What Citizens Bank credit cards are and who offers them

Citizens Bank is a regional bank headquartered in Rhode Island that issues its own credit cards directly to consumers. Unlike cards from Visa or Mastercard themselves, Citizens Bank cards carry the Citizens Bank name and are backed by Citizens Bank's own lending and customer service. The bank operates branches across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, though you can open a card online regardless of where you live.

Citizens Bank offers several card products, each with different rewards structures, annual fees, and interest rates. The cards are marketed toward people who want rewards on everyday spending, travel benefits, or cards for building credit. Citizens Bank also partners with some employers and organizations to offer co-branded cards, though the main consumer cards are the ones you'll find through their website or in branches.

Key Takeaways

  • Citizens Bank issues multiple credit card products with different rewards rates, annual fees, and credit requirements.
  • You can open a Citizens Bank card online, by phone, or in a branch, and the approval decision typically comes within minutes to a few business days.
  • Citizens Bank cards are Visa or Mastercard branded, so you can use them anywhere those networks are accepted.
  • Your interest rate and credit limit depend on your credit score, income, and credit history at the time you open the account.
  • Citizens Bank charges an annual fee on some cards but not others, so compare the card terms before you open an account.

How to open a Citizens Bank credit card online

You can start the process on Citizens Bank's website without visiting a branch. Go to the Citizens Bank homepage, find the credit cards section, and select the card that matches what you're looking for. Click the button to open that card, and you'll be taken to an process form.

The form asks for your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, income, and employment information. Have your Social Security number ready and be prepared to answer questions about your current income and any existing debts. Citizens Bank will pull your credit report during the process, which is called a hard inquiry and may lower your credit score slightly.

After you submit the form, Citizens Bank reviews your information and makes a decision. Some applicants get an when ready approval message on the screen. Others receive a decision by email or phone within a few business days. If you're approved, your card will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days, and you can set up it online or by phone once it arrives.

What Citizens Bank cards cost and what they offer

Citizens Bank's card lineup includes cards with no annual fee and cards with annual fees ranging from around $95 to $450, depending on the card. Cards with higher annual fees typically offer more rewards points per dollar spent, travel insurance, or other premium benefits. Cards with no annual fee offer lower rewards rates but cost nothing to hold.

Most Citizens Bank cards earn rewards on purchases. The rewards structure varies: some cards earn a flat rate on all purchases (for example, 1.5% cash back on everything), while others earn different rates depending on the category (for example, 3% on groceries, 2% on gas, 1% on everything else). A few cards earn points instead of cash back, and those points can be redeemed for travel, merchandise, or statement credits.

Citizens Bank also offers introductory rates on some cards. These might include 0% interest on purchases for a set period (typically 6 to 12 months) or 0% on balance transfers for a set period. After the introductory period ends, the regular interest rate applies. Check the card's terms to see what rate you'll pay once the intro period is over.

Interest rates and how your credit score affects your offer

The interest rate you receive depends on your credit score, credit history, income, and the specific card. Citizens Bank publishes a range for each card — for example, "15.99% to 24.99% APR" — but you won't know your exact rate until you're approved. People with higher credit scores typically receive rates at the lower end of the range, while people with lower scores receive rates closer to the higher end.

Your credit limit also depends on your creditworthiness. Citizens Bank may offer you anywhere from $500 to several thousand dollars, depending on your credit profile and income. You can request a credit limit increase after you've had the card for a few months and made on-time payments.

If you're denied, Citizens Bank will send you a notice explaining the main reason. Common reasons include insufficient credit history, a recent late payment, or high existing debt. You can reapply after addressing the issue, or you may want to look at Citizens Bank's cards designed for people building credit, which have lower credit requirements.

How to use your Citizens Bank card and manage your account

Once your card arrives and you set up it, you can use it anywhere Visa or Mastercard is accepted (depending on which network your card uses). You can make purchases in stores, online, or over the phone. You can also use your card to withdraw cash at ATMs, though Citizens Bank charges a cash advance fee and charges interest on the cash advance when ready — there's no grace period like there is for purchases.

You can manage your account online through Citizens Bank's website or mobile app. Log in with your username and password to view your balance, recent transactions, and due date. You can also set up automatic payments so your bill is paid on the same day each month, which helps you avoid late fees and missed payments.

Your monthly statement shows your balance, minimum payment due, and the date the payment is due. You can pay the full balance, the minimum payment, or any amount in between. If you pay only the minimum, interest will accrue on the remaining balance at your card's APR. If you pay the full balance by the due date, you won't pay any interest on that month's purchases.

Rewards, cash back, and how to track your earnings

How you earn and redeem rewards depends on which Citizens Bank card you have. Cash back cards credit the cash back directly to your account as a statement credit or deposit to a linked bank account. Points-based cards let you redeem points through an online portal for travel bookings, merchandise, or a statement credit.

You can track your rewards balance in your online account or through the mobile app. Most Citizens Bank cards show your current rewards total on your statement as well. Some cards have a minimum redemption amount — for example, you might need to have at least 1,000 points before you can redeem them — so check your card's terms.

Rewards do not expire as long as your account remains open and in good standing. However, if you close the card, you may lose any unredeemed rewards, so check your card's policy before closing an account.

What happens if you miss a payment or carry a balance

Your payment is due on the same date each month, shown on your statement. If you miss the due date, Citizens Bank charges a late fee (typically $25 to $40 for the first late payment, more for subsequent ones) and may report the late payment to the credit bureaus, which can lower your credit score.

If you carry a balance from month to month, interest accrues daily at your card's APR. For example, if your APR is 18% and you carry a $1,000 balance, you'll pay roughly $15 in interest that month (the exact amount depends on your daily balance and the number of days in the month). The longer you carry a balance, the more interest you pay.

If you fall behind on payments, Citizens Bank may freeze your account, meaning you can't make new purchases. If you're 180 days late, the account may be charged off and sent to a collection agency. At that point, the debt collector can pursue you for the full amount owed, including fees and interest.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my Citizens Bank card outside the United States?

Yes, you can use your card internationally anywhere Visa or Mastercard is accepted. Citizens Bank charges a foreign transaction fee on purchases made outside the U.S., typically 1% to 3% of the purchase amount. Check your card's terms to see the exact fee. Some premium Citizens Bank cards waive the foreign transaction fee.

What should I do if my Citizens Bank card is lost or stolen?

Call Citizens Bank's customer service number on the back of your card or on your statement. Report the card lost or stolen, and Citizens Bank will cancel it when ready and issue a replacement. You're not responsible for fraudulent charges if you report the card missing before someone uses it, and you have limited liability even if fraudulent charges do appear.

How long does it take to receive my Citizens Bank card after approval?

Most Citizens Bank cards arrive within 7 to 10 business days of approval. You can set up your card online or by phone as soon as it arrives. If your card doesn't arrive within that timeframe, contact Citizens Bank to check the status.

Can I transfer a balance from another credit card to my Citizens Bank card?

Some Citizens Bank cards offer balance transfer options. If your card includes this feature, you can transfer a balance from another card during the introductory period and pay 0% interest on that balance for a set time. Balance transfers typically include a fee of 3% to 5% of the amount transferred. Check your card's terms to see if balance transfers are available.

What's the difference between Citizens Bank cards and cards from other banks?

Citizens Bank cards are issued directly by Citizens Bank, so you deal with Citizens Bank for customer service, billing, and account management. Cards from other issuers may have different rewards structures, annual fees, or interest rates. The main difference is which bank backs the card and what benefits that bank includes. Compare the specific terms of each card to see which fits your spending and financial goals.