costco citi card benefits travel protection

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The Guide to Citi Credit Card Travel Insurance

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Do Citi cards have travel insurance?

Car rental insurance, costco anywhere visa® card by citi travel insurance benefits, citi® / aadvantage® executive world elite mastercard® travel insurance coverage, does citibank offer travel insurance.

Citi credit cards provide a host of benefits, including some generous points and miles earning opportunities (depending on the card you have).

But, when it comes to travel insurance, let’s just say it’s not necessarily Citi cards' strong suit.

Still, there are Citibank travel insurance benefits you should know about to ensure you use the right card when paying for your next trip. Here are the primary benefits associated with Citi card travel insurance.

Only two Citi cards have travel insurance, and each one has a different set of benefits: The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi and the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® .

on Citibank's application

Both cards provide rental car insurance.

The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi also offers roadside assistance, worldwide travel accident insurance and a 24/7 concierge for travel and emergency assistance. The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® , on the other hand, offers baggage protection, trip cancellation/interruption insurance and trip delay protections.

» Learn more: Best Citi credit cards right now

If you use either of the two Citi credit cards listed above to pay for a car rental, Citi travel insurance will protect any damages to a rental car up to $50,000.

This amount will cover the cost of repairs or the cash value of the car, whichever is lower. It applies anywhere you rent a car — there are no geographic limitations — as long as the rental period is no longer than 31 days. Citibank travel insurance covers accidental damage, theft, vandalism or a natural disaster, and any necessary towing costs.

Citi's rental car insurance is secondary when renting a car within the U.S., but if you're renting outside of the country, it switches to primary coverage.

With secondary insurance, you need to rely on any other insurance coverage you have before Citi’s car rental insurance kicks in. Primary insurance, alternatively, will be the first line of coverage you have.

Coverage wouldn't apply if you rent the car to someone else or operate a rental car as a rideshare vehicle. It also only covers the car, not any personal injuries that might result from an accident.

There are several types of vehicles that are excluded from coverage. These include:

Trucks, pickup trucks, trailers, full-size vans on a truck chassis or recreational vehicles like campers and off-road vehicles.

Motorcycles or motorized bikes.

Commercial vehicles or cargo vans.

Any vehicle with fewer than four wheels.

Antique vehicles older than 20 years or that have not been made in the past decade.

Limousines.

Sport-utility trucks or open, flat-bed trucks.

Any vehicle that retails for over $50,000.

» Learn more: Rental car insurance explained

Roadside assistance

When driving in the U.S., roadside assistance is available for Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi cardholders by calling 866-918-4670.

Roadside assistance is valuable in the event of an accident, loss of fuel or other vehicle malfunction. Keep in mind that you would still have to pay for the assistance (like a tow truck, for example), but this benefit makes it easy to reach someone with one phone call.

Citi card provides access to similar assistance as a membership program like AAA . The difference is that AAA’s annual fee covers roadside assistance fees while Citi's coverage doesn't; it solely provides access to someone who can help you for a reduced rate.

Several credit cards provide some type of roadside assistance and are worth considering before paying the annual fee for AAA.

Worldwide travel accident insurance

The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi includes accident insurance, which covers the cardholder or family members if they are injured or killed when traveling on a common carrier (any vehicle that is licensed to carry passengers like a bus, plane, cruise ship or train).

You will need to have used the Citi card to cover the entire cost of the travel on that common carrier for the benefit to apply. The maximum coverage is $250,000.

» Learn more: How does travel insurance work?

Travel and emergency assistance

The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi card provides access to a 24/7 concierge to help you with a disruption to your trip. This can include medical assistance, referrals to a doctor or legal help. It can also help if you need to adjust travel plans.

Just remember, you’ll be responsible for paying for any services used, but the call is toll-free.

Baggage protection

Only available for the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® , this luggage protection provides coverage if your checked bag is stolen, lost or damaged.

The insurance covers as much as $3,000 per person ($2,000 for New York residents), but only kicks in if you use the card or American AAdvantage miles to pay for the trip.

» Learn more: The guide to baggage insurance

Trip cancellation and interruption insurance

If a covered traveler has a medical emergency or dies, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® coverage can provide reimbursement for up to $5,000 in eligible nonrefundable expenses.

You would need to use the card or American AAdvantage miles to pay for the trip.

Trip delay protection

Another benefit that’s reserved only for the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® is trip delay protection . This coverage kicks in if your trip is delayed by at least six hours, and offers reimbursement for expenses incurred during the delay, up to $500 per trip.

This would include reasonable purchases like hotel stays, rental cars and meals.

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

Citibank travel insurance is available, but limited. It is only offered on two cards and isn't as comprehensive as other credit cards with travel insurance .

Both cards include rental car coverage, but beyond this, each has its own set of benefits. Depending on which one you hold, it may include coverage like trip delay protection or roadside assistance.

People hold Citi cards for many reasons, including the ability to earn transferable Citi ThankYou Points . But, the travel insurance benefits are somewhat limited. If you have a Citi card, review the travel insurance perks before you take off to understand your coverage.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

on Chase's website

1x-10x Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-5x 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases.

60,000 Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

1x-2x Earn 2X points on Southwest® purchases. Earn 2X points on local transit and commuting, including rideshare. Earn 2X points on internet, cable, and phone services, and select streaming. Earn 1X points on all other purchases.

50,000 Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

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Make your travels even more rewarding

From trips to the gas station to trips around the world, you can earn on all your travels with the Costco Anywhere Visa® Cards by Citi. Enjoy no foreign transaction fees* anywhere Visa® is accepted and no annual fee* with your paid Costco membership.

Whether for work or play, there's a card for you

Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi

Earn cash back rewards anywhere on the things you buy everyday.

See Pricing and Information Below

TTY Use Relay Service

Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi

Reach your business goals and earn cash back along the way.

Commence your rewards journey

Map out a road trip.

Earn 4% on eligible gas and EV charging for the first $7,000 per year and then 1% thereafter and 3% at restaurants and eligible travel purchases.

Get More as an Executive Member

Earn 3% cash back rewards on Costco Travel purchases when you use the Costco Anywhere Visa® Cards by Citi in addition to your annual 2% cash back from your Executive Membership.

Explore with Ease

Enjoy no foreign transaction fees* with your Costco Anywhere Visa® Cards by Citi no matter where life takes you.

See what cardmembers are saying:

Rated 5 out of 5 Stars

"The 3% cash back on travel and 4% on gas are unbeatable!"

Ronzam, Costco Anywhere Visa® Cardmember

"I love my Costco Citi card when we dine out. Definitely for gas and great travel coverage and peace of mind when you book tickets for any travel with this card. Finally, superb customer service."

Busy B, Costco Anywhere Visa® Cardmember

"The cash back on this card is the best we have found for everyday purchases. We have tripled our annual cash back from our previous credit card thanks to the extra cash back on gas, Costco and travel."

DuHaas, Costco Anywhere Visa® Cardmember

Rated 4 out of 5 Stars

"Widely accepted everywhere I like cash back especially on gas and restaurants. Costco cash back adds up."

Jk, Costco Anywhere Visa® Cardmember

Earn cash back rewards anywhere on the things you buy every day.

¹Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi and Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card by Citi – Pricing Details

Costco anywhere visa card by citi.

The variable APR for purchases and balance transfers is 20.49%. For Citi Flex Plans subject to an APR, the variable APR is 20.49%. For Citi Flex Pay Plans subject to a Plan Fee, a monthly fee of up to 1.72% will apply, based on the Citi Flex Plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the Transaction, and other factors. The variable APR for cash advances is 29.99%. Variable penalty APR is up to 29.99% and applies if you pay late or your payment is returned. Minimum interest charge - $0.50. Fee for foreign purchases — None. Cash advance fee is either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance whichever is greater. Balance transfer fee is either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer whichever is greater. No annual fee with paid Costco membership. Subject to credit approval. Additional limitations, terms and conditions apply. New card members only. You will be given further information when you apply. Variable rates shown above are based on the 8.50% Prime Rate as of 04/01/2024.

Costco Anywhere Visa Business Card by Citi

The variable APR for purchases is 20.49%. For Citi Flex Plans subject to an APR, the variable APR is 20.49%. For Citi Flex Pay Plans subject to a Plan Fee, a monthly fee of up to 1.72% will apply, based on the Citi Flex Plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the Transaction, and other factors. The variable APR for cash advances is 29.99%. Variable penalty APR up to 29.99% and applies if you pay late or your payment is returned. Minimum interest charge - $0.50. Fee for foreign purchases - None. Cash advance fee - either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater. No annual fee with paid Costco membership. New cardmembers only. Subject to credit approval. Additional limitations, terms and conditions apply. You will be given further information when you apply. Variable rates shown above are based on the 8.50% Prime Rate as of 04/01/2024.

© 2023 Citibank, N.A. Citi and Citi with Arc Design are registered service marks of Citigroup Inc.

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What are the benefits of my Costco Anywhere Visa® Card By Citi?

Citi visa® benefits include:.

• Up to 4% Cash Back on Eligible Purchases
• Card Convenience (doubles as your Costco membership ID)
• $0 Liability on Unauthorized Purchases
• No Foreign Transaction Fees
• No Annual Fee

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Related Answers

• Does my credit card offer travel insurance?
• Can I add rental car insurance to my reservation?
• Do I need rental car insurance?

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How to save on travel with a costco credit card.

If you’re a regular Costco shopper, the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi can make a lot of sense for your wallet. With savings both at the wholesale club and on additional everyday spending categories, it has a lot of savings potential.

Before you plan your next vacation, you should also consider its potential value as a travel credit card . Specifically, as a way to save more money when you book a trip through Costco Travel.

Whether you’re a Costco member already or considering joining the club, here’s what to know about saving on your next Costco Travel booking with a Costco credit card.

Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi details

Annual fee: $0 (though you must be a Costco member, which costs $60-$120 annually)

Welcome offer: N/A

4% cash back on eligible gas and electric vehicle charging purchases (up to the first $7,000 spent each year, then 1%)

3% cash back at restaurants

3% cash back on eligible travel purchases (including Costco Travel)

2% cash back on all other Costco and Costco.com purchases

1% back on everything else

More details: This card offers few added benefits beyond the cash rewards it offers. You’ll receive your cash-back rewards once per year as a rewards certificate, which you can redeem only at U.S. Costco warehouses in a single transaction.

Costco Travel details

Costco Travel is a service Costco members can use to book hotels, rental cars, cruises, and whole vacation packages at discounted rates. You can even find theme park tickets (including Disneyland and Walt Disney World ) and all-inclusive resort packages.

While you must be a Costco member to use Costco Travel, there’s no option to book your trip in-store at a warehouse. You can either search travel options through the online Costco Travel portal or speak with an expert by phone at 1-866-921-7925.

If you have a Costco Executive membership (the $120/year tier), Costco Travel purchases also count toward your 2% annual rewards. You’ll earn 2% rewards on the bulk of your travel costs, though taxes, fees, surcharges, and some other parts of the transaction may not be included.

When you book through Costco Travel, your package often comes with additional credits or other benefits to add even more value to your vacation. You may also earn Digital Costco Shop Cards with your travel purchase. These are essentially Costco gift cards that you can use on future Costco spending with Costco Travel, on Costco.com, or at Costco warehouses.

When you search for deals through the Costco Travel site, the itinerary overviews will typically indicate whether the trip comes with a Digital Costco Shop Card (along with info about daily resort credits and other savings). These gift cards can offer you hundreds of dollars in value back on your vacation to put toward future everyday spending with Costco.

Travel benefits of the Costco Anywhere Visa

When you use your Costco Anywhere Visa to book a trip through Costco Travel, you’ll get 3% cash back on the purchase. These 3% rewards are in addition to the 2% you’ll earn as an Executive Member and any potential Digital Costco Shop Cards.

Plus, your Costco Anywhere Visa includes a few travel protections that can help keep you covered on your trip. These include travel accident insurance, car rental insurance, travel and emergency assistance, and more. Make sure you read your card’s terms to see what your exact protections are.

Finally, this card has no foreign transaction fees — so you can use your Costco card and earn more rewards when traveling abroad without taking on any extra charges.

How much can you save on travel with the Costco Anywhere Visa?

With multiple ways to earn rewards, it’s possible to score a lot of potential savings on your Costco Travel booking.

Let’s take, for example, a family of four planning a vacation to an all-inclusive family resort in Cancun during the fall. They’ll leave from Dallas and want to book a room at the Hyatt Ziva Cancun from Oct. 6-11.

If they were to book this vacation through Costco Travel today — the all-inclusive resort, flights for four, and transportation to and from the airport — the cost would total $5,748.58. For comparison, we also looked up the price to book the same trip directly through the airline and hotel — today, that cost is about $5,700.

While, on the surface, the two bookings are almost exactly the same price, that doesn’t account for the extra Costco rewards.

Here’s the savings breakdown when we account for the Costco Travel rewards. The below amounts assume all costs are eligible for rewards and that our family has an Executive membership.

3% cash back with the Costco Anywhere card: $172.46

2% back with Executive membership: $114.97

Digital Costco Shop Card included with booking: $321

Total: $608.43

Of course, you can also save when you book directly with the airline and hotel if you’re a member of their loyalty programs. You could also use another travel credit card with rewards for travel bookings.

But there is a ton of value in the multiple ways to earn and save through Costco — if you’re already a regular Costco shopper and will get the full value of your rewards. In this case, you could essentially reduce your cost from $5,748.58 to $5,140.15, with those savings going toward your future Costco spending.

Note: These totals are just examples; the actual amount you’ll owe will change depending on when you’re looking to book and your specific travel details, as well as adding on fees and taxes not included here

More travel cards to consider

If you’re not sure a Costco credit card is the best option for your travel savings, there are plenty of great travel rewards credit cards available today with a range of rewards programs , categories, and added benefits. Here are some of our top picks:

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Why we like it: For a $95 annual fee, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers travel rewards and great redemptions. After you’re approved you can earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $4,000 within the first three months. Ongoing rewards include 3x points on dining, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services, and 1x points on all non-bonus category spending. You’ll also get an annual $50 statement credit each account year for hotel purchases through Chase Travel; travel you purchase through Chase Travel (excluding spending that qualifies for the hotel credit) earns 5x points and all other travel spending earns 2x points.

When you’re ready to redeem your Chase Sapphire Preferred points, you can get a 25% boost when you redeem for travel through Chase. That means that every point is worth 1.25 cents toward travel. For example, you can get $750 in travel value with the 60,000-point welcome offer. You’ll also get an annual points bonus on your account anniversary equal to 10% of your total purchases over the year prior.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Why we like it: Solid travel rewards earnings don’t get more straightforward than the Capital One Venture . This card has a $95 annual fee and a welcome offer worth 75,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 within the first three months. For rewards, you’ll earn 5x miles when you book hotels and rental cars through Capital One Travel and 2x miles on every other purchase.

To redeem your miles for travel, you’ll have the option to book a trip through Capital One Travel or to put the rewards value toward a travel purchase on your card statement. The Venture Card also offers a credit up to $100 toward TSA PreCheck or Global Entry and a $50 experience credit when you book a hotel stay through Capital One Travel’s Lifestyle Collection.

American Express® Gold Card

Why we like it: The American Express Gold Card is another great travel option for earning rewards today to use on future travel. It carries a $250 annual fee ( see rates and fees ) but offers 4x points at restaurants, 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 spent per year, then 1%), 3x points on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel, and 1x points on all other purchases. You can also earn 60,000 bonus points when you spend $6,000 within the first six months.

Despite the high annual fee, there is plenty of opportunity to get the value back through annual credits. When you add your Amex Gold card to your Uber account, you can get up to $120 annually ($10 per month) in Uber Cash — and get up to $120 ($10 per month; with enrollment) in dining statement credits for eligible spending at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations.

This article was edited by Rebecca McCracken

Editorial Disclosure: The information in this article has not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. The details on financial products, including card rates and fees, are accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank’s website for the most current information. This site doesn't include all currently available offers.

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Guide to Citibank Checking Accounts: Tiers From Regular to Citigold

Contributor

Kate is an experienced freelance writer and editor with a passion for personal finance. From budgeting and banking to credit cards and investing, she enjoys making complex topics accessible and supporting financial wellness for everyone. Based in the beautiful river town of Lambertville, NJ, Kate can usually be found outdoors (when she isn’t traveling with credit card points!).

Mary Beth Eastman

Credit & Credit Card Expert

Mary Beth is a freelance writer for Newsweek’s personal finance team. She specializes in explaining the ins and outs of mortgages and other loans, helping people to use debt wisely and build their credit. Based in Pittsburgh, Pa., Mary Beth is a proud alumna of Bowling Green State University, where she volunteers on the board of the Falcon Media alumni group.

Updated April 17, 2024 at 1:26 pm

Citibank checking accounts offer various features and benefits based on which relationship tier a customer qualifies for. Your tier is determined by your total banking and investment balances across eligible Citibank products. Different perks for the different tiers include various fee waivers, preferential interest rates on a Citibank savings account, discounts on loans and more exclusive benefits like lounge access and concierge services.

No matter which tier of account you have, you can manage your money through Citibank online banking, the Citi Mobile app or in person at one of the company’s branches or ATMs. Read on to learn more about the five Citibank checking account tiers and each of their pros and cons.

Newsweek Vault’s banking experts have done hundreds of hours of research to present you with all the latest information about your banking options. Whether you’re interested in opening a new checking account or savings account, our research spans all the top online banks, credit unions and brick-and-mortar branches.

We assessed the following five key factors to help you choose the best account for your personal finance needs.

• Associated fees
• Balance requirements
• Customer service
• Interest-earning potential

Vault’s Viewpoint

• Citibank checking account tiers include Regular, Access, Priority, Citigold and Private Client.
• Most customers will qualify for Regular Checking or Access Checking, which both have most essential checking features and a waivable monthly fee.
• If you plan to manage savings or investments at Citibank (or already do), you may get the higher-tier benefits and fee waivers automatically.

Citibank Checking Account Options

Founded in 1812 as the City Bank of New York, Citibank is one of the oldest financial institutions in the U.S. and the fourth-largest bank by assets today. As a global institution, Citi provides financial services to millions of customers in 160 countries.

With only 600 physical branch locations in the U.S., Citibank doesn’t lead the nation’s banks as far as in-person accessibility goes. However, a lot of online banks have no branches at all, so if you just want to be able to walk into a building and deposit cash or speak to a person from time to time, 600 is still a solid network to choose from. Plus, you have access to 65,000 fee-free ATMs at retail locations across the country. (Fun fact: Citibank was responsible for popularizing the ATM in the U.S. during the 1970s.)

Citi’s history isn’t free of controversy. Most notably, the company faced a seven-billion-dollar fine for its role in the 2008 subprime mortgage crisis. They’ve also paid millions in settlements related to improper foreclosure handling and collusion in the LIBOR interest rate manipulation scandal. It’s up to you how you weigh these considerations when choosing a bank.

Citibank checking accounts are divided into a tiered system that operates similarly to a rewards program. Customers can move up or down in the tiers based on their total balances across all eligible Citibank products. That means in addition to your checking balance, any funds in a linked Citibank savings account, money market account, certificate of deposit or investment account will count towards your total. Different tiers come with different account benefits, which we’ll outline for each account below. New customers can sign up for any tier but must meet applicable balance requirements within three months to stay there.

Although Citibank checking accounts don’t pay interest, keep an eye on current Citi promotions and bonus offers to boost your earnings.

Regular Checking

Vault Verified

Expert Take

Regular Checking is like the first rung of the Citibank checking accounts ladder: it gets you started and has all the essential features but not many extras. Use it to write checks, set up direct deposit and manage money through the Citi Mobile App. Most users will start with this account by default until they have a high enough balance to move to the next tier.

While there’s no minimum deposit to open an account, don’t keep it empty for too long, as accounts with a $0 balance for 90 days are subject to closure. You won’t be charged the $15 service fee for the first three months your account is open. After that, you’ll need a $250 “enhanced direct deposit” each month to waive the fee. “Enhanced” means there are a variety of methods that will qualify for this, beyond a traditional payroll deposit—for instance, you can meet this requirement with a P2P Zelle transfer.

Once you’ve been approved for one of these Citibank checking accounts, you’ll be mailed a contactless, chip-enabled debit card. You can also request an ATM-only card, which allows cash withdrawals but not purchases. Regular Checking account holders can withdraw up to $1,500 in cash per day with their ATM or debit card. Citi doesn’t charge overdraft fees or returned item fees on any accounts. You can sign up for optional overdraft protection features like Safety Check and Checking Plus, which automatically transfers funds from your savings account or line of credit if a transaction is going to overdraw your account.

• No special requirements to access features in this account tier
• Manage money through checks, debit cards, ATM cards, mobile wallets, Citibank online banking or the Citibank app
• Overdraft protection features and no overdraft fees
• The $15 monthly service fee is fairly high and can only be waived with monthly deposits
• You have to pay to order personal checks, cashier’s checks and money orders
• No extra perks (such as loan discounts or boosted rates on a Citibank savings account)

Who Is This Best For?

Everyday users who need essential checking features

Access Checking

This Citibank checking alternative is dubbed a “checkless account,” since it doesn’t come with check writing abilities—but in nearly all other ways, it’s identical to an Regular Checking account at Citibank. One key difference is that the fee is lower by default, at $5 vs. $15. But the waiver requirement is the same: there’s zero fee for the first 3 months after account opening, and subsequently for every month with $250+ in qualifying direct deposits.

Access and Regular Checking also differ in how they handle overdrafts. Access Checking doesn’t have overdraft protection features like Safety Check or Checking Plus. Instead, it’s set up so that transactions simply won’t be approved if the amount is higher than your available balance at that time.

• Lower monthly service fee than Regular Checking, with equivalent waiver requirements
• Comes with almost all of the same features and benefits as Regular Checking
• Checks are not available for this account
• No overdraft protection features (purchases that would overdraw your account will simply be declined)

Customers who want a simple, low-fee account without checks or overdrafts

Citi Priority Checking

Priority is the first “relationship tier” that customers can bump themselves into. Once your balance crosses the $30,000 threshold across all combined Citi deposit and investment accounts, you’ll be automatically upgraded to the Priority Citibank checking account. If your combined average monthly balance ever drops back below that level for three months in a row, the downgrade re-tiering is also automatic.

Perks for this account include zero monthly fees and free personal checks, cashier’s checks and money orders. Debit and ATM card cash withdrawal limits increase to $2,000 per day; plus, Citi will waive their side of fee charges at non-Citi ATMs (the merchant may still charge their own fee). Priority members qualify for a rate discount on personal loans and mortgages, an interest boost on savings products, waived foreign exchange fees, complimentary financial planning and more.

• If you also keep savings or investments with Citibank, this is the easiest relationship tier to qualify for
• No monthly service fee or Citi fees for checks, money orders or withdrawals at any ATM
• Get boosted interest rates on savings and discounted rates on loans (specifics vary based on your market)
• Not an interest-bearing account itself
• Requires $30,000 in a linked Citibank savings account, investment account and/or other combinations of deposit products
• If your balance falls below $30,000 for three consecutive months, you’ll be re-tiered to Regular Checking

Customers who also plan to save and invest with Citibank

Citigold Checking

Customers with a total account value of $200,000 or more at Citibank will move up to the Citigold account tier. New benefits at this level begin with lifestyle and travel perks—from access to Citigold lounges to a “Culture Pass” you can use at select museums. Customers who enroll in the Subscription Rebate Program can get up to $200 cash back per year on qualifying subscriptions purchased with their Citigold Debit Card.

Along with those benefits, Citigold customers get additional fee waivers—including waived fees on all incoming (and certain outgoing) wire transfers and reimbursements on ATM fees charged by other banks. Daily cash withdrawal limits increase to $5,000 and preferential rates on savings may increase again in this tier. You’ll also get a bigger discount on mortgage interest rates.

• Lifestyle, travel and concierge benefits that aren’t available in the Priority checking tier
• Complete fee waivers on ATMs globally and on most wire transfers
• Up to $200 in subscription rebates for Costco, TSA Precheck, Global Entry and various streaming services
• Citigold Checking is not an interest-bearing account
• You’ll need a combined balance of at least $200,000 across eligible Citibank products to qualify for the Citigold tier
• If your balance drops below $180,000 for three consecutive months, you’ll be downgraded to Priority

Citi clients who are further along in their wealth-building journey

Citigold Private Client Checking

Although this Citibank checking account will only be within reach for the most dedicated of Citi customers, you will find their most exclusive benefits in this tier. In addition to all the typical Citigold benefits, customers will receive a Citigold Private Client Debit Card with its own set of travel and lifestyle perks and concierge services. All wire transfer fees are waived and you’ll receive the highest level of preferred mortgage and savings interest rates. Finally, you can access 24/7 private client customer service and personalized guidance from your “wealth team.”

• Highest level of wealth management benefits for those who can take advantage of them
• Personalized service and 24/7 access to the Citigold Private Client service center
• Up to $400 off eligible subscription services annually
• Steep $1 million combined balance entry requirement
• Requires an ongoing minimum combined balance of $800,000 to maintain tier membership
• Even at this high tier, it’s not an interest-bearing checking account, and you don’t get cash back or points for debit purchases

High-balance clients who use Citi’s wealth management services

How To Open Citibank Checking Accounts

If you’re interested in opening a Citibank checking account, you’ll follow this basic process.

• Consider which checking account tier you want. New customers can sign up directly for the Priority or Citigold relationship tiers and will have three months to bring their combined account balance up to the required amount. You’ll need to call or make an appointment with a Wealth Relationship Manager to join the Private Client tier. If you just want a standard Citibank checking account, opt for Regular or Access.
• Visit a branch or apply online. During the application, you’ll need to provide information like your address and Social Security number. If you’re applying in person, bring a form of ID and proof of address.
• Sign up for Citibank online banking once you’ve been approved so you can start setting up your account.

If you want to change your relationship tier later, you don’t have to apply for a new checking account. Simply bring up your combined savings and investment balance totals and your existing account will be automatically transitioned to the next tier.

Alternatives to Citibank Checking Accounts

Citibank regular checking vs. nbkc bank everything account.

The Everything Account from nbkc bank is designed to meet your checking and savings needs at once. Unlike Citibank Regular Checking, it is fee-free by default and pays a competitive APY on balances. However, nbkc is an online-only bank, so the biggest downside compared to Citibank is a lack of in-person branch access and ability to make cash deposits.

Citibank Regular Checking vs. Chase Total Checking

If physical branch access is an important factor for you, Chase Bank has nearly 5,000 of them for you to choose from nationwide, which dwarfs Citibank’s 600. On the other hand, Citibank does offer more fee-free ATMs (65,000 vs. Chase’s 16,000). The monthly service fee is lower at $12 for Chase Total Checking, vs. Citi’s $15, and comes with more options for waiving it. But if you want to keep your checking and savings accounts at the same bank, Citibank has better savings account rates in most markets.

Citibank Regular Checking vs. Discover Cashback Debit Checking

This online-only checking account through Discover doesn’t pay interest itself, but unlike Citibank checking accounts, it does feature cash-back debit card benefits. You can still beat their 1% rewards rate by using one of the best cash-back credit cards , but this account offers a great alternative for those who prefer not to use credit. There’s no monthly service fee and you can withdraw cash at over 60,000 fee-free ATMs nationwide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is citibank good for checking accounts.

This depends on your personal goals and what you’re looking for in a checking account. Citibank could be the right option for customers who want a mix of good digital features and physical branch/ATM access. Compare Citibank checking accounts with other top checking accounts to see which options align best with your priorities.

What Is the Minimum Balance for Citibank Checking Accounts?

Citibank checking accounts don’t have minimum required balances, no matter what tier you’re in. Still, it’s best to keep at least a few dollars in your account, as the bank may close it if there’s a zero balance for over 90 days.

Does Citibank Use Zelle?

Yes—you can access Zelle through Citibank online banking or the mobile app. Use the service to transfer money directly from your checking account to family, friends and other trusted recipients. Citibank’s daily sending limits through Zelle range from $2,500 to $5,000 once your checking account has been enrolled for at least 30 days.

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Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post. We may earn a commission from partner links on Newsweek, but commissions do not affect our editors’ opinions or evaluations.