FEATURES SUMMARY

• Annual fee: $65
• Purchase rate: 11.99% p.a. for first 12 months
• Cash Advance rate: 21.24% p.a.
• Balance Transfer rate: 0% p.a. for first 6 months
• Interest-free days: Up to 55

• Extras:
  • Apply online
  • Fraudshield
  • Visa Entertainment
  • Purchase protection
  • Phone/Internet banking
  • Citibank World Privileges

As a mid range credit card, the Citibank Clear credit card offers up to 55 days interest free and a low interest rate of 11.99% p.a. on purchases, however this low rate is let down by the cash advance rate of 21.24% p.a..

What is most bizarre though, is that the purchase interest rate is higher than that of the Citibank Clear Platinum card….a premium card with a lower interest rate that the basic card? Weird.

But back to the task at hand…

The cash advance rate on this credit card is also the default rate for balance transfers. So while the initial rate of 0% is great and all payments go towards paying off balance transfers first, the 0% p.a. rate is only for 6 months. If you’re not vigilant with payments while the 0% p.a. is in effect then the 6 months will most likely come and go before you know it.

The rewards program on this card is a definite advantage if you happen to do a lot of traveling. As Citibank is worldwide company, there are over 40,000 restaurants, shops, hotels and other services around the world in which you can get discounts and other benefits from.

All of this comes with an annual fee of $65. Worth it? Maybe. But if you are willing to pay just a little bit more in annual fees then it could be worthwhile looking at the Citibank Clear Platinum card. It has a lower interest rate (11.49% p.a.), a lower introductory balance transfer rate, and more benefits for only a fraction more in fees.

See our top credit card picks in the Editor’s Choice category

FEATURES SUMMARY

• Annual fee: $89
• Purchase rate: 20.74% p.a.
• Cash Advance rate: 21.24% p.a.
• Balance Transfer rate: 2.9% p.a. for first 12 months (21.24% p.a.)
• Interest-free days: Up to 55

• Extras:
  • Apply online
  • Rewards
  • Fraudshield
  • Purchase protection
  • Phone/Internet banking
  • Citibank World Privileges

Like the Westpac 55 Day credit card, the Citibank Silver credit card doesn’t really seem to do anything to compete in today’s credit card market so is a bit of a dead end.

There are a variety of features which you would think would make it a valuable card; however they are all just too inconsistent. The annual fee of this Citibank Silver credit card is $89 and is teamed with overall interest rates of 20.74% p.a. for purchases and 21.24% p.a. for cash advances, and up to 55 days interest free.

There is a rewards program on this card which awards one point for every dollar spent using the Silver card and cash back offers, though it just doesn’t really seem worth it when the interest rate is more in line with that of a platinum credit card rather than one that is a step below a gold card.

As a premium card it’s credit limit of $7,500 is quite low. Especially when you consider the next step up is the Citibank Gold credit card which has a credit limit $60,000. It really just highlights how inconsistent the Citibank Silver credit card really is.

The introductory rate on balance transfers for this card is average at 2.9% p.a. for the first 12 months, after which it increases to 21.24% p.a.

Unfortunately for Citibank this card doesn’t quite cater to the needs of anyone who is looking for a credit card of any kind. Put simply there are just better options out there for every single aspect of this credit card.

See our top credit card picks in the Editor’s Choice category

FEATURES SUMMARY

• Annual fee: $149
• Purchase rate: 20.74% p.a.
• Cash Advance rate: 21.24% p.a.
• Balance Transfer rate: 1.9% p.a. for 12 months
• Interest-free days: Up to 55
• Extras:
  • Apply online

• • Fraudshield
  • Extended Warranty
  • Purchase protection
  • Phone/Internet banking
  • Citibank World Privileges
  • International Travel Insurance
  • Visa Entertainment/MasterCard Applause

The Citibank Gold credit card has a variety of features that you would expect from a gold credit card which makes it far more balanced and appealing than the Citibank Silver credit card.

Benefits of this card include a complimentary rewards program with the option of cash back, international travel insurance, purchase protection insurance and the availability of either Visa or MasterCard.

An interesting feature that is also available is it that it gives extra protection from fraud through the use of a digital signature and a photo card which is not often seen on a credit card.

As a premium credit card that sits in the middle of the range, the Citibank Gold card’s features are somewhat standard as they are matched with high rates and fees. Like the Silver credit card, the interest rate on purchases is 20.74% p.a. and  21.24% p.a. on cash advances, however you’ll get 1.9% p.a. for the first 12 months on balance transfers. This also comes with up to 55 days interest free.

Overall, the Citibank Gold credit card is a much better option than the Citibank Silver card as there are many more features that give it more value for money.

But in terms of premium credit cards, if you don’t always pay your monthly balance in full then there are many other better value options out there so it would pay to have a look around. Your wallet will thank you for it.

See our top credit card picks in the Editor’s Choice category