Citi Strata Elite℠ Card
Earn 12X on hotels and 6X Citi Nights dining with $700 in annual credits
The first Mastercard World Legend card earns 12X on hotels, cars, and attractions booked through Citi Travel, plus 6X dining on Friday and Saturday nights. Combined with $700 in annual statement credits ($300 hotel, $200 Splurge, $200 Blacklane) and Priority Pass Select plus 4 AA Admirals Club passes, this card delivers $1,100+ in annual value. ThankYou points transfer to American Airlines, JetBlue and other partners. After $595 annual fee, realistic first-year value exceeds $500.
- Annual Fee
- $595
- ThankYou Points · Welcome Bonus
- 75,000
- Highest rate (conditional)
- Up to 12X (Citi Travel)
Terms checked against the issuer on October 10, 2026
At a Glance
- Annual Fee
- $595
- Authorized User Fee
- $75
- Foreign Transaction Fee
- $0
- Network
- Mastercard World Elite
- Rewards Currency
- Citi ThankYou Rewards
- Point Value (Transfer Estimate)
- 1.3–1.95 cpp (mid: 1.7)
- Credit Required
- Good to Excellent
Welcome Offer
75,000
ThankYou Points
Spend $6,000 in the first 3 months
Redeemed through Citi Travel at 1 cent per point, the 75,000-point bonus is worth $750 toward flights, hotels, car rentals and attractions. Transferred to airline or hotel partners such as American Airlines or JetBlue, it can be worth more or less than that: the value depends on the partner and the award, and Citi does not publish a fixed rate. The $6,000 minimum spend in the first 3 months works out to $2,000 a month.
Earning Rates
- 12X
Citi Travel
12X on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on cititravel.com
- 6X
Citi Travel
6X on Air Travel booked on cititravel.com
- 3X
Dining
3X at Restaurants; earns 6X on Citi Nights℠ purchases (Friday and Saturday 6PM-6AM ET) single entry per {category, booking_method} identity, the 6X window rides in the note
- 1.5X
All Other
1.5X on all other purchases
Earning Scenarios
12X Points on Hotels, Cars, and Attractions via Citi Travel
Earn 12 ThankYou points per dollar on all hotel, car rental, and attraction bookings made through the Citi Travel portal. The highest earn rate available on any premium travel card for hotel bookings, though you forgo direct loyalty program credits.
Book a $2,000 hotel stay through Citi Travel: earn 24,000 ThankYou points, worth $240 when redeemed through Citi Travel at 1 cent per point. A stay of 2 or more nights can also use the up-to-$300 Annual Hotel Benefit, once per calendar year.
6X Points on Flights Booked Through Citi Travel
Earn 6 ThankYou points per dollar on flight bookings made through Citi Travel portal. Lower than the 12X on hotels, but still strong earning for portal flights. Direct airline bookings earn 1.5X base.
Book a $1,500 roundtrip flight through Citi Travel: earn 9,000 points, worth $90 toward a future booking through Citi Travel at 1 cent per point.
6X Points at Restaurants on Citi Nights℠ (Fri/Sat 6PM-6AM ET)
Earn 6 ThankYou points per dollar at any restaurant on Friday and Saturday nights between 6PM and 6AM ET (midnight Sunday morning). No enrollment required. Eligible restaurants worldwide. Outside these times, earn 3X at restaurants.
Spend $500 monthly on Friday/Saturday dining (6PM-6AM ET): earn 3,000 points per month (36,000 annually), worth $360 through Citi Travel at 1 cent per point.
3X Points at All Restaurants Worldwide (Outside Citi Nights)
Earn 3 ThankYou points per dollar at restaurants worldwide during non-Citi Nights hours. No categories to track, no enrollment, no spending caps. Automatic 3X on 100% of dining purchases 24/7.
Spend $300/month on weekday dining: earn 900 points monthly (10,800 annually), worth $108 through Citi Travel at 1 cent per point.
1.5X Points on Everything Else Worldwide
Earn 1.5 ThankYou points per dollar on all other purchases not in bonus categories. No caps, no caps, no redemption limits. Consistent earn rate across groceries, gas, shopping, and everyday expenses.
Spend $2,000/month on non-category purchases: earn 3,000 points monthly (36,000 annually), worth $360 through Citi Travel at 1 cent per point.
Benefits & Perks
Travel Benefits
5 perksLounge Access
Hotels & Lodging
General Travel
Annual Credits & Statement Credits
5 creditsUp to
$852.50
in recurring credits (annual)
$300 hotel credit
Each calendar year, enjoy up to $300 off a hotel stay of 2 nights or more when booked through cititravel.com
$300
Annual
$200 Blacklane credit
Every calendar year, earn up to $200 in statement credits when you book with Blacklane, a premium global chauffeur service. Earn up to $100 on
$200
Annual
$200 Splurge credit
Up to $200/year in credits at your choice of 2 brands including AA, Best Buy, and Live Nation
$200
Annual
$145 recurring Citigold Private Client credit
Qualifying Citigold Private Clients: $595 first year, $145/year after; requires an open, current card account assessed the $595 fee.
$145
Annual
Up to $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck / 4 years
Receive a statement credit, up to $120 every four years, as reimbursement for your application fee for Global Entry® or TSA PreCheck®
$120
Every 4 years
Lounge Access
Priority Pass™ Select membership
Enjoy complimentary access to 1,500+ airport lounges worldwide. Annual membership fee valued at $469
American Airlines Admirals Club® Lounge Access Passes
Every calendar year, receive 4 Admirals Club® Citi Strata Elite? Passes for access to nearly 50 Admirals Club® lounges (over $300 in value). Inside
Insurance & Protections
4 protectionsTravel and Shopping Protection
Six insurances: Trip Delay, Trip Cancellation, Lost Luggage, MasterRental, Extended Warranty, Purchase Assurance Plus — see description for limits.
MasterRental Coverage
secondary
Covers repair/replacement cost for damage or theft (no fixed cap) plus up to $500 in loss-of-use charges when you decline the agency's CDW.
Comprehensive identity theft monitoring
Monitor surface and dark web for compromised credentials with real-time alerts and resolution services included.
FICO score monitoring
Get free access to your FICO® Score online to review your credit history
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
6 sourcesCategory Rankings (10 categories)
How It Compares
The Citi Strata Elite is the world's first Mastercard World Legend card and the highest-earning hotel card available (12X through Citi Travel). It combines premium lounge access, $700 in annual statement credits, and a strong airline partnership with American Airlines. ThankYou points transfer to airline and hotel partners, including American Airlines, offering more flexibility than co-branded cards. Best for weekend diners and Citi Travel portal bookers.
Editorial Review
Citi’s new Strata Elite card enters the premium space with a $595 fee, strong first-year value, and credits you’ll need to use regularly to justify keeping it long term
Key Takeaways
Citi is the latest issuer to get in the premium credit card game with the Citi Strata Elite. The annual fee is the highest of all Citi cards at $595, and they have tried to incentivize customers with coupons, as all premium cards seem to be doing these days. The generous welcome offer makes the card valuable in the first year, but you’ll only want to keep it around if you find value in the various credits offered to offset that high annual fee.
Why This Card Could Be Right For You
The signup bonus in Citi’s current offer (shown in the welcome offer on this page) is a good start for Citi’s newest premium card. If you are a Citi Gold customer, you earn a $145 rebate on the $595 annual fee, and if you are a Citi Private Client, you earn a rebate on the entire annual fee in the first year and a $145 rebate after that.
Citi tries to make up for that high annual by offering a slew of coupon style credits, discounts, and benefits:
- $300 annual hotel discount when booking through Citi Travel (on stays of 2 nights or more; doesn’t have to be used in one transaction)
- $200 annual Splurge credit (LiveNation and American Airlines are among the merchants for this credit)
- $200 in annual Private Chauffer Credit with Blacklane (two separate $100 credits; one January through June and one July through December)
- Priority Pass Select Membership (with 2 free guests)
- Four American Airlines Admirals Club passes each year (up to 3 children under 18 who are traveling with an adult who redeemed the pass can also enter the lounge)*
- Up to $120 Global Entry or TSA Precheck credit
- $100 experience credit, room upgrade, daily breakfast for two, complimentary wi-fi, and early check-in/late check-out on The Reserve by Citi Travel hotels
- Daily breakfast for two, complimentary wi-fi, and early check-in/late check-out on Hotel Collection hotels
There are also a variety of spending multipliers to help build even more points as you’re working towards your welcome offer:
- 12x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through Citi Travel
- 6x points on airfare booked through Citi Travel
- 6x points on restaurant purchases (including delivery) authorized between 6pm Friday - 6AM Saturday and 6pm Saturday - 6AM Sunday
- 3x on all other restaurant purchases
- 1.5x on all other purchases
_*_ _Note that American Airlines is now a transfer partner of Citi_
Read full review (3 more sections)
When The Usual Advice Doesn't Apply
This card might not be a right fit if:
- You don’t like the coupon book style of credit to offset the high annual fee, and you won’t take advantage of enough to make up for the fee
- You already have Priority Pass and/or Global Entry/TSA Precheck
- You don’t fly on American Airlines or live near a hub so won’t take advantage of those related perks
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 large points 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 Elite Credit Card Fits In The Citi ThankYou Rewards Ecosystem
The Citi Strata Elite is the premium card offered by Citi to compete with the Chase Sapphire Reserve and American Express Platinum card. If you’re looking for a premium card, those two cards have comparable benefits and annual fees. You’ll have to compare the details of each to decide which is best for your situation (if you’re only choosing one).
When it comes to the Citi ecosystem, there are four other Citi cards offered. The Citi Strata Premier is the only other one with an annual fee ($95), and it comes with its own points signup bonus. It offers a $100 hotel credit but it can only be redeemed when you spend $500 or more. It is the only other Citi card that offers transferable miles at a 1:1 ratio to Citi’s hotel and airline partners, which is the best way to gain maximum value out of your points. The Citi Strata card is the no annual fee option within this family. You can transfer to partners with this card, but at a reduced rate of 1:0.7. It has its own signup bonus and several noteworthy spending multipliers.
The other two cards do not earn transferable miles, and neither have an annual fee. Both also have much lower signup bonuses - $200 cash back for the Citi Double Cash and Citi Custom Cash cards, respectively. The spending multipliers can be nice - 2x points on all purchases with no limits for the Double Cash and 5x points on your top eligible spending category each billing cycle. We only recommend these as supplements to one of the Strata cards that earn transferable miles, as you can combine your points from these to then transfer to partners.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- +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 other airline and hotel programs
- +1.5X base rate on all non-category purchases
Cons
- -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
Who It's Best For
Best For
- Travelers who book through Citi Travel to maximize 12X on hotels and 6X on flights
- Weekend diners who can leverage 6X Citi Nights℠ dining bonus (Fri/Sat 6PM-6AM ET)
- Those who value American Airlines Admirals Club access and Priority Pass
- Cardholders seeking ThankYou points transfer flexibility including American Airlines
Not Ideal For
- Light travelers who cannot justify $595 annual fee
- Those who prefer to book hotels direct for loyalty program credit
- People who primarily dine on weekdays (miss the 6X Citi Nights bonus)
- Travelers who already have Priority Pass through another card
The Math: Is $595 Worth It?
First-year value includes $1,275 welcome bonus
Credit Utilization (60%)
Excludes earning value, lounge access, insurance, and elite status
Total Value Captured
$511.50
Annual Fee
-$595
Net Annual Value
-$83.50
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 6/6 | You'll be declined if there are 6 or more hard inquiries on your credit report the past 6 months |
| One Strata Elite bonus per person | Citi says the new account bonus is not available if you currently have or previously had a Citi Strata Elite account, and you may not be eligible based on your history of opening, closing and using credit cards. |
| Citi 1/8 | You'll be declined if you apply for a second Citi card (business and/or personal) within 8 days |
| 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). |
Payment Terms
| Purchase APR | 20.74%–28.74% (Variable) |
| Cash Advance APR | 29.99% (Variable) |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | $0 |
| Authorized User Fee | $75 |
Card Family
Citi Strata family
| Card | Tier | Annual Fee | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citi Strata Premier | premium | $95 | |
| Citi Strata | entry | $0 |
Product changes available between family members without a new credit inquiry.
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
Video Reviews
8 videosIs the $595 Citi Strata Elite Worth It? (Here's the TRUTH)
NEW Citi Strata Elite Card: Worth $595?!
NEW $595 Citi Strata Elite Card (Early Review)
Citi Strata Elite: the good, bad, and ugly | Frequent Miler on the Air Ep317
Citi Strata Elite Review | A Strong Contender
Citi Just Flipped The Credit Card Game | Strata Elite & Strata Review
ULTIMATE Guide to CITI STRATA ELITE (Everything You NEED to Know)
Third-Party Articles & Reviews
Citi Strata Elite review: Unique statement credits and Admirals Club access
Comprehensive TPG review covering the $595 annual fee, 12X earning via Citi Travel, $700 in annual credits, Priority Pass and AA Admirals Club access. Rates the card 3.5/5 with strong first-year value but questions long-term appeal.
Is The Citi Strata Elite Card Worth The $595 Fee? 10 Reasons To Apply
OMAAT guide covering 10 reasons to get the card including 75K bonus, 12X Citi Travel earning, Priority Pass, AA Admirals Club passes, $300 hotel credit, $200 Splurge Credit, $200 Blacklane credit, transfer partners, and first-year double dipping opportunities.
Citi Strata Elite Card Review 2026: Citi's $595 Travel Card
Detailed 2026 review highlighting $1,490+ in annual statement credits, eye-popping earn rates via Citi Travel portal, and exclusive travel perks. Covers the card's positioning as a premium competitor to CSR and Amex Platinum.
Is the Citi Strata Elite worth the annual fee?
Detailed annual fee value analysis by TPG breaking down earn rates, statement credits, lounge access, and redemption options. Calculates effective fee as low as $65 when maximizing all credits. Recommends Strata Premier for lower-cost alternative.
Citi Strata Elite vs Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard
Head-to-head comparison of Citi's two premium cards with Admirals Club access. Compares the Strata Elite's 4 annual passes vs the AAdvantage Executive's unlimited access, different earn structures, and which card suits different traveler profiles.
Citi Strata Elite Card 2026 Review
US News review covering the Strata Elite's generous sign-up bonus, no foreign transaction fees, and annual hotel credit. Rates the card 4.1/5 and evaluates its competitiveness in the premium travel card space.
Citi Strata Elite Card Offers $700+ in Benefits You'll Actually Use
Guide to maximizing the Strata Elite's $700+ in statement credits. Covers practical tips for the hotel credit, Splurge Credit merchant selection, Blacklane booking strategies, and how to make each credit work for your spending patterns.
Citi Strata Elite Review & How I've Earned $2,300+ In Value
Personal experience review showing $2,300+ in value earned from the card. Covers welcome bonus, credit maximization strategies, and real-world earn rate examples. First-hand account of Splurge Credit and Blacklane usage.
Card Design
Evidence Sources
| Source | Verified | Citation |
|---|---|---|
| Citi | Citi: Earn rates | |
| Citi | — | Citi |
| CardRatings | — | CardRatings |
| CardRatings | — | CardRatings: Welcome offer |
| RewardsCC API | RewardsCC API: Multiple card facts | |
| Citi | Citi: Multiple card facts | |
| Citi | Citi: Pros | |
| Citi | Citi: Multiple card facts | |
| Citi | Citi: Multiple card facts | |
| Citi | Citi |
Top brands for this card
Brands where this card's earn-rate structure makes it a strong choice. Open a brand for the full ranked list.
Partner credits at
Merchants this card gives you a statement credit or membership at. Unlike the brands above, this isn't about earn rate — it's money the card hands back when you spend there.