Citibank has teamed up with Emirates airlines to bring you the Emirates Citi Platinum credit card, designed for those frequent flyers who are not so worried about how much they are spending and are looking to capitalize on their expenses.

This airline rewards credit card comes with an extremely high credit limit of $100,000*, plus all the expected insurance benefits (international travel, transit accident, purchase cover and extended warranty)* not to mention a personal concierge service*.

As an added bonus, this card has an excellent balance transfer rate.* which earns it the title of #1 credit card in the Balance Transfer category.

Whether your balance is around $1000, or closer to $10,000, this ongoing interest rate means the savings are there for the taking when you get your Emirates Citi Platinum credit card. But that’s not all.

It also has a bundle of other benefits that you probably wouldn’t expect.

For example, a chauffeur-driven ride to and from the airport each year (when flying with Emirates of course), a double lounge pass per year to any of Australia’s Emirates lounges. Or if you happen to be going to Dubai you’ll get free access to the airport’s Marhaba lounge.

You’ll also earn Skywards Miles (Emirates’ frequent flyer program) at a rate of 3 for every dollar spent on your Emirates Citi Platinum card.

Skyward Miles can be redeemed for international flights on Emirates airlines and it’s partners, as well as Virgin Blue domestic flights, selected hotels, car rentals and merchandise from the Emirates online rewards store – The Emirates High Street.

This does come at a relatively high price (which is unfortunately becoming pretty standard for Platinum credit cards). Citibank charge for cash advances and for purchases on the Emirates platinum card with an annual fee. However it is expected with such a low ongoing balance transfer rate and so many added benefits.

On the whole the Emirates Citi Platinum is a well rounded card with prices that come as no surprise considering the range of benefits available. So if you fly with Emirates regularly, are looking for a platinum card to match your credit card expenses, or most importantly are looking for a credit card that offers low interest rates on balance transfers then this is the airline credit card for you.

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

FEATURES SUMMARY

 

 

• Annual fee: Low annual fee
• Purchase rate: Low p.a. purchase rate
• Cash Advance rate: Low p.a. cash advance rate
• Balance Transfer rate: Low p.a. balance transfer rate
• Interest-free days: Up to 55

• Extras:
  • Fraudshield
  • Extended warranty
  • Purchase protection
  • Phone/Internet banking
  • International Travel Insurance

The Citibank Clear Platinum credit card is one of a number of premium credit cards available from Citibank, but when you compare it to most others on the market it doesn’t really seem like a platinum card at all.

This odd choice of name from Citibank has potential to confuse customers. Platinum credit cards tend to be more costly than the Citibank Clear Platinum card, which means those in the market for a cheap credit card may overlook it without realizing just how affordable it is.

It is in fact a really good credit card. It takes out the #1 spot for platinum credit cards, #2 for cash back credit cards and #3 for interest free credit cards in the Editor’s Choice category.

The standard interest rate is low on purchases* and on balance transfers*. The one downfall that can be seen on this card is its cash advance and default balance transfer rate. At that rate you’d only want to use cash advances in a real emergency.

Other benefits of this credit card also include international travel insurance, purchase protection and extended warranties on all products purchased with the credit card. And who could forget the rewards. With over 40,000 rewards partners in over 30 countries around the world, your rewards will follow you anywhere you go.

The main requirement that Citibank has for this card is that you must earn $50,000 or more per year. With up to 55 days interest free*, it is an impressively cheap credit card (when you avoid getting out cash) with great travel and reward benefits that you are unlikely to get anywhere else at such an affordable rate.

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

The Platinum credit card is the upper echelon of premium cards available from Citibank. It’s unique to other platinum cards as it has a range of rewards options including the Citi Miles program, the Citi Qantas program, Citi Take Flight cash back and other discounts and offers. So you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to getting rewards that suit your needs. Special Promotion 40,000 bonus reward points.

With a ‘through the roof’ credit limit of up to $100,000, Citibank is obviously predicting a lot of expensive purchases on this card. The risk of offering so much money is compensated for by Citibank with a interest rate for Cash Advances and for purchases, as well as an annual fee which is double that of the Gold card. And, as expected, it comes with a minimum income requirement of $50,000.

However, it does score brownie points for a balance transfer rate for the first 9 months of balances transferred.

The Citbank Platinum credit card also comes with up to 55 days interest free, a 24/7 concierge service, extended warranty on purchases, purchase protection insurance (up to $200,000), international travel insurance, transit accident insurance and a digital signature and photo card to protect you against credit fraud.

Like the Gold card (and unlike the Silver card) the Citibank Platinum card lives up to its name and you actually get what you pay for. But while not being ripped off is great, it’s not enough to make this card the best option by any means.