This credit card is designed for individuals who enjoy traveling and want to maximize their spending rewards. It offers high earning potential through the ThankYou® Points program, especially when booking travel via CitiTravel.com.
Beyond travel rewards, the Citi Strata Premier® Card includes perks like no foreign transaction fees and an annual hotel discount. These features make it not just a travel card but a practical tool for everyday purchases like groceries, gas, and dining.
Main features of Citi Strata Premier® Card
The card comes with an attractive welcome bonus of 60,000 ThankYou® Points after qualifying purchases. It earns 10X points on travel booked through CitiTravel.com, 3X on air travel, supermarkets, restaurants, gas stations, and EV charging stations, plus 1X on all other purchases. The $95 annual fee is reasonable given the breadth of rewards and perks.
Approval requirements
To qualify for the Citi Strata Premier® Card, applicants generally need a good to excellent credit score, typically 700 or higher. Citi also reviews your recent credit history, income stability, and existing debt obligations. Additionally, if you’ve received a bonus from a Citi Premier® or Citi Strata Premier® account in the past 48 months, you won’t be eligible for the welcome offer.
Benefits of Citi Strata Premier® Card
This card is packed with travel-centric benefits. One of the standout features is the $100 annual hotel credit when you book a stay of $500 or more through CitiTravel.com. Furthermore, there are no foreign transaction fees, and the card includes robust travel protections like trip delay reimbursement and lost luggage coverage.
Exclusive highlight
The most exclusive highlight is the ability to transfer ThankYou® Points to various airline partners, including Virgin Atlantic and Singapore Airlines, with no additional fees. This flexibility can significantly enhance the value of your points, especially for international travel, giving cardholders access to premium flight deals and upgrades.
Drawbacks and things to consider about the Citi Strata Premier® Card
While the Citi Strata Premier® Card offers great perks, it does come with some limitations. The $95 annual fee, although moderate, may not be worthwhile if you don’t travel frequently. Additionally, to maximize the highest reward rates, you must use CitiTravel.com for bookings, which might not always offer the cheapest rates.
Another factor to consider is the 48-month restriction on receiving the welcome bonus if you’ve held a similar Citi card recently. Also, while the rewards are versatile, the card lacks premium airport lounge access, which some competitors offer.
How to apply step-by-step
Applying for the Citi Strata Premier® Card is straightforward. First, visit Citi’s official website and locate the card’s application page. Then, fill out the form with your personal details, income, and employment information. After submitting, you typically receive a decision in under a minute. If approved, your card will be mailed to your address within a few business days.
Who is the Citi Strata Premier® Card ideal for?
This credit card is ideal for travelers who frequently book flights, hotels, and car rentals. It’s also a strong fit for individuals who want to earn rewards on everyday expenses like groceries, gas, dining, and EV charging. The lack of foreign transaction fees makes it perfect for international travelers as well.
On the other hand, if you rarely travel or don’t spend much in the bonus categories, this card might not deliver enough value to justify the annual fee. It’s best suited for people seeking flexibility in point redemption, particularly those who enjoy transferring points to airline partners for maximum value.