Are Citi Cards Visa or Mastercard?
Citi issues both Visa and Mastercard credit cards, but most of the familiar cards in Citi's primary consumer lineup use the Mastercard network. Examples include the Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card, Citi Strata℠ Card, Citi Strata Premier® Card, Citi Strata Elite℠ Card, and Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard®. One prominent Visa exception is the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi, which is a co-branded card issued for Costco members.
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Are Citi Credit Cards Visa or Mastercard?
They can be either, but Mastercard is the network used by many of Citi's better-known consumer credit cards. The network is determined by the specific card, not simply by the fact that Citi is the issuer.
Citi's current card lineup includes both networks, along with a large number of co-branded and retail credit cards. That makes it difficult to give a permanent number of Citi Visa cards versus Citi Mastercard cards, because the lineup can change and includes many cards issued in partnership with other companies.
Which Citi Cards Are Mastercard?
Several of Citi's well-known consumer credit cards use the Mastercard network. Examples include:
- Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card — a Citi card designed primarily around introductory APR and balance transfer needs.
- Citi Strata℠ Card — a no-annual-fee rewards card that earns ThankYou® Points.
- Citi Strata Premier® Card — a travel and rewards card that earns ThankYou® Points.
- Citi Strata Elite℠ Card — a premium travel rewards card on the Mastercard network.
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard® — a co-branded American Airlines card that uses the Mastercard network.
Citi's card-agreement listings also show other Mastercard products, including additional American Airlines AAdvantage cards and the Citi® Secured Mastercard®. Citi also issues Mastercard products through various retail and other partnerships.
Which Citi Card Is a Visa?
The Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi is one of the most prominent Citi Visa cards. It is a co-branded card issued in partnership with Costco and uses the Visa payment network.
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi is different from Citi's core Citi-branded cards because Costco is an important part of the card's identity and eligibility. Citi also issues other Visa products through retail and partner relationships, so Costco is not the only Visa card associated with Citi.
Why Does Citi Use Both Visa and Mastercard?
Citi is the card issuer, while Visa and Mastercard operate the payment networks that process transactions. A credit card can therefore be issued by Citi while carrying either the Visa or Mastercard logo.
This is also why Citi can offer cards through different partnerships without every card using the same payment network. Its current card-agreement listings include Mastercard products, Visa products, retail cards and other co-branded arrangements.
Does It Matter Whether a Citi Card Is Visa or Mastercard?
For most cardholders, the difference is relatively small because both Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted. The more important consideration is usually the specific Citi card's rewards, interest rate, fees, benefits and other terms.
There can be situations where the payment network matters, particularly when a merchant accepts one network but not another. However, that is less common for everyday purchases in the United States.
Why Are So Many Citi Cards Mastercard?
Citi has historically issued a large portion of its familiar consumer credit cards on the Mastercard network. Looking at Citi's current lineup, several of its major Citi-branded rewards, balance-transfer and travel cards are Mastercard products, while Visa appears prominently among certain co-branded and retail relationships.
That is why someone who has owned or encountered several Citi credit cards may have the impression that Citi cards are almost always Mastercard. There are exceptions, with the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi being one of the most recognizable.
Bottom Line: Are Citi Cards Visa or Mastercard?
Citi issues both Visa and Mastercard credit cards, but many of its primary consumer credit cards are Mastercard products. The Citi Diamond Preferred, Citi Strata, Citi Strata Premier, Citi Strata Elite and Citi / AAdvantage Globe are examples of Citi cards using Mastercard, while the Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi is a prominent Visa example.
Citi also issues numerous co-branded and retail cards, so there is no permanent Visa-versus-Mastercard count that accurately represents every card Citi offers. If you're considering a Citi card, check the specific card rather than assuming the network based on the issuer.
If you're interested in learning more about the different Citi cards available, see our guide to the different types of Citi credit cards.
You can also see our Citi credit card application guide for information about choosing a card and applying.
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FICO® Score Ranges:
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FICO categorizes scores as Poor, Fair, Good, Very Good, and Exceptional.
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A credit score is a three-digit number (300–850) predicting your creditworthiness. Lenders use it to evaluate risk and determine rates and terms for credit.
Why it matters: A higher score can help you qualify for loans and lower interest rates. A lower score can lead to higher borrowing costs or application denials.
FICO® Credit Score Facts
- Three-Digit Number: Summarizes your credit risk.
- Range: 300–850; higher scores = lower risk.
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