Citi ThankYou Mastercard Guide

50 data points

Department StoresRetail

Date

2026-09-05fromFlyerTalkFlyerTalk↗

Giftcard Purchased

No

Purchase Type

🛒

In-Store Purchase

Reward Details

Amount

Earning Rate

100 USD2X

Rewards

200 ThankYou Points

Additional Notes

Confirmed in Flyertalk - https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/37915825-post957.html - The 5% retail credit for Dollar Tree hit overnight Sept 4/5Read more
Department StoresRetail

Date

2026-08-26fromFlyerTalkFlyerTalk↗

Giftcard Purchased

No

Purchase Type

🛒

In-Store Purchase

Reward Details

Amount

Earning Rate

100 USD2X

Rewards

200 ThankYou Points

Additional Notes

Confirmed in Flyertalk - https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/37901724-post932.html - Walmart register near electronics coded as Merchandise-DISCOUNT STORE and eligible for 5% retail offerRead more
Groceries

Date

2026-08-26fromFlyerTalkFlyerTalk↗

Giftcard Purchased

No

Purchase Type

🛒

In-Store Purchase

Reward Details

Amount

Earning Rate

100 USD3X

Rewards

300 ThankYou Points

Additional Notes

Confirmed in Flyertalk - https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/37901724-post932.html - Walmart express checkout register coded as Merchandise-GROCERY STORE,SUPERMARKETRead more
GroceriesOnline Purchases

Date

2026-08-19fromDoctor of CreditDoctor of Credit↗

Giftcard Purchased

Southwest

Purchase Type

📱

App Purchase

Reward Details

Amount

Earning Rate

100 USD3X

Rewards

300 ThankYou Points

Additional Notes

Confirmed in Doctor Of Credit - https://www.doctorofcredit.com/what-works-eligible-categories-for-the-citi-sears-card/#comment-2392680 - I do the same for their Southwest gift cards too at another 10% offRead more
GroceriesOnline Purchases

Date

2026-08-19fromDoctor of CreditDoctor of Credit↗

Giftcard Purchased

Best Buy

Purchase Type

📱

App Purchase

Reward Details

Amount

Earning Rate

100 USD3X

Rewards

300 ThankYou Points

Additional Notes

Confirmed in Doctor Of Credit - https://www.doctorofcredit.com/what-works-eligible-categories-for-the-citi-sears-card/#comment-2392680 - for best buy i typically buy gift cards for BB through DoorDash DD counts as GGR + onlineRead more
Travel

Date

2026-08-18fromFlyerTalkFlyerTalk↗

Giftcard Purchased

No

Purchase Type

🌐

Online Purchase

https://www.ezpass.org

Reward Details

Amount

Earning Rate

100 USD1X

Rewards

100 ThankYou Points

Additional Notes

Confirmed in Flyertalk - https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/37889590-post925.html - E-Z Pass tolls counted for T&E creditRead more
Computer software

Date

2026-08-17fromFlyerTalkFlyerTalk↗

Giftcard Purchased

Instacart

Purchase Type

🌐

Online Purchase

https://www.newegg.com

Reward Details

Amount

Earning Rate

100 USD1X

Rewards

100 ThankYou Points

Additional Notes

Confirmed in Flyertalk - https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/37887415-post919.html - Newegg spend coded as computer software and didn't count as HI for Instacart GCRead more
Home Improvement

Date

2026-08-17fromFlyerTalkFlyerTalk↗

Giftcard Purchased

No

Purchase Type

🛒

In-Store Purchase

Reward Details

Amount

Earning Rate

100 USD1X

Rewards

100 ThankYou Points

Additional Notes

Confirmed in Flyertalk - https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/37887415-post919.html - crossed the $1000 threshold for the HI offer with some Lowe's purchasesRead more
Merchandise-DIRECT MARKETING

Date

2026-08-14fromFlyerTalkFlyerTalk↗

Giftcard Purchased

No

Purchase Type

🌐

Online Purchase

https://www.lenovo.com

Reward Details

Amount

Earning Rate

100 USD1X

Rewards

100 ThankYou Points

Additional Notes

Confirmed in Flyertalk - https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/37883957-post903.html - Lenovo.com order did not get the 5% Retail, merchant category is Merchandise-DIRECT MARKETINGRead more

Date

2026-08-07fromDoctor of CreditDoctor of Credit↗

Giftcard Purchased

No

Purchase Type

🛒

In-Store Purchase

Reward Details

Amount

Earning Rate

100 USD1X

Rewards

100 ThankYou Points

Additional Notes

Confirmed in Doctor Of Credit - https://www.doctorofcredit.com/what-works-eligible-categories-for-the-citi-sears-card/#comment-2384645 - Does NOT count as home improvement: Tractor SupplyRead more

Date

2026-08-07fromDoctor of CreditDoctor of Credit↗

Giftcard Purchased

No

Purchase Type

🛒

In-Store Purchase

Reward Details

Amount

Earning Rate

100 USD1X

Rewards

100 ThankYou Points

Additional Notes

Confirmed in Doctor Of Credit - https://www.doctorofcredit.com/what-works-eligible-categories-for-the-citi-sears-card/#comment-2384645 - Does NOT count as home improvement: Harbor FreightRead more
Online PurchasesRestaurants

Date

2026-07-29fromFlyerTalkFlyerTalk↗

Giftcard Purchased

No

Purchase Type

📱

App Purchase

Reward Details

Amount

Earning Rate

100 USD3X

Rewards

300 ThankYou Points

Additional Notes

Confirmed in Flyertalk - https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/37862450-post872.html - InKind codes as online in addition to restaurants through the appRead more
Online PurchasesRetail

Date

2026-07-28fromDoctor of CreditDoctor of Credit↗

Giftcard Purchased

Macy's

Purchase Type

🌐

Online Purchase

https://www.macys.com

Reward Details

Amount

Earning Rate

100 USD2X

Rewards

200 ThankYou Points

Additional Notes

Confirmed in Doctor Of Credit - https://www.doctorofcredit.com/what-works-eligible-categories-for-the-citi-sears-card/#comment-2376711 - regular gift cards at Macys.com worked for me, retail & onlineRead more
Online PurchasesRetail

Date

2026-07-28fromDoctor of CreditDoctor of Credit↗

Giftcard Purchased

Target

Purchase Type

🌐

Online Purchase

https://www.target.com

Reward Details

Amount

Earning Rate

100 USD2X

Rewards

200 ThankYou Points

Additional Notes

Confirmed in Doctor Of Credit - https://www.doctorofcredit.com/what-works-eligible-categories-for-the-citi-sears-card/#comment-2376711 - I did one order at target.com for a single target gift card…successRead more
Online PurchasesRetail

Date

2026-07-28fromDoctor of CreditDoctor of Credit↗

Giftcard Purchased

Walmart

Purchase Type

🌐

Online Purchase

https://www.walmart.com

Reward Details

Amount

Earning Rate

100 USD2X

Rewards

200 ThankYou Points

Additional Notes

Confirmed in Doctor Of Credit - https://www.doctorofcredit.com/what-works-eligible-categories-for-the-citi-sears-card/#comment-2376711 - regular gift cards at Walmart.com worked for me, retail & onlineRead more
GroceriesOnline Purchase

Date

2026-07-20fromFlyerTalkFlyerTalk↗

Giftcard Purchased

Gift Card

Purchase Type

📱

App Purchase

Reward Details

Amount

Earning Rate

100 USD3X

Rewards

300 ThankYou Points

Additional Notes

Confirmed in Flyertalk - https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/37852090-post851.html - Doordash gift cards code as grocery and onlineRead more
Groceries

Date

2026-07-20fromFlyerTalkFlyerTalk↗

Giftcard Purchased

No

Purchase Type

🛒

In-Store Purchase

Reward Details

Amount

Earning Rate

100 USD3X

Rewards

300 ThankYou Points

Additional Notes

Confirmed in Flyertalk - https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/37850735-post846.html - Walmart self-checkout counts as groceriesRead more
Department StoresRetail

Date

2026-07-20fromFlyerTalkFlyerTalk↗

Giftcard Purchased

3rd Party

Purchase Type

🌐

Online Purchase

https://www.target.com

Reward Details

Amount

Earning Rate

100 USD2X

Rewards

200 ThankYou Points

Additional Notes

Confirmed in Flyertalk - https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/37850493-post844.html - Target 3rd-party gift card purchases count for 5% Retail offerRead more
Department StoresRetail

Date

2026-07-14fromFlyerTalkFlyerTalk↗

Giftcard Purchased

No

Purchase Type

🛒

In-Store Purchase

Reward Details

Amount

Earning Rate

100 USD2X

Rewards

200 ThankYou Points

Additional Notes

Confirmed in Flyertalk - https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/37840414-post821.html - Staples in-store count for RetailRead more
Other

Date

2026-07-14fromFlyerTalkFlyerTalk↗

Giftcard Purchased

No

Purchase Type

🌐

Online Purchase

https://www.staples.com

Reward Details

Amount

Earning Rate

100 USD1X

Rewards

100 ThankYou Points

Additional Notes

Confirmed in Flyertalk - https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/37840414-post821.html - Staples.com purchases do not count for RetailRead more
Home Improvement

Date

2026-07-11fromFlyerTalkFlyerTalk↗

Giftcard Purchased

No

Purchase Type

🌐

Online Purchase

https://www.homedepot.com

Reward Details

Amount

Earning Rate

100 USD1X

Rewards

100 ThankYou Points

Additional Notes

Confirmed in Flyertalk - https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/37835833-post801.html - Ordering online for in-store pickup at Home Depot does not count as onlineRead more
Restaurant

Date

2026-07-10fromFlyerTalkFlyerTalk↗

Giftcard Purchased

Lowe's

Purchase Type

📱

App Purchase

Reward Details

Amount

Earning Rate

100 USD3X

Rewards

300 ThankYou Points

Additional Notes

Confirmed in Flyertalk - https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/37835367-post798.html - Lowes gc from DoorDash count for both GGR and OnlineRead more
Online PurchaseRestaurant

Date

2026-07-09

Giftcard Purchased

Best Buy

Purchase Type

📱

App Purchase

Reward Details

Amount

Earning Rate

100 USD3X

Rewards

300 ThankYou Points

Additional Notes

You can double dip by purchasing gc on doordashRead more
Online Purchases

Date

2026-07-08fromFlyerTalkFlyerTalk↗

Giftcard Purchased

Home Depot

Purchase Type

🌐

Online Purchase

https://www.homedepot.com

Reward Details

Amount

Earning Rate

100 USD1X

Rewards

100 ThankYou Points

Additional Notes

Confirmed in Flyertalk - https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/37831603-post785.html - Purchased a $100 eGift card from HomeDepot.com and that went throughRead more

Heb

USA

Grocery

Date

2026-06-21

Giftcard Purchased

Mastercard

Purchase Type

🛒

In-Store Purchase

Reward Details

Amount

Earning Rate

500 USD3X

Rewards

1500 ThankYou Points

Heb

USA

Grocery

Date

2026-06-15

Balance Reload

Yes

Purchase Type

🛒

In-Store Purchase

Reward Details

Amount

Earning Rate

500 USD3X

Rewards

1500 ThankYou Points

Electronics StoresHome ImprovmentOnline Purchase

Date

2026-03-15fromDoctor of CreditDoctor of Credit↗

Giftcard Purchased

No

Purchase Type

🌐

Online Purchase

https://www.apple.com

Reward Details

Amount

Earning Rate

500 USD1X

Rewards

500 ThankYou Points

Additional Notes

Confirmed in doctorofcredit - https://www.doctorofcredit.com/what-works-eligible-categories-for-the-citi-sears-card/#comment-2277530Read more
Department StoreOnline PurchasesRetail

Date

2026-03-12

Balance Reload

Yes

Purchase Type

🌐

Online Purchase

https://www.amazon.com

Reward Details

Amount

Earning Rate

100 USD2X

Rewards

200 ThankYou Points

GroceriesOnline Purchase

Bank & Card

USA flag

Citi ThankYou Mastercardvia Walmart Scan & Go logoWalmart Scan & Go

Date

2026-03-09

Giftcard Purchased

Visa

Purchase Type

🛒

In-Store Purchase

Reward Details

Amount

Earning Rate

300 USD3X

Rewards

900 ThankYou Points

Additional Notes

Buy gift cards and other items too

Grocery

Date

2026-02-26

Giftcard Purchased

Meijer

Purchase Type

🛒

In-Store Purchase

Reward Details

Amount

Earning Rate

500 USD3X

Rewards

1500 ThankYou Points

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Quick Rewards Guide for Citi ThankYou Mastercard

💡 Primary Spending Category: The community most frequently reports using the Citi ThankYou Mastercard for "Home Improvement" transactions as well as for "Retail, Department Stores & Grocery".

🚀 Top Earning Rate: Verified community purchases show this card earning up to 3X ThankYou points on high-reward category transactions.

🛒 Verified Merchants: Swipe Smart users have successfully logged card data points at popular stores including Dollar Tree, Walmart, DoorDash, E-Z Pass. Checking merchant coding prior to shopping ensures you trigger top tier category multipliers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q:What are the best categories to use the ThankYou Mastercard for?

Based on verified community transactions, the Citi ThankYou Mastercard yields the best return when used for "Home Improvement" transactions, followed closely by "Retail, Department Stores, Grocery".

Q:How do I ensure I get maximum points or cash back with this card?

Credit card rewards depend on the store’s Merchant Category Code (MCC). Always check Swipe Smart before purchase to verify how the retailer is registered (e.g. as groceries, dining, or travel) to ensure the transaction triggers the card’s multiplier categories.

Q:Does payment method (like Apple Pay or PayPal) affect the coding?

Yes. Paying through digital wallets like Apple Pay usually preserves the merchant's original category code. However, payment processors like PayPal or third-party delivery apps (e.g., Instacart, UberEats) may alter the merchant category code, sometimes overriding your card's standard multipliers.