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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.
Reviews
Citi Strata Premier Card review: Valuable earning rates on top spending categories
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.
Compliance manager Stanley Sanford has years of compliance experience in the credit card industry dating back to 2017. He's reviewed content for several reputable sites, including CreditCards.com, Bankrate, CNET. and even thepointsguy.com before leading the compliance team for The Points Guy full time in early 2022.
May 29, 2025 • 9 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Editorial note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.
Quick summary
A versatile travel rewards card offers high earning potential across a broad range of everyday categories, including travel, dining, supermarkets and gas stations.
Points earned are valued at 1.8 cents each as of May 2025 per TPG’s valuations, with flexible redemption options including transfers to numerous airline and hotel partners.
Cardholders receive an annual hotel credit for bookings through the issuer's travel portal and enjoy various travel protections and World Elite Mastercard benefits.
The card is positioned as a strong competitor in its segment, with a modest annual fee and broad appeal for frequent travelers and everyday spenders.
What to consider
The welcome offer is unavailable to those who have received a new account bonus for this or a similar card in the past 48 months, or who have converted another card to this product within that period.
Bonus points are awarded for eligible travel booked through the issuer's portal, and the annual hotel credit applies only to single-stay bookings of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees).
While the card offers a wide range of bonus categories, its travel protections are less comprehensive than some competitors and points are valued lower than those from certain other issuers.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed comparison of competing travel rewards cards and guidance on maximizing point redemptions through transfer partners.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
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.
Earn 10 Points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
3X
Earn 3 Points per $1 on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, at Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas and EV Charging Stations.
1X
Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
Intro offer
Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points
Annual fee
$95
Regular APR
19.49% - 27.49% (Variable)
Recommended credit
670-850
Excellent, Good
Citi is a TPG advertising partner.
Citi Strata Premier Card overview
The (see rates and fees) is an under-the-radar gem with a phenomenal range of bonus categories. While Citi points aren't as valuable as Chase or Amex points, the ability to earn 3 points per dollar on eligible travel and dining purchases for a modest annual fee is still a pretty great deal. Card rating*: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
* Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG’s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
The is one of the best earners on a wide variety of everyday spending. It accrues 3 points per dollar with airlines, electric vehicle charging and gas stations, hotels, restaurants and supermarkets — an excellent slate of bonus categories for a card with a $95 annual fee.
And the points you earn with the Citi Strata Premier are among the most versatile rewards currencies, worth 1.8 cents each (according to TPG’s May 2025 valuations).
The recommended credit score for the Citi Strata Premier card is 670 or above.
If you’re there and are considering applying, here’s what else you should know about this card — and why you might want to apply now.
The welcome bonus is not available if you have received a new account bonus for a Citi Premier or Citi Strata Premier account in the past 48 months. It is also not available if you have converted another Citi credit card account on which you earned a new account bonus in the last 48 months into a Premier or Strata Premier card.
Much of ’s value proposition comes from its ability to earn bonus points in many categories without charging a hefty annual fee. As such, you shouldn’t expect an overwhelming number of perks.
JT GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
However, there are several benefits of this card that can help you recoup your annual fee:
$100 annual hotel credit: Enjoy a $100 credit once per calendar year for single-stay hotel bookings of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) made through the Citi travel portal.
World Elite Mastercard benefits: As a World Elite Mastercard, the Citi Strata Premier confers several travel-related perks that consumers might not know about. These include a $5 monthly Lyft credit after taking three rides in a calendar month and access to the Mastercard luxury hotels and resorts portfolio for on-property perks like complimentary breakfast and room upgrades upon availability. Through the World Elite Mastercard program, you’ll also enjoy perks like cellphone protection and Global Emergency Services.
Citi Entertainment: This program gives cardholders special access to purchase tickets to thousands of events — from concerts and sporting events to unique dining experiences and movie screenings — before the general public can buy them.
No foreign transaction fees: Like any good travel card, the Citi Strata Premier allows you to travel freely without incurring a fee on international spending.
The also helps you travel with ease of mind, providing the following travel protections:
Car rental coverage
Lost or damaged luggage
Trip cancellation and interruption
Trip delay
I always make sure to use the $100 annual hotel credit as it’s a sure way to offset the annual fee. However, apart from this, there aren’t many other benefits to take advantage of for substantial savings.
The ’s earning structure is where the card shines.
The card offers 10 ThankYou points per dollar spent on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked through the Citi Travel portal.
Cardholders also earn 3 points per dollar on purchases in the following categories, with no caps or annual limits:
Air travel
EV charging stations
Gas stations
Hotels
Supermarkets
Restaurants (including takeout)
The card earns 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
FG TRADE/GETTY IMAGES
These earning rates are among the most impressive of any travel rewards card, especially considering the Citi Strata Premier’s affordable annual fee. This is my go-to card for gas purchases as it earns an unlimited 3 points per dollar, which lessens the sting of the high gas prices in California.
I also often use this card to earn bonus points at supermarkets because, unlike the , there is no spending cap on this category.
Citi ThankYou points can be redeemed for statement credits, cash back or gift cards. They can also be transferred to any of Citi’s partners (our recommendation).
CITI THANKYOU
You can redeem your ThankYou Points for travel directly through the Citi portal at a rate of 1 cent each, but that’s well below TPG’s May 2025 valuation of ThankYou points at 1.8 cents each. To get more value, you’ll want to take advantage of the option to transfer your points to Citi’s extensive list of transfer partners.
Transferring points on the Citi Strata Premier
The is also a top choice for travelers, thanks to its participation in the ThankYou Rewards program, which currently has one shopping, five hotel and 15 airline transfer partners.
While you’ll notice that many of the frequent flyer programs are those of international airlines, you can still book high-value (and easily redeemable) awards through them.
ERIC ROSEN/THE POINTS GUY
I find great value in several transfer partners, including Air France-KLM Flying Blue, which offers business-class flights for as few as 60,000 miles and the ability to add a stopover for free for as short as 24 hours to as long as one year. Last year, I transferred Citi ThankYou points to Flying Blue to fly in business class from Los Angeles to Dublin with a one-day stopover in Paris for 60,000 points.
Another transfer partner I have utilized is Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, which is a great way to book premium cabins on Singapore Airlines.
As an affordable travel rewards card, the has a few direct competitors that might be a better fit for you:
If you prefer Chase cards: The (see rates and fees) competes directly with the Citi Strata Premier with the same $95 annual fee. While Chase’s transfer partners (including United MileagePlus and World of Hyatt) might be more beneficial for many travelers, there are also some overlaps (like Singapore KrisFlyer and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club). For more information, read our full review of the Sapphire Preferred.
If you want added perks: If you dine out frequently, you might prefer the . It has a higher earning rate of 4 points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 per dollar) and at restaurants worldwide (on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1 point per dollar). It also comes with valuable credits that can more than offset the substantial $325 annual fee (see rates and fees). For more information, read our full review of the Amex Gold.
Despite a bevy of competitors, the ’s long list of bonus categories and solid welcome bonus make it one of the most lucrative points-earning cards in its price range.
The wide range of ThankYou Rewards transfer partners makes this card compelling, especially for travelers who want the flexibility to redeem points with various loyalty programs.
It’s worth serious consideration if you’re partial to Citi or looking for a versatile travel rewards card to add to your wallet.
For rates and fees of the Amex Gold Card, click here.
