Citi ThankYou Rewards factors can unlock dream trips and implausible travel 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 lots of in annual charges to gather a stash of ThankYou Rewards factors.
The no-annual-fee Citi Strata℠ Card (see rates and fees) and the $95 Citi Strata Premier® Card (see rates and fees) rack up ThankYou Rewards factors and supply journey advantages at a modest worth level, making both alternative an excellent choice in your pockets.
However which stands out in your distinctive state of affairs? 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 probably 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 supply at $380 since ThankYou Rewards factors are price 1.9 cents apiece. This can be a strong 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 aren’t 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’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 application restrictions into thoughts once 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: The best time to apply for these popular Citi credit cards based on offer history
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 characteristic is its 0% introductory annual percentage rate for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance 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 Entertainment occasions.
It is also price noting {that a} 3% foreign transaction fee can be charged when utilizing the Citi Strata overseas.
In the meantime, the Strata Premier tacks on a couple of further perks in change for its $95 annual price. These embrace a $100 credit score as soon as per calendar yr on a single-stay lodge reserving of no less than $500 (excluding taxes and costs) booked via Citi Travel.
For those who do not thoughts reserving via an issuer’s portal and plan to spend no less than $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 price, which is one other issue to think about.
The Strata Premier additionally supplies many extra travel protections than the Citi Strata, together with:
Plus, there are a number of World Elite Mastercard perks included on the Strata Premier, comparable to cellphone safety and entry to International Emergency Providers. You will additionally obtain entry to the Mastercard luxurious inns and resorts portfolio and Citi Leisure with this card.
Lastly, the Strata Premier expenses no foreign transaction fees, making it a extra favorable choice for worldwide journey.
Winner: Strata Premier. It gives 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 price.
Associated: How (and why it’s smart) to reallocate your Citi credit card lines of credit
Incomes factors with the Citi Strata vs. the Citi Strata Premier
The Citi Strata is a implausible points-earning card, particularly for no annual price. It earns bonus ThankYou Rewards factors in a swath of classes and features a self-select choice, offering flexibility in your particular spending habits. You will earn:
- 5 factors per greenback spent on points of interest, automotive leases and inns booked on cititravel.com
- 3 factors per greenback spent at EV charging stations and gasoline 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
Eligible self-select classes on the Citi Strata embrace:
- Barber outlets/beauty shops/hair salons
- Health golf equipment
- Dwell leisure
- Pet provide shops
- Choose 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 expenses a modest $95 annual price. You will earn:
- 10 factors per greenback spent on points of interest, automotive leases and inns booked on cititravel.com
- 3 factors per greenback spent on air journey and different lodge purchases, and at EV charging stations and gasoline 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 everyday spending choice for all the things from journey purchases to groceries and dining.
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 inns outdoors of Citi Journey, in addition to restaurant purchases, the Strata may very well be a better option for somebody who already has the Strata Premier’s classes coated by one other card.
Associated: Better together: Why the Citi Strata Premier and Strata cards are a great 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.
Nevertheless, that is typically not really helpful since you will usually obtain lower than TPG’s valuation of 1.9 cents per level in worth.
You too can redeem your ThankYou Rewards factors instantly via the Citi Travel portal at a fee of 1 cent apiece. That is additionally beneath TPG’s valuation, so we typically don’t advocate this feature.
The easiest way to redeem your ThankYou Rewards factors and get as shut as attainable to TPG’s valuation is to switch your factors to one among Citi’s travel partners.
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 transfer partners is one of the best ways to obtain excessive worth in 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 Airlines AAdvantage and Choice Privileges, to call a couple of.
Nevertheless, in case you solely maintain the no-annual-fee Citi Strata, you will 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 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 rates and fees) or Citi Status® Card (not open to new candidates), you will obtain entry to the complete ratio on each card. If one among these playing cards is not in your setup, nonetheless, the 1:0.7 ratio on the Citi Strata is all you will 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 points now transfer to American Airlines: How long 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 best choice, because it unlocks a super switch ratio for ThankYou Rewards factors.
For those who’re a frequent traveler, the Strata Premier has higher bonus-earning charges in related classes, and it would not cost international transaction charges.
Nevertheless, the Citi Strata is finest for cardholders who’re much less more likely to switch their ThankYou Rewards factors or want to not pay an annual price. For those who incessantly spend on an expense included in Citi Strata’s record of eligible self-select classes, comparable to streaming or pet provide shops, that might 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 choose a Citi Strata credit card
Find out how 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 will must name the quantity on the again of your card. For those who go this route, nonetheless, 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 identical: Name Citi utilizing the quantity on the again of your card. You will not be capable of acquire the Citi Strata’s bonus on this case, both.
Associated: Why should you upgrade from the Citi Strata to the Citi Strata Premier?
Backside line
ThankYou Rewards factors are an excellent foreign money to begin 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 price, the Strata Premier has so much.
However the Citi Strata additionally holds its personal weight. It earns factors in distinctive classes and will play a robust function if in case you have a specific technique it could match into. The selection is as much as you and your pockets.
To be taught extra, learn our full critiques 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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