Hyperlink: Study extra in regards to the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card
The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card (assessment) is Citi’s new premium bank card, supposed to be a extra premium model of the Citi Strata Premier® Card (assessment). The cardboard has a $595 annual charge (rebated by $145 should you’re a Citigold member), which is clearly on the steep facet, so individuals will suppose twice about signing up.
Nonetheless, I feel there’s probably plenty of advantage to choosing up this card, particularly given the large worth provided the primary yr. On this submit, I’d wish to share 10 causes you need to contemplate getting the Citi Strata Elite Card, should you don’t but have it. In no explicit order…
Restricted time 100K Citi ThankYou factors bonus
The Citi Strata Elite Card has a restricted time welcome bonus the place you’ll be able to earn a bonus of 100,000 ThankYou factors after spending $6,000 throughout the first three months. Personally, I worth ThankYou factors at 1.7 cents every, so to me that bonus is value a formidable $1,700.
You’ll need to pay attention to Citi’s common software restrictions, together with the 48-month rule, plus the precise guidelines for the Citi Strata product lineup. Thankfully, eligibility for the assorted Citi Strata merchandise is taken into account independently, so a number of individuals ought to be eligible for this bonus.
Spending bonus classes of 1.5-12x factors
Whereas I wouldn’t say it’s earth shattering, I do suppose the Citi Strata Elite Card has an fascinating rewards construction, because it provides the next:
- 12x ThankYou factors whenever you e-book motels, rental automobiles, and points of interest by way of Citi Journey, and 6x ThankYou factors whenever you e-book air journey by way of Citi Journey
- 6x ThankYou factors on eating spending on Fridays and Saturdays between 6PM and 6AM ET, and 3x ThankYou factors on eating throughout different instances
- 1.5x ThankYou factors on all different eligible purchases
Whereas I wouldn’t say these bonus classes are broadly too thrilling, I do suppose there’s probably plenty of upside to reserving by way of Citi Journey, and the 6x ThankYou factors for eating over choose hours is fairly superior as effectively.
Limitless Precedence Go Choose membership
The Citi Strata Elite Card provides a Precedence Go membership for the first cardmember and approved customers. Licensed customers could be added to the cardboard for $75 every, so that may probably be a profitable solution to grant others lounge entry.
Precedence Go is the most important community of airport lounges, and the membership by way of this card offers you limitless visits to those lounges with two company, pending capability controls.
4 annual American Admirals Membership passes
The Citi Strata Elite Card provides 4 Admirals Membership lounge passes each calendar yr. Every cross is legitimate for twenty-four hours, so it may be used throughout a number of lounge visits. Every cross is legitimate for one grownup plus accompanying youngsters.
Whereas this isn’t a substitute for a full Admirals Membership membership, like what you would possibly get with the Citi® / AAdvantage® Government World Elite Mastercard® (assessment), it’s helpful for somebody who flies American each every now and then.
As much as $300 annual resort credit score for 2 night time keep
In relation to credit that assist offset the annual charge, the Citi Strata Elite Card provides as much as a $300 resort credit score each calendar yr. Particularly, you obtain $300 off a resort keep of two or extra nights that’s booked by way of Citi Journey.
After all this isn’t fairly as simple as simply an outright journey or resort credit score. Nonetheless, I’d truly say it’s one of many extra precious portal-based credit. The best way I view it, use this for the most cost effective two night time resort keep of $150+ per night time that you’ve over the course of a yr. I wouldn’t contemplate this to be value face worth, however it might positively nonetheless turn out to be useful.
As much as $200 annual credit score with choose retailers
The Citi Strata Elite Card provides as much as a $200 annual “Splurge Credit score.” The best way this works, every calendar yr, you’ll be able to obtain as much as $200 in credit for purchases with choose companies. That is legitimate with 1stDibs, American Airways, Finest Purchase, Future Private Coaching, and Dwell Nation. You must register with retailers to do that, and you may register for as much as two retailers at a time, at this hyperlink.
There are exclusions with every service provider, however for probably the most half, they’re fairly simple. American is probably the most fascinating associate right here, as ticket purchases can qualify for this credit score. So so long as you’d ordinarily spend not less than $200 per yr on American flights, I’d contemplate this to be value fairly near face worth.
As much as $200 annual Blacklane chauffeur credit score
The Citi Strata Elite Card provides as much as a $200 annual Blacklane credit score. This can be a semi-annual credit score, so that you obtain a $100 credit score in January by way of June, and a $100 credit score in July by way of December. For these not acquainted, Blacklane is a world chauffeur service that means that you can e-book rides prematurely.
Blacklane isn’t low cost, however that’s as a result of it’s a “actual” pre-booked chauffeur service, reasonably than an on-demand rideshare service. I think about that some individuals will worth this gorgeous near the retail worth, however I feel for most individuals, that received’t be the case. Nonetheless, I’ve discovered some inventive methods to make use of this effectively, and there are higher offers in some markets than others.
Nice Citi ThankYou switch companions
The Citi Strata Elite Card means that you can maximize the worth of factors within the Citi ThankYou ecosystem. For instance, Citi ThankYou factors could be transferred to Air France-KLM Flying Blue, American AAdvantage, Avianca Lifemiles, Etihad Visitor, Singapore KrisFlyer, Virgin Atlantic Flying Membership, and lots of extra. The alternatives to redeem these factors for premium journey are infinite.
Better of all, if in case you have Amex Membership Rewards, Capital One, or Chase Final Rewards factors, there may be some overlap between companions. In lots of instances, you’ll be able to switch factors to the identical companions from a number of applications.
Maximize the worth of the Citi Double Money
When you ask me, one of many main causes to get one of many two “premium” Citi ThankYou playing cards is to have the ability to maximize the worth of the no annual charge Citi Double Money® Card (assessment). I’d contemplate this to be top-of-the-line playing cards for on a regular basis, non-bonused spending. The cardboard provides 1x ThankYou factors whenever you make a purchase order, and 1x ThankYou factors whenever you pay for that buy, that means you’ll be able to earn as much as 2x ThankYou factors.
Rewards could be mixed with these earned on the Citi Strata Elite Card, and you can then switch these rewards to ThankYou switch companions at the very best ratio potential.
First yr double dipping alternatives
Usually individuals could also be motivated to use for playing cards because of the profitable welcome bonuses and to be able to give the product a strive for the primary yr. Then after a yr they might resolve if the cardboard is value holding onto, primarily based on their expertise within the first yr.
Within the case of the Citi Strata Elite Card, I feel it’s particularly value calling out the superb first yr worth. Why? Effectively, plenty of the perks are tied to the calendar yr reasonably than being tied to the anniversary yr. For instance, should you had been making use of in October 2025, you can obtain the next perks together with your first annual charge:
- As much as $600 in resort credit, because you get $300 for 2025, and $300 for 2026
- As much as $400 in “Splurge Credit,” because you get $200 for 2025, and $200 for 2026
- As much as $300 in Blacklane credit; $100 between July and December 2025, $100 between January and June 2026, and $100 as of July 2026
- Eight Admirals Membership passes, because you get 4 for 2025, and 4 for 2026
This makes the primary yr worth significantly better than with many different playing cards, and it’s another excuse that this card is not less than value giving a strive, for my part.
Backside line
The Citi Strata Elite Card is probably the most premium bank card within the Citi ThankYou ecosystem. It’s a singular card, and whereas it’s not a slam dunk for everybody, I feel there’s plenty of worth available. The cardboard has a giant bonus, some fascinating bonus classes, and the credit and advantages can largely assist offset the annual charge.
Greater image, I feel there’s plenty of advantage to embracing the Citi ThankYou ecosystem and constructing a portfolio of playing cards, particularly with merchandise just like the no annual charge Citi Double Money Card, which is without doubt one of the finest playing cards for on a regular basis spending.
What’s your tackle the worth proposition of the Citi Strata Elite?
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