If you’ve been using your Shop Your Way Mastercard for everyday purchases, you’ve probably noticed a change in the mail. Citi has replaced the co-branded card with a new Citi ThankYou Mastercard as of November 3, 2025, and a separate Shop Your Way 5321 Visa card has also appeared. Here’s what that transition actually means for your wallet, your rewards, and what you should do next.

4 related posts

Card issuer before change: Citi ·
Replacement card: Citi ThankYou Mastercard ·
Discontinuation date: November 3, 2025 ·
Annual fee: $0 ·
Top reward rate: 5% back on eligible gas/EV/transportation ·
Customer service number: 1-800-950-5114

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Whether existing Shop Your Way rewards points will transfer automatically to the new card (Doctor of Credit (personal finance blog))
  • Long-term support for Sears partners through the new 5321 Visa card (FlyerTalk (frequent flyer community))
3Timeline signal
  • November 3, 2025: official discontinuation date (Doctor of Credit (personal finance blog))
  • 2025: application removed from SYW website (Doctor of Credit (personal finance blog))
4What’s next
  • Cardholders will transition to the Citi ThankYou Mastercard or the 5321 Visa card (Doctor of Credit (personal finance blog))
  • New card mailed to existing account holders (Doctor of Credit (personal finance blog))
Key facts about the Shop Your Way Mastercard transition
Attribute Value
Former card name Shop Your Way Mastercard
New card name Citi ThankYou Mastercard
Effective date of change November 3, 2025
Annual fee $0
Rewards 5% gas/transportation, 3% groceries/dining, 1% other
Former issuer Citi
Alternate product Shop Your Way 5321 Visa card
Customer service number 1-800-950-5114 (fraud early warning), 888-872-2214 (general service)

Is the Shop Your Way Mastercard being discontinued?

Yes, the Shop Your Way Mastercard has been discontinued. On November 3, 2025, Citi (the bank issuer) converted all existing accounts to the Citi ThankYou Mastercard (Doctor of Credit (personal finance blog)). Cardholders also have access to a new product called the Shop Your Way 5321 Visa card, but the original Mastercard program is no longer active.

What caused the discontinuation?

  • Citi decided to shift its focus to its own branded ThankYou card portfolio rather than continue co-branded partnerships with Sears and Shop Your Way, according to Doctor of Credit (personal finance blog).
  • Banks frequently cancel underperforming co-branded products: low usage, limited issuer control, and changing market priorities often drive such moves.

What happens to my account?

  • Your account number, credit history, and existing ThankYou Points transfer automatically to the new Citi ThankYou Mastercard, per Doctor of Credit (personal finance blog).
  • If you prefer, you can apply for the new Shop Your Way 5321 Visa card, which is offered separately.
The catch

Shop Your Way Mastercard holders lose the ability to earn SYW Global Points after November 3, 2025. Any points you earned before that date remain usable but follow the original reward expiration rules.

The pattern: Citi is consolidating users onto its flagship ThankYou program, which gives the bank more control over rewards economics and marketing.

What benefits does Shop Your Way Mastercard offer?

Rewards categories

  • 5% back on eligible gas, EV charging and everyday transportation, including tolls and rideshare, per FlyerTalk (frequent flyer community).
  • 3% back on groceries and dining.
  • 1% back on all other purchases.

Annual fee and other perks

  • $0 annual fee, confirmed by Doctor of Credit (personal finance blog).
  • No foreign transaction fee on some variants, though cardholders should verify with customer service at 888-872-2214.
Why this matters

For cardholders who used the SYW Mastercard primarily for gas and groceries, the new Citi ThankYou Mastercard offers similar rates. But anyone who relied on SYW Global Points for big-ticket items at Sears faces a real loss: that earning stream ends November 3, 2025.

The trade-off: You get solid everyday cashback without an annual fee, but you lose the niche SYW Global Points program that was valuable for furniture and apparel purchases at Sears.

Why are banks cancelling credit cards?

Common reasons for credit card closure

  • Low usage: If cardholders stop using a co-branded card, the issuer sees no incentive to maintain the program.
  • Portfolio changes: Citi’s shift to ThankYou cards is part of a broader strategy to streamline its product line, as noted by Doctor of Credit (personal finance blog).
  • Risk management: Banks periodically close accounts to reduce exposure or comply with regulatory requirements.

Is this card closure part of a larger trend?

  • Yes. Co-branded cards tied to retailers that have downsized (like Sears) often get discontinued. Similar moves happened with store cards from Kmart and other chains.
  • Citi is not alone: other major issuers have dropped co-branded products in favor of proprietary rewards systems (FlyerTalk (frequent flyer community)).

The implication: Consumers with co-branded cards from shrinking retail partners should monitor their mail—replacements are likely if the retailer’s customer base shrinks.

What number is 1-800-950-5114?

This number connects you to fraud early warning services, a benefit available on the Shop Your Way Mastercard and continued on the new Citi ThankYou Mastercard. Separate numbers serve different needs:

Key phone numbers

Citi customer service phone numbers for former Shop Your Way Mastercard holders
Number Purpose
1-800-950-5114 Fraud early warning benefits
888-872-2214 General customer service and account inquiries
888-248-4226 Additional Citi contact number (noted in community reports)

Why this matters: If you suspect fraud or need to activate a new card, having the right number saves time. Keep 888-872-2214 for everyday inquiries and 1-800-950-5114 exclusively for fraud alerts.

How do I log in to my Shop Your Way Mastercard account?

Steps to log in online

  1. Visit citiretailservices.citibankonline.com (Citi online banking portal).
  2. Enter your User ID and Password. If your card has been rebranded, you may need to use the new login page for the Citi ThankYou Mastercard.
  3. Your Shop Your Way member number must be linked to your account to access eligible rewards.

What if my card was rebranded?

  • Your existing login credentials remain the same. Citi migrates account data automatically, so you won’t lose access.
  • The new Citi ThankYou Mastercard uses the same online portal. You may need to verify your contact information and set up new card activation received in the mail.
What to watch

If you have automatic payments tied to your old card number, update them before your next billing cycle. Your new card has a different number and expiration date, even though the account history transferred.

The pattern: Citi is essentially swapping the logo on your card but keeping the underlying infrastructure intact. The biggest adjustment is learning the new rewards terms and phone numbers.

Timeline

  • November 3, 2025: Citi replaces the Shop Your Way Mastercard with the Citi ThankYou Mastercard (Doctor of Credit (personal finance blog))
  • 2025: Application for the Shop Your Way Mastercard removed from the SYW website (Doctor of Credit (personal finance blog))
  • 2026: New Shop Your Way 5321 Visa card offered as an alternative (Doctor of Credit (personal finance blog))
  • November 2, 2025: Shop Your Way Additional Category Earn Program ends; SYW Global Points no longer earned after November 3, 2025 (Doctor of Credit (personal finance blog))

The sequence shows a phased transition with key dates for cardholders.

What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear

Confirmed facts

  • The Shop Your Way Mastercard is being discontinued and replaced by the Citi ThankYou Mastercard as of November 3, 2025 (Doctor of Credit (personal finance blog)).
  • No annual fee applies to the new card (Doctor of Credit (personal finance blog)).
  • Account numbers, history, and accumulated ThankYou Points transfer automatically (Doctor of Credit (personal finance blog)).
  • The new Shop Your Way 5321 Visa card is available for those who want to continue with the program (Doctor of Credit (personal finance blog)).

What’s unclear

  • Whether existing SYW rewards points will transfer automatically to the new Citi ThankYou Mastercard (Doctor of Credit (personal finance blog)).
  • Long-term support for Sears partners through the new 5321 Visa card (FlyerTalk (frequent flyer community)).
  • Whether the new Citi ThankYou Mastercard charges foreign transaction fees (per cardholder reports).
  • Whether SYW gift card redemption limits apply after the transition (FlyerTalk (frequent flyer community)).

The implication: cardholders should monitor their mail and update payment details promptly.

Upsides

  • $0 annual fee
  • 5% back on gas/transportation, 3% on groceries/dining
  • Account continuity: credit history and ThankYou Points transfer

Downsides

  • Loss of SYW Global Points earning after November 3, 2025
  • Must update automatic payments due to new card number
  • Uncertainty around existing SYW reward point transfer

Expert perspectives

The Shop Your Way Mastercard has been a solid option for everyday spending, especially with the 5% back on gas and transportation. But the shift away from SYW-specific rewards means cardholders need to re-evaluate their strategy.

NerdWallet (personal finance editorial team)

The application link for the SYW Mastercard was removed from the site a few months before the November deadline. That was my first clue something was ending.

Reddit user on r/CreditCards (credit card discussion community)

Any SYW points you earned before November 3, 2025, remain usable. But the expiration rules are strict — some bonus points expire in 30 days or less.

FlyerTalk (frequent flyer community)

These perspectives highlight the mixed sentiment among users.

Related reading: Sephora Credit Card Login · Current Home Loan Interest Rates

Additional sources

flyertalk.com, youtube.com

For those transitioning from the discontinued card, managing your new account is essential to keep earning rewards.

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Frequently asked questions

Why was the Shop Your Way Mastercard discontinued?

Citi decided to stop co-branding with Sears and Shop Your Way, converting accounts to its own Citi ThankYou Mastercard product to simplify its portfolio.

What card replaces the Shop Your Way Mastercard?

The Citi ThankYou Mastercard replaces it. A separate Shop Your Way 5321 Visa card is also available as an alternative.

Will I lose my rewards points after the change?

ThankYou Points accumulated on the original card transfer automatically. Shop Your Way Global Points earned before November 3, 2025, remain usable but follow original expiration rules.

How do I activate my new Citi ThankYou Mastercard?

Once you receive the card in the mail (mailed between May 2025 and June 2025 for most cardholders), call 888-872-2214 or log in to citiretailservices.citibankonline.com to activate.

Is the Shop Your Way 5321 Visa card the same as the Mastercard?

No. The 5321 Visa card is a new product offered separately by Shop Your Way, while the Mastercard was issued by Citi. Both have different terms and reward structures.

Do I need to update my automatic payments?

Yes. Your new card has a different number and expiration date. Update any saved payment information for bills, subscriptions, and auto-pay accounts.

For anyone who relied on the Shop Your Way Mastercard for everyday rewards, the transition to the Citi ThankYou Mastercard is manageable but requires attention: update your automatic payments, activate your new card, and get familiar with the new phone numbers and rewards terms. The decision to keep the card depends on whether the 5% gas/transportation and 3% grocery/dining categories fit your spending. If they do, stay — the $0 annual fee makes it a keeper. If your spending was SYW-specific for Sears purchases, the new card offers limited value, and it may be time to shop for alternatives.