Key Points

• The Citi Strata offers 3x points on categories like dining and gas with a $95 annual fee, while the Elite version provides 5x points on those same categories for $250 annually.
• Both cards earn Citi ThankYou Points that transfer to 19 airline and hotel partners at 1:1 ratios, making them flexible for award travel.
• The Strata Elite includes premium perks like Priority Pass lounge access and up to $200 in statement credits that can offset the higher annual fee.

Introduction

Citi just expanded its Strata card lineup with two new options that are shaking up the mid-tier travel rewards space. The Citi Strata and Citi Strata Elite credit cards join the existing Strata Premier to give travelers more choices in how they earn ThankYou Points. If you've been following our coverage of the best Citi credit cards, you know Citi's ThankYou Points program offers serious value through airline transfers. Now you need to figure out which Strata card fits your spending patterns best. Let me break down exactly what these cards offer and who should consider each one.

Quick Summary

Citi Strata

• Annual Fee: $95
• Welcome Bonus: 60,000 ThankYou Points after $4,000 spend in 4 months
• Best For: Moderate spenders who want flexible points without a huge annual fee

Citi Strata Elite

• Annual Fee: $250
• Welcome Bonus: 80,000 ThankYou Points after $6,000 spend in 4 months
• Best For: Active travelers who can maximize category bonuses and premium perks

Understanding the Citi Strata Card Family

Citi now offers three cards in the Strata lineup, each targeting different types of travelers. The original Strata Premier focuses on dining, groceries, and gas. These two new cards reshape the earning structure with different category multipliers and annual fees.

Both new Strata cards earn ThankYou Points that transfer to airline and hotel partners including United, JetBlue, Singapore Airlines, and Wyndham. That transfer flexibility makes them worth considering even if you already have other travel credit cards in your wallet.

Citi Strata: The Mid-Tier Option

Earning Structure

The base Citi Strata card gives you solid earning rates without breaking the bank on annual fees:

• 3x points per $1 on dining (including takeout and delivery)
• 3x points per $1 at gas stations
• 3x points per $1 on hotel stays
• 1x point per $1 on everything else

That 3x category lineup hits three of the most common spending areas for travelers. If you spend $500 monthly on dining and $200 on gas, you're earning 25,200 bonus points annually just from those two categories.

Key Benefits

The $95 annual fee gets you access to:

• No foreign transaction fees: Essential for international travel
• Cell phone protection: Up to $1,000 per claim (two claims per year) when you pay your bill with the card
• Travel and emergency assistance: 24/7 support for travel issues
• Purchase protection: Coverage for new purchases against damage or theft

Who Should Get This Card

The standard Strata makes sense if you:

• Spend heavily on dining and gas
• Want ThankYou Points flexibility without a premium annual fee
• Already have lounge access through another card
• Prefer to keep your credit card annual fees under $100

Citi Strata Elite: Premium Perks and Higher Earning

Enhanced Earning Rates

The Elite version bumps up those same categories significantly:

• 5x points per $1 on dining
• 5x points per $1 at gas stations
• 5x points per $1 on hotel stays
• 2x points per $1 on entertainment and streaming services
• 1x point per $1 on all other purchases

That jump from 3x to 5x adds up quickly. Using the same spending example ($500 dining, $200 gas monthly), you'd earn 42,000 bonus points per year instead of 25,200. That's an extra 16,800 points annually.

Premium Travel Benefits

Your $250 annual fee includes several perks that can offset the cost:

Statement Credits

• Up to $100 annual hotel credit through the Citi Travel Portal
• Up to $100 annual credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck (every 4 years)

Airport Lounge Access

• Priority Pass membership with 10 free lounge visits per year
• Additional visits at $32 per person
• Access to 1,500+ lounges worldwide

Travel Protections

• Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
• Baggage delay insurance
• Lost luggage reimbursement
• Travel accident insurance
• No foreign transaction fees

Additional Elite Perks

The Elite card includes some often-overlooked benefits:

• Complimentary ShopRunner membership: Free 2-day shipping at participating retailers
• Premium cell phone protection: Up to $1,000 per claim
• Purchase and return protection: Extended coverage on new purchases
• Auto rental insurance: Primary coverage when you decline the rental company's insurance

Breaking Down the Value Math

Let's compare the actual value between these cards based on realistic spending.

Scenario: Moderate traveler spending

• Dining: $500/month = $6,000/year
• Gas: $200/month = $2,400/year
• Hotels: $2,000/year
• Entertainment: $100/month = $1,200/year

Citi Strata Earnings

• Dining: 18,000 points
• Gas: 7,200 points
• Hotels: 6,000 points
• Entertainment: 1,200 points
• Other spending ($5,000): 5,000 points
• Total: 37,400 points annually

Citi Strata Elite Earnings

• Dining: 30,000 points
• Gas: 12,000 points
• Hotels: 10,000 points
• Entertainment: 2,400 points (at 2x)
• Other spending ($5,000): 5,000 points
• Total: 59,400 points annually

The Elite card earns 22,000 more points but costs $155 more in annual fees. At a conservative 1.5 cents per point value through transfers, those extra points are worth $330. Factor in the $200 in statement credits, and you're $375 ahead with the Elite version.

How Citi Strata Cards Compare to Competitors

Citi Strata vs Chase Sapphire Preferred

The Chase Sapphire Preferred charges the same $95 annual fee as the base Strata but structures earnings differently:

• CSP: 3x on dining, 2x on all travel, 1x on everything else
• Strata: 3x on dining, 3x on gas and hotels, 1x on everything else

The Strata edges ahead if you spend more at gas stations than on other travel. Chase Ultimate Rewards points generally offer slightly more transfer options, but ThankYou Points hold their own with partners like Singapore Airlines and Virgin Atlantic.

Citi Strata Elite vs Citi Strata Premier

You might wonder how the Elite compares to the existing Citi Strata Premier:

Strata Premier ($95 annual fee)

• 3x points on dining, supermarkets, gas stations, air travel, and hotels
• More categories but lower multipliers

Strata Elite ($250 annual fee)

• 5x points on dining, gas, and hotels
• 2x on entertainment
• Premium travel benefits and lounge access

The Elite wins if you spend heavily in its 5x categories and value lounge access. The Premier makes more sense for groceries spending since it earns 3x at supermarkets while the Elite only earns 1x.

Transfer Partners and Redemption Strategy

Both Strata cards earn ThankYou Points that transfer to these airline partners:

• Air France-KLM Flying Blue
• Avianca LifeMiles
• British Airways Executive Club
• Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
• Choice Privileges
• Emirates Skywards
• Etihad Guest
• JetBlue TrueBlue
• Qantas Frequent Flyer
• Qatar Airways Privilege Club
• Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
• Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
• Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
• Wyndham Rewards

This transfer flexibility puts these cards in the same strategic category as Chase Ultimate Rewards and Amex Membership Rewards. You can book through the Citi Travel Portal at 1 cent per point, but transferring to airline partners often delivers significantly better value.

For example, transferring ThankYou Points to Virgin Atlantic gets you a round-trip business class ticket to Japan for 110,000 points versus paying $4,000+ in cash. That's a 3.6 cent per point value.

Welcome Bonus Analysis

Citi Strata: 60,000 points after $4,000 spend in 4 monthsCiti Strata Elite: 80,000 points after $6,000 spend in 4 months

The Strata requires $1,000 monthly spending to hit the bonus. The Elite needs $1,500 monthly. Both are achievable if you use the card for your everyday spending in the bonus categories.

At 1.5 cents per point through transfers, the Strata welcome bonus is worth around $900 while the Elite bonus hits $1,200. After subtracting the first year annual fee, you're looking at net value of approximately $805 (Strata) or $950 (Elite).

Pros and Cons

Citi Strata Pros

• Solid 3x earning rates on popular categories
• Lower annual fee at $95
• ThankYou Points transfer flexibility
• No foreign transaction fees
• Strong cell phone protection

Citi Strata Cons

• Limited earning multipliers compared to other cards
• No lounge access or premium travel perks
• Basic travel protections only
• Welcome bonus requires significant spend

Citi Strata Elite Pros

• Excellent 5x rates on dining, gas, and hotels
• Priority Pass lounge access with 10 free visits
• $200 in annual statement credits
• Comprehensive travel insurance coverage
• 2x on entertainment spending

Citi Strata Elite Cons

• $250 annual fee may not justify for lighter spenders
• Only 10 free lounge visits per year
• Credits require using Citi Travel Portal
• Need heavy category spending to maximize value

Who Should Get Each Card

Get the Citi Strata If You:

• Spend $500+ monthly on dining and gas combined
• Want flexible transfer points without paying $200+ in annual fees
• Don't need lounge access or premium perks
• Already have other travel cards covering insurance benefits
• Prefer to maximize earnings on everyday spending

Get the Citi Strata Elite If You:

• Spend $1,000+ monthly across dining, gas, and hotels
• Travel frequently enough to use lounge access
• Can take advantage of the hotel and TSA PreCheck credits
• Value comprehensive travel insurance
• Want higher earning rates and don't mind the premium fee

Skip Both If You:

• Spend less than $300 monthly on bonus categories
• Already have the Citi Strata Premier and it covers your needs
• Prefer cash back to travel points
• Don't value airline transfer partners

Application Strategy

Before applying for either Strata card, consider these factors:

Credit Score Requirements: Citi typically approves these cards for scores above 670, but you'll have better odds with a score of 700 or higher.

Citi Application Rules: Citi allows one new personal credit card every 8 days and two new cards every 65 days. Plan your applications accordingly if you're pursuing multiple Citi cards.

Existing Citi Cards: If you already have the Strata Premier, you can't get the welcome bonus on another Strata card within 24 months of receiving the Premier bonus.

Current Credit Card Portfolio: These cards work best as part of a broader points strategy. If you already have the Chase Sapphire Reserve or Amex Platinum, consider whether you need additional lounge access before applying for the Elite.

Making Your Decision

The choice between these cards comes down to your spending patterns and travel frequency. Run your actual numbers through the earning scenarios I outlined above. If you're earning more than 20,000 additional points annually with the Elite and can use the travel credits, the higher annual fee makes sense.

For most moderate travelers who spend heavily on dining and gas, the base Citi Strata hits a sweet spot. You get flexible transfer points, solid category bonuses, and cell phone protection for less than $100 annually. That's tough to beat.

The Elite shines for frequent travelers who rack up significant spending in the 5x categories and will actually use Priority Pass lounge access. Those 10 free visits add real value if you travel monthly or more frequently. Combined with the statement credits, the Elite can justify its premium positioning.

Either way, you're getting access to one of the most valuable transfer point currencies available. ThankYou Points open up award bookings through partners like Virgin Atlantic and Singapore Airlines that often deliver outsized value compared to booking directly with American carriers. That transfer flexibility is what makes these cards worth considering, regardless of which tier you choose.

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