Citi Forward Card
By Alex Compton · Last verified
5x on dining and bookstores, and Amazon counted as a bookstore.
Welcome Bonus
None recorded
Last recorded offer
Spend Requirement
None recorded
Last recorded requirement
Annual Fee
$0
Last recorded · 3% FTF
Credit Score
670+
(Good)
Common Questions
Is the Citi Forward Card discontinued?
Yes. Discontinued. 5x on dining and bookstores, and Amazon counted as a bookstore.
What can I use instead of the Citi Forward Card?
The closest open alternatives we track are the Citi Strata Premier, Citi Double Cash, Citi Strata Elite. Each links to our full review with its current offer and complete breakdown.
Open Alternatives
The Forward is gone, but these cards do a similar job and are still accepting applications.
3x on five everyday categories. The broadest mid-tier earner.
The benchmark 2% card, that secretly earns transferable points.
Citi's premium card, with AAdvantage transfers and weekend dining at 6x.
Historical Offers Chart
Every public offer change we've tracked. Hover for details, timing your application is worth hundreds of dollars.
| Observed | Offer | Requirement | What changed | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-09 | 10,000 | $650 in 3 mo | Terms reconfirmedFinal offer before Citi closed applications | Archive record · no attached snapshot |
| 2010-04 | 10,000 | $650 in 3 mo | Earliest recordTypical offer of the era, worth about 100 dollars | Archive record · no attached snapshot |
Primary-source verification log
Append-only evidence ledgerEvent-level primary-source attachments begin with the September 2026 verification system. Older records remain visible but are not retroactively presented as evidenced.
Historical record · spot an outdated offer? Report a correction above.
Last Recorded Earning Rates
These terms are historical context and are not presented as current.
- 5xRestaurants, bars and fast food
- 5xBookstores, movies and musicAmazon coded as a bookstore, which made the card famous
- 1xEverything else
Last Recorded Credits
No statement credits, this card wins on earn rates, not coupons.
Last Recorded Benefits
Confirm availability and enrollment requirements with the issuer.
- ✦5x at Amazon via the bookstore category, with no cap
- ✦APR reduction gimmick rewarded on-time payments
Why it earns its spot
- +5x dining and 5x Amazon on a no-fee card was unmatched
- +Cult favorite among students and early churners
Where it costs you
- −Citi cut 5x to 2x on June 4, 2016 for grandfathered holders
- −Remaining cards were force-converted to ThankYou Preferred in January 2018
The Compound Verdict
The Forward was the original too-good-to-last card: 5 ThankYou points per dollar at restaurants, movie theaters and bookstores, and Amazon coded as a bookstore. Citi closed applications in 2014, slashed the grandfathered 5x to 2x in June 2016, and converted the survivors to the ThankYou Preferred in January 2018. People still bring it up whenever a 5x category card launches.
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