Citi Travel Credit Card Review 2025 | Travel Points Hub
- Citi Travel Credit Cards at a Glance
- Citi Premier® Card: Best Overall Citi Travel Card
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®: Best for American Airlines Flyers
- Citi Custom Cashâ„ Card: Best No-Annual-Fee Option
- Which Citi Travel Credit Card Is Right for You?
- How We Evaluated These Cards
- FAQ
If you're searching for a straightforward citi travel credit card review, you've probably noticed Citi doesn't offer just one travel card—it has several, each with different rewards and perks. The right one for you depends on how you spend and travel. This review breaks down the top Citi travel credit cards in 2025, compares their earning rates, benefits, and fees, and helps you decide which card deserves a spot in your wallet.
Citi Travel Credit Cards at a Glance
Citi's travel lineup includes three main cards:
- Citi Premier® Card – A mid-tier travel card with a $95 annual fee, strong bonus categories, and an annual hotel credit.
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® – An airline co-branded card for American Airlines loyalists, with a $99 annual fee (waived first year).
- Citi Custom Cash℠Card – A no-annual-fee cash back card that can be used for travel, though it lacks travel-specific perks.
Each card serves a different type of traveler. The Citi Premier is the most well-rounded for general travel rewards, while the AAdvantage card is best if you fly American Airlines frequently. The Custom Cash is a solid no-fee option if you want flexible cash back that you can put toward travel.
Citi Premier® Card: Best Overall Citi Travel Card
The Citi Premier is Citi's flagship travel credit card, and for many people, it's the best Citi travel credit card overall.
Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. That's worth $600 in gift cards or travel rewards, or potentially more when transferred to airline partners.
Earning rates: - 3x points on restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, air travel, and hotels - 1x points on all other purchases
Key benefits: - $100 annual hotel savings benefit (one $100 statement credit on a single hotel stay of $500 or more, excluding taxes and fees, booked through ThankYou.com) - No foreign transaction fees - Transfer points to 15+ airline partners, including JetBlue, Turkish Airlines, and Singapore Airlines - Access to Citi Entertainment for presale tickets
Annual fee: $95
Why it stands out: The 3x categories cover a lot of ground—dining, groceries, gas, and travel—making it easy to rack up points quickly. The ability to transfer points to airlines gives you flexibility to get outsized value, especially for international premium cabin awards.
Who it's for: Frequent travelers who want a versatile rewards card with a reasonable annual fee and strong earning potential.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®: Best for American Airlines Flyers
If you fly American Airlines even a few times a year, this co-branded card can pay for itself.
Welcome offer: Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $2,500 in the first 3 months.
Earning rates: - 2x miles on American Airlines purchases - 2x miles at restaurants and gas stations - 1x miles on all other purchases
Key benefits: - First checked bag free for you and up to 4 companions on domestic itineraries - Preferred boarding on American Airlines flights - 25% savings on in-flight food and beverage purchases - $125 American Airlines Flight Discount after spending $20,000 in a cardmember year and renewing your card
Annual fee: $99 (waived for the first year)
Why it stands out: The free checked bag and preferred boarding can easily save you $60+ per round trip if you'd otherwise pay for bags. The 2x miles on dining and gas are decent for an airline card.
Who it's for: Loyal American Airlines flyers who want perks that make every trip smoother and more affordable.
Citi Custom Cashâ„ Card: Best No-Annual-Fee Option
The Citi Custom Cash isn't marketed as a travel card, but it can be a smart addition to your travel rewards strategy—especially if you want to avoid annual fees.
Welcome offer: Earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 in the first 6 months.
Earning rates: - 5% cash back on up to $500 in purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle (automatic) - 1% cash back on all other purchases
Key benefits: - No annual fee - No foreign transaction fees - Flexible redemption options, including statement credits, direct deposit, or checks
Why it stands out: The 5% cash back in your top category can be a powerful way to earn rewards on everyday spending. While it's cash back, you can set it aside for travel expenses.
Who it's for: Budget-conscious travelers who want to earn rewards without an annual fee and don't need airline-specific perks.
Which Citi Travel Credit Card Is Right for You?
Choosing the right card comes down to your travel habits and spending patterns.
- If you want flexible points and travel often: The Citi Premier is the best all-around choice. Its 3x categories and airline transfer partners offer excellent value.
- If you're loyal to American Airlines: The Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select is a no-brainer, especially with the first-year annual fee waived and free checked bags.
- If you prefer no annual fee: The Citi Custom Cash offers solid cash back that you can use for travel, though it lacks travel-specific benefits.
Consider your annual travel spend, preferred airlines, and whether you'll use the perks enough to justify the annual fee. For many, the Citi Premier hits the sweet spot between rewards and cost.
How We Evaluated These Cards
Our citi travel credit card review process focuses on real-world value. We look at:
- Earning rates: How quickly can you accumulate rewards?
- Redemption options: Can you transfer points to partners for high value?
- Perks: Do benefits like free checked bags or hotel credits offset the annual fee?
- Fees: Is the annual fee reasonable for what you get?
- Flexibility: Can you use rewards for various travel expenses?
We also consider user experience, customer service, and how these cards compare to competitors. No card is perfect for everyone, but these Citi options stand out in their respective categories.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Citi Premier a good travel credit card?
Yes, the Citi Premier is widely considered one of the best mid-tier travel cards. It offers 3x points on a wide range of categories, a $100 annual hotel credit, and the ability to transfer points to airline partners—all for a $95 annual fee. If you spend heavily on dining, groceries, gas, and travel, it can deliver excellent value.
Can I transfer Citi ThankYou points to airlines?
Yes, with the Citi Premier and Citi Prestige (no longer open to new applicants), you can transfer ThankYou Points to 15+ airline partners, including JetBlue, Turkish Airlines, Singapore Airlines, and Virgin Atlantic. The Citi Custom Cash does not allow point transfers.
What is the annual fee for the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select card?
The annual fee is $99, but it's waived for the first year. The card offers benefits like free checked bags, preferred boarding, and 2x miles on American Airlines purchases, dining, and gas, which can easily offset the fee for frequent flyers.
Does the Citi Custom Cash card have travel benefits?
The Citi Custom Cash is primarily a cash back card and does not offer travel-specific benefits like trip cancellation insurance or airport lounge access. However, it has no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, and you can use the cash back you earn for travel expenses.
Which Citi card is best for international travel?
The Citi Premier is the best for international travel because it has no foreign transaction fees, earns 3x points on travel and dining, and allows point transfers to international airline partners. The Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select also has no foreign transaction fees but is best for American Airlines flights.