Home :: Citibank Frequent Flyer Credit Cards :: Citi Select Credit Card
Citi Select Credit Card
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Key Features
- With your Citi Select Credit Card you will earn two points per dollar spent, plus enjoy the benefit of unlimited points that never expire.
- Use your points to travel on your own terms with access to an expanded range of travel reward, airline and hotel partners now available in the Citi Rewards program. Or if you prefer to have your points transferred automatically to your Qantas Frequent Flyer account each month, enroll in Citi Qantas Rewards (additional $49 p.a.). The choice is yours.
- Priority Pass membership gives you and your guest access to over 600 airport VIP lounges worldwide, regardless of your choice of airline or class of ticket or membership in an airline lounge program.
- Receive a distinct financial advantage, enjoy preferential rates on Citibank home loans and term deposits, plus access to a Citigold Financial advisor.
- You'll have access to the finest luxury lifestyle experiences created and customised for Citi Select Cardholders through the Visa Signature Bespoke Event Program.
- Start your application here.
Review & Analysis
There are frequent flyer cards, and then there’s the Citibank Select credit card. This is the first credit card in Australia to launch as part of the ultra exclusive Visa Signature program. The rewards and benefits of this card are second to none, just like its prestige. Citibank’s Select credit card is a step above even the best platinum credit card thanks to its dizzying array of exclusive benefits and rewards.
Frequent Flyer Points
The Citi Select credit card is part of the Citibank Rewards program where you’ll earn two points per $1 spent. The cool thing about this card is that points can be transferred to your account with Velocity Rewards, Asia Miles and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer. There is also the option to sign up for the Citibank Qantas Rewards program, which has a small annual fee, so that your points are transferred to your Qantas Frequent Flyer rewards account. Under the Citibank Qantas Rewards program it works out that you’ll earn 1 QFF point per dollar spent. QFF points can be redeemed for Award flights and upgrades. Compared with other cards, the QFF points earnings ratio is about average.
Other Rewards
Apart from earning points, you’ll also be enrolled in the Citi World Privileges program. As part of this scheme you can get access to a huge range of discounts and special offers from associate businesses around the world. The type of promotion you can expect include discounted room rates at leading hotels, special offers on sporting events and, of course, shopping discounts at top stores.
Pros
The Citibank Select credit card has a long list of benefits apart from its extremely flexible rewards program. For starters you’ll get complimentary membership to Priority Pass, which will give you access to airport lounges at hundreds of domestic and overseas airports. Citi Select credit cardholders will also be enrolled in the Visa Mr & Mrs Smith SilverSmith program, which will give you a range of perks such as exclusive deals for hotel stays. Cardholders are also given access to various luxury lifestyle and entertainment events through the Visa Signature Bespoke Event program.
On top of this, the Citibank Select credit card comes with extended warranty cover of goods purchased using your account and access to a helpful team of concierges 24/7.
You’ll also get a range of insurance cover with the Citi Select card including overseas travel insurance, transit accident insurance and purchase cover. With regards the complimentary travel insurance policy, examine closely the level of cover offered against that of your existing policy especially if you plan on taking part in any adventure pursuits while travelling.
Purchase and cash advance interest rates are about average for this class of card, although the 6.9% p.a. offer for 9 months is lacking compared with what else is available. The fact that you can add up to four additional cards to your Citi Select credit card account for free is a really useful feature for families, and also helps you to build up your points tally.
Lastly, it’s important to note that any points earned with this card will not expire, nor is there a cap on the amount of points you can earn unlike some other offers.
Cons
Firstly, the points to spend ratio is not the best available, particularly when it comes to earning QFF points. The Citibank Select credit card rewards $1 spend with a single point, but other cards such as the ANZ Platinum Frequent Flyer card have a higher rate of return at 1.5 QFF points per dollar spent. If Qantas rewards are the most important thing you are looking for, then check out some of the other cards first before applying so that you get the best rewards rate.
The $700 p.a. annual fee is easily the highest of any on this website. You do get a lot of benefits with this card, but unless you are sure that you will use them, is it really worth spending that much just to have a card? There are others with a lower annual fee with similar, if slightly less, glamorous reward programs.
Eligibility
You’d be right to expect the bar to be set quite high for a card of this calibre. The basic criteria to be approved for a Citi Select card include a minimum income of $120,000 or more. You’ll also need to be at least 18 years old, have a good credit history and be an Australian citizen.
Is This Card Right For You?
If you travel a lot and would appreciate the benefits offered by the Citi Select credit card, then there are few cards on the market with such a wide range of perks. The flexibility afforded by its reward program and the range of rewards and insurance coverage will undoubtedly make the life of a busy frequent traveller that much easier. If that’s worth the annual fee to you, then apply now.
