Citi Premier Credit Card review
The headline draw is a 3x ThankYou Points rate on dining, fuel and grocery AED spend, dropping to 2x on international purchases and 1x on other local spend, all calculated in USD at 1 AED = 0.271 USD. As with other Citi cards, EEA-currency spend earns half the non-AED rate and categories such as utilities, telecom and government earn a quarter of the local rate. Points are flexible: cash out at 45 to AED 1, redeem for travel rebates at a stronger 30-to-AED-1 rate, use Fly with Points on any airline, or transfer 1:1 to 11 partners.
Beyond rewards, cardholders get 14 lounge visits a year at 1,200-plus lounges, four Careem airport rides worth up to AED 84 each, and purchase protection up to USD 20,000 annually, with Apple Pay and Google Pay support built in. The combination makes it a practical daily rewards card for spenders who value travel flexibility without paying a premium-tier fee.
At AED 750 plus VAT with no waiver and a modest base local earn, the Premier rewards those who concentrate spend in its bonus categories rather than treating it as a flat-rate card.
Card details
| Bank | Citibank |
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| Card type | Rewards |
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| Card network | Mastercard |
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| Minimum salary | AED 15,000 |
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| Annual fee | AED 787.50 |
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| Fee waiver | No waiver is published; the fee is AED 750 plus 5% VAT. |
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| Interest (monthly) | 3.50% |
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| Reward type | Citi ThankYou Points |
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| Reward rate | Earn 3 ThankYou Points per USD 1 on dining, fuel and grocery AED spend, 2 ThankYou Points per USD 1 on non-AED international spend and 1 ThankYou Point per USD 1 on all other AED spend, with earn calculated in USD at 1 AED = 0.271 USD.Purchases in EEA currencies earn only 50% of the non-AED rate, while AED spend on Government Services, Utilities, Telecom, Education, Insurance, Real Estate, Transit and Transport earns just 25% of the AED rate. No points accrue on utility bill payments via Citibank channels, spend above the credit limit, bank fees, cash advances, balance transfers, exchange-house FX purchases, Citi insurance products, securities purchases, UAE Direct Debit transactions, 0% EPP conversions or business/third-party use. No cap is stated; points accrue only on eligible spend made within the credit limit during each statement cycle. Redeem as a cash rebate at 45 ThankYou Points to AED 1 (minimum 900 points), or use 15,000 ThankYou Points for an AED 500 rebate on travel purchases; Fly with Points works on any airline and points transfer 1:1 to 11 airline and hotel partners. Points carry no stated expiry while the card stays open and in good standing, but are forfeited on card closure, arrears or death. |
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| Welcome bonus | New Citi credit card customers applying directly through the Citi website receive an AED 350 joining bonus as a statement credit after spending at least AED 10,000 within 60 days.New Citi Credit Card customers only | Apply directly through Citi website | Spend AED 10,000 within 60 days | Bonus paid as statement credit |
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| Lounge access | Enjoy access to 1,200 airport lounges worldwide, with 14 visits a year subject to non-AED spend. |
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| Quick cash | A Loan on Card cash loan is available; the cash advance fee is 3% (minimum AED 99, maximum AED 250). |
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| Balance transfer | Balance Transfer on Card is offered with a processing fee of up to 6% of the transferred amount. |
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| Instalment plan | An Easy Installment Plan carries a processing fee of up to 4% and a 1% early settlement fee on the remaining balance; 0% EPP transactions earn no points. |
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Welcome bonus: New Citi credit card customers applying directly through the Citi website receive an AED 350 joining bonus as a statement credit after spending at least AED 10,000 within 60 days.
Terms: New Citi Credit Card customers only | Apply directly through Citi website | Spend AED 10,000 within 60 days | Bonus paid as statement credit
Citi Premier Credit Card benefits
✓Triple ThankYou Points on dining, fuel and groceries
✓14 lounge visits a year across 1,200+ lounges
✓4 Careem airport rides yearly worth up to AED 84 each
✓Purchase protection up to USD 20,000 per year
✓Fly with Points on any airline plus 1:1 transfers to 11 partners
✓Apple Pay and Google Pay ready
Offers and payment options
Quick cashA Loan on Card cash loan is available; the cash advance fee is 3% (minimum AED 99, maximum AED 250).
Balance transferBalance Transfer on Card is offered with a processing fee of up to 6% of the transferred amount.
Instalment planAn Easy Installment Plan carries a processing fee of up to 4% and a 1% early settlement fee on the remaining balance; 0% EPP transactions earn no points.
Citi Premier Credit Card fees & charges
| Annual percentage rate (APR) | 42.00% current until 30 Sep 2026; 44.28% effective 01 Oct 2026 |
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| Cash advance fee | 3% of cash advance amount or AED 99 whichever is higher, max charge AED 250 |
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| Late payment fee | 241.50 |
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| Over-limit fee | 261.45 |
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| Foreign currency fee | 2.99 |
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| Minimum payment | Higher of AED 100 or 2.74% of current balance |
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| Interest-free period | up to 52 days (min 21) |
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| Card replacement fee | 52.50 |
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From the bank’s Key Facts Statement / Schedule of Charges. Some figures include and some exclude 5% VAT, a bank’s marketing page can differ from its Key Facts Statement, and fees change - always confirm with the bank before you apply.
Who should get this card?
This card fits mid-to-high earners who spend regularly on dining, fuel and groceries and want flexible travel redemptions.
What works well
- ✓Strong 3x earn on everyday categories such as dining, fuel and grocery
- ✓Good travel redemption value at 30 points to AED 1 on travel rebates
- ✓Solid lounge allowance for a mid-tier fee
What to weigh up
- −AED 750 plus VAT annual fee with no waiver condition
- −Base local earn of 1 point per USD is modest
- −Utilities, government and telecom AED spend earns only 25% of the local rate
Citi Premier Credit Card eligibility
Requires a minimum income of AED 15,000 per month; open to UAE nationals or residents aged 18 to 64 at application.
▤Emirates ID▤Passport▤Valid UAE visa copy▤Salary account IBAN
Citi Premier Credit Card FAQs
Requires a minimum income of AED 15,000 per month; open to UAE nationals or residents aged 18 to 64 at application.
The listed annual fee is AED 787.50. No waiver is published; the fee is AED 750 plus 5% VAT.
Earn 3 ThankYou Points per USD 1 on dining, fuel and grocery AED spend, 2 ThankYou Points per USD 1 on non-AED international spend and 1 ThankYou Point per USD 1 on all other AED spend, with earn calculated in USD at 1 AED = 0.271 USD.
This card fits mid-to-high earners who spend regularly on dining, fuel and groceries and want flexible travel redemptions.
Product details are indicative and compiled from each bank’s official pages and Key Facts Statements; figures can differ between a bank’s marketing page and its Key Facts Statement, and fees, rates and VAT treatment change. We are not affiliated with, or authorised by, any bank - always confirm current fees, eligibility, rewards and terms directly with the issuing bank before applying. This page does not constitute financial advice.
