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![Citi Strata Premier℠ Card Review [2025]: Earn 60,000 Bonus Points & 3X In Many Categories](https://awardwallet.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/blake-wisz-credit-card-swipe-featured.png)
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Featuring a wide range of spending categories, top transfer partners, and an affordable annual fee, the Citi Strata Premier® Card is one of the best mid-tier rewards cards you can add to your wallet.
When you factor in the 60,000-point sign-up bonus, $100 annual hotel savings benefit, and the lack of foreign transaction fees, the Citi Strata Premier card is one of the best rewards cards available for a $95 annual fee.
The Citi Strata Premier also takes the top spot in our list of the best rewards cards for gas and fuel, earning 3X points per $1 spent on airfare and hotels and at gas stations, restaurants, and supermarkets. Let's take a closer look at all this card has to offer so you can understand why it's got a permanent place in so many wallets.
- 3X points per $1 on airfare and hotels and at gas stations, restaurants, and supermarkets
- Annual Hotel Benefit: Save $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when you book through CitiTravel.com
- No foreign transaction fees
- $95 annual fee
- 10X points per $1 on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com
- 3X points per $1 spent on airfare, and other hotel purchases
- 3X points per $1 spent at gas and EV charging stations
- 3X points per $1 spent on dining at restaurants, including cafes, bars and lounges
- 3X points per $1 spent at supermarkets
- 1X points per $1 spent on all other purchases
Page Contents
- Citi Strata Premier Credit Card Overview
- Citi Strata Premier Welcome Bonus: Earn 60,000 Bonus ThankYou® Points
- Pros & Cons of the Citi Strata Premier Card
- Earn 3X Points on Valuable Bonus Categories
- Redeem Citi Strata Premier Points at a Fixed Value for Air Travel and Hotels
- Citi Strata Premier® Card Benefits and Annual Fee
- $95 annual fee
- $100 annual hotel savings benefit
- Citi Strata Premier retail and travel protection benefits
- No foreign transaction fees
- Entertainment and lifestyle perks
- No charge for adding Citi Strata Premier authorized user accounts
- Sharing Citi Strata Premier points with other people
- Citi Strata Premier World Elite Mastercard benefits
- Comparison With Similar Cards
- Is the Citi Strata Premier® Card Right for You?
- Is It Worth It?
- Citi Strata Premier Card Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the Citi Strata Premier® Card worth it?
- How do I redeem Citi Strata Premier points?
- When do Citi Strata Premier card points expire?
- What credit score do you need for the Citi Strata Premier Card?
- What is the lowest credit limit for the Citi Strata Premier?
- Is the Citi Strata Premier hard to get?
- Does the Citi Strata Premier Credit Card have an annual fee?
- Which is the best Citi credit card for travel?
Citi Strata Premier Credit Card Overview
The Citi Strata Premier is a versatile travel rewards credit card allowing cardholders to earn Citi ThankYou® Points for everyday spending. With a generous welcome bonus and a fantastic return on a wide range of spending categories, it's a popular card among travelers and rewards enthusiasts.
The Citi Strata Premier Card caters to individuals who enjoy earning valuable rewards on travel-related expenses and other everyday purchases. Whether you frequently dine out, fuel up at gas stations, or shop at supermarkets, this card offers significant rewards that can be redeemed directly for travel through the Citi TravelSM portal or transferred to 21 airline and hotel partners for potentially more valuable redemptions.
Citi Strata Premier Welcome Bonus: Earn 60,000 Bonus ThankYou® Points
New cardmembers will unlock 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com. That breaks down to roughly $1,334 of monthly spending during the welcome bonus period.
Understanding how much you need to spend each month and the timeframe to meet the minimum spending requirement is crucial to ensure you earn the 60,000 bonus points without overspending and committing unnecessary resources to lock in the welcome offer.
Thankfully, Citi provides an excellent tool called the Citi Credit Tracker to help new card members manage their minimum spending requirement, ensuring you know exactly what you need to do to secure the sign-up bonus.
Related: The Best Credit Card Welcome Bonuses Available This Month
Pros & Cons of the Citi Strata Premier Card
Pros
- Lucrative 60,000-point welcome offer
- 3x points at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, on airfare, and hotel purchases
- Flexible redemption options, including access to all of Citi's airline and hotel transfer partners
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to exclusive entertainment and lifestyle perks
Cons
- $95 annual fee
- Only earns 1x point on non-bonus purchases
Earn 3X Points on Valuable Bonus Categories
One of the primary reasons new cardmembers apply for the Citi Strata Premier is the lucrative earning rates on everyday spending categories, such as restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and travel, which significantly boost your ThankYou Points earnings.
Let's take a look at each of the bonus categories:
- 10X points per $1 on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com
- 3X points per $1 spent on airfare, and other hotel purchases
- 3X points per $1 spent at gas and EV charging stations
- 3X points per $1 spent on dining at restaurants, including cafes, bars and lounges
- 3X points per $1 spent at supermarkets
- 1X points per $1 spent on all other purchases
When paired with the Citi Double Cash® Card — which we think is one of the best personal rewards cards available for non-bonus spending — the combo will supercharge your earning strategy, and you'll only pay $95 total to hold both cards over the long term.
Redeem Citi Strata Premier Points at a Fixed Value for Air Travel and Hotels
The flexibility of the Citi Strata Premier Card extends to its redemption options, giving cardholders multiple ways to use ThankYou Points.
As a Citi Strata Premier member, you can redeem ThankYou Points for 1¢ each toward air travel, hotels, rental cars, activities, and more when redeemed through the ThankYou Travel portal.
There are no blackout dates, and airline tickets are treated as revenue fares — meaning you'll earn both elite and redeemable miles on your flights. This gives the sign-up bonus a base value of $600 towards travel when redeemed through the Citi TravelSM portal for a fixed value.
However, similar to rival Chase Ultimate Rewards points, the most valuable way to redeem your Citi Strata Premier rewards is to use the 21 Citi ThankYou transfer partners.
Citi ThankYou transfer partners don't receive quite the same attention as rival programs Chase Ultimate Rewards or American Express Membership Rewards, but the program has some fantastic partners offering top value for your points.
For example, one of the best ways to book flights on United Airlines (and many Star Alliance airlines) is using Singapore KrisFlyer miles or Turkish Airlines Miles & Smiles. An interesting sweet spot with the latter is booking flights to Hawaii on United Airlines for 10,000 miles each way in economy or 15,000 miles per person each way in business class.
Related: The Best Points and Miles for Free Flights to Hawaii
When booking United flights, many people assume Chase points are better since they transfer directly to United's MileagePlus program, but many United flights can be booked cheaper through its partners.
Regrettably, American Airlines is no longer a transfer partner from Citi ThankYou® Rewards. In 2021, Citi Strata Premier cardholders could transfer points to American for a limited time, providing a temporary avenue for maximizing their rewards with a domestic program. For now, your best bet to earn American miles is via the Citi AAdvantage® cards.
Citi Strata Premier® Card Benefits and Annual Fee
$95 annual fee
The Citi Strata Premier charges an annual fee of $95, which is on par with other cards in the mid-tier flexible rewards card category. While the Citi Strata Premier doesn't feature big-ticket perks like airport lounge access, cardholders can access a range of benefits that more than account for the annual fee each year.
$100 annual hotel savings benefit
Outside of the huge earning potential of this card, it also offers a $100 annual hotel savings benefit. Once per calendar year, you can get $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding fees and taxes) booked through ThankYou.com.
You're effectively getting ~20% off a cash hotel stay of $500. As the card charges a $95 annual fee, using this benefit once per year can cover the cost of holding the card year over year.
Citi Strata Premier retail and travel protection benefits
In May 2024, Citi added some excellent travel protection benefits to the Citi Strata Premier, fixing a major shortcoming for those who wanted to make it their primary travel card.
The refreshed card now offers:
- Trip cancellation and interruption coverage: Be covered for up to $5,000 per trip and up to $10,000 per account in a 12-month period when you pay for round-trip travel on a common carrier with your card or points from your card. Coverage applies to trips up to 365 days in length.
- Trip delay protection: Pay for your entire trip with your card or points earned from it to be covered on trips up to 365 days long. Coverage applies to delays of six or more hours and provides reimbursement of up to $500 per trip, up to two claims in a 12-month period.
- Lost or damaged luggage protection: Pay for the entire trip with your card or your points to enjoy coverage for your carry-on and checked luggage of up to $3,000, with a maximum of two claims per 12-month period. Coverage is in excess of what the common carrier provides.
- MasterRental car rental coverage: Pay for the entire rental with your Citi Strata Premier (or the points from your account) and decline the rental company's protection to enjoy coverage up to the actual cash value of the vehicle. This policy covers collision, theft, and vandalism, including towing and loss-of-use charges. Coverage is secondary within your country of residence and primary elsehwere.
The new Citi Strata Premier also retained the extended warranty coverage and purchase protection offered on the discontinued Citi Premier card.
- Purchase protection: With purchase protection, you can buy an eligible item using your Citi Strata Premier® Card and receive up to $10,000 per incident if the item is damaged or stolen within 90 days of the purchase or delivery date. The maximum limit per calendar year is $50,000.
- Extended warranty: The extended warranty coverage extends the manufacturer's warranty on eligible items for 24 months. This benefit applies to items with a manufacturer's warranty of five years or less, and coverage is limited to $10,000 per item.
No foreign transaction fees
You can take your Citi Strata Premier when traveling overseas and avoid foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad.
Entertainment and lifestyle perks
- Citi Private Pass: This program offers Citi credit and debit cardholders exclusive event access to numerous entertainment and lifestyle experiences. With Citi Private Pass, Citi Strata Premier cardholders can enjoy pre-sale tickets, preferred seating, and VIP packages for popular events like concerts, sports, dining experiences, and more.
- Citi Concierge: This premium service provides Citi Strata Premier card members with personalized assistance and lifestyle management services. The service has a team of experts available 24/7 to assist with various tasks and requests, such as travel arrangements, restaurant reservations, event tickets, shopping recommendations, and other concierge services.
It doesn't cost anything to add an authorized user to your account, so you can give a family member or partner an authorized user card at no cost and leverage household spending to earn even more points.
Sharing Citi Strata Premier points with other people
You can transfer ThankYou Points between accounts without fees, making sharing rewards easy. You can transfer up to 100,000 points and receive up to 100,000 points within a calendar year.
However, it's important to note that Citi has an ultra-prohibitive expiry policy on shared points. Once transferred, points are only valid for 90 days, so be ready to use your points before moving them around. Otherwise, you run the risk of losing them.
Citi Strata Premier World Elite Mastercard benefits
As a World Elite Mastercard, the Citi Strata Premier Card provides its users with various extra benefits exclusive to World Elite Mastercard holders. Here are some of the most notable perks:
- Zero liability protection for fraudulent purchases
- Mastercard ID Theft Protection
- A complimentary ShopRunner membership
- Get a $5 Lyft credit when you take a minimum of three rides per month
- Access to the World Elite Concierge
- Two free months of Instacart+ and $10 off the second eligible Instacart purchase each month
- Statement credits against Peacock Premium and Peacock Premium+ subscription purchases
Comparison With Similar Cards
- 10X points per $1 on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com
- 3X points per $1 spent on airfare, and other hotel purchases
- 3X points per $1 spent at gas and EV charging stations
- 3X points per $1 spent on dining at restaurants, including cafes, bars and lounges
- 3X points per $1 spent at supermarkets
- 1X points per $1 spent on all other purchases
- 5X points on Lyft rides through September 2027
- 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
- 3X points on dining at restaurants worldwide
- 3X points on eligible streaming services
- 3X points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs)
- 2X points on all other travel
- 1X point per dollar spent on all other purchases
- 5X miles per dollar on purchases through Capital One Entertainment (through 12/31/2025)
- 5X miles per dollar on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 2X miles per dollar on all other purchases
For a more detailed look at these cards, check out the following comparisons:
- Citi Strata Premier Card versus Sapphire Preferred (Rates & Fees)
- Citi Strata Premier Card versus Capital One Venture
Is the Citi Strata Premier® Card Right for You?
Citi has a somewhat complex set of application restrictions that can significantly impact your ability to get ThankYou® Rewards-earning cards, including the Citi Strata Premier sign-up bonus. Rules include:
- Maximum of one (1) personal card every eight days
- Maximum two (2) total cards every 65 days
- Maximum one (1) business card every 95 days
- You can only receive the sign-up bonus if you haven't received a bonus on this same card in the past 48 months
You'll also see these terms on the application page:
“Bonus ThankYou® Points are not available if you have received a new account bonus for a Citi Premier® or a Citi Strata Premier℠ account in the past 48 months or if you converted another Citi credit card account on which you earned a new account bonus in the last 48 months into a Citi Premier or Citi Strata Premier account.”
Related: Who Is Eligible to Get a Bonus on the Citi Strata Premier® Card?
Credit score requirements
A credit score of 700 or higher, classified as Good credit, increases the likelihood of getting approved for the Citi Strata Premier. Your chances are also influenced by factors like your annual income and existing debts.
Additionally, it's essential to meet the minimum eligibility criteria, including being at least 18 years old, having a valid Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), and maintaining a U.S. mailing address.
Related: Tips for Managing Your Credit Score
Is It Worth It?
The Citi Strata Premier® Card is a rewards-focused card that will help you earn the maximum number of points possible from your spending, particularly when paired with other ThankYou Points-earning cards.
While it's light on big-ticket benefits, the high points-earning rate still makes it a great standalone travel card you can use at restaurants, gas stations, supermarkets, and hotels to earn 3 points per $1 dollar spent.
The current 60,000-point offer could provide enough points to take your family to Hawaii. Plus, you can make use of great category bonuses to earn valuable points that transfer to numerous airline and hotel partners.
If you haven't taken advantage of the Citi Strata Premier‘s earning rates, now is the time to get your application in and start racking up ThankYou Points.
- 3X points per $1 on airfare and hotels and at gas stations, restaurants, and supermarkets
- Annual Hotel Benefit: Save $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when you book through CitiTravel.com
- No foreign transaction fees
- $95 annual fee
- 10X points per $1 on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com
- 3X points per $1 spent on airfare, and other hotel purchases
- 3X points per $1 spent at gas and EV charging stations
- 3X points per $1 spent on dining at restaurants, including cafes, bars and lounges
- 3X points per $1 spent at supermarkets
- 1X points per $1 spent on all other purchases
Citi Strata Premier Card Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Citi Strata Premier® Card worth it?
Is the Citi Strata Premier® Card the right card for you? This depends on your individual spending habits, travel preferences, and financial goals. The card offers a range of benefits, including generous rewards on air travel, dining, gas, and entertainment purchases, and access to the ThankYou Points program.
The card can provide significant value if you frequently spend in these categories and maximize the travel rewards. Even better, Citi added new travel insurance and protections to this card in May 2024, making it a standout option for any frequent traveler.
How do I redeem Citi Strata Premier points?
The Citi Strata Premier earns ThankYou Points, which you can redeem in two ways. Firstly, you can use the ThankYou Rewards portal to redeem your points for a fixed value. This gives you access to a variety of options, such as air travel, hotel bookings, car rentals, and activities. You also can redeem your earnings for merchandise, gift cards, statement credits, and more.
Secondly, as a Citi Strata Premier cardholder, you can transfer your ThankYou Points to participating hotel and airline loyalty programs. Transferring points to Citi's transfer partners can provide you with even more value.
When do Citi Strata Premier card points expire?
Your ThankYou Pints will not expire if your account is open and in good standing. However, if your account is closed, you have 60 days to use your points before they expire. This applies regardless of whether you close your account or if Citi closes it due to inactivity.
It also applies if Citi converts your card to one that doesn't earn ThankYou Points. However, if Citi closes your account due to fraudulent activity, you will lose your points immediately. You may also lose your points immediately if your tax or residency situation changes.
What credit score do you need for the Citi Strata Premier Card?
If your credit score is 700 or higher (considered Good credit), it will improve your chances of being approved for the Citi Strata Premier Card. Other factors affecting your approval odds include your annual income and any outstanding debts. It's also important to note that applicants must be at least 18 years old and have a U.S. mailing address and a valid SSN or ITIN.
What is the lowest credit limit for the Citi Strata Premier?
Based on the data points available, Citi typically sets the minimum credit limit for the Citi Strata Premier Card at $2,000. However, this limit can be higher for those with excellent credit, a significant annual income, and other relevant factors. In fact, some cardholders have reported credit limits as high as $20,000.
The number of existing Citi credit cards held can also impact the assigned credit limit. Citi assesses your current credit limits and overall available credit to determine the limit for the new card, which may result in newer cards having lower limits than older ones.
Is the Citi Strata Premier hard to get?
Outside of Citi's standard application rules, you can get the Citi Strata Premier if you haven't received a welcome bonus on this same card — or the now-discontinued Citi Premier — in the past 48 months.
Does the Citi Strata Premier Credit Card have an annual fee?
Yes, the Citi Strata Premier Card has a $95 annual fee; however, the card does not charge foreign transaction fees.
Which is the best Citi credit card for travel?
In the past, The Citi Prestige® Card was considered the top-tier ThankYou Rewards-earning credit card. As it is not currently open to applications, the Citi Strata Premier Card is Citi's top ThankYou Rewards card.
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (Rates & Fees)
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