Citi Strata Premier card review: Full details

The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card (see rates and fees) is an under-the-radar gem with an exceptional vary of bonus classes. Whereas the cardboard is not as sturdy on the redemption aspect as comparable choices from Chase or Amex, the flexibility to earn 3 factors per greenback on eligible journey and eating purchases for simply $95 a 12 months continues to be a fairly nice deal. Card score*: ⭐⭐⭐⭐`

* Card rating is predicated on the opinion of TPG’s editors and isn’t influenced by the cardboard issuer.

The Citi Strata Premier Card is without doubt one of the finest earners on all kinds of on a regular basis spending. It accrues 3 factors per greenback with airways, accommodations, fuel stations, electrical car charging stations, eating places and supermarkets — a superb slate of bonus classes for a card with a $95 annual payment.

Additionally, the factors you earn with the Citi Strata Premier are among the many most versatile rewards currencies and are price 1.8 cents every, in response to TPG’s November 2024 valuations. Citi has improved the ThankYou Rewards program considerably through the years to compete with American Express Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards.

The cardboard underwent a minor refresh again in Might, introducing a brand new title, EV charging bonus class and journey protections; the annual payment has stayed the identical.

The really useful credit score for the Citi Strata Premier card is 670 or above.

If you happen to’re there and are contemplating making use of, this is what else you need to find out about this card — and why you would possibly wish to apply now.

Associated: The best Citi credit cards

The Citi Strata Premier is providing 75,000 bonus factors after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account opening.

In line with TPG’s November 2024 valuations of ThankYou factors at 1.8 cents apiece, this bonus is price $1,350.

Up to now, the card has offered welcome bonuses of up to 80,000 points for brand new cardholders (now not out there). Nonetheless, the usual provide is 60,000, so now could also be a very good time to select it up.

The welcome bonus shouldn’t be out there in case you have obtained a brand new account bonus for a Citi Premier or Citi Strata Premier account up to now 48 months.

Associated: The ultimate guide to credit card application restrictions

A lot of Citi Strata Premier‘s worth proposition comes from its potential to earn bonus factors in lots of classes with out charging a hefty annual payment. As such, you should not anticipate an awesome variety of perks.

Nevertheless, there are a number of advantages of this card that may make it easier to recoup your annual payment:

• $100 annual resort credit score: You will take pleasure in a $100 credit score as soon as per calendar 12 months for single-stay resort bookings of $500 or extra (excluding taxes and charges) made by way of the Citi journey portal.
• World Elite Mastercard advantages: As a World Elite Mastercard, the Citi Strata Premier confers a number of travel-related perks that customers may not find out about. These embrace a $5 month-to-month Lyft credit score after taking three rides in a calendar month and entry to the Mastercard luxurious accommodations and resorts portfolio for on-property perks like complimentary breakfast and room upgrades upon availability. By way of the World Elite Mastercard program, you may additionally take pleasure in perks like cellphone safety and International Emergency Providers.
• Citi Leisure: This program provides cardholders particular entry to buy tickets to 1000’s of occasions — from concert events and sporting occasions to distinctive eating experiences and film screenings — earlier than most people should purchase them.
• No overseas transaction charges: Like several good journey card, the Citi Strata Premier means that you can journey freely with out incurring a payment on worldwide spending.

Citi Strata Premier card additionally helps you journey with ease of thoughts, offering the next journey protections:

• Journey cancellation and interruption
• Journey delay
• Misplaced or broken baggage
• Automotive rental protection

I all the time ensure that to make the most of the $100 annual resort credit score as it is a positive method to offset the annual payment. Nevertheless, aside from this, there aren’t many different advantages to make the most of for substantial financial savings.

Associated: Is the Citi Premier worth the annual fee?

The Citi Strata Premier‘s incomes construction is the place the cardboard shines.

The cardboard presents 10 ThankYou factors per greenback spent on accommodations, automobile leases and points of interest booked by way of the Citi Journey portal.

Cardholders additionally earn 3 factors per greenback on purchases within the following classes, with no caps or annual limits:

• Air journey
• Accommodations
• Fuel stations
• EV charging stations
• Supermarkets
• Eating places (together with takeout)

The cardboard earns 1 level per greenback on all different purchases.

These incomes charges are among the many most spectacular of any journey rewards card, particularly contemplating the Citi Strata Premier’s inexpensive annual payment. That is my go-to card for fuel purchases because it earns an infinite 3 factors per greenback, which lessens the sting of my excessive fuel costs in California.

I additionally typically use this card to earn bonus factors at supermarkets as a result of, in contrast to the American Express® Gold Card, there isn’t any spending cap on this class.

Associated: The best credit cards with annual fees under $100

Citi ThankYou factors might be redeemed for assertion credit, money rewards or third-party present playing cards. Moreover, they are often transferred to any of Citi’s 21 transfer partners.

You may redeem your ThankYou Factors for journey immediately by way of the Citi portal at a charge of 1 cent every, however that is properly beneath TPG’s November 2024 valuation of ThankYou factors at 1.8 cents every. To get a better worth, you may wish to make the most of the choice to switch your factors to Citi’s in depth record of switch companions.

Associated: The ultimate guide to Citi ThankYou points

The Citi Strata Premier can also be a best choice for vacationers, due to its participation within the ThankYou Rewards program, which at present has 15 airline switch companions, 5 resort companions and one procuring companion.

When you’ll discover that most of the frequent flyer applications are these of worldwide airways, you’ll be able to nonetheless guide high-value (and simply redeemable) awards by way of them.

For example, you’ll be able to leverage Air France-KLM Flying Blue miles for respectable business-class award availability on these airways and their SkyTeam companions. You too can entry some phenomenal offers on Star Alliance awards utilizing Avianca LifeMiles and snag Oneworld tickets by way of Qatar Privilege Club.

I discover nice worth in a number of switch companions, together with Air France-KLM Flying Blue, which presents business-class flights at 50,000 miles and the flexibility to add a stopover for free for as quick as 24 hours to so long as one 12 months.

One other switch companion I’ve utilized is Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, as it is a positive method to guide premium cabins on Singapore Airways.

Associated: The best ways to redeem Citi ThankYou points

As an inexpensive journey rewards card, the Citi Strata Premier has just a few direct opponents that could be a greater match for you:

• If you happen to favor Chase playing cards: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card competes immediately with the Citi Strata Premier with an annual payment of $95. Whereas Chase’s switch companions — together with United MileagePlus, Southwest Speedy Rewards and World of Hyatt — could be extra useful for a lot of vacationers, there are additionally some overlaps like Singapore KrisFlyer, Emirates Skywards and Virgin Atlantic Flying Membership. For extra info, learn our full review of the Sapphire Preferred.
• If you need a flat earnings charge: Attempt the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. It additionally prices a $95 annual payment (see rates and fees), however this card earns a flat 2 miles per greenback on most purchases as a substitute of providing bonus classes. For extra info, learn our full review of the Venture Rewards card.
• If you need added perks: If you happen to dine out steadily, you would possibly favor the American Express® Gold Card, because it has a better incomes charge of 4 factors per greenback at U.S. supermarkets (on the primary $25,000 in purchases per calendar 12 months, then 1 per greenback) and at eating places (on as much as $50,000 in purchases per calendar 12 months, then 1 level per greenback). It additionally comes with beneficial credit that assist offset a lot of the greater $325 annual payment (see rates and fees). Enrollment is required for choose advantages. For extra info, learn our full review of the Amex Gold.

For added choices, take a look at our full list of the top travel rewards cards.

Regardless of a bevy of opponents, the Citi Strata Premier‘s lengthy record of bonus classes and strong sign-up bonus make it probably the most profitable points-earning playing cards in its worth vary. The big selection of ThankYou Rewards switch companions makes this card compelling, particularly for vacationers who need the flexibleness to redeem factors with numerous loyalty applications. It is price a glance when you’re keen on Citi or searching for a flexible travel rewards card so as to add to your pockets.

Apply right here: Citi Strata Premier with a 75,000-point bonus

For charges and charges of the Amex Gold Card, click on here.