Editorial take: Bilt Mastercard
The only card that earns points on rent with no fees. Pair it with Rent Day on the 1st of each month for bonus earning, then transfer to top partners like Hyatt at 1:1. A must-have for renters.
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Side-by-side
Bilt Mastercard vs Citi Strata Elite Card
Both are travel travel cards. The Bilt Mastercard comes from Bilt / Wells Fargo 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 ($1,440 more in estimated value) than the Bilt Mastercard's. Get the Citi Strata Elite Card first; revisit the Bilt Mastercard after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Bilt Mastercard | Citi Strata Elite Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $595 |
| Sign-up bonus | No public offer | 80,000 points |
| Bonus value (est.) | $0 | $1,440 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $0 in 0 mo | $6,000 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | Bilt / Wells Fargo | Citi |
| Card category | travel | travel |
| Best earning category (Dining) | 3x | 6x |
| Transfer partners | bilt | citi-ty |
| Headline benefits |
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Read the full review
Bilt Mastercard
$0/yr · No public offer
Read the full review
Citi Strata Elite Card
$595/yr · 80,000 points
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 Mastercard or Citi Strata Elite Card?
- The Citi Strata Elite Card has the bigger bonus — 80,000 points, worth roughly $1,440, versus No public offer (~$0) on the Bilt Mastercard.
- Is the Bilt Mastercard's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the Citi Strata Elite Card?
- The Bilt Mastercard 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 Mastercard.
- Can I have both the Bilt Mastercard and Citi Strata Elite Card?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (Bilt / Wells Fargo 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 Mastercard or the Citi Strata Elite Card first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Bilt Mastercard: $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.