One Rewards Currency, Many Cards
What if your everyday spending earned points you could use for travel, gift cards, or statement credits, all under one program? That is the idea behind Citi's ThankYou Rewards, and several Citi cards on the Mastercard network feed into it.
The Citi ThankYou Mastercard is not one single card. It is a family of Citi cards that earn ThankYou points, a flexible rewards currency. Below we explain how the program works, which cards are active in 2026, and what to do if your credit is not quite ready for a premium rewards card yet.
How the Citi ThankYou Mastercard Family Works
ThankYou points are Citi's rewards currency. You earn them on eligible purchases, then redeem for travel, gift cards, statement credits, and more. The value of each point and the earning rate depend on which card you carry.
The lineup shifts over time. As of 2026, Citi's ThankYou cards include the Strata Premier, Strata, Strata Elite, and the Double Cash, which earns cash back delivered as ThankYou points. Note that Citi stopped accepting new applications for the popular Custom Cash card in late May 2026.
What to Verify Before You Apply
Citi updates its card lineup, bonus categories, and welcome offers regularly. Check Citi's site for the current ThankYou cards, earning rates, and annual fees before you apply. Terms and conditions apply, and APRs vary by creditworthiness.
Who the ThankYou Cards Are Built For
Most Citi ThankYou Mastercard products are aimed at people with good to excellent credit. If your score is still climbing, approval may be tough, and a denial means a hard inquiry with nothing to show for it.
If that sounds like you, an unsecured card designed for building credit is a smarter first move. The Aspire Cash Back Rewards Mastercard targets people with limited or rebuilding credit and still pays cash back, so you earn while you grow your profile.
Use it responsibly for several months, and you may find premium rewards cards like Citi's come within reach.
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard
Aspire® Cash Back Rewards Mastercard. Prequalify* For Up To $1000 Credit Limit. No security deposit. Packed with great benefits, it’s designed to give you more flexibility—and purchasing power—along with up to 3% cash back rewards!** Good anywhere Mastercard is accepted, it’s the go-to card for any lifestyle.
Standout feature
Up to 3% cashback rewards
Fees
$49 to $175; after that $0 to $49 annually; - $60 to $159 annually billed at $5 to $12.50 per month after the first year.
Pros
No Deposit Required. Prequalify for up to $1000 credit limit
Cons
High APR. 25.74% to 36%, based on your creditworthiness.
Building Toward a Rewards Card
If approval odds are your hurdle, a card with a different qualification path can help you get started. Perpay ties spending to a structured payment setup, which can make approval more accessible while it reports your activity to the credit bureaus.
That reporting matters. On-time payments and low balances are the habits that lift your score, and a stronger score is what eventually unlocks flexible programs like ThankYou Rewards.
Perpay Credit Card
Perpay Credit Card
Meet the only card powered by your paycheck. With automatic transfers from your paycheck, you can manage payments stress-free and build credit with ease.
Fee
$9/month plus $9 account opening fee
APR
Marketplace: 0% / Credit Card: 27.74% to 29.99% depending on your creditworthiness.
Minimum Deposit Amount
$0
Credit Check
No
Cashback
2% reward on purchases made in Perpay Marketplace
Benefit
2% rewards, no security deposit
Comparing Your Rewards Options
Citi's ThankYou ecosystem rewards people who travel or spend across many categories. But it is not the only way to earn. Some cards bundle rewards with investing or banking tools you may already use.
Robinhood offers a card linked to its broader platform, which can suit people who want their spending connected to their investing app. The best card is the one that matches both your credit profile and how you actually spend.
Before you apply for any rewards card, know where your credit stands. A free tool like Creditship.ai shows your score and what lenders see, so you can target cards you can realistically get. It also helps to know what counts as a good credit score for the tier you want.
Robinhood
Robinhood
Robinhood is a trading platform that brings stocks, ETFs, options, futures, prediction markets, crypto, and retirement accounts together in one app.
Standout feature
One platform for stocks, ETFs, options, futures, prediction markets, and crypto
Fees
$0 commission on stocks, ETFs, and options.
Pros
Zero-commission trading on stocks, ETFs, and options
Cons
Best perks (high APY, lower margin rates) require Gold subscription ($5/month)
Tips for Getting the Most From ThankYou Points
If you do qualify for a Citi ThankYou Mastercard, match the card to your spending. A travel-focused card may waste rewards if you rarely fly, while a cash-back option like Double Cash keeps things simple.
Pay your balance in full each month. Carrying a balance means interest charges that can quickly outweigh any points you earn. Rewards only pay off when you are not paying interest to get them.
The Bottom Line
The Citi ThankYou Mastercard family offers flexible points for people with strong credit, with cards ranging from travel-focused to flat cash back. Verify the current lineup before applying. If you are still building credit, start with an unsecured starter card and work your way up to the rewards tier.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Citi ThankYou Mastercard?
It is not a single card but a family of Citi cards that earn ThankYou points, Citi's flexible rewards currency. You can redeem points for travel, gift cards, statement credits, and more.
Which Citi ThankYou cards are available in 2026?
As of 2026, active options include the Citi Strata Premier, Strata, Strata Elite, and the Double Cash. Citi stopped taking new applications for the Custom Cash card in late May 2026, so check Citi's site for the current lineup.
What credit score do you need for a Citi ThankYou card?
Most ThankYou Mastercard products target good to excellent credit. Approval and your APR depend on your creditworthiness, so check your score before applying to avoid an unneeded hard inquiry.
Are ThankYou points worth anything?
Yes, though the value depends on your card and how you redeem. Travel redemptions through certain cards can stretch points further, while gift cards and statement credits offer simpler, fixed value.
