Most major credit card issuers are known for providing specific types of cards, such as cards within their own loyalty program (such as Chase Ultimate Rewards or American Express Membership Rewards) or credit cards co-branded with specific airline and hotel brands.
Citi, which pioneered card-based banking in 1974 with Citicards (a card-based payment system), is no exception. Most consumers are familiar with the Citi ThankYou Rewards program, as well as the issuer’s partnerships with American Airlines and Costco.
The CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard is ideal for frequent travelers
The CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®* is the only Citi business credit card co-branded with an airline, but it’s still an excellent choice for frequent flyers. The welcome bonus on this card is sizable, and the fact that you can earn 2X miles in a variety of categories is an added bonus: 2X AAdvantage miles on purchases made on American Airlines; 2X miles on purchases made at telecommunications merchants, cable and satellite providers, car rental merchants, and gas stations; 1X miles on all other purchases.
Furthermore, the sign-up bonus (currently 65,000 miles after spending $4,000 in your first four months) is enough for two round-trip domestic MileSAAver flights or a round-trip flight to Europe during peak season.
You may also be eligible for a companion travel certificate, which allows you to fly with a companion for $99 (plus taxes and fees) in domestic economy. To qualify for this benefit, you must spend at least $30,000 on your credit card within a cardmember year and renew your card membership.
Costco Everywhere Citi Visa Business Card: Ideal for gas and bulk purchases
If your company spends a lot of money on gas, the Citi Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card* is a good option. You’ll earn 4% cash back on eligible gas and electric vehicle charging purchases (for the first $7,000 per year, then 1%), which works out to $280 in rewards if you’re able to max out this category each year for no annual fee.
Earning 3% back at restaurants and on eligible travel purchases is also a plus, especially since this rate applies to Costco travel portal purchases. You’ll also get 2% back at Costco (in-store and online) and 1% back on everything else, making this card a well-rounded option for small-business owners who frequent Costco.
This business card has few benefits aside from its rewards rates, so make sure the Costco-specific rewards are worth it to you. If you prefer to earn rewards on gas station purchases, there are a number of other gas credit cards on the market that provide numerous benefits.
Consider a Citi consumer credit card
If you’re thinking about getting a Citi business credit card but are frustrated by the lack of options, you should also look into Citi personal credit cards. (A personal card can be used for business expenses.)
The Citi Premier® Card is a valuable option in the Citi ThankYou Rewards program. This travel card earns 3X Citi ThankYou points on restaurant, supermarket, gas station, hotel, and air travel purchases for a $95 annual fee. If you don’t frequently fly with a single airline, this may be a better option for your company.
If your company already has credit card debt to pay off, the Citi® Double Cash Card may be a good long-term option. This card has no annual fee and a 0% intro APR on balance transfers for the first 18 months (followed by a variable APR between 18.24 percent and 28.24 percent). In terms of ongoing rewards, you’ll receive a total of 2% cash back for every dollar spent: 1% when you make a purchase and another 1% when you pay it off.
Selecting a Citi Business Credit Card
Before selecting a Citi business credit card, you should consider your options (such as Citi consumer options or other top business credit cards on the market) and determine which card will work best for your needs. Here are some pointers to consider:
Choose what you want to earn rewards for.
The CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum Select card offers good rewards on American Airlines purchases as well as other business-related expenses. The Costco Anywhere Visa Business, on the other hand, packs the most punch in the gas category. Consider where your company spends the most money to help you choose the best business card for you.
Consider your options for redemption
Neither of these two Citi business cards has a great selection of redemption options. In fact, both are extremely restrictive. You can redeem your CitiBusiness AAdvantage card for travel booked specifically through your AAdvantage account, such as American Airlines flights and flight upgrades, as well as Admirals Club membership and charity. The Costco business card offers cash back once a year that can only be redeemed at Costco.
If none of these redemption options appeal to you, consider a Citi consumer card or a general option from our list of the best small-business credit cards.
Examine annual fees
Take note of how the annual fees for these two business credit cards compare. If you decide to pay an annual fee for a credit card, make sure you get a lot of value in exchange. While there is no annual fee for the Costco business card, you must be a Costco member and pay at least $60 per year to shop at the wholesale club.
While the CitiBusiness AAdvantage card does not charge an annual fee the first year, you will be charged $99 per year after that. If paying a yearly fee to keep your business card is something you’d rather avoid, read our guide to the best no-annual-fee business credit cards.
In conclusion
If you’re a small-business owner looking for a Citi business credit card, we hope you’re not too picky. If you’re willing to look beyond Citi for a business credit card, there are a plethora of options that offer solid ongoing rewards rates — on everything from travel to business-specific purchases — as well as a slew of other perks.
