If you love traveling and want to save money or earn rewards while doing it, the Citi Strata Premier Card might just be the perfect credit card for you. It’s designed for people who spend money on travel, hotels, dining, and other everyday stuff. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about this card—how it works, what rewards you earn, the fees, pros, cons, and whether it’s really worth it for you.
Key Takeaways
- Citi Strata Premier Card is a travel rewards credit card offering ThankYou® Points.
- Earn 10x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions through Citi Travel portal.
- Earn 3x points on everyday categories: airfare, gas, supermarkets, restaurants, and hotels.
- Get a 70,000-point welcome bonus after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months—worth about $700 in travel.
- Only $95 annual fee, with no foreign transaction fees.
- Points are flexible—you can redeem them for travel, gift cards, Amazon, or transfer to airline partners.
- Great for young travelers, casual jetsetters, and everyday users who want to maximize travel rewards.
Let’s get into it.
What Is the Citi Strata Premier Card?
The Citi Strata Premier Card is a travel rewards credit card launched by Citi in 2024. It replaced the older Citi Premier® Card with a few upgrades, especially for travelers. The card gives you ThankYou® Points, which you can use for flights, hotels, car rentals, gift cards, and more.
If you’re already spending money on travel, groceries, gas, and restaurants, this card helps you earn points faster and save money in the long run.
How the Rewards System Works
Here’s how you earn ThankYou® Points with the Citi Strata Premier Card:
- 10x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through the Citi Travel portal
- 3x points on:
- Airfare
- Hotels (even outside the portal)
- Restaurants
- Supermarkets
- Gas stations
- 1x point on all other purchases
Let’s say you take a $500 trip booked on the Citi Travel site. You’d earn 5,000 points on that alone. If you also spend $200 a month on groceries and $100 on gas, you’d earn 900 points monthly just from those.
Welcome Bonus Offer
Citi often has a welcome bonus for new cardholders. At the time of writing, they offer:
👉 70,000 bonus ThankYou® Points if you spend $4,000 in the first 3 months.
That’s equal to $700 in travel value, which is a pretty solid deal for a personal travel card.
Annual Fee
The annual fee is $95.
That’s not bad considering the rewards you get back—especially if you travel even just a couple times a year. Plus, with the welcome bonus, your first year basically pays for itself.
Travel Perks & Protections
While this card isn’t super premium like some $500-a-year cards, it still gives decent travel benefits:
- No foreign transaction fees – Great for international trips
- Travel protection – Coverage for trip delays, lost luggage, and car rental insurance
- Access to Citi Travel – A new booking portal with exclusive deals
Also, Citi’s ThankYou Points are super flexible. You can transfer points to airline partners like Emirates, Singapore Airlines, and Turkish Airlines, which is a smart way to get even more value from your points.
Where Can You Redeem ThankYou® Points?
This card gives you a bunch of options to redeem your points:
- Book flights or hotels via Citi Travel
- Transfer to airline or hotel partners
- Buy gift cards
- Use for Amazon purchases
- Pay with points for statement credits
If you love travel, transferring to airline partners often gives you the highest value—sometimes more than 1.5 cents per point, depending on the deal.
Pros of the Citi Strata Premier Card
✅ Big travel rewards – 10x points on bookings through Citi Travel is excellent
✅ Generous 3x categories – Useful for everyday spending like groceries and gas
✅ Valuable welcome bonus – Worth $700+ in travel if used right
✅ Flexible redemption options – Great for both beginners and experienced travelers
✅ No foreign transaction fees – Saves you money abroad
✅ Low annual fee – Just $95 per year
Cons to Consider
❌ No lounge access – Unlike premium travel cards
❌ Needs good credit – You’ll likely need a 700+ credit score
❌ Best rewards come only through Citi Travel – Not everyone uses that portal
❌ Spending cap not clearly defined – No bonus categories after a certain limit might affect heavy spenders
Who Should Get the Citi Strata Premier Card?
This card is ideal for:
- College grads or young professionals who travel 1–5 times a year
- People who eat out, shop groceries, and drive regularly
- Anyone who wants to get free flights and hotels
- Folks looking for a flexible points system with no blackout dates
It’s not for someone who wants luxury perks like airport lounges or who doesn’t spend enough in travel, gas, or groceries.
How It Compares to Other Travel Cards
| Card | Annual Fee | Travel Points | Other Benefits |
| Citi Strata Premier | $95 | 10x (Citi Travel), 3x other major categories | No foreign fees, good welcome bonus |
| Chase Sapphire Preferred | $95 | 5x (Chase Travel), 2x on dining/travel | Chase transfer partners |
| Amex Gold | $250 | 4x on dining/groceries | Higher fee, luxury perks |
| Capital One Venture | $95 | 2x on everything | Simpler system, less travel-specific |
If you want high rewards with a low fee, the Citi Strata Premier hits a sweet spot.
Final Verdict: Is It Worth It?
If you’re a traveler who also spends regularly on groceries, restaurants, or gas, then yes—it’s totally worth it.
The 10x points on travel bookings, the flexible rewards system, and the $700+ welcome bonus make it a solid deal. You won’t get fancy lounge access or crazy elite benefits, but for the $95 fee, it packs a punch.
It’s a smart first travel card that helps you rack up points without overcomplicating things.
Quick Summary
- Name: Citi Strata Premier Card
- Best For: Frequent travelers, everyday spenders
- Rewards: 10x travel portal, 3x groceries, gas, restaurants
- Welcome Bonus: 70,000 points (worth $700)
- Annual Fee: $95
- Foreign Fees: None
- Best Feature: High rewards on travel + flexible redemptions
Final Tip
If you decide to apply, plan your $4,000 spend wisely in the first 3 months to get the welcome bonus. Use it for travel, shopping, bills, or even rent if your landlord allows card payments. Those 70,000 points can unlock a round-trip flight or a free hotel stay. Don’t let them go to waste!
FQAs
1. Is the Citi Strata Premier Card good for beginners?
Yes, it’s a great starter travel card. It has strong rewards, a simple system, and a low $95 annual fee, making it perfect for beginners looking to earn travel points without the luxury-card complexity.
2. What credit score is needed to get approved?
You’ll usually need a good to excellent credit score—that means around 700 or higher. Approval also depends on your income and credit history.
3. Can I use this card internationally?
Yes! The Citi Strata Premier Card has no foreign transaction fees, so it’s great for international travel and shopping abroad.
4. How do I redeem ThankYou® Points?
You can redeem them for:
- Travel via the Citi Travel portal
- Transfers to airline partners
- Gift cards
- Amazon purchases
- Statement credits
Travel redemptions and transfers often give you the best value.
5. Do points expire?
No, your ThankYou® Points don’t expire as long as your account is open and in good standing.
Mariam holds an MS in Sociology and brings a sharp, people-centered perspective to her writing. She contributes to multiple websites, covering business, current news, and trending topics with insight and creativity that connects with readers.
