Citi Premier Card tops Aussie wallets with $600 cashback, Priority Pass and travel cover
How the Citi Premier Card’s $600 welcome bonus, Priority Pass access and travel cover stack up for Australian travellers balancing rewards and fees
Why Aussies are choosing the Citi Premier Card
The Citi Premier Card delivers a headline-grabbing $600 cashback offer that catches the eye of many Australian cardholders. To secure the welcome bonus you need to spend $2,000 on eligible purchases via Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay within the first three months of approval, which is easy to hit if you plan a few big purchases.
Beyond the welcome bonus, the card bundles travel perks like Priority Pass lounge access and complimentary travel insurance, plus 1 Citi Reward Point per $1 spent. For Aussies who travel regularly or want simple cashback upside, the combination makes the Citi Premier Card a strong contender in the market.
Key perks: cashback, Priority Pass and travel cover
The $600 cashback is the headline, but the Citi Premier Card’s travel benefits are meaningful for frequent flyers. You get two Priority Pass lounge visits each year plus a suite of travel insurance protections that cover overseas medical and trip cancellation scenarios — handy for domestic and international trips from Australia.
Citi Reward Points add flexibility: redeem for flights, statement credits or merchandise. Using the card for everyday spending and tapping via digital wallets speeds you toward both cashback and points, helping you make the most of the card’s rewards structure.
Fees, interest and what to watch out for
The card carries a standard annual fee of $300, which can be halved to $150 if you meet the $48,000 yearly spend requirement — worth considering if you can realistically reach that level. Interest on purchases sits at around 21.49% p.a., so carrying a balance will erode the value of rewards fast.
Also note the 3.4% foreign transaction fee on overseas spends, which can blunt travel value for those spending frequently abroad. For Aussies who pay off balances monthly and prioritise perks and cashback, the fee structure can still make sense; for others, a no-foreign-fee card might be better.
Who should apply and how to maximise value
The Citi Premier Card suits Australians with steady incomes who can hit the initial $2,000 spend for the $600 cashback and who will either meet the higher spend to reduce the annual fee or make regular use of the travel benefits. You’ll want a clean credit history and employment details ready when applying online through Citi Australia.
To maximise value, combine targeted strategies: use Apple Pay, Google Pay or Samsung Pay for the welcome-spend requirement, concentrate big purchases into the first three months, and route travel bookings through the card. Pay full balances monthly to avoid interest, and redeem Citi Reward Points strategically for flights or statement credits to lift overall return.