Shop Your Way Mastercard 2025: The Card Changed Hands (And So Did the Rewards)

Understanding the Old Citi Shop Your Way Mastercard (What You're Losing)

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The Citi Sears Shop Your Way Mastercard had a cult following, and for good reason. Here's what made it special:

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The Original Rewards Structure:

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• 5% back on gas (up to $10,000 combined with groceries/restaurants annually)

• 3% back on groceries and restaurants (up to $10,000 combined with gas annually)

• 2% back at Shop Your Way merchants (Sears, Kmart)

• 1% back on everything else

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After hitting the $10,000 cap: Everything dropped to 1% back for the rest of the year.

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The Real Magic: Targeted Spending Bonuses

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What separated this card from every other cash-back card were the recurring targeted offers Citi sent to cardholders:

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• "Spend $700/month on groceries, get $70 statement credit" (effective 10% back)

• "Spend $1,000/month on gas and restaurants, get $100 back" (effective 10% back)

• "Spend $2,000/month anywhere, get $200 back" (effective 10% back)

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Reddit users regularly reported stacking these bonuses throughout the year, effectively earning 13-15% back on everyday spending categories. One user on r/churning claimed accumulating over $5,200 in rewards since 2019.

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What Made It Work:

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No annual fee: Zero cost to hold the card meant all rewards were pure profit.

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Stackable bonuses: You could combine Shop Your Way points earned through shopping at partner stores with credit card rewards.

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Flexible redemption: Points could be redeemed for Amazon gift cards, statement credits, or merchandise.

Meet the New Shop Your Way 5321 Visa Card (What's Replacing It)

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The replacement card keeps the "5-3-2-1" naming convention but shifts the reward categories significantly.

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New Rewards Structure (Shop Your Way 5321 Visa):

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• 5% back on gas, EV charging, and everyday transportation (public transit, rideshare, taxis, parking, tolls, car washes)

• 3% back on dining

• 2% back at Shop Your Way merchants

• 1% back on everything else

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Issued by: First Bank & Trust (not Citi)‍

Annual Fee: $0‍

Foreign Transaction Fee: TBD (not yet disclosed)

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What Changed (and What It Means):

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Groceries got dropped. The old card's 3% on groceries is completely gone. If you're a grocery shopper, this is a significant downgrade.

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Transportation got expanded. The new 5% category now includes EV charging, parking, tolls, and car washes—much broader than just gas stations.

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Dining survived. Still 3% back at restaurants, which is competitive but not exceptional.

Side-by-Side Comparison: Old vs New (The Numbers That Matter)

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Let's run the math on typical spending to see which card delivers more value:

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Scenario 1: The Family Shopper

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• $400/month on groceries

• $150/month on gas

• $200/month on dining

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Old Citi Card Annual Rewards:

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• Groceries: $400 × 12 × 3% = $144

• Gas: $150 × 12 × 5% = $90

• Dining: $200 × 12 × 3% = $72

• Total: $306/year

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New Shop Your Way 5321 Visa Annual Rewards:

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• Groceries: $400 × 12 × 1% = $48

• Gas: $150 × 12 × 5% = $90

• Dining: $200 × 12 × 3% = $72

• Total: $210/year

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Winner: Old Citi card by $96/year

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Scenario 2: The Urban Commuter

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• $50/month on groceries

• $200/month on gas + rideshares + parking

• $300/month on dining

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Old Citi Card Annual Rewards:

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• Groceries: $50 × 12 × 3% = $18

• Gas: $200 × 12 × 5% = $120

• Dining: $300 × 12 × 3% = $108

• Total: $246/year

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New Shop Your Way 5321 Visa Annual Rewards:

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• Groceries: $50 × 12 × 1% = $6

• Transportation: $200 × 12 × 5% = $120

• Dining: $300 × 12 × 3% = $108

• Total: $234/year

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Winner: Old Citi card by $12/year (basically a tie)

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Scenario 3: The Road Warrior

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• $100/month on groceries

• $400/month on gas + tolls + parking

• $150/month on dining

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Old Citi Card Annual Rewards:

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• Groceries: $100 × 12 × 3% = $36

• Gas: $400 × 12 × 5% = $240

• Dining: $150 × 12 × 3% = $54

• Total: $330/year

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New Shop Your Way 5321 Visa Annual Rewards:

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• Groceries: $100 × 12 × 1% = $12

• Transportation: $400 × 12 × 5% = $240

• Dining: $150 × 12 × 3% = $54

• Total: $306/year

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Winner: Old Citi card by $24/year

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The verdict: For most spending patterns, the old Citi card delivered slightly better value—primarily because of the 3% groceries category.

Those Legendary Targeted Bonuses: Are They Gone Forever?

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This is the $5,200 question (literally, based on that Reddit user's total).

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The short answer: We don't know yet. First Bank & Trust has not disclosed whether they'll continue Citi's practice of sending lucrative targeted spending offers.

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What we do know:

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• When Citi converted the card, their terms stated: "You'll continue to be considered for exclusive cardmember offers"

• Reddit and FlyerTalk users report that the final Citi offers expired December 31, 2024

• As of early 2025, no reports of targeted bonuses on the new Shop Your Way 5321 Visa

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The realistic assessment:

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Those 10-15% effective cash-back rates from stacking bonuses were Citi's marketing strategy to maintain cardholder loyalty during Sears' decline. First Bank & Trust is a smaller regional bank without Citi's marketing budget.

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Don't count on those bonuses returning at the same frequency or generosity.

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If targeted bonuses were your primary reason for holding the old card, the replacement likely won't deliver the same value proposition.

Who Should Apply for the New Shop Your Way 5321 Visa?

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Consider applying if:

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You're a heavy transportation spender. If you spend $300+ monthly on gas, rideshares, parking, and tolls, the 5% back is competitive. Urban dwellers who Uber frequently and pay for parking will benefit.

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You want a simple cash-back card with no annual fee. The 5-3-2-1 structure is straightforward. No rotating categories to activate, no spending caps (that we know of yet).

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You're a frequent diner. The 3% on dining is solid, though not exceptional. Combined with the transportation category, you're getting good returns on two common spending areas.

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Skip this card if:

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Groceries are your biggest expense. With groceries earning only 1%, this card falls behind dozens of competitors.

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You're chasing those old Citi targeted bonuses. They're almost certainly not coming back at the same level.

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You want premium redemption options. Points are limited to Shop Your Way merchants and partners—no transfers to airlines or hotels.

How to Transition: Your Action Plan

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If you were an existing Citi Shop Your Way cardholder:

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Step 1: Check what happened to your account‍

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Citi automatically converted your Shop Your Way Mastercard to a generic Citi Mastercard. You should have received notification by mail.

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Step 2: Evaluate your converted Citi card‍

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Your new Citi Mastercard likely has basic rewards (if any). Check your terms to understand what you're now earning.

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Step 3: Redeem remaining Shop Your Way points‍

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If you had Shop Your Way points, redeem them through shopyourway.com before they expire. Citi discontinued point earning, but existing points remain valid until expiration.

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Step 4: Decide on the new Shop Your Way 5321 Visa‍

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You must apply separately for the new card. Citi didn't transfer accounts to First Bank & Trust.

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Step 5: Consider keeping the converted Citi card‍

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If it's your oldest account, keeping it open helps your credit score by maintaining your average age of accounts.

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If you're a new applicant:

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Step 1: Apply directly through Shop Your Way‍

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The application is handled by First Bank & Trust, not Citi.

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Step 2: Know your credit profile‍

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Based on Credit Karma data, the average approved applicant has a credit score around 728, though some report approvals in the 670-700 range.

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Step 3: Don't expect instant approval‍

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Several reviews mention application delays and unclear communication from customer service during the transition period.

Better Alternatives: Cards Worth Considering Instead

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If the new Shop Your Way 5321 Visa doesn't align with your spending, here are stronger options:

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For Grocery Shoppers:

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Discover It Cash Back Credit Card

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[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "821", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Cash Back Seekers", "headerHint": "0 Annual Fee"} ]]

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Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express

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[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "260", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Reward Seekers", "headerHint": "Cash Back Rewards Program"} ]]

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^{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.}

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For Gas + Dining:

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Citi Custom Cash® Card

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[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "2885", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Cash Back Seekers", "headerHint": "Flexible Cash Back Card"} ]]

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For General Cash Back:

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Citi Double Cash® Card

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[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "580", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Everyday Spenders", "headerHint": "No Annual Fee"} ]]

Real-World Scenario: Which Card Actually Wins?

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Meet Jessica, a marketing manager in Chicago who's trying to decide between keeping her converted Citi card, applying for the new Shop Your Way 5321 Visa, or switching to alternatives.

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Jessica's monthly spending:

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• $450 on groceries

• $180 on gas + occasional Uber

• $250 on dining out

• $800 on other purchases (shopping, bills, subscriptions)

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Option 1: Shop Your Way 5321 Visa

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• Groceries: $450 × 1% = $4.50

• Transportation: $180 × 5% = $9.00

• Dining: $250 × 3% = $7.50

• Other: $800 × 1% = $8.00

• Monthly total: $29 = $348/year

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Option 2: Blue Cash Everyday (Amex)

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• Groceries: $450 × 3% = $13.50

• Gas: $150 × 3% = $4.50 (excluding Uber)

• Dining: $250 × 1% = $2.50

• Other: $800 × 1% = $8.00

• Monthly total: $28.50 = $342/year

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Option 3: Citi Custom Cash

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• Top category (groceries): $450 × 5% = $22.50

• Everything else: $1,230 × 1% = $12.30

• Monthly total: $34.80 = $418/year

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Option 4: Combo Strategy (Citi Custom Cash + Citi Double Cash)

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• Citi Custom Cash for groceries: $450 × 5% = $22.50

• Citi Double Cash for everything else: $1,230 × 2% = $24.60

• Monthly total: $47.10 = $565/year

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Jessica's decision: She applies for the Citi Custom Cash (gets her $418/year) and keeps the converted Citi Mastercard as her oldest account for credit score purposes. She skips the new Shop Your Way 5321 Visa entirely.

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Her reasoning: "The groceries downgrade killed it for me. That's my biggest spending category, and I'm not willing to drop from 3% to 1% just to keep the Shop Your Way name."

Frequently Asked Questions

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What happened to my Citi Shop Your Way Mastercard?

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Citi automatically converted it to a standard Citi Mastercard on November 3, 2025. You no longer earn Shop Your Way points with this card.

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Do I automatically get the new Shop Your Way 5321 Visa?

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No. You must apply separately through First Bank & Trust if you want the replacement card.

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Can I still redeem my old Shop Your Way points?

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Yes, through shopyourway.com. Existing points remain valid until their expiration date, but you can no longer earn points with the converted Citi card.

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Will the targeted spending bonuses continue?

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Unknown. First Bank & Trust hasn't announced whether they'll continue Citi's practice of sending lucrative targeted offers. Early signs suggest these bonuses may not return.

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What's the credit score requirement for the new card?

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Average approved applicants have scores around 728, but some report approvals in the 670-700 range.

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Is there an annual fee?

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No. The Shop Your Way 5321 Visa has no annual fee, just like the old Citi card.

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How do the rewards compare to the old card?

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The new card dropped the 3% groceries category, which is a significant downgrade for most families. The 5% transportation category expanded beyond just gas stations to include rideshares, parking, and tolls.

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Should I close my converted Citi Mastercard?

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If it's your oldest credit card account, keep it open to maintain your credit history length—even if you never use it. If it's relatively new and you don't need it, you can close it without major credit score impact.

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Can I use Shop Your Way points on Amazon?

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Yes, you can redeem Shop Your Way points for Amazon gift cards, which was one of the more popular redemption options with the old program.

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Is First Bank & Trust a legitimate bank?

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Yes, First Bank & Trust is a legitimate financial institution, though smaller than Citi. They're FDIC-insured.

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The Bottom Line: Should You Apply for the Shop Your Way 5321 Visa?

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For existing Citi Shop Your Way cardholders: The magic is gone. Those legendary targeted bonuses that delivered 13-15% effective cash back are unlikely to return at the same frequency or value. The removal of 3% groceries is a material downgrade for most families.

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Verdict: Skip the new card unless you're a heavy transportation spender (lots of rideshares + parking). There are better options.

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For new applicants: The Shop Your Way 5321 Visa is a decent starter card with straightforward rewards, but it's not exceptional in any category.

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Who should apply:

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• Urban commuters spending $300+ monthly on gas, rideshares, and parking

• Frequent diners who also drive regularly

• People wanting a simple no-annual-fee card with decent rewards

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Who should skip it:

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• Grocery shoppers (you're losing 2-4% compared to alternatives)

• Anyone chasing the old Citi targeted bonuses

• Reward optimizers wanting premium redemption flexibility

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The better move: Apply for the Citi Custom Cash (5% on your top category monthly) or Blue Cash Everyday (3% on groceries/gas year-round). You'll earn more with fewer restrictions.

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Bottom line: The Shop Your Way transition is a downgrade, not an upgrade. The brand survived, but the value proposition weakened. Unless your spending heavily skews toward transportation, you can do better elsewhere.