How to use the Citi Strata Elite Splurge credit for up to $200 in annual value
Editor's Note
The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card (see rates and fees) offers impressive earning rates, great transfer partner options — including American Airlines AAdvantage — and a notable welcome bonus offer for new cardholders.
You can earn 75,000 bonus Citi ThankYou Rewards points after spending $6,000 in the first three months from account opening. Based on TPG's August 2025 valuations, the welcome offer is worth $1,425.
Additionally, the Strata Elite Card offers valuable statement credits, most notable a "Splurge" credit, which offers cardholders up to $200 back in statement credits every calendar year.
Here's everything you need to know about the Citi Splurge credit, including how to activate it and the smartest ways to use it.
What is the Citi Strata Elite Splurge credit?
Each calendar year, Citi Strata Elite Card members can earn up to $200 in statement credits on purchases at up to two participating brands. You don't need to enroll in advance, but you do need to choose your brands strategically.
The eligible retailers for 2025 include:
- 1stDibs (selling luxury furniture, jewelry and art)
- American Airlines
- Best Buy
- Future Personal Training
- Live Nation (event tickets and experiences)
Cardholders can earn statement credits at any one or two of these merchants, but not across all five.
So, for example, you could earn $200 in credits by spending with American Airlines alone, or you could split it between Best Buy and Live Nation.
Related: Airbnb's overhauled app offers on-demand chefs, massages and other hotellike amenities
How the Splurge credit benefit works
Cardmembers must sign in to their accounts and select one or two Splurge merchants they wish to nominate. It's a good idea to choose two, even if you might not purchase with both. You can change the merchants whenever you like.
The offer only applies to eligible purchases made directly with the brands, not through third-party sellers or resellers, which is especially important to note for popular concert tickets. If you choose American Airlines, you must book directly on aa.com and not through Citi Travel to use the credit.
For American Airlines purchases, AA Cargo, hotel bookings, car rentals or AAdvantage status boosts do not qualify for the Splurge credit.
You'll get up to $200 in credit in total, and no minimum spend is required. Once you make qualifying purchases, the credit will post to your account as a statement credit.
According to Citi's website, you must activate your selected merchant(s), and purchases made by both the primary cardmember and authorized users are eligible for Splurge credits.
Best ways to use the Splurge credit
Citi is aiming this benefit at cardholders who value travel, tech and experience-based spending. Here are some smart ways to use the credit:
- Book a flight or pay for ancillary fees with American Airlines: Now that you can transfer your ThankYou Rewards points to AAdvantage at a 1:1 rate, this would be a great way to pay any fees, taxes and surcharges required for award redemptions.
- Up your tech game from Best Buy: Whether you're shopping for headphones, smart home gear or accessories, Best Buy is a smart way to max out the credit quickly.
- Score concert or event tickets through Live Nation: With average ticket fees rising, this is a practical way to lower the cost of a night out.
- Purchase goods with 1stDibs: If you're already a big spender in this category, the credit can be a small but meaningful kickback.
- Get personalized coaching with Future: This subscription-based fitness platform isn't cheap, so $200 off goes a long way.
Related: Earn bonus points or miles on events, attractions and more with Undercover Tourist
What other credits does the card offer?
As a new premium credit card, the Citi Strata Elite Card comes with other benefits, including:
- Hotel credit: Up to $300 off one prepaid hotel stay (minimum two-night booking) when booking through Citi Travel each calendar year
- Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit: Up to a $120 credit every four years for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee
- Blacklane credit: Up to $100 in biannual credit (up to $200 annually) for Blacklane chauffeur bookings
- Lounge access: Complimentary Priority Pass Select lounge access and four Admirals Club passes annually
Related: Citi Strata Elite: Citi finally adds a premium travel card — was it worth the wait?
Bottom line
The new Citi Strata Elite Splurge credit is flexible and offers handy value, especially if you already shop with or fly one of the eligible brands. While not as broad as travel credits from competitors like Chase or American Express, it's a strong perk that helps offset the card's fairly high annual fee of $595.
Just be sure to keep your spending limited to one or two brands per year — otherwise, you risk leaving part of the $200 on the table.
Related reading:
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.