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Citi Strata Premier Credit Card

Written by: Lenny Pappano
Citi Strata Premier Apply Now

The Citi Strata Premier card is the top-tier travel rewards card in Citi’s ThankYou Points ecosystem. If you want a strong sign-up bonus, valuable transfer partners, and solid earning categories, this is the card to get if you’re serious about travel redemptions through Citi.

Citi Strata Premier Apply Now

Citi Strata Premier Credit Card Review

Key Takeaways

This is the most valuable card Citi offers for earning and redeeming ThankYou points. The 60,000-point sign-up bonus — earned after $4,000 in spending within 3 months — is significantly higher than what you’ll find on Citi’s no-fee cards. With a $95 annual fee that can be offset by a $100 hotel credit through the Citi Travel portal, the value is clear. If you’re looking to access Citi’s airline and hotel transfer partners, this is the card that unlocks that functionality.

Why This Card Could Be Right For You

The Citi Strata Premier gives you meaningful earning opportunities and full access to Citi’s ThankYou transfer partners — all for a relatively low annual fee.

  • Earn 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
  • 3x points on everyday categories like restaurants, groceries, gas stations, EV charging, air travel, and hotels (outside the Citi portal)
  • 10x points on hotels and car rentals booked through Citi Travel
  • $100 annual hotel credit on a single stay of $500+ when booked through Citi Travel
  • Full access to Citi’s airline and hotel transfer partners (including all three major airline alliances)

If you’re redeeming ThankYou points for travel, especially through transfer partners, this is the card you want in your wallet.

When The Usual Advice Doesn't Apply

This card may not be the right fit if:

  • You don’t book travel through portals, making the $100 hotel credit less useful
  • You prefer simple cashback or statement credit over managing transfer partners
  • You already have travel cards in other ecosystems (like Chase or Amex) and don’t want to juggle another set of points
Citi ThankYou Points

What to Know About Citi ThankYou Points

Citi points have limited utility; we don’t collect them without a clear use in mind

  • If you need to take a break from Chase, already have the top Cap One cards, and Amex isn’t offering elevated SUBs, only then should you consider a Citi card
  • Only the Strata Premier card is worth the trouble as it’s the only Citi card with transferable miles and a 60-80k point SUB
  • Points are flexible with a breadth of airline partners, some exclusive to Citi (like Avianca, Cathay Pacific, Turkish, and Singapore, amongst others)

How The Citi Strata Premier Credit Card Fits In The Citi ThankYou Points Ecosystem

Citi offers two lower-tier cards without annual fees. Both feature much smaller sign-up bonuses — $200 cash back for both the Citi Double Cash and Citi Custom Cash cards. Each card has its own spending multipliers: 2x points on all purchases with no limits for the Double Cash, and 5x points on your top eligible spending category each billing cycle for the Custom Cash.

Despite these lower-tier cards' welcome offers, the primary advantage of choosing the Strata Premier is the ability to transfer your Citi ThankYou points to any of their hotel and airline partners. For those familiar with the points and miles hobby, this capability is crucial for unlocking the most valuable rewards and redemptions.

Card Information

Bonus Points Minimum Spend Point Value Annual Value Annual Fee
1st Year Value
60,000 $4,000 1.2 ¢ $21 $95
$694
Best Value Differentiating Perks Rules
ThankYou points 3x Points on travel, 2x Points on dining, Transfer toward statement credit, airfare, hotels TY 1/24 , No 5/24 , Citi 1/95 , Citi 2/65 , Citi 1/8 , Citi 6/6

AWARD SYSTEM

Citi ThankYou Points

BANK

CitiBank

Reconsideration Phone 800.870.1073

CURRENT OFFER

60,000 points for
$4,000 spend.

Spend Categories

Airfare = »

3X points
3.6¢ Per Dollar Spent

All Other - »

1X points
1.2¢ Per Dollar Spent

Gas Stations + »

3X points
3.6¢ Per Dollar Spent

Grocery Stores + »

3X points
3.6¢ Per Dollar Spent

Hotels = »

3X points
3.6¢ Per Dollar Spent

Restaurants = »

3X points
3.6¢ Per Dollar Spent

Card Benefits

Hotel Perks »
Receive $100 in hotel credit off a single stay of $500 or more annually on booking made through thankyou.com.

Point Transfer Options

Transfer To Spouse/Partner Yes

Transfer To Friends Yes

Travel Partner Transfers

Citi ThankYou Points Outside Point System

Transfers Out To
Point Transfer Options
Avianca LifeMiles

1:1 117% value retained

Point Transfer Options
Cathay Pacific

1:1.12 112% value retained

Point Transfer Options
Etihad Guest

1:1 100% value retained

Point Transfer Options
Flying Blue and Air France

1:1 100% value retained

Point Transfer Options
jetBlue trueBlue

1:0.8 80% value retained

Point Transfer Options
Qantas Frequent Flyer

1:1 100% value retained

Point Transfer Options
Qatar Qmiles

1:1 100% value retained

Point Transfer Options
Singapore KrisFlyer

1:1 108% value retained

Point Transfer Options
Turkish Airways

1:1 100% value retained

Point Transfer Options
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club

1:1 117% value retained

Point Transfer Options
Wyndham Rewards

1:0.8 67% value retained

Citi Strata Premier Application Rules

You'll be declined if you've OPENED or CLOSED any Citi Card in the ThankYou "family" in past 24 months

Card approval not subject to 5-personal-cards-in-24-months rule

You'll be declined if you apply for a second Citi business card within 95 days

You'll be declined if you apply for a third Citi card within 65 days

You'll be declined if you apply for a second Citi card (business and/or personal) within 8 days

You'll be declined if there are 6 or more hard inquiries on your credit report the past 6 months

Ranking of Cards Offering Citi ThankYou Points

Breaking Points

April 10, 2023
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Mini Points - April 2023

- Citi Premier MasterCard - Limited Time Offer - 75,000 Points, after spending $4000 in 3 months, $95 Annual fee.

- Citi AAdvantage Platinum - Special Offer - $75,000 AA Miles, after spending $3500 in 4 months, $0 Annual fee for the first year, then $99.

- Chase Sapphire Visa - Limited Time Offer - 80,000 Points, after spending $4000 in 3 months, $95 Annual fee.

- Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard - Limited Time Offer - 70,000 Points, after spending $2000 in 3 months, $89 Annual fee.

June 14, 2022
Citi Strata Premier
Citi Premier Card Limited Time Sign up Offer

Earn 80,000 points after spending $4000 in 3 months with the Citi Premier Card, $85 annual fee is not waived.

July 8, 2021
Citi Strata Premier
New Sign-Up Offer from Citi Premier

Earn 80,000 Bonus Points after spending $4000 in 3 months with the Citi Premier Card - this is a limited time offer.