Citi Strata Premier Card
Earn 10X on Citi Travel and 3X on dining, gas, and groceries
Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou Points after $4,000 spend in 3 months, plus 10X points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through Citi Travel. Get 3X points on dining, supermarkets, gas and EV charging, air travel and other hotel purchases and transfer to 18+ airline and hotel partners. All for a $95 annual fee with no foreign transaction fees.
- Annual Fee
- $95
- ThankYou Points · Welcome Bonus
- 60,000
- Highest rate (conditional)
- Up to 10X (Travel portal)
Terms checked against the issuer on October 10, 2026
At a Glance
- Annual Fee
- $95
- Authorized User Fee
- $0
- 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
60,000
ThankYou Points
Spend $4,000 in the first 3 months
New cardmembers earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months. At 1.7 cents per point, the bonus is worth $1,020 toward travel when transferred to partners.
Earning Rates
- 10X
Hotels
Hotels booked through Citi Travel portal
- 10X
Car Rentals
Car rentals booked through Citi Travel portal
- 10X
Attractions
Attractions booked through Citi Travel portal
- 3X
Hotels
Hotels booked directly
- 3X
Dining
Restaurants
- 3X
Gas Stations
Gas stations and EV charging stations
- 3X
Electric Vehicle Charging
Gas stations and EV charging stations (EV charging row: same tier as gas, per the issuer's wording)
- 3X
Flights
Earn 3X ThankYou® Points per $1 on Air Travel
- 3X
Grocery Stores
Earn 3X ThankYou® Points per $1 at Supermarkets
- 1X
All Other
All other purchases
Earning Scenarios
10X Points on Citi Travel Bookings
Earn 10 ThankYou Points per dollar on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through Citi Travel. At 1.7 cents each, that's 17% back.
A $1,000 hotel booking on Citi Travel earns 10,000 points, worth $170 toward travel.
3X Points on Dining
Earn 3 points per dollar at restaurants worldwide. At 1.7 cents per point, that's 5.1% back in travel value.
Spend $600 monthly on dining to earn 21,600 points per year, worth $367 toward travel.
3X Points at Gas and EV Charging Stations
Earn 3 points per dollar on gas station and EV charging purchases. At 1.7 cents per point, that's 5.1% back.
Spend $250 monthly on gas to earn 9,000 points per year, worth $153 toward travel.
3X Points at Supermarkets
Earn 3 points per dollar on supermarket purchases. At 1.7 cents per point, that's 5.1% back in travel value.
Spend $500 monthly at supermarkets to earn 18,000 points per year, worth $306 toward travel.
3X Points on Air Travel and Hotels
Earn 3 points per dollar on air travel and hotel purchases booked directly. At 1.7 cents per point, that's 5.1% back.
Spend $2,000 annually on flights and direct hotel stays to earn 6,000 points, worth $102 toward travel.
1X Points on All Other Purchases
Earn 1 point per dollar on purchases outside bonus categories with no earning caps.
Spend $1,500 monthly on other purchases to earn 18,000 points per year, worth $306 toward travel.
Benefits & Perks
Travel Benefits
4 perksGeneral Travel
Hotels & Lodging
Annual Credits & Statement Credits
1 creditsUp to
$100
in recurring credits (annual)
$100 hotel credit
Receive $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more excluding taxes and fees when booked through Citi Travel once per calendar year.
$100
Annual
Insurance & Protections
9 protectionsMasterRental Car Insurance Coverage
Covers a rental vehicle's actual cash value for damage, theft, or loss when you decline the agency's insurance, plus up to $500 in loss-of-use.
Ten Thousand Dollar Purchase Protection Theft and Damage
$10,000
Coverage for eligible purchases against theft or damage for 90 days from purchase up to $10,000 per incident and $50,000 per year.
Five Thousand Dollar Trip Cancellation and Interruption
$5,000
Coverage for non-refundable expenses if you cancel or interrupt your trip due to covered reasons up to $5,000 per trip and $10,000 per year.
Three Thousand Dollar Lost or Damaged Luggage Insurance
$3,000
Coverage for lost, stolen, or damaged luggage during transit on trips paid with your card up to $3,000 per trip.
Five Hundred Dollar Trip Delay Protection Coverage
$500
Reimbursement up to $500 per trip for meals, lodging, and necessities when your trip is delayed more than 6 hours.
Show all 9 protectionsShow fewer protections
Travel Protection Benefits
Trip Delay, Trip Cancellation/Interruption, Lost/Damaged Luggage, and MasterRental Coverage — see each benefit for its own coverage limit.
Comprehensive identity theft monitoring
Monitor surface and dark web for compromised credentials with real-time alerts and resolution services included.
Extended Warranty Protection Up to Twenty Four Months
Extends manufacturer's warranty by up to 24 months on eligible purchases with original warranties of 7 years or less up to $10,000 per item.
Free FICO Score Access Through Your Citi Account
Free access to view your FICO credit score through your Citi account with monthly updates and no impact to your score when checking.
Dining Out
3x at restaurants
Citi ThankYou Points
≈$5.10 in value on a $100 dinner, at our valuation of 1.7¢ per point
Annual fee: $95
Explore 53,025 restaurants with this cardStack a dining program
Rakuten Dining
5% back at 20,618 participating restaurants, on top of this card's 3x, 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
4 sourcesHow It Compares
The Citi Strata Premier charges a $95 annual fee and earns 10X points on Citi Travel bookings plus 3X on dining, supermarkets, gas and EV charging, air travel and other hotel purchases. It includes a $100 hotel credit, no foreign transaction fees, and transferable ThankYou Points valued at 1.7 cents each.
Editorial Review
The Citi Strata Premier is a $95-annual-fee travel card built around everyday spending. It earns 10X ThankYou Points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through Citi Travel, 3X on dining, gas, supermarkets, flights, and hotels, and 1X on everything else. The 60,000-point welcome bonus after $4,000 in three months is the headline, but the real case for the card is the breadth of 3X categories at this fee level.
Key Takeaways
- 60,000 bonus ThankYou Points after $4,000 spend in the first 3 months. - 10X points on Citi Travel bookings (hotels, car rentals, attractions) and 3X on dining, supermarkets, gas and EV charging, air travel and other hotel purchases. - $100 annual hotel savings credit on stays of $500 or more booked through Citi Travel. - Transfer points to 18+ airline and hotel partners; we value ThankYou Points at 1.7 cents each for transferable redemptions. - Travel insurance includes $5,000 trip cancellation per trip, $500 trip delay after 6 hours, $3,000 baggage coverage, and MasterRental car insurance. - No foreign transaction fees; $95 annual fee is not waived the first year. - No airport lounge access and no annual travel credit beyond the $100 hotel benefit.
Why This Card Could Be Right For You
Consider the Strata Premier if you:
- Spend heavily across dining, gas, and groceries and want one card that covers all three at 3X. - Book travel through the Citi Travel portal often enough to use the 10X multiplier and the $100 hotel credit. - Want access to American Airlines AAdvantage transfers, which only Citi offers among major U.S. bank programs. - Already hold or plan to hold the Citi Custom Cash or Double Cash to pool points toward 1:1 transfers. - Need a lower-fee travel card with solid insurance but do not need lounge access.
Families and commuters tend to extract the most value because the 3X supermarkets and gas categories are uncapped and easy to hit every month.
Read full review (4 more sections)
When This Card Isn't The Right Fit
Skip the Strata Premier if you:
- Want airport lounge access or a flexible annual travel credit; the $100 hotel credit is restricted to $500+ Citi Travel stays. - Refuse to book through Citi Travel, since the 10X category and the hotel credit both require it. - Prefer Chase Ultimate Rewards or Amex Membership Rewards for their stronger hotel and domestic airline partner lineups. - Need instant, simple redemptions; ThankYou Points require partner transfers to beat the 1-cent portal floor. - Cannot comfortably spend $4,000 in three months to earn the welcome bonus.
The card is also a weaker choice if most of your travel is domestic economy on carriers outside American Airlines, where partner awards can be harder to use.
Understanding Citi ThankYou Points
ThankYou Points are Citi's transferable rewards currency. With the Strata Premier, you can move points to 18+ airline and hotel partners, most at a 1:1 ratio. We value ThankYou Points at 1.7 cents each for transferable redemptions, though actual value ranges from 0.75 cent (cash back) and 1 cent (Citi Travel) to 2+ cents for premium cabin partner awards.
Key mechanics:
- Citi lists points transfer to American Airlines, JetBlue, Virgin Atlantic, Cathay, EVA Air, Choice Hotels, The Leading Hotels of the World and others on the Strata Premier page, with a 1,000-point minimum. - American Airlines AAdvantage is the exclusive partner no other major bank program has. - The Citi Travel portal books flights, hotels, car rentals, and attractions at 1 cent per point. - Points do not expire as long as the account is open and in good standing.
The program rewards planners. If you prefer booking direct with hotels to earn elite status, the portal-heavy design will feel limiting.
How The Citi Strata Premier Fits In The Citi Ecosystem
The Strata Premier is the entry-level premium card in Citi's lineup. It enables full 1:1 transfers for points earned on no-fee Citi cards.
Common pairings:
- Citi Custom Cash: 5X on your top spending category up to $500 per month. Move those points to the Strata Premier for 1:1 transfers. - Citi Double Cash: 2X on everything. It becomes a 2X transferable-earning card when paired with the Strata Premier. - Citi Strata Elite: The $595 premium option with lounge access and a higher annual fee. Most users should start with the Premier unless they value the Elite's extras.
The combination of Custom Cash (5X rotating), Double Cash (2X base), and Strata Premier (3X categories + 1:1 transfers) is Citi's answer to the Chase trifecta. The annual cost is just the Premier's $95 fee if you hold the other two as no-annual-fee cards.
Our Take
The Strata Premier makes sense if you treat the $100 hotel credit as money you would spend anyway on a $500+ Citi Travel stay. At that point, the effective annual fee drops to negative $5 before counting the welcome bonus or ongoing 3X earning.
The math is straightforward: spend $1,000 per month across the 3X categories and you earn 36,000 points per year, worth about $612 toward travel at 1.7 cents per point. Against a $95 fee, that is a strong return for a card with no category tracking beyond the bonus list.
The catch is the portal requirement. If you book hotels directly to earn elite status, the 10X and the $100 credit are harder to use. After year one, the card's value depends on how much Citi Travel you actually use. For our household, it is a solid everyday earner and a cheap way to keep ThankYou Points transferable; it is not a premium travel experience card.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- +3X points on dining, supermarkets, gas and EV charging stations, air travel and other hotel purchases
- +10X points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions through Citi Travel portal
- +$95 annual fee with no foreign transaction fees
- +Transfer to 18+ airline and hotel partners including American Airlines, JetBlue and Virgin Atlantic
- +No foreign transaction fees for international purchases
- +Comprehensive travel insurance including trip delay, cancellation, and rental car coverage
- +$100 annual hotel savings credit for stays of $500+ booked through Citi Travel
Cons
- -No airport lounge access included
- -Transfer partners weaker than Chase or Amex (no United, Delta, or Hyatt)
- -10X portal bonus requires booking through Citi Travel, limiting flexibility
- -Welcome bonus lower than competing premium cards (60K vs 75K-90K)
- -Points worth 0.75 cent each when redeemed for cash back, less than the 1 cent they get through Citi Travel
Who It's Best For
Best For
- Everyday spenders who want 3X on dining, gas, and groceries with one card
- Budget travelers seeking premium benefits at a lower annual fee than Chase or Amex
- Points enthusiasts who want transfer partners like American Airlines, JetBlue, and Virgin Atlantic
- International travelers who need no foreign transaction fees
- Citi ecosystem users looking to combine with Custom Cash or Double Cash for max value
Not Ideal For
- Luxury travelers who want airport lounge access (card has none)
- Those who prefer cash back over points
- Heavy Amex or Chase users who already have transfer partner overlap
- Spenders who want more than 3X on travel purchases booked outside Citi portal
The Math: Is $95 Worth It?
First-year value includes $1,020.00 welcome bonus
Credit Utilization (60%)
Excludes earning value, lounge access, insurance, and elite status
Total Value Captured
$60
Annual Fee
-$95
Net Annual Value
-$35
Details & Terms
Payment Terms
| Purchase APR | 19.74%–27.74% (Variable) |
| Cash Advance APR | 29.99% (Variable) |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | $0 |
| Authorized User Fee | $0 |
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 Citi Strata Premier the Best Travel Credit Card of 2025?
The Citi Strata Premier TOTALLY Surprised Me (Full Review)
Why The Citi Strata Premier May Be The BEST Credit Card
Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Citi Strata Premier Comparison (2026)
Citi Strata Premier Review: The Most Underrated Credit Card?!
The Truth About the Citi Strata Premier (Points Expert Take)
5 Reasons why the Citi Strata Premier is better the Amex Gold Card
Third-Party Articles & Reviews
Citi Strata Premier℠ Credit Card Review (2026)
Citi Strata Card vs. Citi Strata Premier Card: How to choose
Is the Citi Strata Premier worth the annual fee?
Citi Strata Premier Card Benefits Guide
Who Should Get The Citi Strata Premier Card?
Citi Strata Premier Review 2026
11 Benefits of the Citi Strata Premier Card
Citi Strata Premier Card: Full Review [2026]
Is the Citi Strata Premier Worth Its Annual Fee?
The Citi Strata Premier is a versatile all-rounder travel card
Citi Strata Premier® Card 2026 Review
Card Design
Evidence Sources
| Source | Verified | Citation |
|---|---|---|
| Citi | — | Citi |
| NerdWallet | — | NerdWallet |
| Citi | Citi: Multiple card facts | |
| RewardsCC API | — | RewardsCC API |
| Citi | — | Citi |
| Citi | — | Citi |
| Citi | Citi: Multiple card facts | |
| Citi | Citi |
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.