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Side-by-side

Bilt Blue vs Citi Strata Elite Card

Both are travel travel cards. The Bilt Blue comes from Bilt / Cardless 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 ($1,250 more in estimated value) than the Bilt Blue's. Get the Citi Strata Elite Card first; revisit the Bilt Blue after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureBilt BlueCiti Strata Elite Card
Annual fee$0$595
Sign-up bonus$100 Bilt Cash75,000 points
Bonus value (est.)$100$1,350
Min spend to unlock bonus$0 in 0 mo$6,000 in 3 mo
IssuerBilt / CardlessCiti
Card categorytraveltravel
Best earning category (Rent)1x1x
Transfer partnersbiltciti-ty
Headline benefits
  • $0 annual fee
  • 1x everywhere, no caps
  • Up to 1.25x on rent
  • Rent Day 2x on the 1st
  • 12x on Citi hotels
  • $300 hotel + $200 Splurge + $200 Blacklane
  • 4 Admirals Club passes
  • Citi TY transfer to 16 partners
Read the full review
Bilt Blue
$0/yr · $100 Bilt Cash
Read the full review
Citi Strata Elite Card
$595/yr · 75,000 points

Editorial take: Bilt Blue

The no-fee entry tier of Bilt 2.0, launched February 7, 2026 by Cardless. Flat 1x earn (no bonus categories — those live on Obsidian and Palladium). Best for renters who want the no-fee anchor + full transfer partner access without paying $95+. The 5-transactions-per-cycle minimum from legacy Bilt is gone, and Rent Day still doubles everyday earn on the 1st.

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, Bilt Blue or Citi Strata Elite Card?
The Citi Strata Elite Card has the bigger bonus, 75,000 points, worth roughly $1,350, versus $100 Bilt Cash (~$100) on the Bilt Blue.
Is the Bilt Blue's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the Citi Strata Elite Card?
The Bilt Blue 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 Bilt Blue.
Can I have both the Bilt Blue and Citi Strata Elite Card?
Yes, since they're from different issuers (Bilt / Cardless 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 Bilt Blue or the Citi Strata Elite Card first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Bilt Blue: $0 spend in 0 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.