Citi Strata Elite statement credits: How to maximize your benefits
Editor's Note
The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card (see rates and fees) splashed onto the premium credit card scene this year as a new option for luxury-minded travelers and people looking to collect more Citi ThankYou Rewards points.
Citi ThankYou Rewards points became more valuable with the addition of American Airlines AAdvantage as a transfer partner. That move made Citi the only card issuer with direct transfers to American Airlines, one of the three largest U.S. airlines.
TPG's September 2025 valuations place Citi ThankYou Rewards points at 1.9 cents each. The Strata Elite provides excellent earning rates to collect these points, and it packs in more perks to help take the sting out of its high $595 annual fee.
These statement credits can help elevate your travel experience and offset the annual fee, as long as you spend mindfully.
Here's a breakdown of what you need to know to make the most of these credits.
Overview of Strata Elite credits
Here's a list of the credits the Strata Elite provides:
| Credit | Value |
|---|---|
Prepaid hotel stays booked with Citi Travel | $300 annually |
Splurge | $200 annually |
Blacklane | $200 annually ($100 biannually) |
Global Entry/TSA PreCheck | Up to $120 every four years |
These total $820 in first-year value, which more than offsets the Strata Elite's $595 annual fee. Without the Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit, the card provides $700 in annual statement credits.
Past its statement credits, the Strata Elite provides ongoing value with four Admirals Club Citi Strata Elite passes each calendar year, Priority Pass lounge access and access to The Reserve by Citi Travel. You'll also receive excellent travel and purchase protections.
Related: How long does it take to receive statement credits from Amex, Capital One, Chase and Citi?
Prepaid hotel stays booked with Citi Travel
The Strata Elite's most valuable credit provides $300 off a prepaid hotel stay of at least two nights booked through Citi Travel, the issuer's travel portal.
This is an annual $300 credit, so you can use it all at once.
Plus, you aren't limited in your hotel selection. You can use this credit on any prepaid stay of at least two nights that's booked with Citi Travel.
Related: Should you book hotels through Citi Travel?
Splurge
Strata Elite Card holders will receive up to $200 in statement credits on purchases with up to two brands of their choice.
Cardholders have a choice of the following brands:
- 1stDibs (selling luxury art, furniture and jewelry)
- American Airlines
- Best Buy
- Future Personal Training
- Live Nation (event tickets and experiences)
When you go to select merchants for this credit, it's good practice to select two. Even if you don't end up making purchases with both brands, you won't regret being covered in case you make a spur-of-the-moment selection.
This is a unique benefit that can be applied in multiple ways. You can book a flight on American Airlines, buy a new tech product from Best Buy or secure concert tickets with Live Nation and have $200 wiped off your statement annually.
Related: How to use the Citi Strata Elite Splurge credit for up to $200 in annual value
Blacklane
One of the unique statement credits included on the Strata Elite is the $200 annual Blacklane credit, split into two biannual $100 credits (one to use from January through June and another to use from July through December).
Blacklane is a private chauffeur service available in more than 50 countries.
One ride with Blacklane could cost more than $100, so this credit could be easy to use if you value the service.
TPG credit cards writer Danyal Ahmed paid 566 euros ($657) on Blacklane to be driven in a Mercedes-Benz Vito van from Rosewood Schloss Fuschl in Salzburg, Austria, to Munich Airport (MUC). In his experience, Blacklanes are cheaper in Asia or the Middle East, but he suggests considering this credit to be more of a coupon since the service can be expensive.
Related: Things to know before the next time you use a ride-hailing service at the airport
Global Entry/TSA PreCheck
The Strata Elite also provides up to $120 in statement credits every four years toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck applications.
We recommend applying for Global Entry since it also includes a TSA PreCheck membership.
There are multiple Global Entry and TSA PreCheck credit cards on the market, so you may already have a card in your wallet with this perk. Luckily, you can use your statement credit to pay for someone else's application if you don't need it.
Related: Which airports accept Global Entry — and why you should get it
Benefits for qualifying Citigold members
The statement credits we've discussed so far have been open to anyone who holds the Strata Elite. But there are two more perks that are open to certain cardholders with prior Citi banking relationships.
Qualifying Citigold members are eligible for credits to help offset the Strata Elite's annual fee.
Here's what to know:
- Citigold Private Client Relationship Tier credit: If you're a qualifying Citigold Private Client, you can receive a $595 first-year banking relationship credit and an annual $145 credit each year afterward as long as you have an open Strata Elite Card.
- Citigold Relationship Tier credit: If you're a qualifying Citigold client, you can receive an annual $145 credit each year as long as you have an open Strata Elite Card.
For qualifying Citigold Private Clients, this is essentially a first-year no-annual-fee deal. Qualifying Citigold Private Clients and qualifying Citigold clients can receive $145 off their annual fee every year.
Related: Best Citi credit cards
Bottom line
If you can maximize the Strata Elite's statement credits, you'll receive more than your annual fee back in value.
Plus, new cardholders can earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
And, you'll earn valuable ThankYou Rewards points every time you swipe the card.
To learn more, read our full review of the Strata Elite.
Apply here: Citi Strata Elite Card
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.