Did you think your Citibank Visa card was safe? Think again—because Citibank is pulling the plug and the countdown has officially begun.

It all started back in 2015, when Citibank inked a blockbuster 10-year deal with Mastercard. The plan? Slowly but surely, move nearly all Citibank credit and debit cards from Visa to Mastercard’s network. Most customers barely noticed at first. By March 2020, Citibank’s popular Cash Back, PremierMiles, and Rewards Cards had quietly switched to Mastercard, leaving only a handful of Visa cards behind—like the Citi SMRT, Citi M1, and Citi Lazada Cards, which have since vanished from Citibank’s portfolio.

But here’s the plot twist: until recently, if you already had a Visa card, you could just keep using it, even getting replacements when your card expired. Now, Citibank is making its final move—phasing out Visa cards for good. And for Citi Rewards Visa cardholders, this is more than just a minor inconvenience; it’s a major shakeup.

AI Generated Newscast About Citibank's Visa to Mastercard Switch

Just last month, Citibank notified Citi PremierMiles Visa cardholders that their beloved Visa will stop working on January 30, 2026. Get this: if you don’t activate your new Mastercard by then, not only will your Visa be canceled, but you’ll also lose all your hard-earned Citi Miles. The clock is ticking, and there’s no going back.

But the real drama is with the Citi Rewards Visa. Here’s why: the Citi Rewards Card earns a coveted 4 miles per dollar (mpd) on all online purchases—up to S$1,000 per month per card. Visa and Mastercard versions offered separate bonuses, so savvy users could double-dip and rack up 96,000 miles a year by holding both cards. That’s a travel hacker’s dream come true. But all dreams must end, and Citibank has confirmed: the Citi Rewards Visa is getting the axe too, as part of its strategic alignment with Mastercard. No official retirement date yet, but the writing’s on the wall.

So what now? For now, your Citi Rewards Visa still works. Use it while you can. When the Visa sunset date arrives, here’s the AI generated newscast about what’s next: you’ll get a new Mastercard in the mail. Activate it, and your Visa—and its points—will be merged into the Mastercard. If you already have both, your points will be combined automatically. No more double dipping, no more bonus-laden loopholes. It’s the end of an era for rewards chasers.

Citibank is promising perks for Mastercard users, like exclusive loyalty programs and status matches with big hotel and travel brands. But for many, nothing will replace the thrill of those double caps. The AI generated newscast about Citibank’s phase-out makes one thing clear: if you’re still clinging to your Citi Rewards Visa, it’s time to make your final moves—before your window closes forever.