Deep Dive on Citi Credit Cards and ThankYou Points (Best 2-Card Combo)

Deep Dive on Citi Credit Cards and ThankYou Points (Best 2-Card Combo)

Author: Chris Hutchins May 21, 2025 Duration: 57:48
228: A deep dive into Citi’s credit card lineup. I've recently opened up a few Citi cards and am very excited about sharing the best Citi cards, how to maximize ThankYou Points, the best airline and hotel transfer partners, and how Citi’s best two-card combo stacks up against other major issuers. Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/citi-credit-cards-thank-you-points Partner Deals Thrive Market: 30% off your first order of organic groceries + a free $60 gift Facet: Personalized Financial Planning + $250 enrollment fee waived Storyworth: Share your family stories in a custom book (+ $10 off) LMNT: Free sample pack of my favorite electrolyte drink mix Gelt: Skip the waitlist on personalized tax guidance to maximize your wealth For all the deals, discounts and promo codes from our partners, go to: chrishutchins.com/deals Resources Mentioned Chris' Best Cards Page Citi Cards Tier List ThankYou® Points Cards Citi Strata Premier℠ Card AT&T Points Plus Card Citi ThankYou® Mastercard® Citi® Double Cash Card Citi Custom Cash Credit Card AAdvantage Cards American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp℠ Card AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Airline Mastercard AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard® Costco Cards Costco Anywhere Visa® Credit Card Costco Anywhere Visa® Business Card Other Citi Cards Shop Your Way Mastercard EVA Air How to book Vacasa Vacation Rentals with Wyndham points CardPointers Pro: 30% off here and 50% off here ATH Podcast Luxury Hotel Upgrade Program Airline/Hotel Transfer Partner Spreadsheet Credit Card Optimizer Tool Membership: Join here Leave a review: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Email for questions, hacks, deals, and feedback: podcast@allthehacks.com Full Show Notes (00:00) Introduction (02:10) Quick Intro of the Credit Card Tier List (03:48) Review of Citi Strata Premier℠ Card (06:49) AT&T Points Plus Card and Citi ThankYou® Mastercard® (08:29) 2% Unlimited Cash Back: Citi® Double Cash Card (10:23) Earn 5% Cash Back Using the Citi Custom Cash Credit Card (12:35) The Citi–American Airlines Ecosystem (16:08) American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp℠ Card (17:34) AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Airline Mastercard® Perks (18:51) Lounge Access and Benefits: AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (23:02) Why AAdvantage® Business World Elite Mastercard® Is Chris’ Favorite (29:24) Are the Citi Costco Cards Worth It? (33:12) Shop Your Way Mastercard (38:13) Other Citi Cards Without Any Benefits (39:18) ATH Member Deep Dive Discussions (39:47) Citi Rules (43:36) Citi ThankYou® Points Program (44:31) Citi's Airline Partners (46:31) Hotel Transfer Partners Unique for Citi (49:20) Transfer Bonuses and Limitations (52:17) High-Level Summary of Citi Cards (53:09) Best Two-Card Combos for Each Issuer (57:43) Factors That Make Citi Cards Less Exciting (58:39) Citi Merchant Offers Connect with Chris Newsletter | Membership | X | Instagram | LinkedIn Editor’s Note: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever feel like there's a smarter, more efficient way to navigate your finances, your travels, and your daily routines? That's the core question driving All the Hacks: Money, Points & Life. Hosted by Chris Hutchins, this podcast is built on a simple, powerful idea: maximizing value doesn't mean sacrificing enjoyment. Instead, it's about the strategic choices that free up resources-both money and time-for what truly matters. Chris approaches life as a series of systems to be optimized, drawing from his own experience saving millions through meticulous analysis. The conversations here are practical and wide-ranging, moving seamlessly from credit card points strategies and investment philosophies to the less tangible hacks for personal fulfillment. You'll hear from a diverse roster of experts and icons, including Tim Ferriss, Tony Hawk, Codie Sanchez, and Gary Vaynerchuk, who all bring their unique perspectives on building wealth and designing a compelling life. Each episode feels like a focused workshop, offering actionable advice you can use immediately, whether it's planning a luxury vacation for a fraction of the cost or rethinking your approach to career and leisure. This isn't just about frugality; it's about unlocking freedom and excitement through smarter decisions. Tune in for a consistently insightful blend of tactical moves and deeper conversations that challenge the conventional trade-offs between spending, saving, and living well.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

All the Hacks: Money, Points & Life
Podcast Episodes
2025 Holiday Gift Guide and Top Ways to Save This Season [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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#255: Here are 100+ holiday gift ideas across tech, kitchen, home, clothing, fitness, kids, and games. I’ll also share tools and tactics to help you find deals and spend less this holiday season. For all the products, li…
The Cost of Always Optimizing with Chris and Amy [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:10
#254: Chris and Amy share a candid look at their life together as two optimizers. They discuss everything from family finances and teaching their kids about money to managing their health, work, and travel. Link to Full…
10 Lessons That Challenged My Thinking on Money and Life [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Family Travel on Points: Tips, Tricks and Tactics with Nick Reyes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:25:55
#252: Chris and Nick share strategies to make family travel affordable and stress-free with points and miles. They cover how to find multiple award seats, book business class for families, and their best tips for traveli…
How to Focus on What Matters and Let Go of the Rest with Ryan Holiday [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:43
#251: Discover why Stoicism matters more than ever and how to make it part of your daily life. We share practical ways to focus on what you can control, build resilience, and cultivate the four Stoic virtues: courage, se…
Earn More Points in Multiplayer Mode with Kai [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:10
#249: 3x your points and miles with a multiplayer strategy. We break down how to earn, manage, and maximize rewards with a partner, family, or friends. Plus learn how to handle the logistics, emotions, and systems that m…
How to Stop Over-Optimizing and Focus on What Matters with Tim Ferriss [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:33:48
#248: Learn to escape the trap of over-optimizing and design a more meaningful life. We explore setting boundaries, resetting priorities, and turning failure into fuel for success. We also dive into Tim’s creative proces…
Deep Dive on Bank of America Credit Cards (Up to 5.25% Cash Back) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:24
#247: Chris dives into Bank of America’s credit card lineup and why he has 5 different BoA cards right now. He'll go over how the Preferred Rewards program can help you earn unlimited 3.3% back on everything. Finally, he…
Contrarian Takes on Money, Risk, and Retirement with Tyler Gardner [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:50
#246: Today we explore contrarian takes on budgeting, the 4% rule, retirement planning, and the risks of blindly investing in bonds. We also cover strategies for investing, spending, and rethinking how to use money with…