Citi Strata Premier® Card

Quick Snapshot

• Annual Fee: $95 (no first-year waiver)
• APR: 20.24%-28.24% variable
• Rewards: 3X points on gas, groceries, restaurants, air travel, hotels; 1X on all else
• Bonus: 60,000 ThankYou Points after $4,000 spend in 3 months (worth $600)
• Best For: Versatile everyday and travel rewards, transfer partners
• Credit Needed: Good to Excellent (670+, best odds with 720+)

Overview

The Citi Strata Premier® Card (formerly Citi Premier) is a versatile travel rewards credit card that offers 3X ThankYou Points on popular spending categories including gas stations, restaurants, supermarkets, air travel, and hotels. With valuable transfer partners including American Airlines and a $100 annual hotel credit, this card delivers strong value for its $95 annual fee.

This card is designed for travelers who also want strong everyday earning. Unlike many travel cards that focus solely on travel purchases, the Strata Premier rewards groceries, gas, and dining at the same 3X rate as flights and hotels. Combined with flexible ThankYou Points that transfer to airline and hotel partners, this card bridges the gap between everyday spending and premium travel redemptions.

APR Breakdown

• Purchase APR: 20.24%-28.24% variable, based on creditworthiness
• Balance Transfer APR: 20.24%-28.24% variable
• Cash Advance APR: 29.49% variable
• Penalty APR: None

Note: Higher APR with no intro 0% period - best to pay in full each month to avoid interest charges.

Benefits Overview

Travel Benefits

• $100 Annual Hotel Credit: Once per calendar year on single hotel stays of $500+ through CitiTravel.com
• No Foreign Transaction Fees: Use your card internationally without extra charges
• Trip Cancellation & Interruption Insurance: Reimbursement for prepaid, non-refundable travel expenses
• Trip Delay Protection: Coverage for reasonable expenses if your trip is delayed 3+ hours
• Baggage Delay Insurance: Reimbursement for essential purchases if baggage is delayed 6+ hours
• Lost Luggage Reimbursement: Coverage for lost or damaged baggage
• Emergency Assistance Services: 24/7 travel assistance hotline

Everyday Benefits

• Purchase Protection: Coverage for eligible new purchases against damage or theft for 120 days (up to $10,000 per claim)
• Extended Warranty Protection: Extends eligible manufacturer warranties by an additional year
• Return Protection: Refund for eligible items that merchants won't take back (up to $500 per item)
• Price Protection: Refund of the difference if you find a lower price within 60 days
• Identity Theft Solutions: Assistance if you become a victim of identity theft
• 24/7 fraud monitoring with zero liability protection

Lifestyle Benefits

• Citi Entertainment: Access to presale tickets and exclusive experiences for concerts, sporting events, and more
• Citi Concierge: 24/7 personal concierge service for travel, dining, and entertainment bookings
• Points pooling with other Citi ThankYou cards for maximum flexibility
• Transfer partners: Access to valuable airline and hotel loyalty programs

Rewards Structure

• 3X ThankYou Points per $1 spent on:
  • Air travel (purchased directly with airlines or through Citi Travel)
  • Hotels (purchased directly with hotels or through Citi Travel)
  • Gas stations
  • Restaurants (including takeout, delivery, and dining)
  • Supermarkets
• 1X ThankYou Point per $1 on all other purchases
• Points never expire as long as your account remains open
• Valuable transfer partners at 1:1 ratio, including:
  • American Airlines AAdvantage (added in 2025)
  • JetBlue TrueBlue
  • Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
  • Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
  • EVA Air Infinity MileageLands
  • Choice Privileges
  • The Leading Hotels of the World
  • Wyndham Rewards
  • And more
• Redemption options: Transfer to partners, travel bookings, cash back (1 cent per point), gift cards, or statement credit

Point Value: Points are worth at least 1 cent each for cash back, but can be worth significantly more (1.5-2+ cents) when transferred to airline partners like American Airlines or Virgin Atlantic.

Welcome Bonus

Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou Points after you spend $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.

When transferred to airline partners, these points can be worth $900-$1,200+ in travel value, depending on how you redeem them.

Note: Some offers may include up to 75,000 bonus points when applying directly through Citi's website - always check for the best available offer.

Fees Summary

• Annual Fee: $95 (no first-year waiver)
• Foreign Transaction Fee: 0%
• Balance Transfer Fee: Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
• Cash Advance Fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount, whichever is greater
• Late Payment Fee: Up to $40
• Returned Payment Fee: Up to $40

Who This Card Is Best For

Ideal For

• Versatile spenders who want strong rewards on both travel and everyday categories
• Transfer partner enthusiasts seeking access to American Airlines and other programs
• Dining and grocery shoppers who spend heavily in these 3X categories
• Budget-conscious travelers wanting premium perks without a high annual fee
• Citi ecosystem builders who pair this with Custom Cash or Double Cash
• International travelers benefiting from no foreign transaction fees
• Those who value flexibility in earning and redeeming points

Not Good For

• Balance carriers (high APR with no intro 0% period makes this expensive)
• Infrequent travelers who won't maximize the $100 hotel credit
• Low spenders who can't meet the $4,000 welcome bonus requirement
• Premium perk seekers wanting lounge access or premium travel credits
• Those avoiding annual fees (the $95 fee requires strategic use to justify)
• Category maximizers seeking higher rates than 3X in specific areas

Key Pros & Cons

Pros

• Strong 3X earning across five popular everyday and travel categories
• Valuable transfer partners including American Airlines (added 2025)
• $100 annual hotel credit effectively reduces annual fee to $-5 (net profit if used)
• No foreign transaction fees for international use
• Versatile points can be redeemed for travel, cash back, gift cards, or transfers
• Comprehensive travel protections (trip cancellation, delay, baggage insurance)
• Strong everyday purchase protection and extended warranty coverage
• Can be paired with Citi Custom Cash for comprehensive rewards strategy
• Points never expire with account open
• 24/7 concierge service

Cons

• $95 annual fee with no first-year waiver
• Higher APR (20.24%-28.24%) with no 0% intro period
• Must book through CitiTravel.com to use $100 hotel credit (may not offer best prices)
• Welcome bonus requires $4,000 spend in 3 months (may be high for some)
• Transfer partner options more limited than Chase or Amex
• 3X categories exclude some common spending (drugstores, streaming, entertainment)
• No bonus on all travel (car rentals, cruises, tours earn only 1X)
• Hotel credit is once per calendar year, not per account anniversary

Alternatives to Consider

How the Rewards Add Up

Example Annual Value

If you spend $30,000 per year across typical categories:

Total Points Earned Year 1: 126,000 points
Cash Value: $1,260
Annual Fee: -$95
Net Value: $1,165

Ongoing Annual Value: ~$565 after annual fee

Important Note: These calculations assume 1 cent per point value for cash back. When transferred to airline partners, point values often increase to 1.5-2+ cents each, potentially adding hundreds more in value.

Should You Get This Card?

You Should Get It If…

• You spend heavily on dining, groceries, and gas (3X categories are your top expenses)
• You want access to American Airlines and other valuable transfer partners
• You can use the $100 annual hotel credit (making the effective fee $-5)
• You travel internationally and value no foreign transaction fees
• You're building a Citi card strategy and want to pool ThankYou Points
• You meet the $4,000 welcome bonus requirement comfortably
• You want versatile points for both everyday rewards and premium travel
• You value comprehensive travel and purchase protections

You Should Skip It If…

• You carry balances month-to-month (high APR makes this expensive)
• You don't travel enough to use the $100 hotel credit annually
• You can't meet the $4,000 spend requirement in 3 months
• You want premium perks like lounge access or premium travel credits
• You prefer no annual fee cards and won't maximize the benefits
• You already have a strong travel card with better transfer partners
• Your spending doesn't align with the 3X bonus categories
• You need a 0% intro APR offer for large purchases or balance transfers

Apply Now

Apply for Citi Strata Premier® Card

Information accurate as of December 2025. Terms and conditions apply. Please visit the issuer's website for the most current information.