Best Citibank Credit Card for Travel in 2025 | Travel Points HQ
If you're looking for the best Citibank credit card for travel in 2025, the answer depends on how you spend. For most people, the Citi Strata Premier℠Card is the top pick thanks to its strong travel rewards, annual hotel credit, and no foreign transaction fees. But if you prefer cash back or have simpler needs, the Citi Double Cash® Card or Citi Custom Cash® Card might serve you better. Below, I break down the top contenders, compare their pros and cons, and help you decide which one belongs in your wallet.
Citi Strata Premierâ„ Card: Best Overall for Travel
The Citi Strata Premier℠Card (formerly Citi Premier®) is the most well-rounded travel card Citi offers. It earns 10x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through Citi Travel; 3x on air travel, other hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations; and 1x on everything else. Points transfer to airline and hotel partners like American Airlines AAdvantage, JetBlue TrueBlue, Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles, Wyndham Rewards, and Choice Privileges.
Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. That's worth up to $750 in travel when redeemed through Citi Travel or transferred to partners.
Perks: $100 annual hotel credit on a single stay of $500+ booked through Citi Travel, no foreign transaction fees, and access to Citi Entertainment.
Annual fee: $95.
Why it wins: It's the only Citi card that combines transferable points, bonus categories for everyday spending, and a hotel credit that offsets the annual fee. If you travel even once a year, this card pays for itself.
Citi Double Cash® Card: Best No-Annual-Fee Travel Card
The Citi Double Cash® Card is a cash back card, but it's surprisingly useful for travel. You earn 2% on every purchase (1% when you buy, 1% when you pay) with no annual fee. Those earnings come as ThankYou Points, which you can transfer to travel partners if you also have a Citi Strata Premier or Citi Prestige card. Even without a premium card, you can redeem points for travel through Citi Travel at a value of 1 cent per point.
Welcome offer: Earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 in the first 6 months.
Perks: No foreign transaction fees, $0 fraud liability, and the ability to convert cash back to ThankYou Points for transfers.
Why it's great: It's the best no-annual-fee option for travel because it earns flexible rewards on everything. If you don't want to pay an annual fee but still want to earn points that can become airline miles, this is your card.
Citi Custom Cash® Card: Best for Specific Travel Categories
The Citi Custom Cash® Card automatically earns 5% cash back on your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to $500 spent, then 1%. Eligible categories include gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, travel, and transit. If you spend a lot on one travel category—say, airlines or hotels—you can earn 5% back without an annual fee.
Welcome offer: Earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 in the first 6 months.
Perks: No annual fee, no foreign transaction fees, and the flexibility to change your 5% category each month based on your spending.
Why it's useful: It's not a dedicated travel card, but it can outperform many travel cards if you concentrate your spending. Pair it with the Citi Double Cash for a powerful no-annual-fee combo.
Citi Prestige® Card: Best for Luxury Travel (Discontinued)
The Citi Prestige® Card is no longer open to new applicants, but it remains a favorite among existing cardholders. It offers 5x points on air travel and restaurants, 3x on hotels and cruise lines, and 1x on everything else. Perks include a $250 annual travel credit, fourth-night-free hotel stays, and Priority Pass lounge access.
Why it still matters: If you already have it, keep it. The 4th night free benefit alone can save hundreds on hotel stays. But for new applicants, the Strata Premier is the closest alternative.
How to Choose the Best Citibank Credit Card for Travel
Ask yourself three questions:
- Do you want transferable points or cash back? If you want maximum flexibility for premium travel, go with the Citi Strata Premier. If you prefer simplicity, the Double Cash or Custom Cash are better.
- How often do you travel abroad? All three cards have no foreign transaction fees, so any will work. But the Strata Premier offers travel protections like trip cancellation and baggage delay insurance.
- Are you willing to pay an annual fee? The Strata Premier's $95 fee is easily offset by its $100 hotel credit and bonus categories. If you never book hotels through Citi Travel, the no-annual-fee cards are safer bets.
For most travelers, the Citi Strata Premier is the best Citibank credit card for travel because it balances rewards, perks, and cost. But if you want to avoid fees entirely, the Citi Double Cash paired with the Citi Custom Cash is a formidable duo.
Frequently asked questions
Which Citi card is best for international travel?
The Citi Strata Premier℠Card is the best for international travel because it has no foreign transaction fees, earns 3x points on air travel, hotels, and dining, and provides travel insurance. The Citi Double Cash® Card is a solid no-annual-fee alternative.
Does Citi Double Cash have foreign transaction fees?
No, the Citi Double Cash® Card does not charge foreign transaction fees. You can use it abroad without extra costs.
Can I transfer Citi ThankYou Points to airlines?
Yes, but only if you have a premium Citi card like the Citi Strata Premier℠or Citi Prestige®. With those cards, you can transfer points to partners like American Airlines, JetBlue, Turkish Airlines, and Wyndham.
Is the Citi Strata Premier worth the $95 annual fee?
For frequent travelers, yes. The $100 annual hotel credit (on a $500+ stay booked through Citi Travel) effectively offsets the fee. Plus, the 3x bonus categories and transfer partners add significant value.
What is the best Citi card for gas and travel?
The Citi Custom Cash® Card earns 5% cash back on your top eligible category, which can be gas stations or travel, up to $500 per billing cycle. It's ideal if you spend heavily in one area.