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Side-by-side

Blue Business Cash Card from American Express vs Citi Strata Elite Card

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Blue Business Cash Card from American Express comes from American Express at $0/yr; the Citi Strata Elite Card from Citi at $595/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.

Bottom line

For most people the Citi Strata Elite Card is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($1,100 more in estimated value) than the Blue Business Cash Card from American Express's. Get the Citi Strata Elite Card first; revisit the Blue Business Cash Card from American Express after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureBlue Business Cash Card from American ExpressCiti Strata Elite Card
Annual fee$0$595
Sign-up bonus$250 statement credit75,000 points
Bonus value (est.)$250$1,350
Min spend to unlock bonus$3,000 in 3 mo$6,000 in 3 mo
IssuerAmerican ExpressCiti
Card categorybusinesstravel
Best earning category (All_purchases_first_50k_per_year)2x1x
Transfer partnersNoneciti-ty
Headline benefits
  • 2% cash back up to $50K/yr
  • $0 annual fee
  • 0% intro APR 12 months
  • Auto-credited to statement
  • 12x on Citi hotels
  • $300 hotel + $200 Splurge + $200 Blacklane
  • 4 Admirals Club passes
  • Citi TY transfer to 16 partners
Read the full review
Blue Business Cash Card from American Express
$0/yr · $250 statement credit
Read the full review
Citi Strata Elite Card
$595/yr · 75,000 points

Editorial take: Blue Business Cash Card from American Express

The cash-back twin of the Blue Business Plus. Same 2% catch-all up to $50K/year, but you get automatic statement credit instead of Membership Rewards points. Simpler for businesses that don't want to manage a points balance; less ceiling than the Plus for transfer-partner redemptions.

Editorial take: Citi Strata Elite Card

Citi's premium answer to Amex Platinum + Sapphire Reserve. The 12x on Citi-booked hotels is the best earning rate in the category; the $200 Blacklane and 4 Admirals Club passes are differentiated perks. $595 fee penciled out if you'll actually use the hotel + Splurge credits.

Common questions

Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Blue Business Cash Card from American Express or Citi Strata Elite Card?
The Citi Strata Elite Card has the bigger bonus, 75,000 points, worth roughly $1,350, versus $250 statement credit (~$250) on the Blue Business Cash Card from American Express.
Is the Blue Business Cash Card from American Express's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the Citi Strata Elite Card?
The Blue Business Cash Card from American Express has no annual fee, so the question is whether the Citi Strata Elite Card's $595 fee is justified by its perks. If you'll use enough of the Citi Strata Elite Card's benefits to clear $595 in value annually, it's worth it; otherwise stick with the Blue Business Cash Card from American Express.
Can I have both the Blue Business Cash Card from American Express and Citi Strata Elite Card?
Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Citi) the application rules don't conflict. Many points enthusiasts hold both, they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
Should I get the Blue Business Cash Card from American Express or the Citi Strata Elite Card first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Blue Business Cash Card from American Express: $3,000 spend in 3 months. Citi Strata Elite Card: $6,000 in 3 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.

Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time, confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.