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Side-by-side

Bilt Obsidian vs Citi Strata Premier Card

Both are travel travel cards. The Bilt Obsidian comes from Bilt / Cardless at $95/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.

Bottom line

For most people the Citi Strata Premier Card is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($820 more in estimated value) than the Bilt Obsidian's. Get the Citi Strata Premier Card first; revisit the Bilt Obsidian after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureBilt ObsidianCiti Strata Premier Card
Annual fee$95$95
Sign-up bonus$200 Bilt Cash60,000 bonus points
Bonus value (est.)$200$1,020
Min spend to unlock bonus$0 in 0 mo$4,000 in 3 mo
IssuerBilt / CardlessCiti
Card categorytraveltravel
Best earning category (Dining_or_groceries)3x1x
Transfer partnersbiltciti-ty
Headline benefits
  • $100 Bilt Travel hotel credit
  • Pick 3x dining OR groceries
  • $300 Bilt Dining partner credit
  • $120 Lyft credit (via Bilt Cash)
  • 10x CitiTravel.com hotels/cars/attractions
  • 3x on restaurants, groceries, flights, hotels, gas, EV
  • $100 hotel savings benefit
  • No foreign transaction fees
Read the full review
Bilt Obsidian
$95/yr · $200 Bilt Cash
Read the full review
Citi Strata Premier Card
$95/yr · 60,000 bonus points

Editorial take: Bilt Obsidian

The headline tier of Bilt 2.0, launched February 7, 2026 by Cardless after the Wells Fargo era ended. Strongest for renters who eat out (or buy groceries) and use Lyft. The $100 hotel credit pays back most of the AF if you stay 2+ nights anywhere on the Bilt Travel portal. Pair with the no-fee Blue if you want a no-AF anchor too.

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, Bilt Obsidian or Citi Strata Premier Card?
The Citi Strata Premier Card has the bigger bonus, 60,000 bonus points, worth roughly $1,020, versus $200 Bilt Cash (~$200) on the Bilt Obsidian.
Is the Bilt Obsidian's $95 annual fee worth it compared to the Citi Strata Premier Card?
At $95/yr, the Bilt Obsidian 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 Bilt Obsidian and Citi Strata Premier 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 Obsidian or the Citi Strata Premier Card first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Bilt Obsidian: $0 spend in 0 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.