Citi has introduced the Citi Strata Elite credit card, a refreshed version of the Citi Prestige card, aimed at travelers and lifestyle spenders looking to earn elevated rewards on everyday purchases. The new Strata Elite builds on the core strengths of its predecessor while introducing changes that reflect evolving consumer spending habits.
Rewards and Earning Categories
The Citi Strata Elite earns ThankYou points, Citi’s rewards currency. Cardholders can earn:
- 12x points when booking hotels, car rentals, and attractions on cititravel.com
- 6x points on air travel booked on cititravel.com
- 6x points on designated nights Friday & Saturday 6 pm – 6 am ET
- 3x points at restaurants outside those times
- 1.5x point on all other purchases
Annual Benefits
One notable update is the $300 annual single hotel discount benefit. When cardholders book a single hotel stay of 2 nights or more (excluding taxes and fees) through the Citi Travel portal, they will receive a $300 discount applied instantly at booking.
The card also comes with the following benefit
- Up to $200 credit where you can select two brands, American Airlines, BestBuy, and more
- The card has additional perks listed here
Travel Benefits and Lounge Access
A standout addition to the Citi Strata Elite is a one-time complimentary Admirals Club 4 complimentary day pass, giving cardholders access to American Airlines’ network of airport lounges. The card also comes with a Priority Pass select membership
Flexible Redemption and Transfer Partners
Points earned with the Strata Elite can be redeemed through the Citi Travel portal for flights, hotels, car rentals, or used toward gift cards and statement credits.
Notably, Citi recently added American Airlines as a transfer partner, making it easier for U.S.-based travelers to convert points into miles with one of the country’s largest carriers. Citi also partners with several international airline loyalty programs, providing additional options for global travelers.
The annual fee for the credit card is $595.
Analysis
Overall, the Strata Elite is an interesting refresh. I particularly like the addition of American Airlines as a transfer partner. Historically, American Airlines has been a difficult program to transfer points to, so this makes it somewhat easier.
One thing to note is that Admirals Club access is limited to four times per year. Citi and American likely wanted to avoid the situation Delta faced with Amex. Not long ago, Delta allowed Amex Platinum cardholders unlimited access to the Delta Sky Club, which led to significant overcrowding. Amex and Delta have since revised their access policies. Delta has expanded it’s lounges to cope with the overcrowding. The restrictions on Admirals Club access make sense, but if unlimited access is important, the Citi AAdvantage Executive card is a better fit.
This card is not aimed at loyal American Airlines flyers but more at general travelers, which sets it apart from the Executive card. The Strata card also competes with the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the American Express Platinum card. Since only the Sapphire Reserve has gone through a recent refresh, I feel the Strata Elite is not as strong as the Chase card, though it does come with a lower annual fee.
One appealing benefit is the up to $200 credit available across two brands from a predefined list. However, a major drawback is that Citi requires bookings through cititravel.com to unlock higher earning rates and use certain credits. Unfortunately, most issuers are adopting this model. It can be especially inconvenient for hotel stays, as most hotel chains only provide elite credit for direct bookings. In addition, airlines typically refer travelers back to the portal’s customer service for any issues with bookings made through a third party, which can complicate reservation changes or cancellations.
While the ability to transfer points to American Airlines is a strong selling point, the drawbacks are too significant. For now, this card will not be finding a spot in my wallet.
