Citi Strata Premier Card: Points Everywhere You Spend Most
Discover how the Citi Strata Premier Card rewards you with valuable ThankYou® Points on dining, travel, groceries, and more. Explore benefits, fees, strategies, and whether this versatile rewards card is right for you.
Citi Strata Premier Overview
The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card is designed for consumers who want to earn rewards on everyday spending as well as travel. Offering accelerated earnings on dining, supermarkets, gas stations, air travel, and hotels, it is one of the most versatile cards for individuals who value flexible rewards. Points earned are redeemable through Citi’s ThankYou® Rewards program, which offers travel bookings, transfer partners, gift cards, and more.
This card is especially attractive for households that spend heavily on food, fuel, and travel, since the rewards categories align with where most consumers allocate significant portions of their budgets.
Rewards Structure
Here is how the Citi Strata Premier Card rewards cardholders for every dollar spent:
- 10x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through Citi Travel℠ portal
- 3x points on air travel and hotels
- 3x points on dining, supermarkets, and gas stations
- 1x point on all other purchases
These categories make the card ideal for frequent travelers, food lovers, and commuters.
Rewards Comparison Table
Below is a breakdown of the Citi Strata Premier rewards categories:
| Spending Category | Points Earned per $1 |
|---|---|
| Citi Travel (Hotels, Car Rentals, Attractions) | 10x |
| Air Travel & Hotels | 3x |
| Dining | 3x |
| Supermarkets | 3x |
| Gas Stations | 3x |
| Other Purchases | 1x |
Additional Benefits
Beyond rewards, the Citi Strata Premier Card offers valuable travel and shopping benefits:
- $100 Annual Hotel Savings Benefit: Get $100 off a single hotel stay of $500+ booked through Citi Travel.
- Transfer Partners: Points transfer to over 15 airline and hotel loyalty programs.
- Travel Protections: Coverage for trip cancellation, interruption, and car rental insurance.
- Worldwide Acceptance: No foreign transaction fees, making it ideal for international travel.
Eligibility and Application
To qualify for the Citi Strata Premier Card, applicants generally need:
- Good to excellent credit (typically 700+ FICO score).
- Stable income and responsible credit history.
- U.S. residency with a valid Social Security number.
The application is available online, with instant decisions in many cases.
Annual Fee, Rates, and Costs
- Annual Fee: $95
- Purchase APR: Variable, based on creditworthiness
- Balance Transfer Fee: Typically 3% of each transfer
- Cash Advance Fee: 5% (minimum $10)
- Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Pros and Cons
Pros
- High rewards on travel, dining, groceries, and gas.
- 10x points when booking through Citi Travel.
- Annual hotel savings benefit.
- Transferable points to airline and hotel partners.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Cons
- $95 annual fee.
- Maximum value requires using Citi Travel portal and transfer partners.
- No introductory 0% APR offer on purchases.
How to Maximize Rewards
To get the most out of the Citi Strata Premier Card, follow these strategies:
- Book hotels, car rentals, and attractions through Citi Travel for 10x points.
- Use the card for dining, groceries, and gas to earn 3x points.
- Redeem points through Citi’s transfer partners for maximum value, often over 1.5 cents per point.
- Take advantage of the $100 hotel savings benefit annually to offset the annual fee.
- Pair with a no-annual-fee Citi card like Citi Double Cash to combine points.
Frequently Asked Questions
What credit score do I need for the Citi Strata Premier Card?
Most applicants are approved with a credit score of 700 or higher.
Does the Citi Strata Premier Card have an annual fee?
Yes, the card charges a $95 annual fee.
Are ThankYou® Points transferable?
Yes, you can transfer points to over 15 airline and hotel partners for maximum redemption value.
Does this card charge foreign transaction fees?
No, it has no foreign transaction fees, making it a good choice for international travel.
What is the best way to redeem Citi ThankYou® Points?
The best redemptions often come from transferring points to Citi’s airline partners.
Conclusion
The Citi Strata Premier Card is one of the most rewarding credit cards for everyday spending and travel. With strong earning rates, a valuable hotel benefit, and transferable ThankYou® Points, it provides excellent long-term value for cardholders who want flexibility and maximum rewards potential. While the $95 annual fee and lack of intro APR may be drawbacks, frequent travelers and high spenders will likely find the benefits far outweigh the costs.
