Citi Ultima Credit Card review
The card earns 5 Citi Miles per USD 1 on non-AED international spend and 2.5 per USD 1 on AED local spend, with earn calculated in USD at 1 AED = 0.271 USD. Rates step down to 50% on EEA currencies and 40% on AED spend across government, utilities, telecom, education, insurance, real estate and transport, and a long list of transactions such as cash advances and exchange-house purchases earn nothing. Miles carry no stated cap and no expiry while the card stays in good standing.
Redemption is flexible, from a cash rebate at 45 Citi Miles per AED 1 to a 1.5:1 transfer into 11 airline and hotel partners, Pay with Points and travel rebates. New customers can claim a AED 1,250 joining bonus on AED 25,000 of spend within 60 days, and 30,000 bonus Citi Miles are credited each year on annual fee payment.
Lifestyle privileges are the real draw, including an annual 50% air-ticket rebate up to AED 2,000, unlimited 3rd night free at any hotel worldwide, unlimited weekday golf, monthly valet parking, Careem airport rides, Marhaba meet & greet and home check-in, plus access to 1,200 lounges over 14 visits a year. With a AED 3,000 annual fee, a 3.5% monthly rate and an AED 36,750 income requirement, it is squarely a card for very high earners who travel often.
Card details
| Bank | Citibank |
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| Card type | Premium |
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| Card network | Mastercard |
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| Minimum salary | AED 36,750 |
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| Annual fee | AED 3,150 |
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| Fee waiver | No waiver published; AED 3,000 +5% VAT. 30,000 bonus Citi Miles are credited annually on payment of the annual fee. Metal supplementary card one-time issuance fee AED 1,000 per card. |
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| Interest (monthly) | 3.50% |
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| Reward type | Citi Miles |
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| Reward rate | 5 Citi Miles per USD 1 on non-AED (international) spend; 2.5 Citi Miles per USD 1 on AED (local) spend. Earn is calculated in USD at 1 AED = 0.271 USD.Spend in EEA (European Economic Area) currencies earns only 50% of the non-AED rate; AED spend on Government Services, Utilities, Telecom, Education, Insurance, Real Estate, Transit and Transport earns only 40% of the AED rate. No earn on: utility bill payments via Citibank channels, spend above the credit limit in a statement cycle, bank fees and finance charges, cash advances, balance transfers and loan on card, foreign currency purchases at exchange houses, insurance products distributed by Citi, securities and investment purchases, UAE Direct Debit transactions, transactions converted to 0% EPP, and business or third-party use. No cap stated; miles are earned only on eligible spend within the credit limit per statement cycle. Redemption options: cash rebate at 45 Citi Miles = AED 1 (minimum 900 miles); points transfer to 11 airline and hotel partner programmes at a 1.5:1 ratio; Pay with Points; Cash for Points travel rebate; and buying airline miles. No expiry is stated while the card is open and in good standing (the bank reserves the right to impose validity limits); miles are forfeited on card closure, arrears or death. The new Citi Ultima card is effective from December 2024 (per Key Facts Statement, July 2026). |
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| Welcome bonus | AED 1,250 joining bonus as a statement credit on minimum spend of AED 25,000 within 60 days; only for new Citi credit card customers who apply directly via the Citi website.New Citi Credit Card customers only | Apply directly through Citi website | Spend AED 25,000 within 60 days | Bonus paid as statement credit |
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| Lounge access | Access to 1,200 airport lounges worldwide, 14 visits per year subject to non-AED spend (via the Mastercard lounge programme). |
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| Quick cash | Loan on Card cash loan against the credit limit (fee up to 4%); cash advance fee 3% (minimum AED 99, maximum AED 250). |
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| Balance transfer | Balance Transfer on Card lets you transfer non-Citibank card balances and repay in instalments or revolve at a 2.74% minimum due; processing fee up to 6% of the transferred amount. |
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| Instalment plan | Easy Installment Plan converts transactions or the statement balance into instalments; processing fee up to 4% of the amount; early settlement fee 1% of the remaining balance; 0% EPP transactions earn no miles. |
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Welcome bonus: AED 1,250 joining bonus as a statement credit on minimum spend of AED 25,000 within 60 days; only for new Citi credit card customers who apply directly via the Citi website.
Terms: New Citi Credit Card customers only | Apply directly through Citi website | Spend AED 25,000 within 60 days | Bonus paid as statement credit
Citi Ultima Credit Card benefits
✓50% cash rebate on air tickets up to AED 2,000 once a year
✓Unlimited complimentary 3rd night free at any hotel worldwide
✓Unlimited complimentary weekday golf
✓2 complimentary valet parking visits every month
✓4 Careem airport rides a year up to AED 84 each
✓Marhaba Silver meet & greet twice a year and airport fast-track 3 times a year
✓Complimentary home check-in 4 times a year
✓30,000 bonus Citi Miles annually on annual fee payment
Offers and payment options
Quick cashLoan on Card cash loan against the credit limit (fee up to 4%); cash advance fee 3% (minimum AED 99, maximum AED 250).
Balance transferBalance Transfer on Card lets you transfer non-Citibank card balances and repay in instalments or revolve at a 2.74% minimum due; processing fee up to 6% of the transferred amount.
Instalment planEasy Installment Plan converts transactions or the statement balance into instalments; processing fee up to 4% of the amount; early settlement fee 1% of the remaining balance; 0% EPP transactions earn no miles.
Citi Ultima 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 suits very high earners who spend heavily abroad and want top-tier luxury travel and lifestyle privileges.
What works well
- ✓Highest earn rate in the Citi UAE line-up at 5 Citi Miles per USD on international spend
- ✓Exceptional luxury travel benefits including 3rd night free, golf, valet and meet & greet
- ✓1.5:1 points transfer ratio to airline and hotel partners
What to weigh up
- −AED 3,000 +VAT annual fee with no waiver
- −High 3.5% monthly interest rate, equal to 42% APR
- −Earn rate cut to 50% on EEA currencies and 40% on utilities, government, telecom, education, insurance and real-estate AED spend
Citi Ultima Credit Card eligibility
Minimum income AED 36,750 per month; UAE national or resident aged 18 to 64 at application.
▤Emirates ID▤Passport▤Valid UAE visa copy▤Salary account IBAN
Citi Ultima Credit Card FAQs
Minimum income AED 36,750 per month; UAE national or resident aged 18 to 64 at application.
The listed annual fee is AED 3,150. No waiver published; AED 3,000 +5% VAT. 30,000 bonus Citi Miles are credited annually on payment of the annual fee. Metal supplementary card one-time issuance fee AED 1,000 per card.
5 Citi Miles per USD 1 on non-AED (international) spend; 2.5 Citi Miles per USD 1 on AED (local) spend. Earn is calculated in USD at 1 AED = 0.271 USD.
This card suits very high earners who spend heavily abroad and want top-tier luxury travel and lifestyle privileges.
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.
