Citi Strata Premier Credit Card Review the Louvre Paris

Citi Strata Premier Card Review: Maximize Your Rewards & Travel Perks

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The Citi Strata Premier Card is a versatile travel rewards card offering 10x ThankYou® points on hotels, attractions, and car rentals booked through CitiTravel.com, 3x points on other travel, dining, groceries, and gas. With flexible redemption and a $95 annual fee, it’s perfect for frequent travelers seeking value without premium costs. Learn more in our in-depth Citi Strata Premier Card review.

Card Score: ✅✅✅ 3.65/5

*The credit card score is based on the sole opinion of Credit Mileage without input or influence from the card issuer.

Citi Strata Premier Credit Card Overview 

 

In May 2024, the Citi Premier was offiically rebranded and replaced by the Citi Strata Premier. The refreshed Citi Strata Premier card comes with incredible new travel perks and benefits.

 

The Citi Strata Premier Card is a travel rewards credit card with versatile earning potential and useful benefits. It caters to individuals who want to earn rewards on daily purchases, including travel, dining, and groceries, while also enjoying a variety of travel-related perks.

 

In this review, we will explore the features, benefits, pros and cons, comparisons to other credit cards, and give our final thoughts to help you determine if the Citi Strata Premier Card is the right fit for your wallet.

 

Key Benefits of the Citi Strata Premier Card

  • Earn 10x ThankYou® points per dollar hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com.
  • Earn 3x points on air travel, other hotel purchases, restaurants, supermarkets, gas, and newly added, EV charging stations.
  • Earn 1x points on all other purchases.
  • No foreign transaction fees.
  • $100 annual hotel benefit.

 

Rewards Program

 

The Citi Strata Premier Card stands out for its robust rewards program, making it an excellent option for those who seek high-value rewards for everyday spending and travel. The card earns:

  • 10x ThankYou points on hotel, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com
  • 3x points on air travel and other hotels
  • 3x points on restaurants
  • 3x points on supermarkets
  • 3x points on gas stations and EV charging stations
  • 1x point on all other purchases

 

With this structure, you can earn significant rewards on categories where many people spend the most. For frequent travelers and foodies, the card’s 3x points on air travel, hotels, and dining is especially appealing.

 

Redemption Flexibility

 

Citi ThankYou points earned through the Citi Premier Card can be redeemed for a variety of rewards, including:

  • Travel: Book flights, hotels, and more through the Citi ThankYou travel portal or transfer points to airline partners.
  • Statement credits and cash back: Apply points as statement credits or redeem for cash back.
  • Gift cards: Choose from a wide range of gift card options.
  • Shopping: Redeem points for merchandise at online retailers or for select purchases.

 

The ability to transfer points to multiple airline partners adds another layer of flexibility, allowing users to maximize the value of their points.

 

Rewards Expiration and Transfer Options

 

Citi ThankYou points do not expire as long as the account remains open and in good standing, and the transfer options to 15+ airline partners provide additional value for frequent travelers. These factors make it easy to accumulate and utilize rewards over time.

Sign-Up Bonus

 

The Citi Strata Premier Card offers a generous sign-up bonus, which typically provides:

  • 70,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.

 

This bonus is equivalent to $700 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com, adding significant value for new cardholders. While the spending threshold may be high for some, it is reasonable compared to other premium travel rewards cards.

 

Fees

 

The Citi Strata Premier Card comes with some notable fees, including:

  • Annual Fee: $95
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

 

The annual fee is competitive for a travel rewards card, especially considering the benefits and rewards offered. The absence of foreign transaction fees makes it a suitable option for international travelers.

 

APR and Financing Options

 

The Citi Strata Premier Card is not geared toward those who want to carry a balance, as it lacks a 0% introductory APR offer. The standard variable APR for the card ranges from 20.24% to 28.24%, depending on creditworthiness. Additionally, balance transfers come with a 5% fee (minimum $5).

 

Cardholder Benefits

 

The Citi Strata Premier Card offers several benefits, primarily aimed at travel and purchase protection:

 

Travel Benefits

  • No foreign transaction fees
  • Access to Citi’s travel protections, including trip cancellation and interruption insurance, travel accident insurance, and baggage delay protection.

 

Purchase Protection and Insurance

  • Extended warranty protection for eligible purchases
  • Purchase protection that covers damage or theft for a limited time after purchase

 

Other Perks

  • Access to the Citi Entertainment program, which offers special access to event tickets and exclusive experiences.
  • Point-sharing with ThankYou Rewards: Allows you to share points with other ThankYou Rewards members, enhancing point redemption flexibility.

Pros and Cons of the Citi Strata Premier Card

 

Pros

  • High rewards rate: 10x on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com, 3x points on other travel, dining, groceries, gas and EV charging stations.
  • Flexible point redemption: Transfer points to 15+ airline partners.
  • No foreign transaction fees, making it ideal for international travel.
  • Valuable sign-up bonus with achievable spending requirements.
  • Useful travel and purchase protections included.

 

Cons

  • $95 annual fee, although justified by the rewards and benefits.
  • No introductory 0% APR offer, making it less suitable for those seeking financing options.
  • High standard APR, not ideal for carrying balances.

Citi Strata Premier Card Compared to Other Credit Cards

 

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

 

Read our review of the Chase Sapphire Preferred here.

 

  • Rewards rate: 2x points on travel and dining, 1x on other purchases.
  • Sign-up bonus: 60,000 points after spending $4,000 within the first 3 months (similar to Citi Premier).
  • Annual fee: $95.
  • Additional perks: 25% more value when redeeming through the Chase Ultimate Rewards portal.

 

The Citi Strata Premier offers higher rewards on groceries and gas, while Chase Sapphire Preferred provides extra value through its travel portal. Travelers seeking high grocery rewards might prefer Citi Premier, while those who use the Chase Ultimate Rewards ecosystem may find more value with Sapphire Preferred. Since the refreshed branding from Citi Premier to Citi Strata Premier, the Citi Strata Premier card has become much more competitive compared to Chase Sapphire because of its 10x ThankYou points when purchasing hotels, car rentals, and attractions through CitiTravel.com

 

American Express® Gold Card

 

Read our review of the American Express Gold Card here.

 

  • Rewards rate: 4x points at restaurants, including takeout and delivery, and 4x points at U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year), 3x on flights booked directly with airlines.
  • Sign-up bonus: Typically 60,000 points after meeting the spending requirement.
  • Annual fee: $325.
  • Additional perks: $120 dining credit and $100 airline fee credit.

 

While the Amex Gold Card offers higher rewards on dining and U.S. supermarkets, its $325 annual fee is significantly higher than Citi Premier’s. The Citi Strata Premier Card is more budget-friendly for those seeking a lower-cost travel card with broad category rewards.

 

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

 

Read our review of the Capital One Venture Rewards card here.

 

  • Rewards rate: 2x miles on all purchases.
  • Sign-up bonus: 75,000 miles after spending $4,000 within the first 3 months.
  • Annual fee: $95.
  • Additional perks: 10x miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.

 

The Venture Card’s flat 2x miles on all purchases may be more attractive to those who prefer simplicity. However, the Citi Premier’s higher rewards in specific categories (e.g., groceries, gas) can offer more value to cardholders who spend heavily in those areas.

 

Conclusion: The Bottom Line 

 

The Citi Strata Premier Card is a versatile travel rewards credit card that provides excellent value to cardholders who spend across a variety of categories, including travel, dining, groceries, and gas. With a generous 10x points rate and a flexible redemption program, the card competes well against other mid-tier travel cards. The reasonable $95 annual fee, combined with no foreign transaction fees, makes it accessible to frequent travelers without the high cost of premium cards.

 

However, the lack of luxury perks such as airport lounge access, and the absence of a 0% introductory APR, may not suit everyone. Those looking for a more premium travel experience or financing options may find other cards better suited to their needs. Overall, the Citi Premier Strata Card is a strong choice for travelers who value high rewards rates and flexible redemption options.

Affiliate and Relationship Disclosure: Credit Mileage may receive compensation from affiliate links included in this post at no extra cost to you. This helps support our mission of providing quality financial education and resources. Additionally, Credit Mileage has a direct business relationship with eCreditAdvisor, which may be mentioned or linked in our content. Our opinions and recommendations remain our own, and we only promote products or services that we believe offer value to our readers. We currently do not have any credit card affiliate links on our website.

Editorial note: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not reflect the opinions of any bank, credit card company, airline, or hotel chain. None of these organizations have reviewed, approved, or endorsed the content in any way.

Legal and Financial Advice Disclosure: Credit Mileage is not a law firm, and this article is not intended to provide legal or financial advice. This information is meant purely for educational purposes. We strive to offer accurate and up-to-date information, but it is not a substitute for professional financial or legal advice. Always consult with a qualified attorney or financial advisor before making any decisions regarding your financial situation.

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