Earn up to 75,000 Citi ThankYou points with a new Strata card
Editor's Note
If you're looking to earn transferable Citi ThankYou Rewards points, Citi offers three cards within its Strata lineup. Applying for one of these cards can net you a large welcome bonus and diversify your points, giving you access to valuable transfer partners.
From no annual fee to $595, it's important to choose a Strata card that fits your budget and travel goals.
Each card offers a wide range of bonus-earning categories and benefits to help elevate your travel. Here's a rundown of the three Citi Strata credit cards and their current welcome offers.
Comparison of Strata card welcome offers
| Card | Welcome offer | Bonus value* | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|
Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. | $1,425 | $595 | |
Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months from account opening. | $1,140 | $95 | |
Earn 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. | $380 | No annual fee |
*The bonus value is based on TPG's July 2026 valuations and is not provided or reviewed by the issuer.
Citi Strata Elite
The Citi Strata Elite is the latest to join the ranks of premium credit card heavyweights. It's ideal for travelers who use Citi Travel, dine out on Friday and Saturday nights and are interested in some American Airlines perks.
Welcome offer: Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
We've seen higher offers in the past, so waiting for a better offer may be the right move. That said, if this card already fits your travel goals and the timing is right for you, the current welcome offer is still worth an estimated $1,425 based on TPG's valuations.
Annual fee: $595
Earning rates:
- 12 points per dollar spent on attractions, car rentals and hotels booked through Citi Travel
- 6 points per dollar spent on flights booked through Citi Travel
- 6 points per dollar spent at restaurants, including restaurant delivery services, on CitiNights℠ purchases, every Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Eastern time
- 3 points per dollar spent on restaurant purchases at all other times
- 1.5 points per dollar spent on all other purchases
Key benefits:
- Blacklane credit: Up to a $200 annual credit (up to $100 biannually) for Blacklane chauffeur bookings
- Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit: Up to a $120 credit every four years for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee
- Hotel credit: Up to $300 off one prepaid hotel stay (minimum two-night booking) when booking through Citi Travel each calendar year
- Lounge access: Complimentary Priority Pass Select lounge access and four Admirals Club passes annually
- Splurge credit: Up to $200 in annual statement credits with your choice of two brands: 1stDibs, American Airlines (exclusions apply), Best Buy, Future Personal Training and Live Nation (exclusions apply)
Why we like it: Overall, this card is a great choice if you prefer the simplicity of booking travel through an issuer's portal. The hotel credit can be used toward any prepaid hotel reservation (of at least two nights) booked through Citi Travel, and the Splurge credit is relatively easy to maximize. I recommend using it for American Airlines purchases, such as airfare or additional Admirals Club day passes.
You can also use the Splurge credit to purchase travel gear from Best Buy, including Apple AirTags and noise-canceling headphones.
That said, Citi doesn't have its own airport lounge network like some competitors, so its lounge access benefits aren't as compelling. Additionally, the boosted restaurant earning rate only applies on Friday and Saturday evenings during designated Eastern Time hours, although it's valid at eligible restaurants worldwide.
Finally, Citi ThankYou Rewards points can now be transferred to American Airlines AAdvantage, making this card a great option for frequent American Airlines travelers.
To learn more, read our full review of the Citi Strata Elite.
Apply here: Citi Strata Elite
Citi Strata Premier
Often flying under the radar, the Citi Strata Premier is an excellent mid-tier travel card thanks to a wide range of bonus categories missing from many of its competitors.
Welcome offer: Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.
Based on TPG's valuations, the welcome offer is worth $1,140.
This offer is on the lower end of what we've seen in the past, so we'd recommend holding out if possible.
Annual fee: $95
Earning rates:
- 10 points per dollar spent on attractions, car rentals and hotels booked through Citi Travel
- 3 points per dollar spent on electric vehicle charging, flights, gas stations, other hotels, restaurants (including takeout) and supermarkets
- 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases
Why we like it: This card offers an impressive range of bonus-earning categories for a $95 annual fee, making it an excellent choice for everyday spending, a one-card wallet or anyone who feels the Strata Elite's annual fee is too steep.
It offers an annual $100 hotel credit for one hotel booking of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) made through the Citi Travel portal, which makes up for the annual fee, as long as you use it.
In addition, you receive various travel protections such as car rental coverage, lost or damaged luggage protection and trip cancellation insurance.
To learn more, read our full review of the Citi Strata Premier.
Apply here: Citi Strata Premier
Citi Strata
The Citi Strata Card is an entry-level card within the Strata lineup.
Welcome offer: Earn 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening.
Based on TPG's valuations, the welcome offer is worth $380. Although we've seen a higher welcome offer of 30,000 points in the past (no longer available), the current offer is in line with what the card typically offers, so it may not be worth waiting for a better bonus.
Annual fee: None
Earning rates:
- 5 points per dollar spent on attractions, car rentals and hotels booked through Citi Travel
- 3 points per dollar spent on EV charging, gas stations, select transit and supermarkets
- 3 points per dollar spent on an eligible self-selected category each quarter (barber shops/cosmetic stores/hair salons, fitness clubs, live entertainment, pet supply stores or select streaming services)
- 2 points per dollar spent at restaurants
- 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases
Why we like it: The Citi Strata has impressive earning rates for a no-annual-fee card, especially the quarterly self-selected category. A unique aspect of the Citi Strata is that you can transfer points to partners, but only at a transfer ratio of 1:0.7 for most airline and hotel partners.
That could make it a compelling option for American Airlines fans who aren't ready to commit to an annual fee, since Citi offers American as a transfer partner.
To learn more, read our full review of the Citi Strata.
Apply here: Citi Strata
Bottom line
If you're looking to supercharge your travel rewards, any of the Citi Strata cards could be a compelling option for your wallet.
Each card in the lineup offers an impressive list of bonus-earning categories, so be sure to select a card that fits your everyday expenses and your travel needs. Keep welcome offer history in mind to take advantage of the best welcome offer.
For maximum value, consider transferring your ThankYou points to Citi's airline or hotel partners.
Apply here: Citi Strata Elite
Apply here: Citi Strata Premier
Apply here: Citi Strata
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.