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Side-by-side

United Club Business Card vs Citi Strata Elite Card

Both are well-respected travel cards. The United Club Business Card comes from Chase at $695/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

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.

FeatureUnited Club Business CardCiti Strata Elite Card
Annual fee$695$595
Sign-up bonus100,000 miles + 2,000 PQP75,000 points
Bonus value (est.)$1,500$1,350
Min spend to unlock bonus$5,000 in 3 mo$6,000 in 3 mo
IssuerChaseCiti
Card categorybusinesstravel
Best earning category (United)2x1x
Transfer partnersNoneciti-ty
Headline benefits
  • United Club membership
  • 1.5x catch-all (highest)
  • Premier Access
  • Free 2 checked bags
  • 12x on Citi hotels
  • $300 hotel + $200 Splurge + $200 Blacklane
  • 4 Admirals Club passes
  • Citi TY transfer to 16 partners
Read the full review
United Club Business Card
$695/yr · 100,000 miles + 2,000 PQP
Read the full review
Citi Strata Elite Card
$595/yr · 75,000 points

Editorial take: United Club Business Card

Pure United Club access card. Cash equivalent of the lounge membership is $750+/year, so the $695 fee makes sense if you're at United hubs frequently. The 1.5x base earning is the highest catch-all rate among premium business cards.

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, United Club Business Card or Citi Strata Elite Card?
The United Club Business Card has the bigger bonus, 100,000 miles + 2,000 PQP, worth roughly $1,500, versus 75,000 points (~$1,350) on the Citi Strata Elite Card.
Is the United Club Business Card's $695 annual fee worth it compared to the Citi Strata Elite Card?
Premium cards like the United Club Business Card ($695/yr) earn their fee through credits, travel, dining, lounge access, statement reimbursements. If you'd actively use $695+ of those credits, the math works. The Citi Strata Elite Card at $595/yr trades some perks for a lower commitment.
Can I have both the United Club Business Card 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 United Club Business Card or the Citi Strata Elite Card first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. United Club Business Card: $5,000 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.