Citi Strata Premier card assessment: Full particulars

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

* Card ranking relies on the opinion of TPG’s editors and isn’t influenced by the cardboard issuer.

The Citi Strata Premier Card is among the finest earners on all kinds of on a regular basis spending. It accrues 3 factors per greenback with airways, lodges, gasoline stations, electrical automobile charging stations, eating places and supermarkets — a wonderful slate of bonus classes for a card with a $95 annual price.

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

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

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

When you’re there and are contemplating making use of, here is what else you need to learn about this card — and why you may wish to apply now.

Associated: The most effective Citi bank cards

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

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

Up to now, the cardboard has provided welcome bonuses of as much as 80,000 factors for brand new cardholders (now not out there). Nonetheless, the usual provide is 60,000, so now could also be an excellent time to choose it up.

The welcome bonus will not be out there in case you have obtained a brand new account bonus for a Citi Premier or Citi Strata Premier account prior to now 48 months.

Associated: The last word information to bank card utility 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 price. As such, you should not count on an awesome variety of perks.

Nevertheless, there are a number of advantages of this card that may show you how to recoup your annual price:

• $100 annual lodge credit score: You will get pleasure from a $100 credit score as soon as per calendar yr for single-stay lodge bookings of $500 or extra (excluding taxes and charges) made via 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 buyers won’t learn about. These embody a $5 month-to-month Lyft credit score after taking three rides in a calendar month and entry to the Mastercard luxurious lodges and resorts portfolio for on-property perks like complimentary breakfast and room upgrades upon availability. By the World Elite Mastercard program, you will additionally get pleasure from 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 buy them.
• No overseas transaction charges: Like every good journey card, the Citi Strata Premier permits you to journey freely with out incurring a price 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
• Automobile rental protection

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

Associated: Is the Citi Premier well worth the annual price?

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

The cardboard provides 10 ThankYou factors per greenback spent on lodges, automotive leases and sights booked via 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
• Motels
• Gasoline 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 price. That is my go-to card for gasoline purchases because it earns a limiteless 3 factors per greenback, which lessens the sting of my excessive gasoline costs in California.

I additionally usually use this card to earn bonus factors at supermarkets as a result of, not like the American Categorical® Gold Card, there isn’t any spending cap on this class.

Associated: The most effective bank cards with annual charges beneath $100

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

You’ll be able to redeem your ThankYou Factors for journey straight via the Citi portal at a fee of 1 cent every, however that is nicely under TPG’s November 2024 valuation of ThankYou factors at 1.8 cents every. To get a better worth, you will wish to make the most of the choice to switch your factors to Citi’s in depth checklist of switch companions.

Associated: The last word information to Citi ThankYou factors

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

When you’ll discover that lots of the frequent flyer packages are these of worldwide airways, you possibly can nonetheless guide high-value (and simply redeemable) awards via them.

As an example, you possibly can 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 via Qatar Privilege Membership.

I discover nice worth in a number of switch companions, together with Air France-KLM Flying Blue, which provides business-class flights at 50,000 miles and the power to add a stopover without spending a dime for as brief as 24 hours to so long as one yr.

One other switch associate I’ve utilized is Singapore Airways KrisFlyer, as it is a certain technique to guide premium cabins on Singapore Airways.

Associated: The most effective methods to redeem Citi ThankYou factors

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

• When you want Chase playing cards: The Chase Sapphire Most well-liked® Card competes straight with the Citi Strata Premier with an annual price of $95. Whereas Chase’s switch companions — together with United MileagePlus, Southwest Speedy Rewards and World of Hyatt — may be extra helpful for a lot of vacationers, there are additionally some overlaps like Singapore KrisFlyer, Emirates Skywards and Virgin Atlantic Flying Membership. For extra data, learn our full assessment of the Sapphire Most well-liked.
• If you would like a flat earnings fee: Attempt the Capital One Enterprise Rewards Credit score Card. It additionally costs a $95 annual price (see charges and charges), however this card earns a flat 2 miles per greenback on most purchases as a substitute of providing bonus classes. For extra data, learn our full assessment of the Enterprise Rewards card.
• If you would like added perks: When you dine out steadily, you may want the American Categorical® Gold Card, because it has a better incomes fee of 4 factors per greenback at U.S. supermarkets (on the primary $25,000 in purchases per calendar yr, then 1 per greenback) and at eating places (on as much as $50,000 in purchases per calendar yr, then 1 level per greenback). It additionally comes with priceless credit that assist offset many of the increased $325 annual price (see charges and charges). Enrollment is required for choose advantages. For extra data, learn our full assessment of the Amex Gold.

For added choices, take a look at our full checklist of the highest journey rewards playing cards.

Regardless of a bevy of opponents, the Citi Strata Premier‘s lengthy checklist of bonus classes and strong sign-up bonus make it one of the crucial 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 want the flexibleness to redeem factors with numerous loyalty packages. It is value a glance if you happen to’re keen on Citi or in search of a flexible journey 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 right here.