Citi Cashback Card Overview:
The Citi Cash Back Credit Card is a dependable cashback card that is ideal for household expenses. It provides 8% cashback on private hire/taxi and petrol, and 6% cashback on dining and groceries purchases. There is a S$800 minimum spend required each month, and cashback is limited to S$80 per statement month. This is suitable for those searching for a hassle-free card since the rebates earned will be automatically credited as cashback.
Requirements (tap to expand)
- Eligible for new main Citi Cardmembers only (no existing Citi card, no Citi card closed in the past 12 months)
- Spend S$800 in the first 2 months of card approval
Requirements (tap to expand)
- You qualify if: you have no Citibank credit card right now
- Spend min. S$500 within 30 days of card approval
- SingSaver will email you a Rewards Redemption Form ā check inbox (and spam folder) after applying. Fill it in within 14 days to claim your gift, or you'll lose it.
Eligibility & Fees:
- Minimum Age: 21 years old
- Minimum Annual Income: S$30,000 (locals/PRs); S$42,000 (foreigners)
- Annual Fee: S$196.20 (incl. 9% GST), first year waived. After that, remember to apply for an annual fee waiver
Key Benefits:
- Get 8% cashbackĀ on Petrol and local private hire/taxi
- Get 6% cash back on Dining at restaurants and cafes daily, worldwide
- Get 6% cash back on Groceries at supermarkets and grocery stores daily, worldwide
- S$800 minimum spend per month
- Capped at S$80 per statement month on all categories
- Up to 20.88% fuel savingsĀ atĀ EssoĀ andĀ ShellĀ and 8% cash back at other petrol stations worldwide. Watch my Tiktok videoĀ hereĀ on best cards for petrol.
- The cash rewards you accumulate on eligible purchases have no expiry date, however you need to redeem it in blocks. See “Frequently Asked Questions” below.
What Qualifies For Cashback:
Category | Earn Rate | MCC | Transaction Description |
Dining | 5.8% + 0.2% = 6% cashback | MCC 5811 (Caterers) MCC 5812 (Eating Places, Restaurants) MCC 5814 (Fast Food Restaurants) | Not required |
Petrol | 7.8% + 0.2% = 8% cashback | MCC 5541 (Service Stations) MCC 5542 (Automated Fuel Dispensers) | Not required |
Grocery | 5.8% + 0.2% = 6% cashback | MCC 5411 (Grocery Stores, Supermarkets) | Not required |
Private Commute | 7.8% + 0.2% = 8% cashback | MCC 4121 (Taxicabs and Limousines) | GRAB, COMFORT/CITYCAB, GOJEK, CABCHARGE ASIA, TADA, RYDE, TRANSCAB, PREMIER TAXIS, STRIDES TAXI |
Other Spends | Nil |
Here’s a sample illustration of spending vs cashback:
Category | Spend | Base Cashback (0.25%) | Bonus Cashback | Total Cashback |
Dining | S$500 | S$1.00 | S$29.00 | S$30.00 |
Groceries | S$330 | S$0.66 | S$19.14 | S$19.80 |
Petrol | S$220 | S$0.44 | S$17.16 | S$17.60 |
Private Commute | S$150 | S$0.30 | S$11.70 | S$12.00 |
Other Spends | S$300 | S$0.60 | – | S$0.60 |
Total | S$1,500 | S$3.00 | S$77.00 | S$80 |
Before the update onĀ 1 April 2024, it is ideal to spend your card on groceries to maximize the most out of your Citi Cashback card with the current 8% cashback rate. However, after 1 April 2024, it is best to use other credit cards that give out higher cashback rates such asĀ Maybank Family & Friends CardĀ which offers 8% cashback forĀ ALLĀ grocery merchants. Although, if you spend grocery shopping on specific merchants likeĀ Giant & Cold Storage,Ā DBS YUUĀ andĀ UOB One CardĀ can be used since it offers up to 18% cashback and 8.33% cashback rate respectively.
How to Best Optimise it:
Best Used on Petrol or Private Commute Category To Receive Maximum Cashback:
- At a total spend of S$1,000 on āpetrolā or ‘private commute’ category, you will receive the maximum cashback of S$80. Also, you can get up to 20.88% fuel savings at Esso and Shell.
Audz’ Optimal Spending Strategy:
Category | Spend | Base Cashback (0.2%) | Bonus Cashback | Total Cashback |
Petrol or Private Commute | S$1,000 | S$2.0 | S$78 (7.8%) | S$80 |
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Good For Large Groceries Spending
- Alternatively, you could use this card for groceries if you spend a lot on groceries. At a spending of S$1,333.33, you will receive the full cashback of S$80. This card could be a good card for those who spend a lot on groceries at different supermarkets. It is one of the cards that I recommended in my Best Credit Cards for For Grocery Shopping post.
What to Avoid:
Exclusion List:
MCC | Description |
6529 | Quasi Cash ā Remote Stored Value Load ā Financial Institute |
6530 | Quasi Cash ā Remote Stored Value Load ā Merchant |
6534 | Quasi Cash ā Money Transfer ā Member Financial Institution |
6540 | Non-Financial Institutions ā Stored Value Card Purchase/Load |
7349 | Cleaning and Maintenance, Janitorial Services |
7511 | Quasi Cash ā Truck Stop Transactions |
7523 | Parking Lots, Parking Meters and Garages |
7800 | Government-Owned Lotteries (US Region only) |
7995 | Betting, including Lottery Tickets, Casino Gaming Chips, OffTrack Betting, and Wagers at Race Tracks |
4829 | Wire Transfer Money Orders (WTMOs) |
4900 | Utilities ā Electric, Gas, Water, and Sanitary |
5199 | Nondurable Goods(Not Elsewhere Classified) |
5960 | Direct Marketing ā Insurance Services |
6012 | Financial Institutions ā Merchandise, Services, and Debt Repayment |
6050 | Quasi Cash ā Financial institutions, Merchandise, Services |
6051 | Non-Financial Institutions ā Foreign Currency, Money Orders (Not Wire Transfer), Stored Value Card/Load, Travelers Cheques, and Debt Repayment |
6211 | Securities ā Brokers and Dealers |
6300 | Insurance Sales, Underwriting and Premiums |
6513 | Real Estate Agents and Managers ā Rentals |
8211 | Elementary and Secondary Schools |
8220 | Colleges, Junior Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools |
8241 | Correspondence Schools |
8244 | Business and Secretarial Schools |
8249 | Vocational and Trade Schools |
8299 | Schools and Educational Services(Not Elsewhere Classified) |
8398 | Charitable and Social Service Organizations |
8062 | Hospitals |
8651 | Political Organizations |
8661 | Religious Organizations |
9211 | Court Costs Including Alimony and Child Support |
9222 | Fines |
9223 | Bail and Bond Payments |
9311 | Tax Payments |
9399 | Government Services(Not Elsewhere Classified) |
9402 | Postal Services ā Government Only |
9405 | U.S. Federal Government Agencies or Departments |
9754 | Quasi Cash ā Gambling ā Horse Racing, Dog Racing, State Lotteries |
5993 | Cigar Stores and Stands |
Is it Worth it:
Advantages:
- High 8% cashback on private commute (like Grab, Comfort Taxi etc) and petrol
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Disadvantages:
- Min. monthly spend of S$800 required to earn bonus cashback.
- S$80 combined cashback cap across all categories.
- Lowered groceries cashback from 8% to 6% from 1st April 2024 onwards
Frequently Asked Questions:
How to redeem cashback: Your cashback will be credited to your card account each month on your billing date, in increments of S$10. For it to be credited to your account, you must have at least $50 in cashback by that date. Any amount below $50 or not in $10 multiples will carry over to the next month.
Final Thoughts:
All things considered, the Citi Cash Back Card is a great option for anyone searching for an easy way to accrue cashback rewards on their everyday purchases. This card has you covered whether youāre a foodie who enjoys going out to eat, a working young adult who takes private hire cars to get around, or someone who drives their own car who needs to fill up with gas.
š³ Credit cards change their T&Cs every so often and it is difficult to stay updated. That’s why I created a Telegram Broadcast where you can receive timely bite-sized updates to get the most out of your spending.
š” We believe in always paying our credit card bills on time and in full. It is only by doing that, can we fully maximise our credit card benefits.
