UPDATE: Since this video was filmed, sounds like the Citi Strata Premier will be replacing the current Premier. From what we know so far, the multipliers and $100 credit are relatively unchanged, but there will be some trip insurances added. Makes the card a bit more competitive, but we'll have to see Citi's other Strata card to really shake things up!
Makes a lot of sense why you haven't gotten a Citi card yet. I only have the Double Cash, which I got years ago when I was only focused on no annual fee cashback cards. Though I'll likely get either the new Strata Premier (primarily for the 75k bonus) or wait for the potential release of the Strata Elite. Great video Kevin!
Yeah the 75k bonus will be a nice tough, but for now the perks on the card don't seem to have changed much... Same here looking forward to hearing more about the Strata Elite
Now, Dillards is dropping the Wells Fargo credit cards and will be transferring their credit accounts to Citi. The letter I received said the perks are all going away--the phone protection, the purchase security, the extended warranty coverage, and the travel and emergency assistance service. What a crock.
Citi is my favorite setup. A fraction of the yearly fees of an Amex or Chase setups and I got a crazy good value when I transferred through the Premier card.
I only use my Costco for gas. You only get the credit once a year, and forfeit everything if you drop Costco, or cancel the credit card. I use Wells Fargo Active Visa at Costco. Same 2%, no waiting. Costco Citi eliminated all warranty extensions. No reason to get the card or even use it for other than gas. 4:45
5% is great for $500/month on any category of choice but for first card having something more well rounded is better. Discover It has 5% rotating categories and 1% all , but 1st year intro offer is Cashback match, making the 5% actually 10% and 1% actually 2%, or Chase freedom unlimited having 3% dining/drug store, 1.5% all or Freedom Flex with 5% rotating categories plus the same additional 3% categories. Also other 2% cards like pay pal that also offers 3% on pay pal purchases seems to me to be a better 1st card to go for. Not to mention if you are planning to get more than one card over time regardless of cash back or travel, then getting Chase first is always the way to go bc of 5/24 and their subs are too good to just ignore.
I just got a venture x and love it, but seriously thinking about citi ecosystem just for Eva. I am going to be going to Taiwan from Houston multiple times over the next several years, and 15 hours in Eva business class sounds very tempting
@@PingPingTravelI've used Citi Credit Cards for most of my purchases for almost a decade.... so... "Shrugs"... I haven't quite had any bad experiences...
My mistake was converting an extra Citi card to the Costco card which i never use because i prefer travel points. Now I'm stuck with this stupid card because you can't product change away from the Costco card. Ugh!!!
@@KevinYang I had a couple AA MilesUp cards with P2, so rather than take a 5/24 slot, I just product changed. I would love to have that back to PC to the Rewards+.
@@KymanitheCaracal yes... But it's a one way street. You can't product change away from Costco. If I understand correctly, if you cancel your Costco membership, they cancel this card.
I got both of the AA elite and AA biz cards last month, and got the second bonus today, I also don’t fly American but am excited for booking their partners.
I wish Home Depot would use someone beside Citibank for their shopping card but until they do I guess I will continue to shop at Lowe's and the local mom & pop building supplies.
Why not just get the savor one to fill your groceries and restaurant gap? Plus it's no foreign transaction fees, so you can use ut overseas. The sub isn't too bad either.
Yup! In one of my recent videos I cover potential next cards and that + the Bilt cards are pretty high on the list! Just that with some major spend these few months, I didn't want to "waste" that which could've been for a higher welcome bonus!
Consider that the Strata Premier's categories are perfect for travelers. Kevin, it is great that BILT is on your list. BILT and the Premier are my work horse cards while abroad.
Hey Kevin, I had a question. What is the purpose of using the Citi Custom Cash for only one specific category rather than multiple categories? I've been hearing about this card that the Custom Cash should only be used for category. Why is that? What would happen if you use it for multiple categories? Thanks for responses!
It's because you only get the elevated 5% back on your TOP spend category for the month, with everything else earning just 1%. That means to maximize the rewards, you should just spend on 1 category, putting everything else on something like the Double Cash for 2%
I have a new development for you to consider! Costco Citi card just sent my mom some mail about a 5% back in "statement credits" up to $25 on eligible bill payments until 7/31/2024, which sounds really similar to the Citi custom cash card. I know you're not a citi card fan, but I think it sounds like Costco is trying to try out the benefits program of the Citi custom cash card on their customers, at least for Q2 to motivate people to spend about $500 on summer purchases and festivities. Since it said in the fine print at the bottom of the mail, we already get 4% back on gas, she is going to talk to the person at the Costco help desk to clarify the seasonal offer.
Soooo underrated, I was surprised! I really thought SQ would beat it, maybe it was the crew we had, but I thoroughly enjoyed EVA more. Their seats were much nicer too! Now I just gotta try out ANA "The Room"...
My first mistake was I didn’t start with chase So now I’m over 5/24 so that’s makes it harder for me … Second I have Amex love them third I’m now Starting with Citi, Citi Double Just got approve for Citi strata need the Citi Custom cash card
I have the Citi rewards. I just hate Citi bank. I rarely use the card they sent me n upgrade the strata premier but it has an annual fee. I often use my discover and chase cards. Citi sucks on how they treat customers
Your freedom flex card give you 3% on dinning. I’m doing Case and Wells Fargo. Venture X would have been great but they denied me cause of too many open lines. But my lowest score is 790. lol. I don’t get capital one.
The Freedom Flex giving 3x dining is true, but wouldn't be great out of country given the fx fees... Yeah I heard Cap1 is kind of weird when it comes to approvals.. It's a great card though so hope it works out at some point!
@@KevinYang Wells Fargo Autograph has 3% on dinning zero annual fee and no fx fees. Do you know if their Active cash points transfer or is it straight cash back?
I have Chase and Wells Fargo also but I’m looking into Citi as Chase isn’t well rounded vs Wells Fargo and Citi just don’t have domestic airlines which is why I’m still with Chase
@@georgeloveless4848 I believe they do! Only issue is Wells Fargo's transfer partners aren't the best right now (for my travels), but they are suppose to be adding more throughout the year
I also don't have Citi cards, and that's because the top of their travel card is trash. I'm a travel over cash back, and the Citi primer is stank. If they had a competitive top-tier card, the Citi trifecta would be unbeatable, especially because of the Double and custom cash.
Citi"s fraud early warning system is total trash, along with their customer service. I got the SUB for a new card but not worth the hassle with FEWS & Pinoy offshore CSR/fraud dept that speak mediocre English. I will downgrade the card in in year two to a no fee card, and just sockdrawer it.
@@KevinYang Nah, I just stayed at a local hotel in the vicinity of my residence and triggered the FEWS after swiping the card. Had I read all the BS stories on reddit about about unlocking your card through snail mail, I would not of applied in the first place.
@@KevinYang Yes sir. Very poor customer service and when you pay your bill, they take forever and a day to post it paid. Most card companies update your available credit limit right away. Citi takes weeks. They are pathetic.
UPDATE: Since this video was filmed, sounds like the Citi Strata Premier will be replacing the current Premier. From what we know so far, the multipliers and $100 credit are relatively unchanged, but there will be some trip insurances added. Makes the card a bit more competitive, but we'll have to see Citi's other Strata card to really shake things up!
75k welcome offer too instead of 60k. I fly mostly domestic so I’ll have to wait and see if they get any better transfer partners during this rebrand
@@dylanschang6386 Yeah the higher welcome bonus is a nice tough, but without other major changes, it's really just a small incremental change
Makes a lot of sense why you haven't gotten a Citi card yet. I only have the Double Cash, which I got years ago when I was only focused on no annual fee cashback cards. Though I'll likely get either the new Strata Premier (primarily for the 75k bonus) or wait for the potential release of the Strata Elite. Great video Kevin!
Yeah the 75k bonus will be a nice tough, but for now the perks on the card don't seem to have changed much... Same here looking forward to hearing more about the Strata Elite
@@KevinYang do we have a general timeframe of when Citi is going to be releasing the Strata Elite.
Now, Dillards is dropping the Wells Fargo credit cards and will be transferring their credit accounts to Citi. The letter I received said the perks are all going away--the phone protection, the purchase security, the extended warranty coverage, and the travel and emergency assistance service. What a crock.
Citi is my favorite setup. A fraction of the yearly fees of an Amex or Chase setups and I got a crazy good value when I transferred through the Premier card.
I only use my Costco for gas. You only get the credit once a year, and forfeit everything if you drop Costco, or cancel the credit card. I use Wells Fargo Active Visa at Costco. Same 2%, no waiting. Costco Citi eliminated all warranty extensions. No reason to get the card or even use it for other than gas. 4:45
I dont care about travel..so the only card i want is the Custom Cash. New to credit so i have to wait some more
For pure cash back, these are honestly pretty solid cards. Do you have plans for the Double Cash?
I used to do cash only too before I realized these other cards gave way more back
5% is great for $500/month on any category of choice but for first card having something more well rounded is better. Discover It has 5% rotating categories and 1% all , but 1st year intro offer is Cashback match, making the 5% actually 10% and 1% actually 2%, or Chase freedom unlimited having 3% dining/drug store, 1.5% all or Freedom Flex with 5% rotating categories plus the same additional 3% categories. Also other 2% cards like pay pal that also offers 3% on pay pal purchases seems to me to be a better 1st card to go for. Not to mention if you are planning to get more than one card over time regardless of cash back or travel, then getting Chase first is always the way to go bc of 5/24 and their subs are too good to just ignore.
right, I'm just trying to raise kids and pay bills... motels and vacations... not in the budget.. Cash back please and thank you lmao
To me it sounds like Citi is not paying the youtubers....this is one of the reason why they get more yt'er hate than any other card
Two citi cards with a venture x or amex platinum is a nice trifecta. Not all in the same ecosystem but it works
Great setup. Which two would you be going for?
I transfer Citi TY to Singapore to Europe (IAH-MAN) and Avianca for flights throughout South and Central America.
The SQ fifth freedom flights are nice! How has your experience been with Avianca?
I just got a venture x and love it, but seriously thinking about citi ecosystem just for Eva. I am going to be going to Taiwan from Houston multiple times over the next several years, and 15 hours in Eva business class sounds very tempting
EVA & Starlux are both really great Taiwan airlines🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
@@fogrunr5075 Still gotta try Starlux!
EVA is great, and it's a great (more niche) way to get to Asia with still good value
I also have no Citi cards, but part of the reason is the horrible stuff I've heard about the bank itself and general website interface. Good video!
What have you heard?
@@KevinYang oh, just bad stuff in general about how the website is difficult to navigate, etc. Nothing that is a dealbreaker.
@@PingPingTravelI've used Citi Credit Cards for most of my purchases for almost a decade.... so... "Shrugs"... I haven't quite had any bad experiences...
@@MikeC-dj4iu Good to know. I'm considering the Citi Strata Premier card also so your experience is helpful for me.
@@MikeC-dj4iu how about ccustomer service? Thats the one thing I have heard to be the worst part about Citi?
My mistake was converting an extra Citi card to the Costco card which i never use because i prefer travel points. Now I'm stuck with this stupid card because you can't product change away from the Costco card. Ugh!!!
YOU COULD DO THAT???!!!!
That's a great data point, TIL! Was there a reason you didn't want to get the Costco card separately?
@@KevinYang I had a couple AA MilesUp cards with P2, so rather than take a 5/24 slot, I just product changed. I would love to have that back to PC to the Rewards+.
@@KymanitheCaracal yes... But it's a one way street. You can't product change away from Costco. If I understand correctly, if you cancel your Costco membership, they cancel this card.
I got both of the AA elite and AA biz cards last month, and got the second bonus today, I also don’t fly American but am excited for booking their partners.
Yeah that's the one factor that's keep those cards on the radar for me too. What're your fav redemptions with them?
@@KevinYang JAL biz at 75k would be ideal. Was seeing a lot more availability a few months ago not so much today.
@@IanMaschal JAL would be nice, especially if you can get their new A350s!
@@KevinYang the 1000 is defiantly on the bingo card.
I wish Home Depot would use someone beside Citibank for their shopping card but until they do I guess I will continue to shop at Lowe's and the local mom & pop building supplies.
Why not just get the savor one to fill your groceries and restaurant gap? Plus it's no foreign transaction fees, so you can use ut overseas. The sub isn't too bad either.
Yup! In one of my recent videos I cover potential next cards and that + the Bilt cards are pretty high on the list! Just that with some major spend these few months, I didn't want to "waste" that which could've been for a higher welcome bonus!
Consider that the Strata Premier's categories are perfect for travelers. Kevin, it is great that BILT is on your list. BILT and the Premier are my work horse cards while abroad.
I’ve been trying to decide what I’m going to product change my Costco card to now that I have the USBAR.
Hey Kevin, I had a question. What is the purpose of using the Citi Custom Cash for only one specific category rather than multiple categories? I've been hearing about this card that the Custom Cash should only be used for category. Why is that? What would happen if you use it for multiple categories? Thanks for responses!
It's because you only get the elevated 5% back on your TOP spend category for the month, with everything else earning just 1%. That means to maximize the rewards, you should just spend on 1 category, putting everything else on something like the Double Cash for 2%
Rumor has it the Citi Strata Premier would be the return of theur Travel Protections on their main stream cards.
Yeah that'd be a nice incremental change! Really interested in what their new premium (Strata Elite?) card would include though!
@@KevinYang Especially if they want more consumers to get their Cards. And it might convince me to get the card since I am more of an in person buyer.
@@KymanitheCaracal Hopefully they'll make as big of an impact as the Venture X or CSR did when they first got released
custom cash makessense if you dont spend much. its a free card with 5x
I have a new development for you to consider! Costco Citi card just sent my mom some mail about a 5% back in "statement credits" up to $25 on eligible bill payments until 7/31/2024, which sounds really similar to the Citi custom cash card. I know you're not a citi card fan, but I think it sounds like Costco is trying to try out the benefits program of the Citi custom cash card on their customers, at least for Q2 to motivate people to spend about $500 on summer purchases and festivities. Since it said in the fine print at the bottom of the mail, we already get 4% back on gas, she is going to talk to the person at the Costco help desk to clarify the seasonal offer.
EVA business class to Asian countries is very underrated
Soooo underrated, I was surprised! I really thought SQ would beat it, maybe it was the crew we had, but I thoroughly enjoyed EVA more. Their seats were much nicer too! Now I just gotta try out ANA "The Room"...
My first mistake was I didn’t start with chase
So now I’m over 5/24 so that’s makes it harder for me …
Second I have Amex love them third I’m now
Starting with Citi, Citi
Double
Just got approve for Citi strata need the Citi
Custom cash card
I have the Citi rewards. I just hate Citi bank. I rarely use the card they sent me n upgrade the strata premier but it has an annual fee. I often use my discover and chase cards. Citi sucks on how they treat customers
3:18 shouldn't every multiplier under Double Cash be *2x* instead of *1x* ?
i don't consider Citi credit cards as travel cards for the exact reasons you provided
Your freedom flex card give you 3% on dinning. I’m doing Case and Wells Fargo. Venture X would have been great but they denied me cause of too many open lines. But my lowest score is 790. lol. I don’t get capital one.
The Freedom Flex giving 3x dining is true, but wouldn't be great out of country given the fx fees... Yeah I heard Cap1 is kind of weird when it comes to approvals.. It's a great card though so hope it works out at some point!
@@KevinYang Wells Fargo Autograph has 3% on dinning zero annual fee and no fx fees. Do you know if their Active cash points transfer or is it straight cash back?
I have Chase and Wells Fargo also but I’m looking into Citi as Chase isn’t well rounded vs Wells Fargo and Citi just don’t have domestic airlines which is why I’m still with Chase
@@georgeloveless4848 I believe they do! Only issue is Wells Fargo's transfer partners aren't the best right now (for my travels), but they are suppose to be adding more throughout the year
@@robert8311 Which partners do you usually use? It's the first time I'm hearing from someone that Chase isn't as well rounded vs WF
I also don't have Citi cards, and that's because the top of their travel card is trash. I'm a travel over cash back, and the Citi primer is stank. If they had a competitive top-tier card, the Citi trifecta would be unbeatable, especially because of the Double and custom cash.
Exactly my thought process as well! Let's hope the new Citi Strata cards will be a breath of fresh air...
I don't travel much so doesn't concern me. You just can't please everybody
You have 3x at restaurants through the CSP though?
I have the Citi Premier, Citi Shell MC Gas card, Citi Mobil Gas card, Citi Home Depot, Citi Meijer MC card!
After 32 years with Citibank/ Citi Cards cancelled all cards!
Released on the last day to apply for premier. Lol perfect timing credit card world.
100% coincidence haha, the script for this video was started ~2 weeks ago!
Citi"s fraud early warning system is total trash, along with their customer service. I got the SUB for a new card but not worth the hassle with FEWS & Pinoy offshore CSR/fraud dept that speak mediocre English. I will downgrade the card in in year two to a no fee card, and just sockdrawer it.
Did you have a lot of travel having the charges taken off for fraud?
@@KevinYang Nah, I just stayed at a local hotel in the vicinity of my residence and triggered the FEWS after swiping the card. Had I read all the BS stories on reddit about about unlocking your card through snail mail, I would not of applied in the first place.
@@jun.oshimayou could use chat instead of phone calling to their fraud department?
@@MikeC-dj4iu Negative ghost rider
I have no CiTi cards and not planning on getting one. Happy with other 15 better cards in my wallet.
What's your favorite few cards in your setup now?
@@KevinYang VX, CSP and Amex Platinum and Chase Business Cards
@@KevinYang Also Chase Business Cards
Citi is top tier
What's been your experience with them?
It’s my 13th credit card
Me 2
They are thieves. Canceled my accounts and forfeited my cash rewards $ 9.000
My citi costco card have a $120 annual fee.
Citi is the worst credit card company on the planet.
Have you had some poor experiences with them?
@@KevinYang Yes sir. Very poor customer service and when you pay your bill, they take forever and a day to post it paid. Most card companies update your available credit limit right away. Citi takes weeks. They are pathetic.
I disagree. CITI is solid, and they update my balance literally seconds after I make a payment.
@@alexmuskie1 How can you judge what my experience is?
Mmm, no one’s judging dude, it’s called an opinion.
Absolutely loved the video but that noise when you would do the X through things was jarring
9:47
✈️
✈✈