Citi ThankYou Rewards factors can unlock dream journeys and implausible journey experiences, and lots of of Citi’s proprietary playing cards earn these factors at a fast fee.
Better of all? You do not have to shell out tons of in annual charges to gather a stash of ThankYou Rewards factors.
The no-annual-fee Citi Strata℠ Card (see charges and charges) and the $95 Citi Strata Premier® Card (see charges and charges) rack up ThankYou Rewards factors and supply journey advantages at a modest value level, making both selection a terrific choice on your pockets.
However which stands out on your distinctive scenario? Let’s evaluate the professionals and cons of the Citi Strata and Strata Premier playing cards that can assist you resolve which one will improve your future journeys essentially the most.
Citi Strata vs. Citi Strata Premier comparability
| Card | Citi Strata | Citi Strata Premier |
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$95 |
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Earn 20,000 bonus factors after spending $1,000 on purchases throughout the first three months from account opening. |
Earn 60,000 bonus factors after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account opening. |
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Citi Strata vs. Citi Strata Premier welcome bonus
New Citi Strata Card holders can earn 20,000 bonus factors after spending $1,000 on purchases throughout the first three months from account opening.
TPG’s January 2026 valuations place this provide at $380 since ThankYou Rewards factors are value 1.9 cents apiece. This can be a strong worth for a no-annual-fee card.
In the meantime, the Strata Premier gives a bonus of 60,000 factors after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account opening.
The Strata Premier’s provide is value $1,140, per TPG’s valuations, triple that of the Citi Strata.
These welcome bonuses usually are not open to individuals who have earned a welcome bonus for that particular card within the final 48 months. You can also not obtain a welcome bonus in case you’ve transformed one other Citi account by which you’ve got earned a welcome bonus right into a Citi Strata or Strata Premier card.
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As all the time, take Citi’s software restrictions into thoughts if you apply for one of many issuer’s playing cards.
Winner: Strata Premier. Its provide gives triple the quantity of factors supplied by the Citi Strata.
Associated: The very best time to use for these widespread Citi bank cards primarily based on provide historical past
Citi Strata vs. Citi Strata Premier advantages
Being that the Citi Strata is a no-annual-fee card, you should not anticipate an extended listing of advantages.
Essentially the most distinct function is its 0% introductory annual share fee for 15 months from account opening on purchases and steadiness transfers. After this era, a variable APR of 18.49% to twenty-eight.49% applies, primarily based in your creditworthiness.
The Citi Strata gives Mastercard ID Theft Safety and 24-hour fraud safety providers, in addition to entry to Citi Leisure occasions.
It is also value noting {that a} 3% overseas transaction payment shall be charged when utilizing the Citi Strata overseas.
In the meantime, the Strata Premier tacks on a couple of additional perks in trade for its $95 annual payment. These embrace a $100 credit score as soon as per calendar 12 months on a single-stay lodge reserving of at the least $500 (excluding taxes and charges) booked by Citi Journey.
In the event you do not thoughts reserving by an issuer’s portal and plan to spend at the least $500 on a single keep, this credit score may very well be helpful for you — and it single-handedly offsets the cardboard’s $95 annual payment, which is one other issue to contemplate.
The Strata Premier additionally gives many extra journey protections than the Citi Strata, together with:
Plus, there are a number of World Elite Mastercard perks included on the Strata Premier, reminiscent of cellphone safety and entry to International Emergency Companies. You will additionally obtain entry to the Mastercard luxurious resorts and resorts portfolio and Citi Leisure with this card.
Lastly, the Strata Premier prices no overseas transaction charges, making it a extra favorable choice for worldwide journey.
Winner: Strata Premier. It provides a number of extra advantages that the Citi Strata doesn’t, together with an annual lodge credit score that may assist offset the cardboard’s annual payment.
Associated: How (and why it is sensible) to reallocate your Citi bank card traces of credit score
Incomes factors with the Citi Strata vs. the Citi Strata Premier
The Citi Strata is a implausible points-earning card, particularly for no annual payment. It earns bonus ThankYou Rewards factors in a swath of classes and features a self-select choice, offering flexibility on your particular spending habits. You will earn:
- 5 factors per greenback spent on points of interest, automobile leases and resorts booked on cititravel.com
- 3 factors per greenback spent at EV charging stations and fuel stations, on choose transit purchases and at supermarkets
- 3 factors per greenback spent in an eligible self-select class of your selection
- 2 factors per greenback spent at eating places
- 1 level per greenback spent on all different purchases
Eligible self-select classes on the Citi Strata embrace:
- Barber outlets/beauty shops/hair salons
- Health golf equipment
- Stay leisure
- Pet provide shops
- Choose streaming providers
The default self-select class is choose streaming providers, however you may change your class as soon as per quarter at citi.com/selfselect or by calling 1-800-842-6596.
The Strata Premier additionally earns ThankYou Rewards factors at a excessive fee, particularly for a card that prices a modest $95 annual payment. You will earn:
- 10 factors per greenback spent on points of interest, automobile leases and resorts booked on cititravel.com
- 3 factors per greenback spent on air journey and different lodge purchases, and at EV charging stations and fuel stations, eating places and supermarkets
- 1 level per greenback spent on all different purchases
With a number of bonus classes, the Strata Premier is designed to be a strong on a regular basis spending choice for all the pieces from journey purchases to groceries and eating.
Whereas the Strata Premier earns extra factors in a number of classes than the Citi Strata, in case you’d discover extra worth within the flexibility of self-select classes and do not spend as a lot cash on journey, the Citi Strata may very well be a greater earner for you.
Winner: This can be a tie. Whereas the Strata Premier earns extra factors on Citi Journey, airways and different resorts exterior of Citi Journey, in addition to restaurant purchases, the Strata may very well be a more sensible choice for somebody who already has the Strata Premier’s classes coated by one other card.
Associated: Higher collectively: Why the Citi Strata Premier and Strata playing cards are a terrific pair
Redeeming factors with the Citi Strata vs. the Citi Strata Premier
The Citi Strata and the Strata Premier each earn ThankYou Rewards factors that may be redeemed for money again, reward playing cards and assertion credit.
Nonetheless, that is usually not really useful since you may usually obtain lower than TPG’s valuation of 1.9 cents per level in worth.
You may as well redeem your ThankYou Rewards factors immediately by the Citi Journey portal at a fee of 1 cent apiece. That is additionally under TPG’s valuation, so we usually don’t advocate this feature.
One of the simplest ways to redeem your ThankYou Rewards factors and get as shut as potential to TPG’s valuation is to switch your factors to one among Citi’s journey companions.
Winner: Tie. These two playing cards share the identical set of redemption choices.
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Transferring factors with the Citi Strata vs. the Citi Strata Premier
Leveraging switch companions is the easiest way to obtain excessive worth on your ThankYou Rewards factors. It’s key to notice that the Citi Strata and the Strata Premier have completely different switch ratios.
Cardholders of both card obtain entry to the identical 22 air, lodge and retail companions within the ThankYou Rewards program, together with Air France-KLM Flying Blue, American Airways AAdvantage and Alternative Privileges, to call a couple of.
Nonetheless, in case you solely maintain the no-annual-fee Citi Strata, you may solely obtain a 1:0.7 switch ratio for many of those companions, which means you get 0.7 factors or miles for each level transferred.
The Strata Premier unlocks a full 1:1 ratio for many companions by itself, making it the superior selection in case you plan to switch most of your ThankYou Rewards factors to companions (and we advocate that is what you do).
It is value noting that in case you already maintain a Strata Premier, Citi Strata Elite℠ Card (see charges and charges) or Citi Status® Card (not open to new candidates), you may obtain entry to the total ratio on each card. If one among these playing cards is not in your setup, nevertheless, the 1:0.7 ratio on the Citi Strata is all you may have.
The data for the Citi Status has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
Winner: Strata Premier. You will unlock a full 1:1 switch ratio with most of Citi’s switch companions — one thing you would not obtain with the Citi Strata alone.
Associated: Citi factors now switch to American Airways: How lengthy does it take?
Ought to I get the Citi Strata or the Citi Strata Premier?
If you are going to leverage Citi’s switch companions, the Strata Premier is the best choice, because it unlocks a super switch ratio for ThankYou Rewards factors.
In the event you’re a frequent traveler, the Strata Premier has higher bonus-earning charges in related classes, and it does not cost overseas transaction charges.
Nonetheless, the Citi Strata is greatest for cardholders who’re much less more likely to switch their ThankYou Rewards factors or want to not pay an annual payment. In the event you incessantly spend on an expense included in Citi Strata’s listing of eligible self-select classes, reminiscent of streaming or pet provide shops, that would put you over the sting, too.
Usually, the Strata Premier is a greater all-around journey card, however the Citi Strata could also be a greater complement to sure setups and methods.
Associated: Strata, Premier or Elite: How to decide on a Citi Strata bank card
Methods to improve from the Citi Strata to the Citi Strata Premier
If you would like to improve your Citi Strata to the Strata Premier, you may have to name the quantity on the again of your card. In the event you go this route, nevertheless, you will not have the ability to earn the Strata Premier’s welcome bonus, so maintain that in thoughts.
If you would like to downgrade your Strata Premier to the Citi Strata, the method is similar: Name Citi utilizing the quantity on the again of your card. You will not have the ability to accumulate the Citi Strata’s bonus on this case, both.
Associated: Why must you improve from the Citi Strata to the Citi Strata Premier?
Backside line
ThankYou Rewards factors are a terrific forex to begin gathering in case you’re into transferable rewards factors, and the Citi Strata and the Strata Premier earn these rewards at a excessive fee.
There are key distinctions for every cardholder to weigh, however in case you’re into touring, transferring factors and do not thoughts a modest annual payment, the Strata Premier has quite a bit.
However the Citi Strata additionally holds its personal weight. It earns factors in distinctive classes and will play a robust function when you’ve got a specific technique it will match into. The selection is as much as you and your pockets.
To study extra, learn our full evaluations of the Citi Strata and the Strata Premier.
Apply right here: Citi Strata Card
Apply right here: Citi Strata Premier Card
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