 2013

Submitted on Mon, 2013-03-11 08:43 | by Jason Bushey

If you drive a car, odds are you've noticed a huge spike in gas prices over the last few months and, consequently, a lot less money in your wallet. And while you might be breaking out that bike a little more often or driving your car as little as possible, it's all but impossible to avoid the gas pump completely. That's where credit cards that award you for gas purchases become especially useful.

Apply Now
For Business - SimplyCash® Business Card from American Express OPEN

This business card for excellent credit consumers includes 3% cash back at stand-alone gas stations in the U.S. year-round. There's no need to enroll to receive the extra cash back, and this is one of the few business cards that also includes a 0% intro period on purchases (for 6-to-12 months depending on your credit). No matter the size of your business, you can earn accrue some solid cash back on gas purchases with this business card.

Apply Now
For Football Fans - LSU Tigers™ Platinum MasterCard® from Capital One®

OK, so you're probably not going to apply for this card if you're a 'Bama fan. But if you're loyal to the purple and gold of Lousiana State University, then you can earn two points per every dollar spent on gas and groceries while sporting your team loyalty. There's no limit to the points you can earn and they never expire, so you cash them in on that next road trip to Death Valley if you'd like to. This is an above-average gas credit card, especially for Tigers fans.

Apply Now
For Everyone Else - Barclaycard® Rewards MasterCard® - Excellent Credit

Finally, if you're the average consumer hoping for double points on all your gas and grocery purchases, the Barclaycard® Rewards MasterCard® - Excellent Credit card rewards cardholders with 2x points on gas, groceries and utilities. And if you're into immediate satisfaction (And who isn't?) this card rewards you with 5,000 points (or $50 cash back) simply for making your first purchase. Overall, this is an easy card to accrue gas with short-term and long.

Best Airline Miles Credit Cards, 2013 Quarter 2

Submitted on Wed, 2013-03-06 13:32 | by Jason Bushey

With consumers gearing up for quarter two and the travel-friendly months of spring and early summer, we felt like it was a good time to revisit the best airline miles credit cards for the upcoming season.

Here are our favorite airline miles credit cards, broken down by category...

Apply Now
Best Co-Branded Airline Miles Card - Chase United MileagePlus® Explorer Card

Our favorite co-branded airline miles card for Q2 is the Chase United MileagePlus® Explorer Card. There's a lot to like about this card, including an introductory offer of no annual fee the first year (it's $95 thereafter) and a 30,000 bonus mile offer when you spend $1,000 in the first three months. If you're a regular United flier, then this card is a great way to get "preferred", not to mention discount tickets, double miles on United purchases and more. 

Apply Now
Best General Miles Card - Barclaycard Arrival World MasterCard

Cardholders earn 40,000 bonus miles after making $1,000 or more in purchases within 90 days - the equivalent of $400 off their nex trip! Plus, 2x miles on all purchases and no mileage caps or foreign transaction fees. Keep your travel schedule flexible with this miles card from Barclaycard.

Apply Now
Best Miles Card for Budget Fliers - Virgin America Visa® Signature Card

Virgin America is known for the nightclub-inspired interior of its planes, their budget-friendly fares (usually) and one of the more pleasant flying experiences you're likely to enjoy. They've teamed up with Visa® and Barclaycard for an airline miles card that's one of the best for frequent fliers on a budget. Earn up to 15,000 bonus points for a limited time only with this card - 10,000 just for making your first purchase - plus 3 points per $1 on every Virgin America purchase. And if you're also looking for a balance transfer, this card offers 0% for up to 15 billing cycles on balance transfers.

Chase Freedom® 5% cash back categories to include Lowe's this Spring, 2013

Submitted on Wed, 2013-02-27 08:00 | by Jason Bushey

The Chase Freedom® Card announced that cardholders can earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in purchases at Lowe's beginning April 1st and ending on June 30th, 2013. This is great news for DIY-homeowners looking to get a jump on spring cleaning and improvements as the weather (finally) begins to warm up in April.

Chase Freedom® had previously announced that their 5% cash back rotating categories would include up to $1,500 on restaurant and movie theater purchases, so the move to bring on Lowe's will come in addition to these other categories.

Best Credit Card Signup Bonus Offers of 2013, Quarter 2

Submitted on Tue, 2013-02-26 10:24 | by Jason Bushey

Credit cards that offer a signup bonus use the incentive of a short-term perk to make a long-term customer out of consumers. The allure of a credit card signup bonus in a society that craves - no, expects - immediate satisfaction is undeniable, which is why the market for credit card signup bonuses has rarely been stronger.

As we enter Q2 of 2013, we decided it's as good a time as any to revisit the best credit card signup bonuses for the upcoming season. Sorted by category, here are some of the very best to research, apply for and take advantage of in 2013...

 

Apply Now
Best Signup Bonus for Miles - Chase United MileagePlus® Explorer Card

Frequent flyers looking for a co-branded airline miles card that nets a lot of free miles quickly would be wise to consider the Chase United MileagePlus® Explorer Card. Consumers can earn 30,000 bonus miles when they spend $1,000 in the first three months from their account opening, plus they'll earn loyalty perks from United that include a free first checked bag per flight, priority boarding privileges and double miles on all United ticket purchases. They'll also waive the $95 annual fee your first year as a cardholder. Bonus = 30,000 miles + Intro offer of no annual fee your first year

Apply Now
Best Signup Bonus for Quick Cash (1A) - Capital One® Cash Rewards - $100 Cash Back Bonus

The Capital One® Cash Rewards - $100 Cash Back Bonus makes obtaining and understanding its cash back policy simple: spend $500 on purchases within the first three months and receive a $100 cash back bonus. Plus, earn 1% cash back on all purchases and a 50% bonus on the cash back you earn each year. We love this card because the bonus is attainable for most budgets, and their cash back program is simple and straightforward. Bonus = $100 cash back

Apply Now
Best Signup Bonus for Your First Purchase - Barclaycard® Rewards MasterCard® - Excellent Credit

Finally, the Barclaycard® Rewards MasterCard® - Excellent Credit rewards new cardholders with 5,000 points - the equivalent of a $50 statement credit - just for making their first purchase or balance transfer! It's also one of the few cards on the market that rewards double points every day on gas, groceries and utilities, and there's no annual fee and no interest on purchases or balance transfers for 12 months. This is one of the best new credit cards available to consumers in 2013. Bonus = 5,000 points ($50 credit)

Best 0% APR Credit Cards for Spring, 2013

Submitted on Wed, 2013-02-20 16:54 | by Jason Bushey

While it might seem early to declare the best 0% interest credit cards for Spring, 2013, there's no reason to hesitate when it comes to consolidating your debt - or simply saving on interest - with the best 0% APR credit cards available for the upcoming season. It's like spring cleaning, only easier, faster and more prosperous!

So, think warm thoughts and check out the best 0% interest credit card options available for the upcoming season...

Apply Now
Best 0% Balance Transfer Credit Card - Citi Simplicity®

The Citi Simplicity Card has long been one of our favorite 0% interest balance transfer cards, and it still ranks as one of the best for the spring of 2013. The Citi Simplicity Card includes 0% interest on new purchases and balance transfers for up to 18 months, there are no late fees (!!) and no interest hikes after late payments (though multiple offenses could make you ineligible for the full 18-month intro period). Finally, once your intro period expires you'll pay the same APR variable on purchases, balance transfers and even cash advances. The Citi Simplicity Card continues to keep it, well, "simple" this spring.

Apply Now
Best 0% Cash Back Card - Discover it™

The Discover it™ Card offers cardholders a 14-month 0% intro period on purchases and balance transfers. Beginning April 1st, Discover it™ members can earn 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in purchases on DIY home improvement products when they enroll for free. This is perfect for homeowners ready to do some spring cleaning, and will be available as part of their bonus cash back program of rotating categories through June 30th. That said, if you're more of a pay-a-pro kind of person, you can still earn 1% cash back on all other purchases (like, say, hiring a plumber). This is Creditnet's favorite 0% cash back credit card for spring, 2013.

Apply Now
Best 0% Interest Card With a Cash Back Bonus - Capital One® Cash Rewards - $100 Cash Back Bonus

The Capital One® Cash Rewards - $100 Cash Back Bonus is a zero interest card that rewards cardholders that spend $500 or more within the first three months of the account opening with a $100 cash back bonus. That's on top of the 1% cash back earned on all purchases that don't expire. While this is a solid welcome gift from Capital One, each year cardholders earn an anniversary gift in the form of a 50% cash back bonus on points earned over the year. 

Secured Credit Cards: Still the future of credit repair

Submitted on Thu, 2013-02-14 15:20 | by Jason Bushey

If you have poor or no credit, you'll want to know what credit options are available to you, not only to have credit, but to improve or create your credit score.

Secured credit cards are one option. These cards essentially let you become your own lender. You put a certain deposit down on the card, say $500, and then you're allowed to charge using a secured credit card. (Your available credit may be the amount of your deposit or a higher amount, depending on the card issuer.)

Why Secured Credit Cards Instead of Prepaid Cards?

Apply Now
Our Recommended Secured Credit Card

The Capital One Secured MasterCard is our recommended secured credit card to rebuild credit. This card includes credit monitoring tools so consumers can track their progress, plus the annual fee is low ($29) and there is no set-up fee. 

Click the "Apply Now" button for more details on the Capital One Secured MasterCard.

Infographic: How to Make a 0% Interest Credit Card Balance Transfer

Submitted on Thu, 2013-02-14 14:20 | by Jason Bushey

Credit card debt is often a product of the high interest fees consumers are stuck paying on their existing balance. Wouldn't it be great if you could just rid yourself of the additional 10, 20 or 30% in interest and start paying down your debt directly?

(The answer is: 'Obviously')

For consumers with fair-to-excellent credit, the solution is simple - transfer your balance to a new credit card with 0 percent interest applied to balance transfers.

Apply Now
Our Favorite Balance Transfer Card: Discover it - 18 Month Balance Transfer

The Discover it - 18 Month Balance Transfer Card combines one of the longest 0% intro periods for balance transfers of any credit card on the market today with the perks of an excellent cash back credit card.

This card allows members to pay down their existing debt interest-free for 18 months, and new purchases are also interest-free for 6 months and include 5% cash back for up to $1,500 in purchases on rotating categories. Through March, 2013, Discover it cardholders can earn bonus cash back on restaurant and movie purchases, and an unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.

Click the 'Apply Now' button to the left for full details.

3 Ways to Redeem Your Credit Card Rewards this Valentine's Day

Submitted on Tue, 2013-02-12 10:04 | by Jason Bushey

Believe it or not, Valentine's Day is one of the absolute best holidays to redeem your credit card rewards on.

Why? Well for starters, it falls smack dab in the middle of the post-holiday/tax season hangover that is February. What that means is many of us are, well, "tapped-out" when it comes to disposable income. 

And yet, we still want to do something special for our significant other (or maybe even a secret admirer). But with little to go around, some of us go the creative route (we hope you're a good artist) while others decide to make up the difference with our credit cards.

Pages