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Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Citi's new Strata Elite credit card has a $595 annual fee. Here's how its perks stack up against the competition.
As the premium credit-card market swells with the introduction of Citi's Strata Elite card, experts say rising annual fees and an overload of unused statement credits are leading to growing premium-cardholder fatigue. But while paying more than $500 for a credit card might seem excessive to many people, the fees on the most popular premium cards haven't risen enough to deter consumers seeking exclusive travel benefits from applying. 'Vegas is not fun anymore': $9 cups of coffee and pricier rooms are steering travelers away from the vacation mecca We're in our 70s with a $260K mortgage at 3% interest and $1.6 million in savings. Should we pay off our house in full? Citi's C Strata Elite boasts a flurry of travel and lifestyle rewards worth nearly $1,500 and gives cardholders the option to transfer points to American Airlines' AAL AAdvantage Bonus Miles, according to the company. It also comes with a $595 annual fee — putting it up there with the American Express AXP Platinum and Chase JPM Sapphire Reserve cards, which have $695 and $795 fees, respectively. Despite the high barrier to entry, demand for premium credit cards persists. 'If this trend was really having an impact on issuers' bottom lines, we likely would've seen a pullback. Instead, we've seen these cards go from $450, to $550, to $695 and now $795 with the Sapphire Reserve,' said Nick Ewen, senior editorial director at the Points Guy, a travel website. 'To me, this demonstrates that the cardholders complaining are either doing so and then keeping the card anyway, or are being replaced by new cardholders who are excited about the benefits.' The Strata Elite card offers 12 points per every dollar spent on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked through the Citi Travel platform, as well as six times the points on airfare booked through Citi Travel and restaurant purchases during select days and times. The card also offers statement credits worth several hundred dollars each calendar year for a hotel stay of two nights or more booked through Citi Travel, a chauffeur service and purchases made at up to two brands from a list that includes Live Nation LYV, Best Buy BBY and American Airlines. A statement credit is money added to your account balance for making specific purchases. When they're offered in small monthly increments, a card can earn the derisive nickname of 'coupon book.' Citi seems aware that consumers have grown weary of the laundry list of statement credits that come with rewards cards. Pam Habner, Citi's head of U.S. branded cards and lending, said the company was intentional with the perks they included in the Strata Elite card, choosing 'benefits that we know our customers will want to use — because we asked them what they value.' 'You shouldn't need a math degree and a spreadsheet to track your credit-card benefits,' Habner said in a news release. ThankYou Points — Citi's name for its loyalty points — earned on the Strata Elite, Strata Premier and Prestige cards can now be transferred to the American Airlines AAdvantage program at a 1-to-1 transfer ratio, meaning 1,000 ThankYou Points equals 1,000 AAdvantage Bonus Miles. See more: I asked AI, Google Flights and a travel agent to find me the cheapest flight. Here's who won. A 1-to-1 transfer ratio is something Points Guy credit-card writer Danyal Ahmed said he hoped to see in the new Strata Elite card. 'Any ability to transfer to the program with a better rate than Marriott Bonvoy would be beneficial to cardholders,' he wrote in a January article. The Marriott MAR Bonvoy transfer rate to AAdvantage is 3 to 1. The Strata Elite card also covers the $120 application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. The release of the Strata Elite is Citi's big comeback to the premium credit-card market. The company once offered the Citi Prestige as a premium product, but the card ultimately closed to new applicants a few years ago. 'Both Amex and Chase were able to adjust their card benefits to survive COVID-19 while Citi began to scale back, removing travel protections, capping benefits and finally closing the Prestige card for new applications in 2021,' Bankrate credit-cards expert Ana Staples said. See more: You'll have to charge over $75,000 a year on the new Chase Sapphire Reserve card to get the most out of it American Express and Chase remain leaders in the market, and their high annual fees reflect that. The Sapphire Reserve card's price tag rose to nearly $800 last month, and there's a possibility that Amex Platinum could start carrying a $1,000 fee later this year. The Platinum card currently has a $695 annual fee. 'We're going to take these Cards to a new level, not only in what they offer in travel, dining and lifestyle benefits, but also in how they look and feel, to meet the evolving needs of our customers,' Howard Grosfield, group president of U.S. consumer services at American Express, said in June when the upcoming refresh to the card was announced. American Express declined to provide additional comment for this story. Past refreshes of the Platinum card seem to have paid off for Amex. Since the last one in 2021, the cardholder base has 'pretty much doubled,' Chairman and CEO Steve Squeri told analysts in the company's second quarter earnings call earlier this month. Plus, of all new accounts acquired globally in the second quarter, 71% came from fee-paying products, with the Amex Platinum and Gold cards being the largest portfolios in that category. Chase Sapphire general manager Sam Palmer said the Sapphire Reserve provides a 'unique blend of premium dining and travel rewards, [and] carefully selected lifestyle credits from our partners.' 'After nearly a decade of listening to our cardmembers, we've designed the most rewarding card out there,' Palmer said in a statement provided to MarketWatch. The Strata Elite's $595 annual fee (plus $75 for each authorized user) places Citi in between the more expensive options and Capital One's COF Venture X card, which costs users $395 annually. Capital One did not respond to a request for comment from MarketWatch. So which card offers the best deal? It depends, experts say, especially when you're comparing statement credits. Ewen recommends going through each of the cards' offerings and looking for subscriptions or perks you're already paying for without the card, rather than ones you don't have yet. For example, the Sapphire Reserve card covers Apple AAPL Music, so if you already pay to listen to music on the platform, that can offset the annual fee. If you enjoy watching shows on Hulu or Disney+ DIS or fly often on Delta Air Lines DAL, Amex's monthly digital-entertainment credit might intrigue you. If you fly American a lot, you might consider the new Strata Elite card to be a good deal. Beyond points transfers, it also offers four passes each year to Admirals Club airport lounges. These lounges have become an important perk for cardholders in recent years. They've gotten so popular that some cardholders even have to wait to get into them. See more: Why American Express and American Airlines shrunk the airport lounge Chase, Amex and Capital One each have branded lounges in airports across the globe, while Citi does not. Instead, the Strata Elite offers the four passes to the Admirals Club plus a free membership to Priority Pass Select — a nearly $500 value that allows access to lounges in 95% of the world's busiest airports. One perk that makes the Chase Sapphire Reserve stand out is its $300 flexible travel credit. It's an automatic rebate for any travel purchase, not just those made through the Chase Travel portal. 'Any travel purchase with any travel provider is eligible, and the credits generally post within a day,' Ewen said. See more: Premium travel perks like VIP lounges and rewards points offer less than they used to — but these upgrades are still worth it Despite myriad credits, points transfers and lounges that offset the annual fee, for many consumers, the hundreds of dollars a year required are just too much to cough up. But 'perhaps that's the point now,' Staples noted. 'As these cards change and increase annual fees, they aren't for the average consumer who wants to get access to luxury travel experiences on a budget anymore,' she said. 'They're for people who don't find paying a few hundred dollars in a single charge to be any real financial pain. These cardholders want luxury, and they can afford it.' 'His income is limited': Should I pay $800 a month towards my husband's $67,000 student debt? Coinbase investors should cash in. The stock has rallied too much ahead of earnings, analyst says. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Citi's Strata Elite Card challenges AmEx Platinum and Chase Sapphire with travel-heavy perks
Not willing to be caught idling while Chase and American Express release new premium credit cards, Citi is launching one of its own: the Citi Strata Elite Card. Zillow updates home price forecast for over 400 housing markets: See the map Here's why Trump's proposed 401(k) executive order may be very bad news for your retirement How to go from quiet to commanding While Citi has offered a premium credit card in the past (the Prestige Card, which some customers still have and use, but is no longer available to new customers), the Citi Strata Elite Card is the company's return to the pitch in many years. Specifically, the new card is designed to directly compete with Chase's Sapphire Reserve card and the Platinum Card from American Express—both of which have recently announced new features, fees, and revamps. As for what makes Citi Strata Elite superior to its competitors' offerings? Pam Habner, Citi's head of U.S. branded cards and lending, says that in the simplest terms, 'it's the best card for premium customers who have a passion for travel and dining.' The card itself boasts an overall value of $1,500 annually, against an annual fee of $595. That includes an annual $300 hotel benefit, a $200 'splurge' credit (for use with certain brands, such as Best Buy or American Airlines), a $200 Blacklane chauffeur credit, and a fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. There are numerous perks associated with American Airlines, too, which has had a long relationship with Citi, including four Admirals Club lounge passes. Card members also multiply their points earnings by 12 when booking hotels, car rentals, or attractions through the card's travel portal, along with a six-times multiplier when booking air travel or ordering from certain restaurants at certain times. In all, it packs a powerful punch for people who like to travel and eat out. Habner says that compared with competing cards, it 'is the card with the highest reward potential on the market—it offers travelers more benefits than any other card.' And she notes that the top reason premium cardholders opt for high-level or premium cards is for the travel benefits, according to her team's research. There was a good amount of research, too, that went into the development of the card. While Citi's previous premium card was 'designed for its time,' the new card 'meets the needs of the modern premium customer,' Habner says, and it took a good amount of time, data, and research to figure out exactly what those were. The Strata Elite Card's slate of benefits and perks, she says, reflects Citi's findings. This post originally appeared at to get the Fast Company newsletter: Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
National Post
3 days ago
- Business
- National Post
Citi Launches the Citi Strata Elite Credit Card
Article content K Article content Article content ey Highlights: Article content NEW YORK — Today, Citi announced the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card—a new premium credit card offering 12x points on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on the Citi Travel ® platform; 6x points on Air Travel booked on Citi Travel; 6x points at Restaurants, every Friday & Saturday from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. ET; and more travel, dining and entertainment benefits. Plus, with the Citi Strata Elite Card, cardmembers can unlock nearly $1,500 in value each year—with valuable lifestyle benefits cardmembers will want to use and even more perks for those who fly with American Airlines. Article content 'The new Citi Strata Elite Card is the smart choice for savvy premium cardmembers who want to earn high rewards on travel and dining while still earning generously on every dollar spent,' said Pam Habner, Head of U.S. Branded Cards & Lending at Citi. 'You shouldn't need a math degree and a spreadsheet to track your credit card benefits! We have curated flexible lifestyle benefits that we know our customers will want to use—because we asked them what they value. And, this is the only branded credit card that has American Airlines benefits built right into the card.' The Citi Strata Elite Card rewards cardmembers with ThankYou ® Points for the things they care about most, with the ability to earn: Article content 12x points on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on 6x points on Air Travel booked on 6x points at Restaurants including Restaurant Delivery Services, every Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. ET and 3x points any other time. 1.5x points on All Other Purchases. Article content With Citi Strata Elite, cardmembers can feel confident knowing they've chosen the card that can maximize their rewards earn. Citi Strata Elite cardmembers will also enjoy access to the following premium benefits and protections: Article content i Article content found 75% of premium cardmembers indicate that customization—like opting for perks—is a very or extremely important part of the equation. Citi Strata Elite offers: Article content Up to $300 Annual Hotel Benefit: Every calendar year, enjoy up to $300 off a hotel stay of two nights or more booked through Citi Travel. Up to $200 Annual Splurge Credit ℠: Every calendar year, earn up to $200 in statement credits on your choice of up to two of the following brands: 1stDibs, American Airlines, Best Buy ®, Future Personal Training, and Live Nation. Up to $200 Annual Blacklane Credit: Every calendar year, enjoy up to $200 in statement credits when booking with Blacklane, a global chauffeur service. Earn up to $100 on Blacklane purchases January through June and up to $100 July through December. Up to $120 Global Entry ® or TSA PreCheck ® Application Fee Credit: Receive a statement credit, up to $120 every four years, as reimbursement for the application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck ®. Article content Article content option, American Airlines has partnered with Citi to offer additional benefits: Article content Four American Airlines Admirals Club ® Citi Strata Elite Passes (Worth Over $300 Annually): Every calendar year, receive four Admirals Club ® Citi Strata Elite℠ Passes for access to nearly 50 Admirals Club ® lounges worldwide. Points Transfer: Ability to transfer Citi ThankYou ® Points into American Airlines AAdvantage ® miles, which can be used on flights and more to create a personalized travel experience. Article content 'American is deepening its partnership with Citi to deliver even more benefits that combine the best of American and Citi's rewards offerings,' said Scott Long, American Airlines Senior Vice President of AAdvantage. 'We're always looking for innovative ways to enhance our products and reward our customers for their loyalty. The new Citi Strata Elite Card provides Citi cardmembers an exciting opportunity to experience some of the fantastic benefits the AAdvantage program offers.' Article content Additional Premium Perks for Savvy Consumers Article content Complimentary Priority Pass Select ™ membership (Worth $469 Annually): Complimentary access for primary cardmembers and authorized users, and up to two guests to 1,500+ airport lounges worldwide (not all lounges admit guests). Access to The Reserve by Citi Travel: A collection of 4.5-5 star participating hotels on the Citi Travel platform offering on-property benefits including daily complimentary breakfast for two, free wi-fi, a $100 experience credit (varies by property) and early check-in, late check-out, and room upgrades (subject to availability). No foreign transaction fees ii: No foreign transaction fees when traveling internationally. Access to Citi Entertainment ®: Get special access to purchase tickets to thousands of events, including presale tickets and exclusive experiences for the year's most anticipated concerts, sporting events, arts and dining experiences. Access to The Mastercard Collection benefits: Citi Strata Elite is the first World Legend credit card issued featuring Mastercard's new premium tier benefits, offering priority reservations at thousands of the most sought-after restaurants abroad; ticketing access across music, theater, and sporting events globally; and more. Article content 'We're thrilled to introduce World Legend with Citi, a payment experience to meet people's growing expectations of a payments card,' said John Levitsky, U.S. co-president at Mastercard. 'Our new World Legend card tier will help deepen cardmember loyalty by offering elevated benefits, experiences and exclusive Priceless access in categories that people love—dining, entertainment, and travel.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Citi Launches the Citi Strata Elite Credit Card
Premium Card Offers Customers One of the Highest Earn Rates and Valuable Lifestyle Benefits Key Highlights: New card offers premium travel and dining benefits plus generous earn on every dollar spent Flexible benefits make it easy for cardmembers to customize to fit their lifestyle Citi Strata Elite joins Citi Strata Card and Citi Strata Premier Card to complete Citi's family of rewards credit cards that caters to cardmembers' passions NEW YORK, July 28, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Citi announced the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card—a new premium credit card offering 12x points on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on the Citi Travel® platform; 6x points on Air Travel booked on Citi Travel; 6x points at Restaurants, every Friday & Saturday from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. ET; and more travel, dining and entertainment benefits. Plus, with the Citi Strata Elite Card, cardmembers can unlock nearly $1,500 in value each year—with valuable lifestyle benefits cardmembers will want to use and even more perks for those who fly with American Airlines. "The new Citi Strata Elite Card is the smart choice for savvy premium cardmembers who want to earn high rewards on travel and dining while still earning generously on every dollar spent," said Pam Habner, Head of U.S. Branded Cards & Lending at Citi. "You shouldn't need a math degree and a spreadsheet to track your credit card benefits! We have curated flexible lifestyle benefits that we know our customers will want to use—because we asked them what they value. And, this is the only branded credit card that has American Airlines benefits built right into the card." The Citi Strata Elite Card rewards cardmembers with ThankYou® Points for the things they care about most, with the ability to earn: 12x points on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on 6x points on Air Travel booked on 6x points at Restaurants including Restaurant Delivery Services, every Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. ET and 3x points any other time. 1.5x points on All Other Purchases. With Citi Strata Elite, cardmembers can feel confident knowing they've chosen the card that can maximize their rewards earn. Citi Strata Elite cardmembers will also enjoy access to the following premium benefits and protections: Valuable Lifestyle Benefits Cardmembers Will Want to UseCiti researchi found 75% of premium cardmembers indicate that customization—like opting for perks—is a very or extremely important part of the equation. Citi Strata Elite offers: Up to $300 Annual Hotel Benefit: Every calendar year, enjoy up to $300 off a hotel stay of two nights or more booked through Citi Travel. Up to $200 Annual Splurge Credit℠: Every calendar year, earn up to $200 in statement credits on your choice of up to two of the following brands: 1stDibs, American Airlines, Best Buy®, Future Personal Training, and Live Nation. Up to $200 Annual Blacklane Credit: Every calendar year, enjoy up to $200 in statement credits when booking with Blacklane, a global chauffeur service. Earn up to $100 on Blacklane purchases January through June and up to $100 July through December. Up to $120 Global Entry® or TSA PreCheck® Application Fee Credit: Receive a statement credit, up to $120 every four years, as reimbursement for the application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Even More Perks for Those Who Fly with American AirlinesIn addition to being a Splurge Credit option, American Airlines has partnered with Citi to offer additional benefits: Four American Airlines Admirals Club® Citi Strata Elite Passes (Worth Over $300 Annually): Every calendar year, receive four Admirals Club® Citi Strata Elite℠ Passes for access to nearly 50 Admirals Club® lounges worldwide. Points Transfer: Ability to transfer Citi ThankYou® Points into American Airlines AAdvantage® miles, which can be used on flights and more to create a personalized travel experience. "American is deepening its partnership with Citi to deliver even more benefits that combine the best of American and Citi's rewards offerings," said Scott Long, American Airlines Senior Vice President of AAdvantage. "We're always looking for innovative ways to enhance our products and reward our customers for their loyalty. The new Citi Strata Elite Card provides Citi cardmembers an exciting opportunity to experience some of the fantastic benefits the AAdvantage program offers." Additional Premium Perks for Savvy Consumers Complimentary Priority Pass Select™ membership (Worth $469 Annually): Complimentary access for primary cardmembers and authorized users, and up to two guests to 1,500+ airport lounges worldwide (not all lounges admit guests). Access to The Reserve by Citi Travel: A collection of 4.5-5 star participating hotels on the Citi Travel platform offering on-property benefits including daily complimentary breakfast for two, free wi-fi, a $100 experience credit (varies by property) and early check-in, late check-out, and room upgrades (subject to availability). No foreign transaction feesii: No foreign transaction fees when traveling internationally. Access to Citi Entertainment®: Get special access to purchase tickets to thousands of events, including presale tickets and exclusive experiences for the year's most anticipated concerts, sporting events, arts and dining experiences. Access to The Mastercard Collection benefits: Citi Strata Elite is the first World Legend credit card issued featuring Mastercard's new premium tier benefits, offering priority reservations at thousands of the most sought-after restaurants abroad; ticketing access across music, theater, and sporting events globally; and more. "We're thrilled to introduce World Legend with Citi, a payment experience to meet people's growing expectations of a payments card," said John Levitsky, U.S. co-president at Mastercard. "Our new World Legend card tier will help deepen cardmember loyalty by offering elevated benefits, experiences and exclusive Priceless access in categories that people love—dining, entertainment, and travel." Protections for Peace of MindAdditionally, Citi Strata Elite cardmembers will receive travel and shopping protections including trip delay protection, enhanced trip cancellation and trip interruption protection, lost or damaged luggage protection, MasterRental coverage, extended warranty and purchase assurance plus. With access to nearly $1,500 in value and a suite of new benefits, the new Citi Strata Elite comes with a $595 annual fee and $75 annual fee for each authorized userii. Rewards for Citi Wealth Clients Citigold® Private Client Relationship Tier credit: Qualifying Citigold Private Clients receive a $595 first year banking relationship credit and $145 Annual Credit each year thereafter if the primary cardmember has an open and current Citi Strata Elite Card account. Citigold® Relationship Tier credit: Qualifying Citigold clients receive $145 Banking Relationship Annual Credit if the primary cardmember has an open and current Citi Strata Elite Card. Rounding out the Citi Strata Family of Rewards Credit CardsThe Citi Strata Elite Card and new Citi Strata℠ Card join the Citi Strata credit card portfolio, a range of products uniquely tailored to what cardmembers value most. Each of the cards—Citi Strata Elite, Citi Strata Premier®, and Citi Strata—is designed to give cardmembers the flexibility to curate the life they envision for themselves. Today, the Citi Strata Card—a rich enhancement of the former Citi Rewards+® Card—offers cardmembers increased opportunities to earn more points on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on Citi Travel, and at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations and on select transit purchases. Additionally, the new Self-Select category offers 3x points on an eligible category like fitness clubs, select streaming services, live entertainment, among others that speak to their personal desires, all at no annual feeiii. The Citi Strata Card offers benefits that cater to cardmembers' everyday routines and passions while helping them enjoy experiences now and in the future. With the Citi Strata Card, cardmembers can earn: 5x points on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on 3x points at Supermarkets. 3x points on Select Transit and at Gas & EV Charging Stations. 3x points on an eligible Self-Select Category of their choice. (Eligible categories include Fitness Clubs, Select Streaming Services, Live Entertainment, Cosmetic Stores/Barber Shops/Hair Salons, or Pet Supply Stores.) 2x points at Restaurants including Restaurant Delivery Services. 1x points on All Other Purchases. For more information on the Citi Strata credit card portfolio, visit About CitiCiti is a preeminent banking partner for institutions with cross-border needs, a global leader in wealth management and a valued personal bank in its home market of the United States. Citi does business in more than 180 countries and jurisdictions, providing corporations, governments, investors, institutions and individuals with a broad range of financial products and services. Additional information may be found at | X: @Citi | LinkedIn: | YouTube: | Facebook: i Citi partnered with Material in June-July 2025 to conduct a poll of 1,000 adults ages 18+ who own at least one premium credit card (annual fee of $395 or more) and contribute to financial decision-making for their household. In addition, this survey included another 854 adults age 18+ who own at least one credit card, that is not a premium credit card and contribute to financial decision-making for their household. ii Pricing for Citi Strata Elite Card: The variable APR for purchases and balance transfers is 21.24%-29.24% based on your creditworthiness. For Citi Flex Plans subject to an APR, the variable APR is 21.24%-29.24%, based on creditworthiness. For Citi Flex Pay Plans subject to a Plan Fee, a monthly fee of up to 1.72% will apply, based on the Citi Flex Plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the Transaction, and other factors. The variable APR for cash advances is 29.49%. The variable penalty APR is up to 29.99% and may be applied if you make a late payment or make a payment that is returned. Minimum interest charge - $0.50. Annual fee - $595. Annual fee for Authorized Users - $75. Fee for foreign purchases - None. Cash advance fee - 5% of each cash advance (min. $10). Balance transfer fee - 5% of each transfer (min. $5). Rates as of 07/27/2025. iii Pricing for the Citi Strata Card: 0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers from date of account opening; after that, the variable APR for unpaid promotional balances, new purchases, and new balance transfers is 19.24% - 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness. For Citi Flex Plans subject to an APR, the variable APR is 19.24% - 29.24%, based on creditworthiness. For Citi Flex Pay Plans subject to a Plan Fee, a monthly fee of up to 1.72% will apply, based on the Citi Flex Plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the Transaction, and other factors. The variable APR for cash advances is 29.49%. The variable penalty APR is up to 29.99%. Minimum interest charge - $0.50. Annual fee - $0. Fee for foreign purchases - 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of each purchase. Cash advance fee - 5% of each cash advance (min. $10). Balance transfer fee - intro fee of 3% of each transfer ($5 minimum) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum). Rates as of 07/27/2025. View source version on Contacts Media Contact:Courtney Klopfer(718) Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Wire
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Citi Launches the Citi Strata Elite Credit Card
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, Citi announced the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card—a new premium credit card offering 12x points on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on the Citi Travel ® platform; 6x points on Air Travel booked on Citi Travel; 6x points at Restaurants, every Friday & Saturday from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. ET; and more travel, dining and entertainment benefits. Plus, with the Citi Strata Elite Card, cardmembers can unlock nearly $1,500 in value each year—with valuable lifestyle benefits cardmembers will want to use and even more perks for those who fly with American Airlines. 'The new Citi Strata Elite Card is the smart choice for savvy premium cardmembers who want to earn high rewards on travel and dining while still earning generously on every dollar spent,' said Pam Habner, Head of U.S. Branded Cards & Lending at Citi. 'You shouldn't need a math degree and a spreadsheet to track your credit card benefits! We have curated flexible lifestyle benefits that we know our customers will want to use—because we asked them what they value. And, this is the only branded credit card that has American Airlines benefits built right into the card.' The Citi Strata Elite Card rewards cardmembers with ThankYou ® Points for the things they care about most, with the ability to earn: 12x points on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on 6x points on Air Travel booked on 6x points at Restaurants including Restaurant Delivery Services, every Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. ET and 3x points any other time. 1.5x points on All Other Purchases. With Citi Strata Elite, cardmembers can feel confident knowing they've chosen the card that can maximize their rewards earn. Citi Strata Elite cardmembers will also enjoy access to the following premium benefits and protections: Valuable Lifestyle Benefits Cardmembers Will Want to Use Citi research i found 75% of premium cardmembers indicate that customization—like opting for perks—is a very or extremely important part of the equation. Citi Strata Elite offers: Up to $300 Annual Hotel Benefit: Every calendar year, enjoy up to $300 off a hotel stay of two nights or more booked through Citi Travel. Up to $200 Annual Splurge Credit ℠: Every calendar year, earn up to $200 in statement credits on your choice of up to two of the following brands: 1stDibs, American Airlines, Best Buy ®, Future Personal Training, and Live Nation. Up to $200 Annual Blacklane Credit: Every calendar year, enjoy up to $200 in statement credits when booking with Blacklane, a global chauffeur service. Earn up to $100 on Blacklane purchases January through June and up to $100 July through December. Up to $120 Global Entry ® or TSA PreCheck ® Application Fee Credit: Receive a statement credit, up to $120 every four years, as reimbursement for the application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck ®. Even More Perks for Those Who Fly with American Airlines In addition to being a Splurge Credit option, American Airlines has partnered with Citi to offer additional benefits: Four American Airlines Admirals Club ® Citi Strata Elite Passes (Worth Over $300 Annually): Every calendar year, receive four Admirals Club ® Citi Strata Elite℠ Passes for access to nearly 50 Admirals Club ® lounges worldwide. Points Transfer: Ability to transfer Citi ThankYou ® Points into American Airlines AAdvantage ® miles, which can be used on flights and more to create a personalized travel experience. 'American is deepening its partnership with Citi to deliver even more benefits that combine the best of American and Citi's rewards offerings,' said Scott Long, American Airlines Senior Vice President of AAdvantage. 'We're always looking for innovative ways to enhance our products and reward our customers for their loyalty. The new Citi Strata Elite Card provides Citi cardmembers an exciting opportunity to experience some of the fantastic benefits the AAdvantage program offers.' Additional Premium Perks for Savvy Consumers Complimentary Priority Pass Select ™ membership (Worth $469 Annually): Complimentary access for primary cardmembers and authorized users, and up to two guests to 1,500+ airport lounges worldwide (not all lounges admit guests). Access to The Reserve by Citi Travel: A collection of 4.5-5 star participating hotels on the Citi Travel platform offering on-property benefits including daily complimentary breakfast for two, free wi-fi, a $100 experience credit (varies by property) and early check-in, late check-out, and room upgrades (subject to availability). No foreign transaction fees ii: No foreign transaction fees when traveling internationally. Access to Citi Entertainment ®: Get special access to purchase tickets to thousands of events, including presale tickets and exclusive experiences for the year's most anticipated concerts, sporting events, arts and dining experiences. Access to The Mastercard Collection benefits: Citi Strata Elite is the first World Legend credit card issued featuring Mastercard's new premium tier benefits, offering priority reservations at thousands of the most sought-after restaurants abroad; ticketing access across music, theater, and sporting events globally; and more. 'We're thrilled to introduce World Legend with Citi, a payment experience to meet people's growing expectations of a payments card,' said John Levitsky, U.S. co-president at Mastercard. 'Our new World Legend card tier will help deepen cardmember loyalty by offering elevated benefits, experiences and exclusive Priceless access in categories that people love—dining, entertainment, and travel.' Protections for Peace of Mind Additionally, Citi Strata Elite cardmembers will receive travel and shopping protections including trip delay protection, enhanced trip cancellation and trip interruption protection, lost or damaged luggage protection, MasterRental coverage, extended warranty and purchase assurance plus. With access to nearly $1,500 in value and a suite of new benefits, the new Citi Strata Elite comes with a $595 annual fee and $75 annual fee for each authorized user ii. Rewards for Citi Wealth Clients Citigold ® Private Client Relationship Tier credit: Qualifying Citigold Private Clients receive a $595 first year banking relationship credit and $145 Annual Credit each year thereafter if the primary cardmember has an open and current Citi Strata Elite Card account. Citigold ® Relationship Tier credit: Qualifying Citigold clients receive $145 Banking Relationship Annual Credit if the primary cardmember has an open and current Citi Strata Elite Card. Rounding out the Citi Strata Family of Rewards Credit Cards The Citi Strata Elite Card and new Citi Strata℠ Card join the Citi Strata credit card portfolio, a range of products uniquely tailored to what cardmembers value most. Each of the cards—Citi Strata Elite, Citi Strata Premier ®, and Citi Strata—is designed to give cardmembers the flexibility to curate the life they envision for themselves. Today, the Citi Strata Card—a rich enhancement of the former Citi Rewards+ ® Card—offers cardmembers increased opportunities to earn more points on hotel, car rentals and attractions booked on Citi Travel, and at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations and on select transit purchases. Additionally, the new Self-Select category offers 3x points on an eligible category like fitness clubs, select streaming services, live entertainment, among others that speak to their personal desires, all at no annual fee iii. The Citi Strata Card offers benefits that cater to cardmembers' everyday routines and passions while helping them enjoy experiences now and in the future. With the Citi Strata Card, cardmembers can earn: 5x points on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on 3x points at Supermarkets. 3x points on Select Transit and at Gas & EV Charging Stations. 3x points on an eligible Self-Select Category of their choice. (Eligible categories include Fitness Clubs, Select Streaming Services, Live Entertainment, Cosmetic Stores/Barber Shops/Hair Salons, or Pet Supply Stores.) 2x points at Restaurants including Restaurant Delivery Services. 1x points on All Other Purchases. For more information on the Citi Strata credit card portfolio, visit About Citi Citi is a preeminent banking partner for institutions with cross-border needs, a global leader in wealth management and a valued personal bank in its home market of the United States. Citi does business in more than 180 countries and jurisdictions, providing corporations, governments, investors, institutions and individuals with a broad range of financial products and services. Additional information may be found at | X: @Citi | LinkedIn: | YouTube: | Facebook: i Citi partnered with Material in June-July 2025 to conduct a poll of 1,000 adults ages 18+ who own at least one premium credit card (annual fee of $395 or more) and contribute to financial decision-making for their household. In addition, this survey included another 854 adults age 18+ who own at least one credit card, that is not a premium credit card and contribute to financial decision-making for their household. ii Pricing for Citi Strata Elite Card: The variable APR for purchases and balance transfers is 21.24%-29.24% based on your creditworthiness. For Citi Flex Plans subject to an APR, the variable APR is 21.24%-29.24%, based on creditworthiness. For Citi Flex Pay Plans subject to a Plan Fee, a monthly fee of up to 1.72% will apply, based on the Citi Flex Plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the Transaction, and other factors. The variable APR for cash advances is 29.49%. The variable penalty APR is up to 29.99% and may be applied if you make a late payment or make a payment that is returned. Minimum interest charge - $0.50. Annual fee - $595. Annual fee for Authorized Users - $75. Fee for foreign purchases - None. Cash advance fee - 5% of each cash advance (min. $10). Balance transfer fee - 5% of each transfer (min. $5). Rates as of 07/27/2025. iii Pricing for the Citi Strata Card: 0% Intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers from date of account opening; after that, the variable APR for unpaid promotional balances, new purchases, and new balance transfers is 19.24% - 29.24%, based on your creditworthiness. For Citi Flex Plans subject to an APR, the variable APR is 19.24% - 29.24%, based on creditworthiness. For Citi Flex Pay Plans subject to a Plan Fee, a monthly fee of up to 1.72% will apply, based on the Citi Flex Plan duration, the APR that would otherwise apply to the Transaction, and other factors. The variable APR for cash advances is 29.49%. The variable penalty APR is up to 29.99%. Minimum interest charge - $0.50. Annual fee - $0. Fee for foreign purchases - 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of each purchase. Cash advance fee - 5% of each cash advance (min. $10). Balance transfer fee - intro fee of 3% of each transfer ($5 minimum) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, 5% of each transfer ($5 minimum). Rates as of 07/27/2025.
