{"id":201092,"date":"2025-10-24T20:00:49","date_gmt":"2025-10-24T20:00:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2025\/10\/24\/is-the-citi-strata-elite-worth-the-annual-fee-the-points-guy\/"},"modified":"2025-10-24T20:00:49","modified_gmt":"2025-10-24T20:00:49","slug":"is-the-citi-strata-elite-worth-the-annual-fee-the-points-guy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/entertainment.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2025\/10\/24\/is-the-citi-strata-elite-worth-the-annual-fee-the-points-guy\/","title":{"rendered":"Is the Citi Strata Elite worth the annual fee? – The Points Guy"},"content":{"rendered":"


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The Citi Strata Elite\u2120 Card<\/a><\/span> (see rates and fees<\/a>) is Citi<\/a>‘s newest premium travel rewards card.<\/p>\n

Launched<\/a> in late July, it comes with a $595 annual fee, which puts it in the middle of its premium card competitors<\/a>.<\/p>\n

With a strong welcome bonus, valuable earning potential and a suite of statement credits and lounge perks, the card can deliver solid value. But after the first year of having it, you’ll need to run the numbers to decide if it deserves a long-term spot in your wallet.<\/p>\n

So, let’s do the math to work out whether you should apply for (and keep) the Citi Strata Elite.<\/p>\n

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Welcome offer<\/h2>\n

New cardholders can get positive value out of the Strata Elite<\/a><\/span> if they are approved and meet the minimum spending requirement<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For a limited time, new applicants<\/a> can earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.<\/p>\n

Those 100,000 points are worth $1,900 per TPG’s October 2025 valuations<\/a>\u201a more than three times the $595 annual fee.<\/p>\n

Related: Are you eligible for the Citi Strata Elite’s 100,000-point welcome bonus?<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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However, if you want to earn Citi ThankYou Rewards<\/a> points at a lower cost, the Citi Strata Premier\u00ae Card<\/a><\/span> (see rates and fees<\/a>) is a better choice. For a $95 annual fee, it offers 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening \u2014 60% of the Strata Elite’s bonus for a fraction of the price.<\/p>\n

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Related: The best credit card welcome bonuses this month<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Earning rates<\/h2>\n

The Strata Elite<\/a><\/span> is best suited to those who are happy to book travel through a portal<\/a> and dine out on weekend evenings.<\/p>\n

You’ll earn 12 points per dollar spent on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked through cititravel.com<\/a> (a 22.8% return per TPG’s October 2025 valuations); flights earn 6 points per dollar through cititravel.com<\/a> (11.4%).<\/p>\n

However, booking through a portal has its downsides<\/a>, including:<\/p>\n

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This card has a unique dining<\/a> bonus category.<\/p>\n

On Friday and Saturday evenings (between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. Eastern time), you’ll earn 6 points per dollar spent at restaurants, including on delivery. Outside of those times, you’ll earn half the rate (3 points per dollar). That represents an 11.4% and 5.7% return on these purchases, respectively.<\/p>\n

This bonus category is best for those who go out (or order in) for dinner on weekend evenings. However, the fixed Eastern time window can be awkward when traveling internationally, especially in Asia and Europe.<\/p>\n

By contrast, the Strata Premier<\/a><\/span> offers a simpler structure, earning 3 points per dollar spent on:<\/p>\n