• Editor's Rating: 8.0
  • Consumer Rating: 0.0
Intro APR: 0% if you qualify*
Regular APR: 12.99% - 19.99%* (Variable)
Annual Fee: None
Intro Period: 12 months on BTs
Balance Transfer: Yes*

Don't know your Credit Score? Click here

  • No Cosigner required
  • APR reduction on purchases when using credit wisely
  • 100 ThankYou Points each billing period that you pay on time and stay under your credit line
  • Earn up to 8,500 bonus points after you sign up for paperless statements and make $250 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.

EDITORS' RATINGS OVERALL SCORE

8.0

Overall

The Bottom-Line

You can earn up to a 2% APR reduction when you use your card responsibly and there are several ways to earn bonus points.

The Good

Given the reduced emphasis on student credit cards, this is a good option to improve your credit.

The Not So Good

You need good credit to qualify and there is a 21.99% APR charged on cash advances.

CARD DESCRIPTION

The Citi Forward(SM) card is a good fit for students or for parents trying to find the right kind of card to give their kids to take with them to college. The card offers incentives for good financial management to teach students valuable lessons regarding card ownership.

Cardholders can lower their APR on purchases by up to 2% by staying within their credit limit and making regular on-time payments. 100 bonus points are also given for each billing period within which payments are on time and within the credit limit, and there is a good overall rewards program and no annual fee.

With the Citi Forward(SM) card you earn 3,500 bonus points after making $250 in purchases within the first three months of opening your account and then earn 5 reward points for every $1 used to buy books, movies, music, or meals in restaurants. For all other purchases you 1 reward point for every $1 spent. Earn 2,500 bonus points by igning up for paperless statements within the first three months of membership. Up to 75,000 points can be earned annually. Citi Forward(SM) cardholders are also protected with identity theft solutions and $0 liability on fraudulent charges.

DETAILED EDITORS' RATINGS

9.0

Introductory APR

0% APR on purchases during the first six months.

8.5

Benefits

Special incentives for timely and responsible card account management.

8.0

Fees

No annual fee but minimum interest rate for cash advances is steep.

8.0

Regular APR

17.24%