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Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa vs Citi Strata Elite Card
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa comes from Chime 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 ($1,350 more in estimated value) than the Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa's. Get the Citi Strata Elite Card first; revisit the Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa | Citi Strata Elite Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $595 |
| Sign-up bonus | None | 75,000 points |
| Bonus value (est.) | $0 | $1,350 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $0 in 0 mo | $6,000 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | Chime | Citi |
| Card category | secured | travel |
| Best earning category (All_purchases) | 0x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | citi-ty |
| Headline benefits |
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Read the full review
Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa
$0/yr · None
Read the full review
Citi Strata Elite Card
$595/yr · 75,000 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, Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa or Citi Strata Elite Card?
- The Citi Strata Elite Card has the bigger bonus, 75,000 points, worth roughly $1,350, versus None (~$0) on the Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa.
- Is the Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the Citi Strata Elite Card?
- The Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa 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 Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa.
- Can I have both the Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa and Citi Strata Elite Card?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (Chime 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 Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa or the Citi Strata Elite Card first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Chime Credit Builder Secured Visa: $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.