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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Credit card writer Danyal Ahmed is an avid traveler, averaging about 100,000 aeronautical miles per year. He regularly applies that knowledge and his expertise in credit cards to his role as a credit card writer at TPG.
July 27, 2025 • 7 min read
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Quick summary
A popular no-annual-fee rewards card has been rebranded with a new name, design and enhanced benefits.
The revamped card introduces new and improved bonus categories, including a self-select option that can be changed quarterly.
Unique features from the previous version, such as rounding up points per purchase and a 10% redemption rebate, have been discontinued.
A limited-time elevated welcome offer is available for new applicants, while existing cardholders were automatically converted to the new product.
What to consider
Eligibility for the welcome bonus excludes those who received a new account bonus for the prior version in the last 48 months or converted accounts with a bonus in that period.
The self-select bonus category can be changed every quarter, offering flexibility across various spending areas.
Balance transfers incur a fee, with a higher rate applying after the first four months.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed breakdown of the new bonus categories, how to maximize the self-select feature and comparisons to similar products in the market.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Back in May, TPG exclusively learned the Citi Rewards+ Card was being rebranded to the Citi Strata℠ Card. Now, we've received confirmation Citi is launching the all-new Citi Strata℠ Elite.
As a longtime Citi loyalist and die-hard Citi Strata Premier® Card (see rates and fees) (formerly the Citi Premier) fan, I'm excited to see the issuer overhauling its lineup of Citi ThankYou Rewards-earning credit cards.
Applications for both cards are now open.
So, let's jump into what changes existing cardholders and new applicants can expect.
The information for Citi Rewards+ and Citi Premier has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. The Citi Rewards+ and Citi Premier are no longer available for new applications.
Citi Rewards+ used to round up each purchase to the nearest 10 points. Sadly, this unique perk is discontinued, along with the ability for each cardholder to receive 10% of the first 100,000 points redeemed per calendar year back.
In an exclusive interview with Pam Habner, Citi's head of branded cards and lending, Habner highlighted Citi's commitment to listening to customer feedback and engaging in focus groups to learn what current and prospective cardholders want from their credit cards. She mentioned how the current market showcases cardholders looking to be flexible with their reward earnings and how these findings drove Citi to make meaningful changes.
Existing Citi Rewards+ Card members got access to the new Citi Strata Card as of July 20, and new customers can apply as of today, July 27.
New earning rates
The most exciting aspect of the new Citi Strata Card is the introduction of new bonus categories and improved earning rates from the now-discontinued Rewards+ Card. The changes include:
New: 5 points per dollar spent on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked on cititravel.com
Increased: 3 points per dollar spent at supermarkets
Increased and expanded: 3 points per dollar spent on select transit, gas and electric vehicle charging stations
New: 3 points per dollar spent on eligible self-select category of fitness clubs, select streaming services, live entertainment, cosmetic stores/barber shops/hair salons or pet supply stores.
New: 2 points per dollar spent at restaurants
Same: 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases
VIOLETASTOIMENOVA/GETTY IMAGES
Previously, the Citi Rewards+ earned 2 points per dollar spent on grocery store and gas station purchases; however, the new earning rates are far more lucrative.
The Rewards+ Card earned 5 points per dollar spent on hotel, car rental and attraction bookings through the Citi travel portal, but it had an end date of Dec. 31. Now, the earning rate for these purchases is a permanent addition to the card.
This is a total revamp of the card, and its earning rates bring it closer to the Citi Strata Premier Card, which has a $95 annual fee and got its own refresh in May 2024
In my opinion, this can pave the path for Citi to have its own version of the Chase Trifecta, where Citi cardholders can carry multiple cards and maximize earning rates and benefits in combination with one another.
The new earning rates make this card a worthy contender for everyday purchases and challenge long-standing rivals, such as the Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates and fees).
Habner emphasized Citi's role in revamping the marketplace and staying competitive. It's evident that Citi leaned in on customers' desire to earn more across everyday spending categories. Therefore, the issuer simplified and increased opportunities with the Citi Strata Card in what I'd call essential categories of gas stations, supermarkets and restaurants, in addition to introducing the new self-select category.
MELANIE LIEBERMAN/THE POINTS GUY
The most exciting development is the new bonus category: 3 points per dollar spent on a self-select category.
With a wide range of options to choose from, it should be fairly easy to maximize. Cardholders can change their self-select category every quarter. I see this bonus category as a key driver for Citi because some eligible categories are not commonly offered on other cards at an elevated earning rate.
With some gym memberships costing more than $200 in cities such as New York and Los Angeles and live entertainment tickets costing a couple of hundred dollars, this can be extremely useful for many folks.
To me, this gives the Chase Freedom Flex® (see rates and fees) a run for its money because some of its quarterly bonus categories in the past have included fitness clubs or streaming services, but reward earnings are always capped at $1,500 each quarter you activate.
For a limited time, new customers approved for the Citi Strata Card will earn 30,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 within the first three months of account opening. Keep in mind that existing Citi Rewards+ cardholders were automatically converted to the Citi Strata Card on July 20. Therefore, cardholders will not be able to apply for the Citi Strata Card, as they'll already hold the card.
New Cardholders will also receive a 0% introductory annual percentage (APR) on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months; after that, a variable APR will be 18.74% - 28.74% will be applied based on credit worthiness. Balance transfers are subject to a 3% fee (minimum $5) and during the first 4 months of account opening, afterward each transfer will be 5% (minimum $5).
MORSA IMAGES/GETTY IMAGES
The welcome bonus is not available to applicants who received a new account bonus for a Citi Rewards+ account in the past 48 months or those who converted another Citi account on which they earned a new account bonus in the last 48 months into a Citi Strata or Citi Rewards+ account.
Another welcoming piece of news is that approved applicants will immediately have instant authorization and access to their new credit card.
Bottom line
The Citi Strata Card is a refreshing change in the credit card space, and I welcome it.
A complete overhaul to the earning rates and inclusion of new categories make this card a competitive option for those looking to earn ThankYou Rewards. The changes to this card have made it more useful as an everyday spending credit card and provide a strong value proposition.
As a Citi Strata Premier cardholder, you can combine your Strata Card points and transfer them to Citi's travel partners for maximum value. In addition, the Strata family is now complete thanks to the new Citi Strata Elite℠ Card (see rates and fees) launch, giving cardholders ample opportunity to choose a card that best fits their lifestyle.
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
