Michael Anderson

Michael Anderson

Sunday, September 21, 2025 at 1:10 AM EDT

Advertiser Disclosure

Citi Strata Elite℠ Card

The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card offers elevated point earning, hotel and lifestyle credits, Admirals Club and lounge access, and premium travel protections.

Earn 80,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account opening.
on Citi Strata's secure site
Welcome Bonus
Earn 80,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account opening.
Rewards Rate
Earn 12 points per dollar on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through Citi Travel, plus 6 points on air travel and Citi Nights dining. Regular dining earns 3 points, while all other purchases earn 1.5 points per dollar.
Intro APR
0% introductory APR on purchases or balance transfers, but the focus is on rewards and travel perks rather than financing. Standard variable interest starts once the intro period ends.
Annual Fee
$595 per year.
Credit Score Needed
Good to Excellent
Card Brand
Mastercard
Product Details
  • Annual Fee: $595 (waived or reduced for Citigold/Citigold Private Clients)
  • Earning Rates:
  • 12X points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions via Citi Travel
  • 6X points on air travel via Citi Travel and at restaurants during Citi Nights (Fri & Sat)
  • 3X points on restaurants at other times
  • 1.5X points on all other purchases
  • Statement Credits & Perks:
  • $300 annual hotel credit (Citi Travel bookings)
  • $200 annual “Splurge” credit at select brands
  • $200 annual Blacklane chauffeur credit
  • Priority Pass Select membership
  • Four Admirals Club lounge passes annually
  • Up to $120 Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit every four years
  • Hotel benefits through The Reserve by Citi Travel
  • Strong travel and purchase protections
  • No foreign transaction fees
In-Depth Details

Credit Card Review

The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card is made for travelers who want rewards and lifestyle perks. You earn 12X points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through Citi Travel. Flights booked with Citi Travel earn 6X points. Restaurants earn 6X points on Friday and Saturday nights, and 3X points on other days. All other purchases earn 1.5X points. These rewards make the card valuable for both travel and daily spending.

Each year, the card gives you $300 off a hotel stay booked through Citi Travel. You also get a $200 Splurge credit for select brands and $200 in Blacklane chauffeur ride credits. Travelers receive Priority Pass lounge access, four Admirals Club passes, and a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.

Extra benefits include hotel upgrades through The Reserve by Citi Travel, strong travel protections, and flexible point redemption options. You can redeem points for travel, shopping, statement credits, or transfer them to partners. This card works best for frequent travelers who want high rewards, luxury credits, and reliable travel perks.

Pros & Cons
PROS
  • Up to 12X points on travel spending
  • Valuable annual hotel, splurge, and chauffeur credits
  • Admirals Club passes and Priority Pass membership
  • Comprehensive travel protections
  • Flexible point transfers to travel partners
CONS
  • $595 annual fee
  • Best value requires frequent travel
  • Less rewarding for casual cardholders
Application Journey Travel Rewards Credit Card

How to Apply for Citi Strata Elite℠ Card

1

Check Eligibility

Confirm Citi Strata Elite℠ Card fits your travel goals, annual fee tolerance, and how you plan to redeem points or miles.

2

Prepare Your Information

Gather your legal name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, income, employment details, and monthly housing payment.

3

Apply on the Issuer Site

Use the Apply button for Citi Strata Elite℠ Card and complete the secure issuer application form with accurate information.

4

Review the Decision

Review approval details, welcome offer terms, and any transfer partners or travel protections included with the card.

5

Activate and Set Up

Activate the card and connect travel accounts or wallets so you can start earning and managing rewards right away.

A

Alex M.

"The rewards are straightforward and the mobile app made account setup quick."

P

Priya R.

"Good value for regular travel purchases and useful alerts for tracking spending."

J

Jordan T.

"The category rewards helped us reduce yearly grocery and gas costs more than expected."

Eligibility Travel Rewards Credit Card

Eligibility & Requirements

These are general credit card requirements. Exact approval criteria, minimum credit profile, and verification steps vary by issuer and product.

Age & Residency

Applicants are generally expected to be at least 18 years old (19 in some states) and provide a valid U.S. residential address.

Identity Verification

Most issuers require legal name, date of birth, Social Security number or ITIN, and contact details for identity checks.

Income Information

You may need to report total annual income, employment status, and housing payment so the issuer can evaluate repayment ability.

Credit Profile

Approval usually depends on your credit history, recent inquiries, and current debt levels. Required score range varies by issuer.

Application Accuracy

Details should match official records and your credit file to avoid extra verification steps or decision delays.

Final Issuer Decision

Meeting baseline criteria does not guarantee approval. Terms, limit, APR, and fees are determined by the issuer after review.

FAQ Travel Rewards Credit Card

Common Questions

How do I apply for Citi Strata Elite℠ Card?+

Use the Apply button on this page to go to the issuer site, complete the application with accurate personal and income details, and submit for a decision.

Can I get an instant decision for Citi Strata Elite℠ Card?+

Many issuers provide an instant approval or pending message right away, but some applications are manually reviewed and can take longer.

Is Citi Strata Elite℠ Card better for points or simple travel credits?+

That depends on how you travel. Some cards work best for transfer partners, while others are better for easy statement credits or fixed-value redemptions.

What should I check before applying for Citi Strata Elite℠ Card?+

Review the annual fee, welcome offer terms, travel protections, foreign transaction fees, and redemption flexibility.

Can I use Citi Strata Elite℠ Card immediately after approval?+

Some issuers provide instant card access or a temporary number, but availability varies by issuer and product.

More Cards

Trending Insights

Discover the smartest credit card solutions designed to simplify payments and reward your lifestyle