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| Limited-time offer for 80,000 bonus points |
| by Brian Kelly |
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There’s a new limited-time offer on a brand-new premium card from Citi that serves up travel benefits and an easy way to earn one of my favorite airline currencies — American Airlines AAdvantage miles.
Citi launched a new premium credit card, the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card, which is a no-brainer since Citi is now American Airlines’ exclusive transfer partner.
For a limited time, new Citi Strata Elite cardholders can earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months after opening an account.
Benefits and perks
In addition to being able to transfer your Citi points to American, you will also receive four Admirals Club passes each calendar year, as well as Priority Pass lounge access, with the ability to bring two guests, among other benefits.
Plus, Citi has 21 other valuable transfer partners, like Virgin Atlantic Flying Club and Air France-KLM Flying Blue, to help you maximize the huge stock of points you’ll earn.
Easy-to-maximize credits that practically pay for the card
One of the best things about the Strata Elite is how easy it is to unlock value right away. With nearly $1,500 in annual lifestyle and travel credits, you can offset the annual fee quickly with less complex hoops to jump through than on other premium cards.- $300 annual hotel credit — when booking through Citi Travel
- $200 Splurge credit — good at popular brands like American Airlines, Live Nation and Best Buy
- $200 Blacklane credit — luxury car service when you want to travel in style
- $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit — breeze through airport security faster
- 4 Admirals Club one-day passes — access to American Airlines lounges
- Priority Pass membership — plus entry for two guests
With all of this value totaled up each year, against a $595 annual fee, the card practically pays for itself before you even factor in the 80,000-point welcome bonus, which alone is worth over $1,500 based on TPG’s September 2025 valuations.
Incredible earning rates
If you want to rack up points to convert to American miles quickly, booking through the Citi Travel portal will earn you 12 points per dollar spent on hotels, car rentals and attractions. Airfare purchases in the Citi Travel portal earn 6 points per dollar spent.
There’s a cool new way to earn 6 points per dollar spent at restaurants, including restaurant delivery services, with CitiNights℠ purchases — every Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Eastern time, you’ll get the higher earning rate (with 3 points per dollar spent outside of that time frame).
Amazing redemptions
I recently transferred some of my Citi points to American to redeem for Qantas first-class tickets on the A380 from Los Angeles to Sydney — a route where it is notoriously difficult to find award space — for 110,000 miles each and $33 in taxes, versus paying $12,000 in cash.
Bottom line
If you’re considering a premium travel card with a big welcome bonus and amazing transfer partners, the Strata Elite just might be exactly what you’re looking for — but hurry, the 80,000-point offer is only available for a limited time.
Have a great weekend,
BK
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| Photo Credit: JONNO RATTMAN . |
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