Citi ThankYou Rewards factors can unlock dream journeys and incredible journey experiences, and plenty of of Citi’s proprietary playing cards earn these factors at a fast fee.
Better of all? You do not have to shell out a whole lot 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 alternative a fantastic possibility to your pockets.
However which stands out to your distinctive scenario? Let’s evaluate the professionals and cons of the Citi Strata and Strata Premier playing cards that will help you determine which one will improve your future journeys probably the most.
Citi Strata vs. Citi Strata Premier comparability
$0
$95
5 factors per greenback spent on points of interest, automotive leases and resorts booked on cititravel.com
3 factors per greenback spent at electrical car 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 alternative
2 factors per greenback spent at eating places
1 level per greenback spent on all different purchases
10 factors per greenback spent on points of interest, automotive leases and resorts booked on cititravel.com
3 factors per greenback spent on air journey and different resort purchases, and at EV charging stations and fuel stations, eating places and supermarkets
1 level per greenback spent on all different purchases
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.
Citi Leisure entry
Mastercard ID Theft Safety and 24-hour fraud safety
$100 annual resort credit score as soon as per calendar yr for single-stay resort bookings of $500 or extra (excluding taxes and charges) made by Citi’s journey portal
Citi Leisure entry
No international transaction charges
World Elite Mastercard advantages
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 supply at $380 since ThankYou Rewards factors are price 1.9 cents apiece. This can be a stable worth for a no-annual-fee card.
In the meantime, the Strata Premier supplies a bonus of 60,000 factors after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account opening.
The Strata Premier’s supply is price $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 during which you have earned a welcome bonus right into a Citi Strata or Strata Premier card.
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As all the time, take Citi’s utility restrictions into thoughts while you apply for one of many issuer’s playing cards.
Winner: Strata Premier. Its supply supplies triple the quantity of factors provided by the Citi Strata.
Associated: One of the best time to use for these in style Citi bank cards based mostly on supply historical past
Citi Strata vs. Citi Strata Premier advantages
Being that the Citi Strata is a no-annual-fee card, you should not anticipate a protracted record of advantages.
Essentially the most distinct function is its 0% introductory annual proportion fee for 15 months from account opening on purchases and stability transfers. After this era, a variable APR of 18.49% to twenty-eight.49% applies, based mostly in your creditworthiness.
The Citi Strata supplies Mastercard ID Theft Safety and 24-hour fraud safety providers, in addition to entry to Citi Leisure occasions.
It is also price noting {that a} 3% international transaction charge will probably be charged when utilizing the Citi Strata overseas.
In the meantime, the Strata Premier tacks on just a few further perks in trade for its $95 annual charge. These embrace a $100 credit score as soon as per calendar yr on a single-stay resort reserving of not less than $500 (excluding taxes and charges) booked by Citi Journey.
When you do not thoughts reserving by an issuer’s portal and plan to spend not less than $500 on a single keep, this credit score could possibly be helpful for you — and it single-handedly offsets the cardboard’s $95 annual charge, which is one other issue to contemplate.
The Strata Premier additionally supplies 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 World Emergency Companies. You may additionally obtain entry to the Mastercard luxurious resorts and resorts portfolio and Citi Leisure with this card.
Lastly, the Strata Premier fees no international transaction charges, making it a extra favorable possibility for worldwide journey.
Winner: Strata Premier. It provides a number of extra advantages that the Citi Strata doesn’t, together with an annual resort credit score that may assist offset the cardboard’s annual charge.
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 incredible points-earning card, particularly for no annual charge. It earns bonus ThankYou Rewards factors in a swath of classes and features a self-select possibility, offering flexibility to your particular spending habits. You may earn:
5 factors per greenback spent on points of interest, automotive leases and resorts booked on cititravel.com3 factors per greenback spent at EV charging stations and fuel stations, on choose transit purchases and at supermarkets3 factors per greenback spent in an eligible self-select class of your choice2 factors per greenback spent at restaurants1 level per greenback spent on all different purchases
Eligible self-select classes on the Citi Strata embrace:
Barber retailers/beauty shops/hair salonsFitness clubsLive entertainmentPet provide storesSelect streaming providers
The default self-select class is choose streaming providers, however you possibly can 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 fees a modest $95 annual charge. You may earn:
10 factors per greenback spent on points of interest, automotive leases and resorts booked on cititravel.com3 factors per greenback spent on air journey and different resort purchases, and at EV charging stations and fuel stations, eating places and supermarkets1 level per greenback spent on all different purchases
With a number of bonus classes, the Strata Premier is designed to be a stable on a regular basis spending possibility 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 could possibly 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 outdoors of Citi Journey, in addition to restaurant purchases, the Strata could possibly be a more sensible choice for somebody who already has the Strata Premier’s classes lined by one other card.
Associated: Higher collectively: Why the Citi Strata Premier and Strata playing cards are a fantastic 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 typically not really useful since you may usually obtain lower than TPG’s valuation of 1.9 cents per level in worth.
You too can redeem your ThankYou Rewards factors instantly by the Citi Journey portal at a fee of 1 cent apiece. That is additionally beneath TPG’s valuation, so we typically don’t advocate this feature.
One of the simplest ways to redeem your ThankYou Rewards factors and get as shut as attainable to TPG’s valuation is to switch your factors to considered one of 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 to your ThankYou Rewards factors. It’s key to notice that the Citi Strata and the Strata Premier have totally different switch ratios.
Cardholders of both card obtain entry to the identical 22 air, resort and retail companions within the ThankYou Rewards program, together with Air France-KLM Flying Blue, American Airways AAdvantage and Alternative Privileges, to call just a few.
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, that 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 alternative in case you plan to switch most of your ThankYou Rewards factors to companions (and we advocate that is what you do).
It is price 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 complete ratio on each card. If considered one of these playing cards is not in your setup, nevertheless, the 1:0.7 ratio on the Citi Strata is all you may have.
The knowledge for the Citi Status has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.
Winner: Strata Premier. You may 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 your only option, because it unlocks a perfect switch ratio for ThankYou Rewards factors.
When you’re a frequent traveler, the Strata Premier has higher bonus-earning charges in related classes, and it does not cost international transaction charges.
Nonetheless, the Citi Strata is finest for cardholders who’re much less more likely to switch their ThankYou Rewards factors or choose to not pay an annual charge. When you ceaselessly spend on an expense included in Citi Strata’s record 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 techniques.
Associated: Strata, Premier or Elite: How to decide on a Citi Strata bank card
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. When you go this route, nevertheless, you will not be capable of 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 be capable of 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 fantastic forex to start out amassing 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 charge, the Strata Premier has lots.
However the Citi Strata additionally holds its personal weight. It earns factors in distinctive classes and will play a powerful function in case you have a selected technique it might match into. The selection is as much as you and your pockets.
To study extra, learn our full opinions of the Citi Strata and the Strata Premier.
Apply right here: Citi Strata Card
Apply right here: Citi Strata Premier Card
