Is the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express worth the higher annual fee?

The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express costs $95/yr vs $0/yr for the Citi Strata Credit Card. The higher fee that can offset the cost for frequent travelers.

Is the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express worth the higher annual fee?

The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express costs $95/yr vs $0/yr for the Citi Strata Credit Card. The higher fee that can offset the cost for frequent travelers.

Is the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express worth the higher annual fee?

The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express costs $95/yr vs $0/yr for the Citi Strata Credit Card. The higher fee that can offset the cost for frequent travelers.

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express vs Citi Strata Credit Card

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.

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express

American Express

Citi Strata Credit Card

Citi

Fees & Welcome Offer

Annual Fee

$95(waived year 1)

Welcome Bonus

250 Cash

30,000 Flex point

Earn Rates

Category	Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express	Citi Strata Credit Card
Grocery Stores	6X

Category-by-Category Winner

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 Bottom Line

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express worth the higher annual fee?: The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express costs $95/yr vs $0/yr for the Citi Strata Credit Card. The higher fee that can offset the cost for frequent travelers.
Which card earns more rewards, the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express or Citi Strata Credit Card?: The Citi Strata Credit Card has a higher base earn rate (1X vs 0X), but both cards have different bonus categories where they excel.
Should I get the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express or the Citi Strata Credit Card?: Choose the Citi Strata Credit Card if you want lower fees and solid rewards. Pick the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express if you spend enough to justify the $95/yr fee through its premium benefits and higher earn rates.

Related Comparisons

Amex Blue Cash Everyday vs Amex Blue Cash Preferred Amex Blue Cash Everyday vs Citi Strata Amex Blue Cash Preferred vs Hilton Honors Amex Amex Green vs Citi Strata

Explore More

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express — Full Review All American Express Cards

Citi Strata Credit Card — Full Review All Citi Cards

Browse all comparisons →Browse all card categories →

Official issuer pages: American Express cards · Citi cards

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.

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express vs Citi Strata Credit Card

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express

American Express

Citi Strata Credit Card

Citi

Fees & Welcome Offer

Annual Fee

$95(waived year 1)

Welcome Bonus

250 Cash

30,000 Flex point

Earn Rates

Category	Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express	Citi Strata Credit Card
Grocery Stores	6X

Category-by-Category Winner

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 Bottom Line

The Citi Strata Credit Card has a lower annual fee ($0 vs $95), making it the more accessible option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express worth the higher annual fee?: The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express costs $95/yr vs $0/yr for the Citi Strata Credit Card. The higher fee that can offset the cost for frequent travelers.
Which card earns more rewards, the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express or Citi Strata Credit Card?: The Citi Strata Credit Card has a higher base earn rate (1X vs 0X), but both cards have different bonus categories where they excel.
Should I get the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express or the Citi Strata Credit Card?: Choose the Citi Strata Credit Card if you want lower fees and solid rewards. Pick the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express if you spend enough to justify the $95/yr fee through its premium benefits and higher earn rates.

Related Comparisons

Amex Blue Cash Everyday vs Amex Blue Cash Preferred Amex Blue Cash Everyday vs Citi Strata Amex Blue Cash Preferred vs Hilton Honors Amex Amex Green vs Citi Strata

Explore More

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express — Full Review All American Express Cards

Citi Strata Credit Card — Full Review All Citi Cards

Browse all comparisons →Browse all card categories →

Official issuer pages: American Express cards · Citi cards

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express vs Citi Strata Credit Card

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express

American Express

Citi Strata Credit Card

Citi

Fees & Welcome Offer

Annual Fee

$95(waived year 1)

Welcome Bonus

250 Cash

30,000 Flex point

Earn Rates

Category	Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express	Citi Strata Credit Card
Grocery Stores	6X

Category-by-Category Winner

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 Bottom Line

The Citi Strata Credit Card has a lower annual fee ($0 vs $95), making it the more accessible option.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express worth the higher annual fee?: The Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express costs $95/yr vs $0/yr for the Citi Strata Credit Card. The higher fee that can offset the cost for frequent travelers.
Which card earns more rewards, the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express or Citi Strata Credit Card?: The Citi Strata Credit Card has a higher base earn rate (1X vs 0X), but both cards have different bonus categories where they excel.
Should I get the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express or the Citi Strata Credit Card?: Choose the Citi Strata Credit Card if you want lower fees and solid rewards. Pick the Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express if you spend enough to justify the $95/yr fee through its premium benefits and higher earn rates.

Related Comparisons

Amex Blue Cash Everyday vs Amex Blue Cash Preferred Amex Blue Cash Everyday vs Citi Strata Amex Blue Cash Preferred vs Hilton Honors Amex Amex Green vs Citi Strata

Explore More

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express — Full Review All American Express Cards

Citi Strata Credit Card — Full Review All Citi Cards

Browse all comparisons →Browse all card categories →

Official issuer pages: American Express cards · Citi cards

Pros & Cons

Pros

+6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000/year ($360 max annual value)
+6% cash back on select U.S. streaming services with no annual cap
+$120 annual Disney Bundle credit effectively reduces fee to net-negative
+3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit with no spending cap
+0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers

+No annual fee
+30,000 point welcome bonus
+5X points on travel booked via Citi Travel
+3X points on groceries, transit, gas, and Self-Select category
+Self-Select category flexibility (change quarterly)

Cons

−$95 annual fee after first year (offset by $120 Disney credit if used)
−2.7% foreign transaction fee makes it poor for international use
−6% grocery cap at $6,000/year limits high-spending households
−Warehouse clubs (Costco, Sam's Club) do not code as supermarkets
−1% back on non-category purchases is below average

−3% foreign transaction fee
−5X rate requires booking through Citi Travel portal
−Self-Select category can only change quarterly
−Lower transfer value compared to premium ThankYou cards

Pros & Cons

Pros

+6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000/year ($360 max annual value)
+6% cash back on select U.S. streaming services with no annual cap
+$120 annual Disney Bundle credit effectively reduces fee to net-negative
+3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit with no spending cap
+0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers

+No annual fee
+30,000 point welcome bonus
+5X points on travel booked via Citi Travel
+3X points on groceries, transit, gas, and Self-Select category
+Self-Select category flexibility (change quarterly)

Cons

−$95 annual fee after first year (offset by $120 Disney credit if used)
−2.7% foreign transaction fee makes it poor for international use
−6% grocery cap at $6,000/year limits high-spending households
−Warehouse clubs (Costco, Sam's Club) do not code as supermarkets
−1% back on non-category purchases is below average

−3% foreign transaction fee
−5X rate requires booking through Citi Travel portal
−Self-Select category can only change quarterly
−Lower transfer value compared to premium ThankYou cards

Pros & Cons

Pros

+6% cash back at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000/year ($360 max annual value)
+6% cash back on select U.S. streaming services with no annual cap
+$120 annual Disney Bundle credit effectively reduces fee to net-negative
+3% cash back at U.S. gas stations and on transit with no spending cap
+0% intro APR for 12 months on purchases and balance transfers

+No annual fee
+30,000 point welcome bonus
+5X points on travel booked via Citi Travel
+3X points on groceries, transit, gas, and Self-Select category
+Self-Select category flexibility (change quarterly)

Cons

−$95 annual fee after first year (offset by $120 Disney credit if used)
−2.7% foreign transaction fee makes it poor for international use
−6% grocery cap at $6,000/year limits high-spending households
−Warehouse clubs (Costco, Sam's Club) do not code as supermarkets
−1% back on non-category purchases is below average

−3% foreign transaction fee
−5X rate requires booking through Citi Travel portal
−Self-Select category can only change quarterly
−Lower transfer value compared to premium ThankYou cards

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express vs Citi Strata Credit Card

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express

Citi Strata Credit Card

Fees & Welcome Offer

Earn Rates

Category-by-Category Winner

The Bottom Line

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Comparisons

Explore More

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express vs Citi Strata Credit Card

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express

Citi Strata Credit Card

Fees & Welcome Offer

Earn Rates

Category-by-Category Winner

The Bottom Line

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Comparisons

Explore More

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express vs Citi Strata Credit Card

Blue Cash Preferred Card from American Express

Citi Strata Credit Card

Fees & Welcome Offer

Earn Rates

Category-by-Category Winner

The Bottom Line

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Comparisons

Explore More

Benefits & Features

Pros & Cons

Is the Fee Difference Worth It?

Which Card Is Right for You?

Benefits & Features

Pros & Cons

Is the Fee Difference Worth It?

Which Card Is Right for You?

Benefits & Features

Pros & Cons

Is the Fee Difference Worth It?

Which Card Is Right for You?