The Ultimate Guide To Using Citi Merchant Offers [Earn Cash-Back!]

Everyone likes to save money, especially on planned expenses.

Banks often offer some sort of cash-back and bonus points as incentives to convince consumers to use their cards at select merchants — this is on top of the points or cash back the card normally earns.

Amex Offers and Chase Offers have been around for a while, but Citi’s foray into cash-back incentives had been noticeably absent until mid-2022.

Now, Citi Merchant Offers have been fully rolled out and Citi cardholders can add select offers to their cards to earn statement credits.

Citi Merchant Offers are still playing catchup with the likes of Amex Offers, but there is still a lot of value to be had.

Let’s take a look at this relatively new card benefit, and how you can use it to save big money!

What Are Citi Merchant Offers?

Citi Merchant Offers are cash-back deals that are linked to your Citi cards which can save you money on shopping, dining, travel, and more.

These offers vary from card to card, are added periodically by Citi, need to be manually selected by the cardholders, and come with specific terms and conditions.

Once an offer has been added and an eligible purchase has been made, Citi will add the cash back as a statement credit a few days later.

Offers can be added via the Citi website or app.

Types of Citi Merchant Offers

Citi Merchant Offers are quite wide-ranging, so Citi organizes them into 5 categories: Travel, Dining & Entertainment, Shopping, Health & Wellness, and Other.

Travel

Travel offers are sure to be a favorite of Upgraded Points readers, and fortunately, there have been some good ones recently.

Between my Citi Strata Premier℠ Card and my wife’s Citi Prestige^® Card, we have been targeted for some pretty attractive offers over the past few months.

Some examples of Citi Merchant Offers for travel that you might find in your account are:

• $10 back on any purchase with Uber
• $20 back on a purchase of $200 or more with Hawaiian Airlines
• $20 back when you spend $100 or more on a stay at a Holiday Inn or Holiday Inn Express hotel
• $50 back when you spend $200+ at a Hotel Indigo
• $50 back on purchases of $500 or more with Virgin Atlantic

If you have plans to make purchases with participating vendors, this is an easy way to save 10% to 20%.

Dining & Entertainment

The Dining & Entertainment section is also quite decent, especially thanks to the number of local dining options.

It appears that restaurants located near where your credit card is registered are prioritized over major chains, which is unique. Just beware, you likely can’t “double dip” with other dining programs as your card might be automatically unlinked after adding a Citi Merchant Offer.

The entertainment options can be quite valuable as well.

Some examples of Citi Merchant Offers for dining and entertainment that you might find in your account are:

• 6% back from a local restaurant
• 10% back from Domino’s
• $10 back on a purchase of $25 or more with Uber Eats
• 50% back on a purchase of $8.99 or more with Cinemark Movie Club

Whether you are catching a movie or ordering dinner from your favorite takeout restaurant, you will likely find some valuable Citi Merchant Offers in your account.

Shopping

Most of the available offers fall under the Shopping catch-all category.

With everything from clothing to supermarkets, there are plenty of opportunities to save here.

Some examples of Citi Merchant Offers that you might find in the shopping section of your account are:

• 5% back at Sam’s Club
• $15 back on a purchase of $15 or more with Spirit Halloween
• $15 back on a purchase of $100 or more with MLB Shop
• $15 back on a purchase of $100 or more with Fanatics
• 20% back on Kindle eBooks or a Kindle Unlimited subscription
• $25 back on a purchase of $50 or more with Stitch Fix
• $50 back on a purchase of $100 or more with Macy’s Wine Shop

As you can see, there are plenty of offers from retailers you might already be planning on spending money with.

Health & Wellness

The Health & Wellness section is a new(er) addition, and relativity weak compared to the others.

As of writing, I only had 2 active offers:

• $20 back on a purchase of $100 with Pure Barre
• 30% back on a purchase of $29.99 or more with Vitality Society

As Citi Merchant Offers continues to grow, I’m sure we will see more Health & Wellness options here.

Other

If the Shopping category wasn’t broad enough, there is also Other.

Although there are fewer options, the variety is very similar, often just different brands of the same type of business.

Some examples of Citi Merchant Offers that you might find in the shopping section of your account are:

• $10 back on a purchase of $25 or more with Gopuff
• 20% back on a purchase of $6.59 or more with Allstate Roadside Services
• $30 back on a purchase of $100 or more with Wine.com
• 20% back (up to $20) on any purchase with Norton

These categories just seem to be a way to make it easier to scroll all of the active offers, which is nice, but not very well executed.

What Cards Come With Citi Merchant Offers?

Citi has not made it clear exactly which cards are eligible for Citi Merchant Offers, but it appears that most consumer cards are eligible, including co-branded cards. 

However, as a data point, my CitiBusiness^® / AAdvantage^® Platinum Select^® Mastercard^® does not have the Citi Merchant Offers section.

If you are looking for a new Citi card, some of our favorites are:

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

Welcome Offer

For a limited time: Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $750 in gift cards or travel rewards on thankyou.com.

75,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,200

Annual Fee

$95

APR

20.49% to 28.49% Variable APR

Why We Like This Card

The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card is a great all-around travel rewards card that allows you to earn big rewards on a variety of purchases like air travel, at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and more, along with flexible redemption options, all for a modest annual fee.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 10x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com
• 3x points on air travel, other hotel purchases, restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and EV charging stations
• $100 annual hotel benefit

Cons

• $95 annual fee

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• For a limited time: Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $750 in gift cards or travel rewards on thankyou.com.
• Earn 10X points per $1 spent on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
• Earn 3X points per $1 on air travel and other hotel purchases, at restaurants, supermarkets, gas and EV charging stations.
• Earn 1X point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
• $100 Annual Hotel Benefit: Once per calendar year, enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through CitiTravel.com. Benefit applied instantly at time of booking.
• No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card.
• No foreign transaction fees on purchases.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 20.49% to 28.49% Variable APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Citi Rewards+^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

This no annual fee card rewards cardholders for everyday purchases. Earn bonus points at supermarkets and gas stations, plus your points are rounded up on every purchase.

Citi Rewards+^® Card

This no annual fee card rewards cardholders for everyday purchases. Earn bonus points at supermarkets and gas stations, plus your points are rounded up on every purchase.

Welcome Offer

Earn 20,000 bonus points after you spend $1,500 in purchases with your card within 3 months of account opening; redeemable for $200 in gift cards at thankyou.com.

20,000 points

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$320

Annual Fee

$0

APR

0% intro APR on balance transfers and on purchases for 15 months. After that, a variable APR of 17.99% to 27.99%.

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent Credit Recommended (670-840)

Card Highlights

• Earn 20,000 bonus points after you spend $1,500 in purchases with your card within 3 months of account opening; redeemable for $200 in gift cards at thankyou.com
• Plus, as a special offer, earn a total of 5 Thank You^® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com through December 31, 2025.*
• 0% Intro APR on balance transfers for 15 months from date of first transfer and on purchases from date of account opening. After that, the variable APR will be 17.99% to 27.99%, based on your creditworthiness. There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
• Earn 2X ThankYou^® Points at Supermarkets and Gas Stations for the first $6,000 per year and then 1X Points thereafter. Plus, earn 1X ThankYou^® Points on All Other Purchases.
• The Citi Rewards+^® Card – the only credit card that automatically rounds up to the nearest 10 points on every purchase – with no cap.
• No Annual Fee

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 0% intro APR on balance transfers and on purchases for 15 months. After that, a variable APR of 17.99% to 27.99%.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of each purchase transaction in US dollars

Citi Double Cash^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Great card for the average spender with no specific focus category; worry-free cash-back earning on everything!

Citi Double Cash^® Card

Great card for the average spender with no specific focus category; worry-free cash-back earning on everything!

Welcome Offer

Earn $200 cash-back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening.

$200 cash-back

Annual Fee

$0

APR

0% Intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers, then 18.49% to 28.49% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Fair to Excellent (580-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Citi Double Cash^® Card has long been one of the top cash-back credit cards on the market, and the card now has the ability to earn Citi ThankYou Points!

This means that cardholders of the Double Cash card will now earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases. Cash back is earned in the form of ThankYou Points. This means each billing cycle, you will earn 1 ThankYou point per $1 spent on purchases and an additional ThankYou point for every $1 paid on your purchase balance as long as there is a corresponding balance in your Purchase Tracker.

Citi has turned the Double Cash card into a top choice for those who are looking for an everyday, no-fuss credit card.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Uncapped 2% for every $1 spent (1% when you buy and another 1% when you pay)
• Flexible redemption options
• No annual fee

Cons

• No bonus categories
• 3% foreign transaction fees

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Bonus Offer: Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou^® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
• Earn 2% on every purchase with unlimited 1% cash back when you buy, plus an additional 1% as you pay for those purchases.
• To earn cash back, pay at least the minimum due on time.
• Balance Transfer Only Offer: 0% Intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers; after that, the variable APR will be 18.49% to 28.49%, based on your creditworthiness. Balance Transfers do not earn cash back. Intro APR does not apply to purchases.
• If you transfer a balance, interest will be charged on your purchases unless you pay your entire balance (including balance transfers) by the due date each month.
• There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
• Citi Double Cash^® Card Travel Portal Special Offer
  Earn a total of 5 ThankYou^® Points per $1 spent on hotel, car rental, and attractions, excluding air travel, when booked through the Citi Travel℠ portal via cititravel.com or by calling 1-833-737-1288 (TTY: 711). Offer is valid through 12/31/2025.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 0% Intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers, then 18.49% to 28.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of each purchase

Rewards Center

Citi ThankYou Rewards

Citi Custom Cash^® Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Earn big on purchases in your top eligible spend category, up to the first $500 each billing cycle, with no annual fee!

Citi Custom Cash^® Card

Earn big on purchases in your top eligible spend category, up to the first $500 each billing cycle, with no annual fee!

Welcome Offer

Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou^® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.

$200

Annual Fee

$0

APR

0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 18.49% to 28.49%.

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Fair to Excellent (580-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Citi Custom Cash^® Card is inventive when it comes to cash-back credit cards. Instead of earning a set amount of cash-back on predetermined bonus categories, the Citi Custom Cash card earns 5% cash-back on your highest eligible spend category each billing cycle, without an annual fee.

Thanks to that unique perk, you’ll never need to worry about whether you’re using the right card for the right purchase, as your Citi Custom Cash card will always pay you 5% back on whichever category you end up spending the most on each month.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 5% cash-back (on up to $500 each billing cycle) from your largest purchase category, including restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, select travel, select transit, select streaming services, drugstores, home improvement stores, fitness clubs, and live entertainment
• No annual fee
• Multiple redemption options

Cons

• Your 5% category is limited to $500 in spend ($25 in cash-back) each month
• Not particularly rewarding for any purchases outside of your top 5% cash-back category

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first 6 months of account opening. This offer will be fulfilled as 20,000 ThankYou^® Points, which can be redeemed for $200 cash back.
• Get 0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers; after that, the variable APR will be 18.49% to 28.49%, based on your creditworthiness.
• Earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle, up to the first $500 spent, 1% cash back thereafter. Earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
• Special Travel Offer: Earn an additional 4% cash back on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel℠ portal through 6/30/2026.
• No rotating bonus categories to sign up for – as your spending changes each billing cycle, your earn adjusts automatically when you spend in any of the eligible categories.
• No annual fee.
• Citi will only issue one Citi Custom Cash^® Card account per person.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months. After that, the variable APR will be 18.49% to 28.49%.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3%

How To Find Citi Merchant Offers

Citi does not have the most user-friendly design, as finding Citi Merchant Offers can be rather confusing on your first go. But after you’ve located them on the desktop and/or app, they are (slightly) easier to find again.

From a desktop, just log into your account and look for Rewards & Offers on the navigation bar at the top of the screen. Select Offers for You and then scroll down to Merchant Offers. If you have multiple cards, you will see multiple options for Citi Merchant Offers.

If you are using the Citi app, just log in and then scroll down until you see Explore Offers for You. Click on that and then look for Save with your Citi card, See Your Offers.

Once you have found an offer that you like, simply click on it and then click Add Offer.

Once you have added the offer, you can use that card to make an eligible purchase at the retailer, and your statement credit should show in your account within a few days.

Hot Tip: Make sure you add the offer before making a purchase, otherwise you will not receive the credit. 

Maximizing Citi Merchant Offers

One of the best parts of these types of offers and statement credits is that you can still stack them with other offers.

Whether you have a coupon code, added another offer via SimplyMiles, clicked through Rakuten, or all of the above, you’ll receive cash-back as long as the charge hits your Citi card with the offer attached!

Final Thoughts

Citi was a little late to the game with Citi Merchant Offers, but it is playing some aggressive catch-up.

With over 100 rotating offers on any given day, Citi Merchant Offers can offer some tremendous value for no extra cost

If you have a Citi credit card in your wallet, you should take a look at your offers, as there is a very good chance you could save some money with just a few clicks!