Citi Priority Checking vs. Citigold® Checking: Which Account is Better for You?

Most products on this page are from partners who may compensate us. This may influence which products we write about and where and how they appear on the page. However, opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain.

Editorial Note: This content is not provided by Citi. Any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author’s alone and have not been endorsed by Citi.

Disclosure: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired.

For individuals with higher net worths, the Citi Priority Checking and Citigold^® Checking accounts, both from our partner Citi, offer next-level benefits.

However, each one differs in its features, as well as its eligibility requirements, so it's important to take your time to compare the two account packages to determine which one is the better fit for you.

Citi Priority Account

This product is currently not available via Slickdeals. All information about this product was collected by Slickdeals and has not been reviewed by the issuer.

• Our Rating 4.5/5 How our ratings work
• APYN/A
• Minimum
  Deposit RequiredN/A
• Intro Bonus Up to $2,000Expires January 9, 2024 More Info

  Open a Citi Priority Account by 1/9/24 (Offer Dates 7/24/23 - 1/9/24) and earn a cash bonus of $200, $500, $1,000, $1,500, or $2,000 when you maintain a minimum eligible balance and complete required activities.

The Citi Priority Account, from our partner Citi, offers a suite of benefits for high-net-worth customers. You can get preferred pricing on certain loan products, investment benefits and more. And the limited-time signup bonus further incentivizes high-net-worth customers to consider this account. The account has a monthly fee, but it can be waived if you maintain a high enough balance.

• Overview
• Pros & Cons

Overview

With the Citi Priority Account, from our partner Citi, you’ll enjoy a suite of VIP benefits including no Citi fees on third-party ATM withdrawals, preferred pricing and interest rates on select products and services, access to Citi Priority Advisors and investment guidance through Citi Private Wealth Management.

Pros

• Strong sign-up bonus
• Option to waive monthly fee
• Preferred banking and travel benefits

Cons

• Monthly service fee for low balances
• Steep requirements for bonus eligibility

The Citi Priority Checking account is the bank's highest-tier account that anyone can open. The account offers a number of perks, including relationship pricing on mortgage loans, no Citi ATM fees on withdrawals worldwide, certain waived banking fees and more. The account has a $30 monthly fee, but you can get it waived if you meet the minimum balance requirement.

Citi Priority Checking Requirements

You don't need to make a minimum deposit when you open the account, and there's also no minimum balance requirement to keep the account open. However, you'll need a combined average monthly balance of $30,000 or more in eligible linked deposit, investment and retirement accounts to avoid the account's $30 monthly service fee. 

Citigold® Checking Account

This product is currently not available via Slickdeals. All information about this product was collected by Slickdeals and has not been reviewed by the issuer.

• Our Rating 4/5 How our ratings work Read the review
• APYN/A
• Minimum
  Deposit RequiredN/A
• Intro Bonus Up to $2,500Expires July 8, 2024 More Info

  Open a Citigold® Checking Account by 7/8/24 (Offer Dates 1/10/24 - 7/8/24) and earn a cash bonus when you maintain a minimum eligible balance and complete the required activities.

On its own, the Citigold® Checking Account, from our partner Citi, offers enough value that it could easily be worth moving some of your wealth over. If you're confident you can meet its combined average monthly balance requirements, you'll find a lot to love about the Citigold® Checking Account.

• Overview
• Pros & Cons

Overview

If you’re looking for a premium account for all of your banking and wealth management needs, the Citigold® Checking Account, from our partner Citi, is a solid choice.

Read the review

Pros

• No monthly fee
• Unlimited reimbursement of non-Citi ATM fees
• Preferred banking and travel benefits

Cons

• Customers must maintain a high combined average monthly balance in eligible linked accounts

Reserved for Citi's wealthier clients, the Citigold^® Checking account offers full-service features that incorporate financial planning, investing, banking, borrowing, travel benefits and more. You'll also get access to a dedicated team that can help you manage your money and provide personalized financial advice.

Citigold^® Checking Requirements

The Citigold^® Checking account is available only to customers who have a combined average monthly balance of $200,000 or more in eligible linked deposit, investment and retirement accounts. If you don't meet that minimum, you can't open the account.

Citi Priority Checking vs. Citigold® Checking: Compare Benefits and Features

Both accounts offer solid benefits, but there are some clear differences between the two that may make one a better choice for you than the other. Here's a breakdown of the most important features to watch out for as you compare your options.

Citi Priority Checking vs. Citigold^® Checking Features

Both accounts are chock-full of benefits, so you'll get a lot of value either way. Depending on how much money you have with Citi, however, one may be a better fit.

Citi Priority Checking Features

• Select banking fees waived, including fees for out-of-network ATM withdrawals (doesn't include the third-party ATM fee), deposited checks returned unpaid, stop payment requests, standard checkbook orders, money orders and incoming domestic and international wire transfers.
• Higher daily limits on ATM withdrawals and debit card purchases.
• No foreign exchange fees when you use your debit card abroad.
• On-demand financial guidance from Citi Priority Advisors and other benefits with Citi Personal Wealth Management.
• Commission-free online and mobile exchange-traded fund (ETF) trades with Citi Personal Wealth Management.
• Relationship pricing on Citi mortgage loans.
• Waived fees and discounts on select deposit products and services.

Citigold^® Checking Features

• Select banking fees waived, including fees for out-of-network ATM withdrawals (third-party ATM fees are reimbursed), deposited checks returned unpaid, stop payment requests, standard checkbook orders, money orders and incoming and online outgoing domestic and international wire transfers.
• Higher limits on ATM withdrawals and debit card purchases.
• No foreign exchange fees when you use your debit card abroad.
• Access to more than 100 Citigold^® lounges around the world.
• Access to up to $10,000 in emergency cash per day from the available funds in your account, with no fee.
• Select perks with Citi Personal Wealth Management, including pricing benefits, commission-free ETF trades and more robust investing capabilities.
• Access to a dedicated Citi Wealth Advisor who can help you develop a personalized financial plan for all aspects of your life and provide ongoing support and guidance.
• Relationship pricing on select Citi loans.
• Complimentary concierge service.
• Complimentary admission to world-renowned museums.
• Exclusive access to educational events, sporting events and behind-the-scenes experiences.
• Complimentary one-year Citi Bike membership.
• Discount of $145 on the Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Executive World Elite Mastercard^®'s annual fee.

Citi Priority Checking vs. Citigold^® Checking Monthly Fees

The Citi Priority Checking account has a $30 monthly service fee, but you can get that fee waived if you maintain a combined average monthly balance of $30,000 across eligible linked Citi deposit, investment and retirement accounts. In other words, you don't need to have all of that money in your checking account to get the waiver. 

The Citigold^® Checking account doesn't charge a monthly fee at all, but remember that you need to maintain the $200,000 combined average monthly balance requirement across eligible linked deposit, retirement and investment accounts to even be eligible for the account in the first place.

Citi Priority Checking vs. Citigold® Checking: Which Is Better for You?

For many people comparing the two options, the answer really boils down to how much money you have with Citi. 

If you can't meet the $200,000 requirement for the Citigold^® Checking account, you don't really have a choice. If you can meet the $30,000 requirement to get the monthly service fee waived on the Citi Priority Checking Account, it offers a lot of features that you can't get everywhere. It's especially worth considering if you like to have all of your finances under one roof and want to take advantage of Citi's investment platform and loan options.

If you can't meet the $30,000 requirement, though, you may want to consider one of the bank's less expensive checking accounts. All of them charge monthly fees, but the waiver requirements are much more manageable. 

If you do have a combined average monthly balance of $200,000 across eligible Citi accounts, the Citigold^® Checking account is the clear winner because it offers a lot of unique premium benefits you won't be able to get with any other Citi accounts or even accounts with other banks.

Other Citi Checking Accounts

If you don't have enough cash with Citi for either account to make sense, here are some other Citi checking accounts you may consider as you work toward eligibility for the bank's higher-tier account packages.

Access Account

This account has a monthly fee of $10, but it's waivable if you make one enhanced direct deposit or one qualifying bill payment per statement period or if you maintain a combined average monthly balance of $1,500 or more in eligible linked accounts.

The basic account doesn't offer check-writing privileges and doesn't provide any notable benefits or features.

Basic Banking

This account has a monthly fee of $12, but it's waivable if you make one enhanced direct deposit and one qualifying bill payment per statement period or if you maintain a combined average monthly balance of $1,500 or more in eligible linked accounts.

You'll get access to paper checks, but there are no other notable benefits or features.

The Citibank Account

This account has a monthly fee of $25, but it's waivable if you maintain a combined average monthly balance of $10,000 or more in eligible linked accounts. 

The account offers no Citi fee for out-of-network ATM withdrawals and no fee on your first checkbook order, provided you meet your minimum monthly balance requirements.

Pair Your Citi Checking Account with a Citi® Accelerate Savings Account

Regardless of which Citi checking account you choose, consider pairing it with the bank's high-yield savings account to make the most of your savings. The account offers a solid annual percentage yield (APY). 

The monthly maintenance fee for the Citi® Accelerate Savings Account depends on the type of checking account you pair it with. Fees can range from $10 to $30, but there are a variety of relatively simple ways to get them waived completely as well.

Having a Citi® Accelerate Savings Account can be a good way to build up your balance with the bank and meet the requirements for the Citi Priority Checking and Citigold^® Checking accounts because neither of those accounts offers interest. 

About Citi

Citi first opened for business in 1812 under its original name City Bank of New York. Over the last two centuries, the bank has become one of the largest multinational banks in the world. The bank is headquartered in New York City, and while it only has physical branches in roughly a dozen states, you can open an account regardless of which state you reside in. The bank has more than 65,000 ATMs in its branches and participating retailers around the country.

In addition to checking and savings accounts, Citi also offers a wide variety of financial products and services, including:

• Credit cards for consumers and small businesses
• Certificates of deposit
• Banking individual retirement accounts
• Small business banking
• Personal loans and lines of credit
• Mortgage loans
• Home equity loans and lines of credit (temporarily paused)
• Self-directed investing
• Robo-advisor investing
• Wealth management

The Bottom Line

As you compare different checking options, it's important to take your time to shop around and compare accounts from multiple banks and credit unions to get a good idea of what's available. Both the Citi Priority Checking and Citigold^® Checking accounts offer a lot of value, but the requirements to get approved or skip the monthly fee are steep. Citi is considered one of the safest banks in the country, which makes it a top choice for those looking for a secure place to keep their funds.

At the same time, Citi's less expensive checking accounts don't provide a lot of value. Consider other top checking accounts before you make your decision to ensure that you're getting the most value for your money in the long run.