Quick Verdict

The Citi Strata Card is hands-down one of the best no-annual-fee cards available right now. With stellar earning rates across multiple categories and the unique ability to choose your own quarterly bonus category, it's an excellent entry point into the Citi ThankYou ecosystem. While the transfer partners have reduced ratios compared to premium cards, this card shines as the foundation piece of what we call the "Citi Trifecta" strategy.

Card Overview

Annual Fee: $0

Welcome Bonus: 30,000 ThankYou points after $1,000 spend in 3 months

Best Earning Rate: 5x on travel portal, 3x on supermarkets/gas/transit/self-select category

Credit Score Needed: 670+ (Good) - Learn more about credit scores

Transfer Partners: 20 partners at 1:0.7 ratio (improves with premium Citi card)

Why This Card Matters Now

If you've been following our Citi Trifecta strategy guide, you know that Citi has been quietly building one of the most competitive rewards ecosystems in the game. The Strata Card serves as the perfect foundation for this strategy, offering premium-level earning rates without any annual fee.

What makes this especially exciting is the timing. With the upcoming Citi Strata Elite Card launching in Q3 2025, having the base Strata Card in your wallet now positions you perfectly to maximize the entire ecosystem.

The Earning Structure That Changes Everything

Your Everyday Earning Rates

Here's where the Citi Strata gets really interesting:

• 5x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions through the Citi travel portal
• 3x points on supermarkets, gas stations, transit, EV charging, AND your self-select category
• 2x points on restaurants
• 1x point on everything else

The Game-Changer: Self-Select Categories

This is where the Strata Card truly stands out from competitors. Every quarter, you can choose one bonus category from:

• Barber shops, cosmetic stores, and hair salons
• Fitness clubs
• Live entertainment
• Pet supply stores
• Select streaming services

Real-world example: Let's say you spend $200/month on streaming services and choose that as your quarterly category. That's $600 × 3x = 1,800 ThankYou points per quarter, compared to just 600 points with a flat-rate card. Over a year, that's an extra 4,800 points just from this one category.

How This Stacks Up Against the Competition

Citi Strata Card:

• Supermarkets: 3x points (no cap)
• Gas: 3x points (no cap)
• Dining: 2x points
• Rotating Category: 3x points (your choice)
• Annual Fee: $0

Chase Freedom Flex:

• Supermarkets: 5x points (up to $1,500/quarter when it's the bonus category)
• Gas: 5x points (up to $1,500/quarter when it's the bonus category)
• Dining: 3x points
• Rotating Category: 5x points (Chase's choice, spending cap applies)
• Annual Fee: $0

Chase Freedom Unlimited:

• Supermarkets: 1.5x points
• Gas: 1.5x points
• Dining: 3x points
• Rotating Category: None
• Annual Fee: $0

The key advantage? No spending caps on the 3x categories. If you're a heavy spender at supermarkets or gas stations, you'll earn way more with the Strata than with capped rotating categories.

Building Your Citi Trifecta Foundation

Here's where the Strata Card becomes truly powerful. When combined with other Citi cards, you can earn between 2x and 10x points on virtually every purchase. Here's how it works:

The Complete Strategy

1. Citi Strata Card (this card) - 3x on supermarkets, gas, self-select category
2. Citi Strata Premier Card - 3x on travel, transfer partners at 1:1 ratio
3. Citi Double Cash Card - 2x on everything else

Real earning example: Sarah spends $500/month on groceries (1,500 points), $300/month on gas (900 points), and $400/month on dining (800 points with a 2x card). That's 3,200 points monthly, or 38,400 points annually, just from these categories. Compare that to a flat 1.5x card earning just 21,600 points annually on the same spending.

Transfer Partners: Good Today, Great Tomorrow

With just the Strata Card, you can transfer to 20 partners, but at a reduced 1:0.7 ratio. Here are some of the best options:

Top Transfer Partners

• JetBlue TrueBlue - Great for domestic flights and international via partners
• Wyndham Rewards - Excellent value for budget hotel stays
• Choice Privileges - Solid hotel redemptions
• Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles - Access to Star Alliance awards

The Premium Card Advantage

Here's the key insight: when you add a premium Citi card like the upcoming Strata Elite or the current Strata Premier, you unlock:

• Transfer ratios improve to 1:1 for most partners
• Access to all 21 transfer partners, including American Airlines
• Ability to pool points across all your Citi cards

This is where the strategy really pays off. You're essentially building a points-earning machine with minimal annual fees.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• No annual fee with premium earning rates
• No spending caps on bonus categories
• Quarterly self-select category gives you control
• Excellent supermarket and gas earnings for everyday spending
• Strong foundation for the Citi Trifecta strategy
• 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
• No foreign transaction fees

Cons

• Reduced transfer ratios without a premium Citi card
• Limited benefits compared to annual fee cards
• ThankYou points aren't as valuable as Chase or Amex for some redemptions
• Welcome bonus is solid but not spectacular compared to premium cards

Who Should Get This Card?

Perfect For:

The Strategic Builder: You want to start earning points efficiently while building toward a larger strategy. This card gives you premium earning rates while you decide which premium card to add later.

The Everyday Spender: You spend heavily on supermarkets, gas, or any of the self-select categories. The lack of spending caps means your earning potential is unlimited.

The Citi Ecosystem Enthusiast: You're planning to build the Citi Trifecta and want to start with the foundation piece that costs nothing to hold.

The Balance Transfer Seeker: The 0% intro APR for 15 months is competitive, and you'll earn points on purchases while paying down debt. Learn more about managing debt strategically.

Skip If:

You're Chase-Focused: If you're already deep in the Chase ecosystem and happy with it, adding another points currency might complicate your strategy. The Chase Freedom Flex might be a better fit.

You Want Premium Benefits: This is a no-fee card, so don't expect travel credits, lounge access, or other premium perks. Consider cards like the Capital One Venture Rewards if you want travel benefits with a reasonable annual fee.

You're Looking for Maximum Welcome Bonuses: While 30,000 points is solid, premium cards like the Capital One Venture X offer much larger sign-up bonuses.

Maximizing Your Value

Strategy 1: Optimize Your Self-Select Category

Change your category quarterly based on your spending patterns:

• Q1: Fitness clubs (if you pay gym dues)
• Q2: Streaming services (if you have multiple subscriptions)
• Q3: Live entertainment (summer concert season)
• Q4: Hair salons/cosmetics (holiday spending)

Strategy 2: Use the Travel Portal Strategically

The 5x earning rate through Citi's travel portal can be valuable for certain bookings. It's particularly good for:

• Hotel bookings where you're not earning elite status
• Car rentals where you need insurance coverage
• Activities and tours where points matter more than price

Strategy 3: Plan Your Trifecta Timeline

1. Start here with the Strata Card (no annual fee)
2. Add the Strata Premier in 6-12 months ($95 annual fee)
3. Consider the Strata Elite when it launches (premium benefits)

This gives you time to understand the ecosystem and build points before committing to annual fees.

Application Strategy

Current Offer Details

• Welcome bonus: 30,000 ThankYou points after $1,000 spend in 3 months
• Estimated value: $300-600 depending on how you redeem
• 0% intro APR: 15 months on purchases and balance transfers

Approval Odds

You'll want a credit score of 670+ for good approval odds. Citi tends to be approval-friendly for their no-fee cards, making this accessible to most applicants with decent credit. You can check your credit score for free if you're unsure where you stand.

Application Tips

1. Apply online for the fastest processing
2. Have recent income information ready
3. Consider your 5/24 status - this doesn't count against Chase's 5/24 rule since it's not a Chase card
4. Don't apply for multiple Citi cards on the same day
5. Read the terms carefully on Citi's official card page

FAQ

Q: Can I product change to this card from another Citi card? A: Yes, Citi typically allows product changes between their ThankYou-earning cards. However, you won't get the welcome bonus if you product change.

Q: How does this compare to the old Citi Rewards+ Card? A: This is essentially the rebranded and improved version of that card. Existing Rewards+ cardholders were automatically converted in July 2025.

Q: Should I get this if I already have the Chase Freedom Flex? A: Absolutely. The earning structures complement each other well, and having both gives you more bonus categories without caps. Our guide on maximizing Chase Freedom Flex categories shows how they can work together.

Q: Can I combine points with family members? A: Yes, Citi allows point transfers between family members who live at the same address.

Q: What happens to my points if I close the card? A: Your points remain active as long as you have any open Citi ThankYou-earning card. If you close all Citi cards, points expire after 12 months of inactivity.

Q: Is this worth it if I don't plan to get other Citi cards? A: Yes, even as a standalone card, the earning rates are excellent for a no-fee option. The reduced transfer ratios are still competitive with many other programs. If you prefer simpler cash back, consider the Capital One Quicksilver for flat-rate earning.

The Bottom Line

The Citi Strata Card earns our strong recommendation for anyone looking to maximize their everyday spending without paying an annual fee. While it might not grab headlines like premium cards with massive sign-up bonuses, it's the kind of solid, strategic choice that builds wealth over time.

What sets this apart is the combination of high earning rates, no spending caps, and the flexibility to choose your own bonus category. Add in the potential to build toward the Citi Trifecta strategy, and you've got a card that grows with your points strategy.

Our rating: 4.5/5 stars

The Citi Strata Card represents exactly what we love about strategic points earning: getting maximum value from your everyday spending while building toward bigger goals. At $0 annual fee, there's virtually no downside to adding this to your wallet.

Ready to Apply?

The current welcome bonus of 30,000 ThankYou points after $1,000 spend is solid value for a no-fee card. Combined with 0% intro APR for 15 months, it's a great time to apply.

Next Steps:

1. Review your spending to see how much you'd earn in bonus categories
2. Decide if you want to build the Citi Trifecta long-term
3. Apply when you can meet the minimum spending requirement
4. Set up your self-select category to maximize earnings from day one
5. Consider reading our guide on choosing the right cash back credit card to compare all your options

Want to learn more about building the complete Citi strategy? Check out our comprehensive Citi Trifecta guide to see how this card fits into the bigger picture.

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