Citi Rewards – How to Apply
Most rewards cards are built for big spenders. But what about those of us who mostly use our cards for small, everyday transactions?
That’s where the Citi Rewards+® Credit Card comes in. It rewards those little moments—your coffee, your snack runs, your parking meters.
It’s a card that understands modern spending habits. We’re not always swiping for $300 dinners or luxury getaways. Often, it’s just the $7 sandwich or the $4 smoothie—and this card makes those transactions worth something.
It’s not just about rounding up. With bonus categories on groceries and gas stations, this card becomes a reliable companion for your weekly routines. And since it charges no annual fee, all your rewards go straight into your pocket without cost.
Add to that a solid intro offer and access to Citi’s ThankYou® Rewards system, and you’ve got a versatile, lightweight card that punches above its weight in rewards.
Add to that some bonus categories, smart redemption features, and no annual fee, and it becomes a surprisingly strong contender in the rewards market.
Citi Rewards
No annual fee Caps on bonus categoriesHow does the Citi Rewards+® Card work?
The Citi Rewards+® Card operates on the ThankYou® Points system, with a twist. The first unique feature is the round-up—every purchase is automatically rounded up to the nearest 10 points. So even if you buy something for $1.10, you’ll still earn 10 points. That makes it a perfect card for frequent small purchases.
You’ll earn 2X points per dollar spent at gas stations and supermarkets for the first $6,000 annually (then 1X). Everything else earns 1X—still rounded up.
When it comes time to redeem, you can use your points for travel, gift cards, cash equivalents, and more through the Citi ThankYou® Rewards portal. And you’ll get 10% of your points back on your first 100,000 points redeemed each year.
In short: you earn fast, and you redeem smart.
Main benefits for the Citi Rewards+® Card
The round-up feature is a subtle genius move. Most people make multiple small purchases each day, and the Citi Rewards card ensures those are always rewarded generously. Over time, this adds up to significantly more than a standard 1X card.
The 2X bonus on groceries and gas is also a major perk. These are core spending categories for most households, and this card gives them the reward priority they deserve—especially with the $6,000 annual cap that aligns with typical family spending.
And let’s not forget: the 10% back when redeeming means you’re constantly regenerating your rewards. It feels more like a cycle of benefits than a one-time payout.
Finally, there’s no annual fee, so all your rewards are real gain, without needing to break even each year.
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Cons for the Citi Rewards+® Card
While it’s perfect for small purchases, it may not be ideal if your focus is travel hacking or big-ticket redemptions. The point value isn’t as high as other travel-focused cards, and there’s no ability to transfer points to travel partners unless paired with a higher-tier Citi card.
The 2X categories are capped at $6,000 annually, after which you drop to 1X. For larger families or higher spenders, that cap may be reached quickly.
Also, it has a foreign transaction fee, which makes it a poor option for international use.
Still, these limitations are mild for a card with no annual fee.
APR and Fees
There’s no annual fee, which is a highlight for budget-conscious users. The APR is variable and based on creditworthiness, usually ranging from 18.74%–28.74%.
You’ll get an introductory 0% APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months, which is excellent for someone planning a large purchase or paying down existing debt.
Balance transfers come with a standard fee of 3%, and late payments may trigger penalty APRs.
There’s also a 3% foreign transaction fee, which limits its use abroad but is common among no-annual-fee cards.
How to Apply for the Citi Rewards+® Card
- Visit the official Citi website and find the Citi Rewards+® Card application page.
- Click “Apply Now” and complete the required information, including income and employment details.
- Review the card terms, especially related to the APR and the rewards structure.
- Submit your application and wait for an instant decision or a follow-up email.
- If approved, your card should arrive by mail within 7–10 business days.
Once activated, you’re ready to start racking up points—especially on those tiny transactions most cards ignore.
