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Highest offer ever: Earn 100,000 Citi ThankYou points with a new Strata Elite card

Oct. 08, 2025
8 min read
Female barista holding credit card reader for customer paying at checkout in deli
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Editor's Note

This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers. Citi is a TPG advertising partner.

If you're looking to earn transferable Citi ThankYou Rewards points, Citi offers three cards within its Strata lineup. Applying for one of these cards can net you a large welcome bonus and diversify your points, giving you access to valuable transfer partners.

From no annual fee to $595, it's important to choose a Strata card that fits your budget and travel goals.

And for a limited time, new Citi Strata Elite℠ Card cardholders can earn 100,000 points after spending $6,000 in the first three months from account opening. This card recently launched, so it's the best one we've seen in the card's short history.

Each card offers a wide range of bonus-earning categories and benefits to help elevate your travel. Here's a rundown of the three Citi Strata credit cards and their current welcome offers.

Comparison of Strata card welcome offers

CardWelcome offerBonus value*Annual fee
For a limited time, new cardholders can earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 in the first three months from account opening.
$1,900
$595
Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months from account opening.
$1,140
$95
Earn 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
$380
No annual fee

*The bonus value is based on TPG's October 2025 valuations and is not provided or reviewed by the issuer.

Citi Strata Elite

The Citi Strata Elite is the latest to join the ranks of premium credit card heavyweights. It's ideal for travelers who use Citi Travel, dine out on Friday and Saturday nights, and are interested in some American Airlines perks.

Welcome offer: For a limited time, new cardholders can earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 in the first three months from account opening. Based on TPG's October 2025 valuations, the welcome offer is worth $1,900.

At the card's launch, the 100,000-point welcome offer was only available for applications completed at a Citi branch, and the standard online offer was 80,000 bonus miles.

If you've been eyeing this card, now is a great time to apply since it's the first time the card is offering (online applicants) 100,000 bonus points after meeting the requirements.

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Annual fee: $595

Citi Strata Elite Credit Card art
THE POINTS GUY

Earning rates:

  • 12 points per dollar spent on attractions, car rentals and hotels booked through Citi Travel
  • 6 points per dollar spent on flights booked through Citi Travel
  • 6 points per dollar spent at restaurants, including restaurant delivery services on CitiNights℠ purchases, every Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Eastern time
  • 3 points per dollar spent on restaurant purchases at all other times
  • 1.5 points per dollar spent on all other purchases

Key benefits:

  • Blacklane credit: Up to a $200 annual credit (up to $100 biannually) for Blacklane chauffeur bookings
  • Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit: Up to a $120 credit every four years for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee
  • Hotel credit: Up to $300 off one prepaid hotel stay (minimum two-night booking) when booking through Citi Travel each calendar year
  • Lounge access: Complimentary Priority Pass Select lounge access and four Admirals Club passes annually
  • Splurge credit: Up to $200 in annual statement credits with your choice of two brands: 1stDibs, American Airlines, Best Buy, Future Personal Training and Live Nation

Why we like it: Overall, this card is a great choice if you prefer the ease of booking through an issuer's travel portal. The hotel credit can be used toward any prepaid hotel reservation on Citi Travel. The Splurge credit can be fairly easy to maximize, and I would recommend using it for American Airlines purchases, such as flight purchases or additional lounge passes. It can also be used to purchase travel gear from Best Buy, like Apple AirTags and noise-cancelling headphones.

However, note that Citi does not have its own lounge network, as its competitors do, making the card's lounge access benefit mediocre. In addition, the boosted restaurant earning rate is only applicable on Friday and Saturday evenings during specific Eastern hours, but is applicable worldwide.

To learn more, read our full review of the Citi Strata Elite.


Apply here: Citi Strata Elite


Citi Strata Premier

Often flying under the radar, the Citi Strata Premier is an excellent mid-tier travel card thanks to a wide range of bonus categories missing from many of its competitors.

Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months from account opening. Based on TPG's October 2025 valuations, the welcome offer is worth $1,140.

This offer is on the lower end of what we've seen in the past, so we'd recommend holding out if possible.

Annual fee: $95

Citi Strata Premier card picture
THE POINTS GUY

Earning rates:

  • 10 points per dollar spent on attractions, car rentals and hotels booked through Citi Travel
  • 3 points per dollar spent on electric vehicle charging, flights, gas stations, hotels, restaurants (including takeout) and supermarkets
  • 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases

Why we like it: This card offers an impressive range of bonus-earning categories for a $95 annual fee, making it an excellent choice for everyday spending. It offers an annual $100 hotel credit for one hotel booking of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) made through the Citi Travel portal, which makes up for the annual fee — as long as you use it. In addition, you receive various travel protections such as car rental coverage, lost and damaged luggage protection and trip cancellation.

To learn more, read our full review of the Citi Strata Premier.


Apply here: Citi Strata Premier


Citi Strata

The Citi Strata Card is an entry-level card within the Strata lineup. Before being rebranded, it was known as the Citi Rewards+® Card (no longer available).

The information for the Citi Rewards+ has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Welcome offer: Earn 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. Based on TPG's October 2025 valuations, the welcome offer is worth $380.

Annual fee: None

Citi Strata Card card art
THE POINTS GUY

Earning rates:

  • 5 points per dollar spent on attractions, car rentals and hotels booked through Citi Travel
  • 3 points per dollar spent on EV charging, gas stations, select transit and supermarkets
  • 3 points per dollar spent on an eligible self-selected category each quarter (barber shops/cosmetic stores/hair salons, fitness clubs, live entertainment, pet supply stores or select streaming services)
  • 2 points per dollar spent at restaurants
  • 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases

Why we like it: The Citi Strata has impressive earning rates for a no-annual-fee card, especially the quarterly self-selected category. A unique aspect of the Citi Strata is that you can transfer points to partners, but only at a transfer ratio of 1:0.7 for most airline and hotel partners.

To learn more, read our full review of the Citi Strata.


Apply here: Citi Strata


Bottom line

If you're looking to supercharge your travel rewards, the Citi Strata Elite Card is offering a limited-time 100,000-point welcome bonus after spending $6,000 in the first three months from account opening. This is highest we've seen for this new premium card, so if you've been eyeing this card, now is a good time to apply.

Each card in the lineup offers an impressive list of bonus-earning categories, so be sure to select a card that fits your everyday expenses and your travel needs. Keep welcome offer history i mind to take advantage of the best welcome offer.

For maximum value, consider transferring your ThankYou points to Citi's airline or hotel partners.


Apply here: Citi Strata Elite
Apply here: Citi Strata Premier
Apply here: Citi Strata


Featured image by MASKOT/GETTY IMAGES
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

TPG featured card

Rewards rate
3XEarn 3X Miles on Delta purchases.
1XEarn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
Intro offer
Open Intro bonus
Earn up to 125,000 Bonus Miles
Annual fee
$650
Regular APR
19.49%-28.49% Variable
Recommended credit
Open Credit score description
Excellent to Good

Pros

  • Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
  • Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
  • Ability to earn MQDs through spending
  • Various statement credits for eligible purchases

Cons

  • Steep annual fee of $650
  • Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
  • Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
  • Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
  • Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
  • Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
  • Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
  • $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
  • Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
  • With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
  • Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
  • $650 Annual Fee.
  • Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
  • Terms Apply.
  • See Rates & Fees