As early as May, TPG learned specifically that Citi Rewards + Card had been renamed Citi Layer Card. Now, we have received confirmation that Citi is launching a brand new Citi class.
As a long-time Citi loyalist and stubborn Citi Layer Premier® Card (See rates and fees) (formerly Prime Minister Citi,) Fans, I’m glad to see the issuer overhaul the Citi lineup of Citi Rewards Credit Cards.
Applications for these two cards are now open.
So let’s jump into the changes that existing cardholders and new applicants can expect.
Information on Citi Strata Elite, Citi Strata Card, Citi Rewards+ and Citi Premier has been independently collected by Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. Citi Rewards+ and Citi Prime Minister are no longer available for new applications.
Summary of changes
What has not changed:
What has changed:
- New Names and Card Art
- New bonus category
- Increased income rates in existing bonus categories
- Increase welcome bonus
- What is the card made of (almost completely recycled plastic)
- World Elite Mastercard Welfare
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Citi Rewards+ is used to summarize each purchase to the closest 10 points. Sadly, this unique cheering has ceased, and each cardholder is able to receive 10% of the 100,000 points of the year before each calendar year.
In an exclusive interview with Pam Habner, head of Citi branded cards and loans, Habner highlighted Citi’s commitment to listening to customer feedback and participated in focus groups to understand what current and potential cardholders are getting from their credit cards. She mentioned how the current market demonstrates how cardholders want to be flexible with reward revenue, and how these findings can drive meaningful changes in Citigroup.
As of July 20, existing Citi Rewards + Card members can access the new Citi Class Card. As of July 27 today, new customers can apply.
New revenue rate
The most exciting aspect of the new Citi Layer card is the introduction of new bonus categories and the increase in revenue rates for the rewards + cards that are now earned. Changes include:
- New: 5 o’clock on hotels, cars and attractions booked on Cititravel.com
- Increase: Spend 3 points per dollar in supermarket
- Add and expand: 3 points per dollar spent on certain transit, gasoline and electric vehicle charging stations
- New: Spend 3 points per dollar on a qualified fitness club, selected streaming services, live entertainment, cosmetics store/barbershop/hair salon or pet supply store.
- New: 2 o’clock every dollar in the restaurant
- Same: Every dollar spent on all other purchases
Previously, Citi Reward + earned 2 points per dollar on grocery store and gas station purchases. However, the new revenue rate is more profitable.
Reward + Card earns 5 points per dollar on hotels, car rentals and attraction bookings booked through the Citi Travel Portal, but ends on December 31. Now, the revenue rates for these purchases are a permanent addition to the card.
This is the entire remodel of the card, and its revenue rate brings it closer Citi strata Prime Minister’s Cardthe fee is $95 and received its own refresh in May 2024
I think this could pave the way for Citigroup to have its own version of Chase Trifecta where Citigroup cardholders can carry multiple cards and maximize bonuses and gains and use them together.
The new revenue rate makes this card a worthy competitor for everyday purchases and challenges long-standing competitors, e.g. Chase for Freedom® (See rates and fees).
Habner highlighted Citi’s role in improving the market and maintaining competitiveness. Obviously, Citi tends to be willing to make more in the daily expenditure category. So, in addition to introducing new self-select categories, issuers simplified opportunities in what I call the basic categories of gas stations, supermarkets and restaurants.
The most exciting development is the new bonus category: 3 points spent per dollar on the self-selective category.
With multiple options, it should be easy to maximize. Cardholders can change their chosen category every quarter. I think this bonus category is a key driver for Citi because some of the qualified categories are not offered on other cards at a higher income rate.
Since some gym memberships cost over $200 in cities like New York and Los Angeles, and live entertainment tickets cost hundreds of dollars, this can be very useful for many.
For me, this offers a sum of money for Chase FreedomFlex®, as some past quarterly bonus categories include fitness clubs or streaming services, but reward revenue is always $1,500 per quarter that you activate every quarter.
Chase Freedom Flex information has been collected independently by Goint Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Related: How to Earn Over 300,000 Points in 2025
New welcome bonus
With a limited time spent $1,000 in the first three months of opening an account, new customers who earned Citi tier cards will receive 30,000 bonus points. Remember that existing Citi Rewards + cardholders will automatically convert to Citi Layer cards on July 20. Therefore, cardholders will not be able to apply for a Citi tier card because they already have the card.
New cardholders will also receive an annual annual percentage (APR) of 0% on 15-month balance transfer and purchase; after which, based on credit value, will apply to variables of 19.24%-29.24%. The fee for the balance transfer is 3% (minimum $5) and is 5% (minimum $5) for each transfer thereafter during the first 4 months of the account opening.
Applicants who received a new account bonus for Citi Awards + Accounts or who received a new account bonus in the past 48 months were not able to receive a welcome bonus.
Another enthusiastic news is that approved applicants will immediately receive instant authorization and access their new credit card.
Bottom line
The Citi Layer Card is a refreshing change in the credit card space and I welcome it.
A comprehensive overhaul of the earning rate and the inclusion of the new category makes this card a competitive choice for those who wish to receive a thank-you reward. The card changes make it more useful as a daily spending credit card and offer a strong value proposition.
As Citigroup Prime Minister Cardholder, you can combine stratigraphic card points and transfer them to Citi’s travel partners for maximum value. Additionally, the Strata family is now done thanks to the new Citi Strata Elite launch, which gives cardholders plenty of opportunities to choose the card that best suits their lifestyle.
Related: The Best Citi Cards for July 2025
