Is the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card worth the higher annual fee?

The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card costs $595/yr vs $0/yr for the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card. The higher fee includes lounge access that can offset the cost for frequent travelers.

What benefits does the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card have that the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card doesn't?

The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card focuses on earn rates, while the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card offers lounge access.

Should I get the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card or the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card?

Choose the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card if you want lower fees and solid rewards. Pick the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card if you spend enough to justify the $595/yr fee through its premium benefits and higher earn rates.

Is the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card worth the higher annual fee?

The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card costs $595/yr vs $0/yr for the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card. The higher fee includes lounge access that can offset the cost for frequent travelers.

What benefits does the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card have that the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card doesn't?

The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card focuses on earn rates, while the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card offers lounge access.

Should I get the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card or the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card?

Choose the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card if you want lower fees and solid rewards. Pick the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card if you spend enough to justify the $595/yr fee through its premium benefits and higher earn rates.

Is the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card worth the higher annual fee?

The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card costs $595/yr vs $0/yr for the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card. The higher fee includes lounge access that can offset the cost for frequent travelers.

What benefits does the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card have that the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card doesn't?

The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card focuses on earn rates, while the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card offers lounge access.

Should I get the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card or the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card?

Choose the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card if you want lower fees and solid rewards. Pick the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card if you spend enough to justify the $595/yr fee through its premium benefits and higher earn rates.

CardRewards

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.

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card vs Citi Strata Elite℠ Card

The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card ($0/yr) is better for everyday value, while the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card ($595/yr) is worth it for frequent travelers who can use its premium perks. Here's the full comparison.

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card

Bank of America

Citi Strata Elite℠ Card

Citi

Fees & Welcome Offer

Annual Fee

$595

Welcome Bonus

—

75,000 Flex point

Earn Rates

Category	Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card	Citi Strata Elite℠ Card
Dining Citi Nights	1X

Category-by-Category Winner

The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card wins in 9 of 11 categories. The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card leads in 2.

Drugstores

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card earns 3X vs 1.5X

Gas Stations

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card earns 3X vs 1.5X

Home Improvement

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card earns 3X vs 1.5X

Online Shopping

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card earns 3X vs 1.5X

Streaming

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card earns 3X vs 1.5X

Telecom

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card earns 3X vs 1.5X

Travel

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card earns 3X vs 1.5X

Grocery Stores

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card earns 2X vs 1.5X

The Bottom Line

The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card has a lower annual fee ($0 vs $595), making it the more accessible option.

The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card justifies its higher fee with premium perks like lounge access.

Choose the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card if you want solid rewards with a lower cost of entry. Choose the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card if you travel frequently and can maximize its premium benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card worth the higher annual fee?: The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card costs $595/yr vs $0/yr for the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card. The higher fee includes lounge access that can offset the cost for frequent travelers.
Which card earns more rewards, the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card or Citi Strata Elite℠ Card?: The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card has a higher base earn rate (1.5X vs 0X), but both cards have different bonus categories where they excel.
What benefits does the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card have that the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card doesn't?: The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card focuses on earn rates, while the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card offers lounge access.
Should I get the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card or the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card?: Choose the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card if you want lower fees and solid rewards. Pick the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card if you spend enough to justify the $595/yr fee through its premium benefits and higher earn rates.

Related Comparisons

Amex Blue Cash Everyday vs Bank Of America Customized Cash Amex Gold vs Bank Of America Customized Cash Bank Of America Customized Cash vs Bilt Blue Bank Of America Customized Cash vs Capital One Quicksilver

Explore More

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card — Full Review All Bank of America Cards

Citi Strata Elite℠ Card — Full Review All Citi Cards

Browse all comparisons →Browse all card categories →

Official issuer pages: Bank of America 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.

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card vs Citi Strata Elite℠ Card

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card

Bank of America

Citi Strata Elite℠ Card

Citi

Fees & Welcome Offer

Annual Fee

$595

Welcome Bonus

—

75,000 Flex point

Earn Rates

Category	Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card	Citi Strata Elite℠ Card
Dining Citi Nights	1X

Category-by-Category Winner

The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card wins in 9 of 11 categories. The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card leads in 2.

Drugstores

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card earns 3X vs 1.5X

Gas Stations

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card earns 3X vs 1.5X

Home Improvement

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card earns 3X vs 1.5X

Online Shopping

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card earns 3X vs 1.5X

Streaming

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card earns 3X vs 1.5X

Telecom

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card earns 3X vs 1.5X

Travel

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card earns 3X vs 1.5X

Grocery Stores

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card earns 2X vs 1.5X

The Bottom Line

The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card has a lower annual fee ($0 vs $595), making it the more accessible option.

The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card justifies its higher fee with premium perks like lounge access.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card worth the higher annual fee?: The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card costs $595/yr vs $0/yr for the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card. The higher fee includes lounge access that can offset the cost for frequent travelers.
Which card earns more rewards, the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card or Citi Strata Elite℠ Card?: The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card has a higher base earn rate (1.5X vs 0X), but both cards have different bonus categories where they excel.
What benefits does the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card have that the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card doesn't?: The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card focuses on earn rates, while the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card offers lounge access.
Should I get the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card or the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card?: Choose the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card if you want lower fees and solid rewards. Pick the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card if you spend enough to justify the $595/yr fee through its premium benefits and higher earn rates.

Related Comparisons

Explore More

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card — Full Review All Bank of America Cards

Citi Strata Elite℠ Card — Full Review All Citi Cards

Browse all comparisons →Browse all card categories →

Official issuer pages: Bank of America cards · Citi cards

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card vs Citi Strata Elite℠ Card

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card

Bank of America

Citi Strata Elite℠ Card

Citi

Fees & Welcome Offer

Annual Fee

$595

Welcome Bonus

—

75,000 Flex point

Earn Rates

Category	Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card	Citi Strata Elite℠ Card
Dining Citi Nights	1X

Category-by-Category Winner

The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card wins in 9 of 11 categories. The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card leads in 2.

Drugstores

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card earns 3X vs 1.5X

Gas Stations

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card earns 3X vs 1.5X

Home Improvement

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card earns 3X vs 1.5X

Online Shopping

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card earns 3X vs 1.5X

Streaming

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card earns 3X vs 1.5X

Telecom

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card earns 3X vs 1.5X

Travel

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card earns 3X vs 1.5X

Grocery Stores

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card earns 2X vs 1.5X

The Bottom Line

The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card has a lower annual fee ($0 vs $595), making it the more accessible option.

The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card justifies its higher fee with premium perks like lounge access.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card worth the higher annual fee?: The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card costs $595/yr vs $0/yr for the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card. The higher fee includes lounge access that can offset the cost for frequent travelers.
Which card earns more rewards, the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card or Citi Strata Elite℠ Card?: The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card has a higher base earn rate (1.5X vs 0X), but both cards have different bonus categories where they excel.
What benefits does the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card have that the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card doesn't?: The Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card focuses on earn rates, while the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card offers lounge access.
Should I get the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card or the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card?: Choose the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card if you want lower fees and solid rewards. Pick the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card if you spend enough to justify the $595/yr fee through its premium benefits and higher earn rates.

Related Comparisons

Explore More

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card — Full Review All Bank of America Cards

Citi Strata Elite℠ Card — Full Review All Citi Cards

Browse all comparisons →Browse all card categories →

Official issuer pages: Bank of America cards · Citi cards

Benefits & Features

Network

VISA

MASTERCARD

Key Benefits

None

✓Lounge access

✓Global Entry credit

Pros & Cons

Pros

+6% cash back in choice category for first year (3% + 3% bonus)
+No annual fee
+$200 welcome bonus after $1,000 spend
+0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
+Flexible category selection - change monthly

+12X on hotels, car rentals, and attractions via Citi Travel portal
+6X on dining during Citi Nights℠ (Fri/Sat evenings)
+Up to $700 in annual statement credits ($300 hotel + $200 Splurge + $200 Blacklane)
+Priority Pass Select + 4 AA Admirals Club passes per year
+ThankYou points transfer to AA, JetBlue, Virgin Atlantic, and 15+ other partners

Cons

−3% foreign transaction fee
−$2,500 quarterly cap on bonus categories (combined choice category + grocery)
−6% rate drops to 3% after first year
−Requires monthly category management for optimal returns

−High $595 annual fee requires maximizing statement credits to offset
−Best earn rates require booking through Citi Travel portal (lose hotel loyalty credit)
−Citi Nights dining bonus limited to Fri/Sat 6PM-6AM ET timezone
−Only 4 Admirals Club passes (not unlimited access)
−Authorized user fee of $75 per user

Wholesale Clubs

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card earns 2X vs 1.5X

Dining Citi Nights

Citi Strata Elite℠ Card earns 6X vs 1X

Everyday purchases

Citi Strata Elite℠ Card earns 1.5X on all other spending vs 1X

Is the Fee Difference Worth It?

The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card costs $595/yr — that's $595 more than the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card (no annual fee). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $595 in annual value from the card's higher earn rates and benefits.

The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card offers lounge access, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit. Whether that justifies the fee depends on how often you use these benefits.

Bottom line: The $595 gap is significant. Choose the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card only if you spend heavily on dining citi nights and dining and will use its premium benefits regularly — otherwise the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card delivers strong value at a fraction of the cost.

What You Give Up

Choosing one card means missing out on these benefits from the other.

Choosing Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card means losing:

-Airport lounge access
-Global Entry credit

Which Card Is Right for You?

Get the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card if you:

+Do most of your spending at grocery stores
+Want strong rewards without a large annual fee commitment

Get the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card if you:

+Fly frequently and value airport lounge access
+Prefer a high flat rate across all spending

Benefits & Features

Network

VISA

MASTERCARD

Key Benefits

None

✓Lounge access

✓Global Entry credit

Pros & Cons

Pros

+6% cash back in choice category for first year (3% + 3% bonus)
+No annual fee
+$200 welcome bonus after $1,000 spend
+0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
+Flexible category selection - change monthly

+12X on hotels, car rentals, and attractions via Citi Travel portal
+6X on dining during Citi Nights℠ (Fri/Sat evenings)
+Up to $700 in annual statement credits ($300 hotel + $200 Splurge + $200 Blacklane)
+Priority Pass Select + 4 AA Admirals Club passes per year
+ThankYou points transfer to AA, JetBlue, Virgin Atlantic, and 15+ other partners

Cons

−3% foreign transaction fee
−$2,500 quarterly cap on bonus categories (combined choice category + grocery)
−6% rate drops to 3% after first year
−Requires monthly category management for optimal returns

−High $595 annual fee requires maximizing statement credits to offset
−Best earn rates require booking through Citi Travel portal (lose hotel loyalty credit)
−Citi Nights dining bonus limited to Fri/Sat 6PM-6AM ET timezone
−Only 4 Admirals Club passes (not unlimited access)
−Authorized user fee of $75 per user

Wholesale Clubs

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card earns 2X vs 1.5X

Dining Citi Nights

Citi Strata Elite℠ Card earns 6X vs 1X

Everyday purchases

Citi Strata Elite℠ Card earns 1.5X on all other spending vs 1X

Is the Fee Difference Worth It?

The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card offers lounge access, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit. Whether that justifies the fee depends on how often you use these benefits.

What You Give Up

Choosing one card means missing out on these benefits from the other.

Choosing Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card means losing:

-Airport lounge access
-Global Entry credit

Which Card Is Right for You?

Get the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card if you:

+Do most of your spending at grocery stores
+Want strong rewards without a large annual fee commitment

Get the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card if you:

+Fly frequently and value airport lounge access
+Prefer a high flat rate across all spending

Benefits & Features

Network

VISA

MASTERCARD

Key Benefits

None

✓Lounge access

✓Global Entry credit

Pros & Cons

Pros

+6% cash back in choice category for first year (3% + 3% bonus)
+No annual fee
+$200 welcome bonus after $1,000 spend
+0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers
+Flexible category selection - change monthly

+12X on hotels, car rentals, and attractions via Citi Travel portal
+6X on dining during Citi Nights℠ (Fri/Sat evenings)
+Up to $700 in annual statement credits ($300 hotel + $200 Splurge + $200 Blacklane)
+Priority Pass Select + 4 AA Admirals Club passes per year
+ThankYou points transfer to AA, JetBlue, Virgin Atlantic, and 15+ other partners

Cons

−3% foreign transaction fee
−$2,500 quarterly cap on bonus categories (combined choice category + grocery)
−6% rate drops to 3% after first year
−Requires monthly category management for optimal returns

−High $595 annual fee requires maximizing statement credits to offset
−Best earn rates require booking through Citi Travel portal (lose hotel loyalty credit)
−Citi Nights dining bonus limited to Fri/Sat 6PM-6AM ET timezone
−Only 4 Admirals Club passes (not unlimited access)
−Authorized user fee of $75 per user

Wholesale Clubs

Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card earns 2X vs 1.5X

Dining Citi Nights

Citi Strata Elite℠ Card earns 6X vs 1X

Everyday purchases

Citi Strata Elite℠ Card earns 1.5X on all other spending vs 1X

Is the Fee Difference Worth It?

The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card offers lounge access, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit. Whether that justifies the fee depends on how often you use these benefits.

What You Give Up

Choosing one card means missing out on these benefits from the other.

Choosing Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card means losing:

-Airport lounge access
-Global Entry credit

Which Card Is Right for You?

Get the Bank of America Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card if you:

+Do most of your spending at grocery stores
+Want strong rewards without a large annual fee commitment

Get the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card if you:

+Fly frequently and value airport lounge access
+Prefer a high flat rate across all spending