Editorial disclosure: CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Our analysis is based on publicly available card data and is reviewed regularly by our editorial team. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or content. Last updated: May 2026.
The Citi Strata Credit Card ($0/yr) is better for everyday value, while the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express ($95/yr) is worth it for frequent travelers who can use its premium perks. Here's the full comparison.
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express | Citi Strata Credit Card |
|---|---|---|
| Grocery Stores | 6X |
The Citi Strata Credit Card wins in 6 of 10 categories. The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express leads in 4.
Streaming
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express earns 6X vs 3X
Grocery Stores
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express earns 6X vs 3X
Ridesharing
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express earns 3X vs 1X
Tolls
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express earns 3X vs 1X
Rotating Category
Citi Strata Credit Card earns 3X vs 1X
Cosmetic Stores
Citi Strata Credit Card earns 3X vs 1X
Fitness & Gyms
Citi Strata Credit Card earns 3X vs 1X
Live Entertainment
Citi Strata Credit Card earns 3X vs 1X
Pet Shops
The Citi Strata Credit Card has a lower annual fee ($0 vs $95), making it the more accessible option.
Choose the Citi Strata Credit Card if you want solid rewards with a lower cost of entry. Choose the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express if you travel frequently and can maximize its premium benefits.
Editorial disclosure: The analysis on this page is based on publicly available card data and is updated regularly. CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or editorial content. Last updated: May 2026.
The Citi Strata Credit Card ($0/yr) is better for everyday value, while the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express ($95/yr) is worth it for frequent travelers who can use its premium perks. Here's the full comparison.
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express | Citi Strata Credit Card |
|---|---|---|
| Grocery Stores | 6X |
The Citi Strata Credit Card wins in 6 of 10 categories. The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express leads in 4.
Streaming
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express earns 6X vs 3X
Grocery Stores
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express earns 6X vs 3X
Ridesharing
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express earns 3X vs 1X
Tolls
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express earns 3X vs 1X
Rotating Category
Citi Strata Credit Card earns 3X vs 1X
Cosmetic Stores
Citi Strata Credit Card earns 3X vs 1X
Fitness & Gyms
Citi Strata Credit Card earns 3X vs 1X
Live Entertainment
Citi Strata Credit Card earns 3X vs 1X
Pet Shops
The Citi Strata Credit Card has a lower annual fee ($0 vs $95), making it the more accessible option.
Choose the Citi Strata Credit Card if you want solid rewards with a lower cost of entry. Choose the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express if you travel frequently and can maximize its premium benefits.
Editorial disclosure: The analysis on this page is based on publicly available card data and is updated regularly. CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or editorial content. Last updated: May 2026.
The Citi Strata Credit Card ($0/yr) is better for everyday value, while the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express ($95/yr) is worth it for frequent travelers who can use its premium perks. Here's the full comparison.
Annual Fee
Welcome Bonus
| Category | Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express | Citi Strata Credit Card |
|---|---|---|
| Grocery Stores | 6X |
The Citi Strata Credit Card wins in 6 of 10 categories. The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express leads in 4.
Streaming
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express earns 6X vs 3X
Grocery Stores
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express earns 6X vs 3X
Ridesharing
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express earns 3X vs 1X
Tolls
Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express earns 3X vs 1X
Rotating Category
Citi Strata Credit Card earns 3X vs 1X
Cosmetic Stores
Citi Strata Credit Card earns 3X vs 1X
Fitness & Gyms
Citi Strata Credit Card earns 3X vs 1X
Live Entertainment
Citi Strata Credit Card earns 3X vs 1X
Pet Shops
The Citi Strata Credit Card has a lower annual fee ($0 vs $95), making it the more accessible option.
Choose the Citi Strata Credit Card if you want solid rewards with a lower cost of entry. Choose the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express if you travel frequently and can maximize its premium benefits.
Editorial disclosure: The analysis on this page is based on publicly available card data and is updated regularly. CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or editorial content. Last updated: May 2026.
| Streaming | 6X | 3X |
| Cosmetics | 1X | 3X |
| Fitness & Gyms | 1X | 3X |
| Gas Stations | 3X | 3X |
| Live Entertainment | 1X | 3X |
| Pet Stores | 1X | 3X |
| Ridesharing | 3X | 1X |
| Rotating Category | 1X | 3X |
| Tolls | 3X | 1X |
| Transit | 3X | 3X |
| Dining | 1X | 2X |
| Everything Else | 1X | 1X |
Network
Key Benefits
Pros
Cons
Citi Strata Credit Card earns 3X vs 1X
Dining
Citi Strata Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X
The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express costs $95/yr โ that's $95 more than the Citi Strata Credit Card (no annual fee). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $95 in annual value from the card's higher earn rates and benefits.
Bottom line: The $95 difference is small enough that the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express's extra perks make it worth considering for most cardholders.
Get the Citi Strata Credit Card if you:
| Streaming | 6X | 3X |
| Cosmetics | 1X | 3X |
| Fitness & Gyms | 1X | 3X |
| Gas Stations | 3X | 3X |
| Live Entertainment | 1X | 3X |
| Pet Stores | 1X | 3X |
| Ridesharing | 3X | 1X |
| Rotating Category | 1X | 3X |
| Tolls | 3X | 1X |
| Transit | 3X | 3X |
| Dining | 1X | 2X |
| Everything Else | 1X | 1X |
Network
Key Benefits
Pros
Cons
Citi Strata Credit Card earns 3X vs 1X
Dining
Citi Strata Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X
The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express costs $95/yr โ that's $95 more than the Citi Strata Credit Card (no annual fee). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $95 in annual value from the card's higher earn rates and benefits.
Bottom line: The $95 difference is small enough that the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express's extra perks make it worth considering for most cardholders.
Get the Citi Strata Credit Card if you:
| Streaming | 6X | 3X |
| Cosmetics | 1X | 3X |
| Fitness & Gyms | 1X | 3X |
| Gas Stations | 3X | 3X |
| Live Entertainment | 1X | 3X |
| Pet Stores | 1X | 3X |
| Ridesharing | 3X | 1X |
| Rotating Category | 1X | 3X |
| Tolls | 3X | 1X |
| Transit | 3X | 3X |
| Dining | 1X | 2X |
| Everything Else | 1X | 1X |
Network
Key Benefits
Pros
Cons
Citi Strata Credit Card earns 3X vs 1X
Dining
Citi Strata Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X
The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express costs $95/yr โ that's $95 more than the Citi Strata Credit Card (no annual fee). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $95 in annual value from the card's higher earn rates and benefits.
Bottom line: The $95 difference is small enough that the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express's extra perks make it worth considering for most cardholders.
Get the Citi Strata Credit Card if you: