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Side-by-side

Chase Ink Business Unlimited vs Citi Strata Elite Card

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Chase Ink Business Unlimited comes from Chase 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 ($600 more in estimated value) than the Chase Ink Business Unlimited's. Get the Citi Strata Elite Card first; revisit the Chase Ink Business Unlimited after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureChase Ink Business UnlimitedCiti Strata Elite Card
Annual fee$0$595
Sign-up bonus$750 bonus cash back75,000 points
Bonus value (est.)$750$1,350
Min spend to unlock bonus$6,000 in 3 mo$6,000 in 3 mo
IssuerChaseCiti
Card categorybusinesstravel
Best earning category (Other)1.5x1x
Transfer partnerschase-urciti-ty
Headline benefits
  • 1.5% on everything
  • Huge $900 bonus
  • No annual fee
  • Converts to UR points
  • 12x on Citi hotels
  • $300 hotel + $200 Splurge + $200 Blacklane
  • 4 Admirals Club passes
  • Citi TY transfer to 16 partners
Read the full review
Chase Ink Business Unlimited
$0/yr · $750 bonus cash back
Read the full review
Citi Strata Elite Card
$595/yr · 75,000 points

Editorial take: Chase Ink Business Unlimited

The business version of Freedom Unlimited. Flat 1.5% on every business expense with no annual fee, perfect catch-all for anything that doesn't fit a bonus category.

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, Chase Ink Business Unlimited or Citi Strata Elite Card?
The Citi Strata Elite Card has the bigger bonus, 75,000 points, worth roughly $1,350, versus $750 bonus cash back (~$750) on the Chase Ink Business Unlimited.
Is the Chase Ink Business Unlimited's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the Citi Strata Elite Card?
The Chase Ink Business Unlimited 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 Chase Ink Business Unlimited.
Can I have both the Chase Ink Business Unlimited and Citi Strata Elite Card?
Yes, since they're from different issuers (Chase 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 Chase Ink Business Unlimited or the Citi Strata Elite Card first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Chase Ink Business Unlimited: $6,000 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.