American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited vs Citi Strata Premier Card
Both are well-respected travel cards. The American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited comes from American Express at $295/yr; the Citi Strata Premier Card from Citi at $95/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
These cards are close on the fundamentals (similar bonus value, similar fee). The right pick depends on which category you spend the most in and which transfer partners best fit your travel goals.
| Feature | American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited | Citi Strata Premier Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $295 | $95 |
| Sign-up bonus | $1,500 cash back | 60,000 bonus points |
| Bonus value (est.) | $1,500 | $1,020 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $50,000 in 6 mo | $4,000 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | Citi |
| Card category | business | travel |
| Best earning category (Amex_travel_flights_prepaid_hotels) | 5x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | citi-ty |
| Headline benefits |
|
Editorial take: Citi Strata Premier Card
A strong mid-tier card with the late-2024 refresh adding 10x on CitiTravel.com and EV charging to the 3x grid. The $100 hotel benefit and 16 transfer partners (Avianca, Flying Blue, Turkish, Virgin Atlantic, Wyndham) make it competitive with Sapphire Preferred at the same $95 fee.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited or Citi Strata Premier Card?
- The American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited has the bigger bonus, $1,500 cash back, worth roughly $1,500, versus 60,000 bonus points (~$1,020) on the Citi Strata Premier Card.
- Is the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited's $295 annual fee worth it compared to the Citi Strata Premier Card?
- At $295/yr, the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the Citi Strata Premier Card's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited and Citi Strata Premier 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 American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited or the Citi Strata Premier Card first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited: $50,000 spend in 6 months. Citi Strata Premier Card: $4,000 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.
