AT&T Access Card from Citi review

AT&T Access Card from Citi review

Updated: December 29, 2022
Updated: December 29, 2022
Ratings Policy
Rewards Rating:
2.6 rating
2.6 rating
2.6 / 5
Rewards Value:1.7
Annual Percentage Rate:2.6
Rewards Flexibility:3.7
Features:2.0
Issuer Customer Experience3.3

In a Nutshell:

The AT&T Access Card from Citi is an easy way for current AT&T customers to earn points on their monthly phone, cable and internet payments. For others, it won’t be nearly as useful.

Rewards Rate

  • 2:1 online retail, travel websites and AT&T products and services
  • 1:1 other purchases
Fair

Sign-up Bonus
10,000 ThankYou points if you spend $1,000 in first 3 months

Average

Annual Bonus
None

Poor

Annual Fee
$0

Excellent

Average Yearly Rewards ($1,325 monthly spend)
$238

Fair

APR
13.99%-22.99% (variable)

Fair

Rewards Redemption

Pros

  • Points don’t expire
  • No limit on how many points you can earn
  • Only 2,500 points required to redeem
  • Wide variety of redemption options, including gift cards, merchandise, travel and cash
  • Redeem points with linked account on Amazon.com and Live Nation
  • Redeem points online or by phone

Cons

  • Travel must be booked through site
  • Good point value only on gift cards and travel
Very Good

Citi Customer Service Ratings

  • J. D. Power 2020 customer satisfaction rating: 801 (50% of issuers in this category ranked higher)
  • 24/7 customer service?: Yes
  • Online chat available?: Yes
  • Google Play Store mobile app rating: 4.6/5
  • Apple Store mobile app rating: 4.9/5
Very Good

Other Notable Features: Presale and VIP events, price protection, extended warranty, damage and theft purchase protection, $0 liability on unauthorized charges, Citi concierge, flexible payment date, Apple Pay

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A retail credit card that rewards double points on AT&T purchases and services, the AT&T Access Card from Citi is a no-brainer for current AT&T customers. Big online spenders will also appreciate the card’s 2:1 earnings on purchases from retail and travel websites.

When combined with no annual fee and a decent sign-up bonus, the card offers savvy cardholders the opportunity to squeeze some extra value out of their rewards by making smart redemption choices.

So-so rewards

The AT&T Access Card from Citi offers an average earnings scheme of two ThankYou points per dollar spent on retail and travel websites, as well as on products and services purchased directly from AT&T. This includes everything from department stores and warehouse store websites, to online travel agencies and hotel or airline websites.

You’ll also earn one ThankYou point per dollar spent everywhere else, including gas stations, grocery stores and restaurants. Note, if you anticipate earning most of your rewards through those types of everyday purchases, you can get a better rewards rate with the Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express.

Decent APR … for some

Like most retail credit cards, the AT&T Access Card’s APR can range on the high side, meaning less disciplined cardholders could find themselves in trouble when carrying a balance from month to month. That said, the card’s variable interest rate starts at a modest 13.99% for cardholders with excellent credit. If your credit history has a few blemishes, you could be sacked with an APR as high as 22.99%, making it even more important to pay your bill in full when it comes due. Otherwise, you run the risk of negating your rewards and benefits.

Fair sign-up offer

After spending $1,000 in the first three months, new AT&T Access cardholders collect 10,000 ThankYou points, giving them a good head start on a free flight or discounted hotel stay.

For best value, redeem points for gift cards or travel

Citi ThankYou points can be redeemed in various ways, and each point’s actual value depends on how you use it. While you can use points to buy electronics and other merchandise, trade them in for cash or even shop at partners such as Amazon, Expedia and Live Nation, you’ll get more bang for your ThankYou buck when redeeming points for gift cards or travel purchases.

Doing so allows you to eke out a full 1 cent per point compared to other options — such as the 0.5 cents/point conversion rate you’d get when using your rewards for cash back or statement credits, for example.

On occasion, Citi cardmembers get access to promotional offers that double the value of earned rewards when transferring them to participating loyalty programs. Case in point: From now through Sept. 20, Citi is offering two bonus points for each ThankYou point transferred to the Hilton Honors rewards program.

Impressive Citi benefits

In addition to the ThankYou Rewards program, cardholders receive special fringe benefits offered by Citi itself. Such benefits include Citi Private Pass, a program that offers special ticket-purchase access to thousands of concerts, sporting events, dining experiences and more every year.

Other Citi-specific benefits include extended warranty, damage and theft purchase protection, $0 liability on unauthorized charges, EMV chip technology and Citi concierge.

Why get the AT&T Access Card?

  • You have a phone, cable and/or internet plan through AT&T and want to earn rewards just by paying your monthly bill.
  • You can easily spend $1,000 in the first three months to qualify for the 10,000 ThankYou points bonus.
  • You frequently book flights and hotel stays online.
  • You prefer shopping online versus visiting brick-and-mortar retailers.
  • You like a variety of options when it comes to redeeming rewards.

How to use AT&T Access Card:

  • Spend at least $1,000 in the first three months to earn 10,000 ThankYou points.
  • Redeem rewards for gift cards or travel to get the highest possible conversion rate on points.
  • Open an eligible checking account at your local Citibank branch and enroll it in ThankYou Rewards to earn additional monthly points.
  • Leave the card at home when traveling overseas to avoid paying a 3% foreign transaction fee.

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