Citi Strata Credit Card
- Annual Fee
- $0
- ThankYou Points · Welcome Bonus
- 20,000
- Highest rate (conditional)
- Up to 5X (Travel portal)
Terms checked against the issuer on October 10, 2026
At a Glance
- Annual Fee
- $0
- Foreign Transaction Fee
- 3%
- Network
- Mastercard Standard
- Rewards Currency
- Citi ThankYou Rewards
- Point Value (Transfer Estimate)
- 1.3–1.95 cpp (mid: 1.7)
- Credit Required
- Good to Excellent
Welcome Offer
20,000
ThankYou Points
$1,000
Spend Required
3 months
Time Period
Earning Rates
- 5X
Hotels
5X points on hotels booked on cititravel.com
- 5X
Car Rentals
5X points on car rentals booked on cititravel.com
- 5X
Attractions
5X points on attractions booked on cititravel.com
- 3X
Grocery Stores
3X points at supermarkets
- 3X
Gas Stations
3X points at gas & EV charging stations
- 3X
Electric Vehicle Charging
3X points at gas & EV charging stations (EV charging row: same tier as gas, per the issuer's wording)
- 3X
Transit
3X points on select transit
- 3X
Top Spend Category
3X points on Self-Select Category of your choice: fitness clubs, streaming services, live entertainment, cosmetic stores/barber shops/hair salons, or pet supply stores
- 3X
Beauty
Earn 3x points on an eligible Self-Select Category of your choice: Fitness Clubs, Select Streaming Services, Live Entertainment, Cosmetic Stores/Barber Shops/Hair Salons and Pet Supply Stores
- 3X
Fitness
Earn 3x points on an eligible Self-Select Category of your choice: Fitness Clubs, Select Streaming Services, Live Entertainment, Cosmetic Stores/Barber Shops/Hair Salons and Pet Supply Stores
- 3X
Live Entertainment
Earn 3x points on an eligible Self-Select Category of your choice: Fitness Clubs, Select Streaming Services, Live Entertainment, Cosmetic Stores/Barber Shops/Hair Salons and Pet Supply Stores
- 3X
Pet
Earn 3x points on an eligible Self-Select Category of your choice: Fitness Clubs, Select Streaming Services, Live Entertainment, Cosmetic Stores/Barber Shops/Hair Salons and Pet Supply Stores
- 3X
Streaming
Earn 3x points on an eligible Self-Select Category of your choice: Fitness Clubs, Select Streaming Services, Live Entertainment, Cosmetic Stores/Barber Shops/Hair Salons and Pet Supply Stores
- 2X
Dining
2X points at restaurants
- 1X
All Other
1X point on all other purchases
Benefits & Perks
Insurance & Protections
6 protectionsZero Liability on unauthorized transactions
You won't be held responsible for unauthorized transactions made in store, online, or via mobile device.
Mastercard® ID Theft Protection
The ID Theft Protection program offered by Mastercard® helps eliminate the worry of identity theft by monitoring the information you choose to
Citi Travel®
With Citi Travel®, you can book flights, hotels, car rentals and attractions using your eligible Citi card, points or a combination of both. Citi
Purchase Protection up to $1,000 per claim
$1,000
primary
Protection for eligible items against accidental damage or theft within 90 days of purchase
FICO score monitoring
Get free access to your FICO® Score online to review your credit history.
Show all 6 protectionsShow fewer protections
24/7 lost/stolen card assistance worldwide
Report lost or stolen cards 24/7 and get emergency card replacement and cash advance assistance worldwide.
Dining Out
2x at restaurants
Citi ThankYou Points
≈$3.40 in value on a $100 dinner, at our valuation of 1.7¢ per point
No annual fee
Explore 5,512 New York restaurants with this cardStack a dining program
Rakuten Dining
5% back at 20,618 participating restaurants, on top of this card's 2x, once you join and link this card.
+$5
cash back, or ≈$5.50 as points
More on a $100 dinner
Program & Transfers
Citi ThankYou Points
Citi ThankYou Points rewards earned with this card can transfer to 21 loyalty partners.
Citi ThankYou Points offer a unique position in the transferable currency landscape as the only program with American Airlines as a transfer partner. With 15 airline partners spanning all three major alliances and 5 hotel programs, ThankYou Points provide solid flexibility for award travel. The program requires a premium card (Strata Premier, Strata Elite, or Prestige) to unlock full 1:1 transfer ratios. Other ThankYou-earning cards receive reduced 0.7:1 ratios, making the premium cards essential for maximizing value. Transfers are instant to most partners, with a 1,000-point minimum in 1,000-point increments. While Citi offers fewer transfer bonuses than competitors, the exclusive American Airlines partnership and strong Star Alliance coverage make ThankYou Points valuable for specific redemption strategies, particularly for travelers based near American Airlines hubs.
Program Ratings
Transfer Partners (21)
Transfer your ThankYou Points to 21 leading loyalty programs for maximum value.
Airlines
(16)Most partners accept ThankYou Points at a 1:1 ratio with instant or near-instant transfers.
View detailed transfer ratios
Airlines
| Partner | Ratio | Transfer Time | Value Retained | Point Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1:1 | up to 2 weeks | — | 1.45 cpp | |
| 1:1 | up to 2 weeks | — | 1.3 cpp | |
| 5:4 | up to 2 weeks | — | 1 cpp | |
| 1:1 | up to 2 weeks | — | 1.3 cpp | |
| 1:1 | up to 2 weeks | — | — | |
| 1:1 | up to 2 weeks | — | 1.1 cpp | |
| 1:1 | up to 2 weeks | — | — | |
| 1:1 | up to 2 weeks | 88% | — | |
| 1:1 | up to 2 weeks | 81% | 1.3 cpp | |
| 1:1 | up to 2 weeks | 81% | 1 cpp | |
| 1:1 | up to 2 weeks | 81% | 1.35 cpp | |
| 1:1 | up to 2 weeks | 81% | 1.25 cpp | |
| 1:1 | up to 2 weeks | 75% | — | |
| 1:1 | up to 2 weeks | 75% | 1.25 cpp | |
| 1:1 | up to 2 weeks | 69% | 1.1 cpp | |
| 1:1 | up to 2 weeks | 63% | — |
Hotels
| Partner | Ratio | Transfer Time | Value Retained | Point Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1:2 | up to 2 weeks | — | 0.5 cpp | |
| 1:1 | up to 2 weeks | — | 0.7 cpp | |
| 5:1 | up to 2 weeks | 100% | — | |
| 2:3 | up to 2 weeks | 88% | 0.8 cpp | |
| 2:1 | up to 2 weeks | 69% | 2.25 cpp |
Sweet Spots — Best Redemptions
| Route / Property | Points | Cabin/Type | Value / Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic US in Economy | 4,600 | economy | United States |
| Domestic US in Economy on American | 5,000 | economy | United States |
| US to Europe in Economy | 6,000 | economy | Europe |
| Caribbean | 7,100 | — | — |
| US to South America in Economy | 7,100 | economy | South America |
| Intra-Europe in Economy | 7,500 | economy | Europe |
| Domestic US in Economy on a Partner | 7,500 | economy | United States |
| Intra-Europe in Business | 8,000 | business | Europe |
| US to Mexico in Economy on a Partner | 11,500 | economy | Central America |
| The Setai Hotel Miami Beach | 15,000 | — | United States |
| Domestic US in First Class | 16,500 | first | United States |
| Fifth Avenue Hotel | 16,500 | — | United States |
| US to Iceland in Economy on a Partner | 17,000 | economy | Europe |
| US to Hawaii in Economy | 20,000 | economy | United States |
| US to Hawaii in Economy on a Partner | 20,500 | economy | United States |
| Domestic US in Business | 22,000 | business | United States |
| US to South America in Business | 22,500 | business | South America |
| US to Japan in Economy | 25,000 | economy | Asia |
| US to Northern Africa in Economy | 25,000 | economy | Africa |
| US to Mexico in Business on a Partner | 30,000 | business | Central America |
Showing top 20 of 50 sweet spots
Reviews & Analysis
Third-Party Rankings & Ratings
| Publication | Rating | Rank | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| PointsNav | #84 of 119 |
Editorial Review
The Citi Strata card is the no annual fee option that earns transferable ThankYou points. The tradeoff is a reduced transfer ratio compared to the Citi Strata Premier or Elite.
Key Takeaways
It’s helpful to have a no annual fee card that earns transferable ThankYou points. However, transfers are at a reduced ratio, so paying the $95 annual fee for the Citi Strata Premier is likely worth it to unlock full transfer ability.
Why This Card Could Be Right For You
If you want to avoid an annual fee but still take advantage of Citi’s transfer partners, this is your only option. The card offers a 20,000-point welcome bonus after spending $1,000 in the first three months.
You can also earn bonus points in the following categories:
- 5x on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through the Citi Travel Portal
- 3x at grocery stores, select transit, gas and EV charging stations, and one eligible self-selected category
- 2x at restaurants
You can redeem points with Citi’s transfer partners, though most transfers occur at a 1:0.7 ratio. If you also hold a Citi Strata Premier or Citi Strata Elite card, you can combine points and transfer at the full 1:1 ratio. Even at the reduced rate, transferring points is usually a better value than redeeming for cash back, gift cards, shop-with-points options, or travel portal bookings.
Read full review (3 more sections)
When The Usual Advice Doesn't Apply
This card may not be the right fit if:
- You want to be able to transfer at the full 1:1 ratio
- You want a larger signup bonus
What to Know About Citi ThankYou Rewards
Citi points are increasing in value with the addition of American Airlines as a transfer partner, though limited partner-transfer cards still hold them back.
- Only the Strata Premier and Strata Elite are worth it; they’re the only Citi cards with transferable miles to all partners and a 60k–80k point signup bonus.
- You can combine cash back points from other Citi cards with Strata Premier or Elite and then transfer to partners, but none of the cash back cards offer strong bonuses.
- Citi has expanded its transfer partner network, adding several high-value options it once lacked.
- Points are flexible with many airline partners, and Citi is the only credit card system that transfers to American Airlines.
How The Citi Strata Credit Card Fits In The Citi ThankYou Rewards Ecosystem
There are two Citi cards that allow ThankYou points to transfer to partners at the full 1:1 ratio. We feel the $95 annual fee Citi Strata Premier is worth the extra cost compared to the no annual fee Strata card solely for full transfer access. The Strata Premier's welcome bonus of 60,000 points after $4,000 in spending in 90 days, against 20,000 on this card, further increases its value.
You can also pair this card with other no annual fee Citi cards like the Custom Cash or Double Cash to earn ThankYou points at higher rates. Those points can be combined and transferred through the Strata Premier (or Elite) at the full 1:1 ratio.
If you want to step further into Citi’s ecosystem, the Citi Strata Elite sits at the top. It carries a $595 annual fee, but includes an 80,000-point welcome offer, multiple statement credits to help offset the fee, and four Admirals Club lounge passes each year.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- +No annual fee
- +20,000 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)
- +0% intro APR for 15 months
- +Points transfer to JetBlue, Virgin Atlantic, Choice Hotels, and more
Cons
- -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
Who It's Best For
Best For
- People who spend heavily in one of the Self-Select categories
- Grocery shoppers and commuters
- Those who want flexible points with transfer partners
- Balance transfer users who want ongoing rewards
Not Ideal For
- International travelers (3% foreign transaction fee)
- Those seeking premium travel perks
- Cash back maximizers
The Math: Is $0 Worth It?
First-year value includes $340 welcome bonus
Credit Utilization (60%)
Excludes earning value, lounge access, insurance, and elite status
Total Value Captured
$0
Annual Fee
-$0
Net Annual Value
+$0
Details & Terms
Application Rules
| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Citi 2/65 | You'll be declined if you apply for a third Citi card within 65 days |
| Citi 1/8 | You'll be declined if you apply for a second Citi card (business and/or personal) within 8 days |
| Citi 6/6 | You'll be declined if there are 6 or more hard inquiries on your credit report the past 6 months |
| Citi 5 Day Rule | You may be rejected when applying for a Citi credit card if your credit has been pulled within the last five days (by any bank). |
| One Strata bonus per person | Citi says the new account bonus is not available if you currently have or previously had a Citi Strata or Citi Strata Student account, and you may not be eligible based on your history of opening, closing and using credit cards. |
Payment Terms
| Purchase APR | 18.74%–28.74% (Variable) |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | 3% |
FAQs
Are Citi ThankYou points different than cash back?
Yes. ThankYou points are Citi’s rewards currency. You can redeem them for cash back, at a rate that depends on your card: Citi’s points calculator shows 1 cent per point on the Double Cash and Custom Cash, 0.75 cent on the Strata Premier and Strata Elite, and 0.5 cent on the Strata. If you have a card that earns transferable points, you can move them to an airline or hotel partner and redeem them for much more value.
Are Citi ThankYou points worth more than cash back?
They can be. Cash or statement credit redemptions give you 0.5¢ to 1¢ per point depending on the card (0.75¢ on the Strata Premier and Strata Elite). Transferring points to an airline or hotel partner can unlock redemptions worth more, especially when you take advantage of partner sweet spots.
Can I use Citi points for flights?
Yes. You can book flights through the Citi Travel Portal, but that’s usually poor value. If your card allows transfers, moving points to an airline partner typically gives you a much better return than booking through the portal at 1 cent per point.
Can I use my rewards points to pay my bill?
Yes. You can redeem points for a statement credit to help pay your bill. We only recommend this if you can’t pay your balance in full and would otherwise incur interest. Otherwise, transferring to an airline or hotel partner will give you better value.
Should I transfer ThankYou points or book through the Citi Travel portal?
The Citi Travel portal gives a flat 1 cent per point for flights, hotels, car rentals and attractions on every current ThankYou card. Citi publishes no value for transfers: what a transferred point is worth depends on the partner and the award you book, and it can be more or less than 1 cent. Transfer to partners when an award costs fewer points than the portal price, which is most common on premium cabin flights and sweet spot awards. Use the portal for simple bookings where partner awards don't beat 1 cent per point.
Which Citi cards allow 1:1 transfer ratios to airline partners?
Only the Citi Strata Premier ($95/year), Citi Strata Elite ($595/year), and Citi Prestige ($495/year, no longer available to new applicants) unlock 1:1 transfer ratios. Other ThankYou-earning cards like the Double Cash, Custom Cash, and Strata transfer at a reduced 0.7:1 ratio.
Can I combine ThankYou points from multiple Citi cards?
Yes. You can combine all ThankYou points into one account, either on the ThankYou website or by calling. If you combine points into a Strata Premier, Strata Elite, or Prestige account, all combined points unlock 1:1 transfer ratios to airline and hotel partners.
Do Citi ThankYou points expire?
No, ThankYou points do not expire as long as your account is open and in good standing. However, if you transfer points to another ThankYou member (up to 100,000 per calendar year), the received points expire 90 days after transfer.
What is the Citi ThankYou quadfecta strategy?
The Citi quadfecta maximizes earning across categories: Strata Premier (3x dining, gas, groceries, airfare, hotels), Strata card (3x transit + 3x self-select category), Custom Cash (5x on top category up to $500/month), and Double Cash (2x on everything). All points pool to the premium card for 1:1 transfers at minimal annual fees.
How do Citi ThankYou transfer bonuses work?
Citi periodically offers transfer bonuses of 15-30% to select airline and hotel partners. These are limited-time promotions that give you extra miles or points when transferring. Common bonus partners include Air France-KLM Flying Blue, Avianca LifeMiles, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, and Wyndham Rewards.
Media & Resources
Card Design
Evidence Sources
| Source | Verified | Citation |
|---|---|---|
| Citi | Citi | |
| Citi | Citi: Brand bonuses | |
| Citi | — | Citi |
| RewardsCC API | RewardsCC API: Welcome offer | |
| Citi | — | Citi |
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