All credit cards
Side-by-side
American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp Card vs Citi Strata Elite Card
Both are travel travel cards. The American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp Card comes from Citi 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
Both cards come from Citi and target travel spenders, so the choice usually comes down to whether you'll use the premium-tier benefits. The Citi Strata Elite Card costs $595 more per year, only worth it if you'll actually use the upgraded perks.
| Feature | American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp Card | Citi Strata Elite Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $0 | $595 |
| Sign-up bonus | Not advertised | 75,000 points |
| Bonus value (est.) | - | $1,350 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | - | $6,000 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | Citi | Citi |
| Card category | travel | travel |
| Best earning category (Airline) | 2x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | citi-ty |
| Headline benefits |
|
Read the full review
American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp Card
$0/yr ·
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, American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp Card or Citi Strata Elite Card?
- The Citi Strata Elite Card has a public bonus (75,000 points, worth roughly $1,350), while the American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp Card doesn't advertise one right now.
- Is the American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp Card's $0 annual fee worth it compared to the Citi Strata Elite Card?
- The American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp Card 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 American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp Card.
- Can I have both the American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp Card and Citi Strata Elite Card?
- Yes, though both are issued by Citi so the same issuer-specific application rules apply (Chase 5/24 if applicable, Amex once-per-lifetime bonus, etc.). 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 American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp Card or the Citi Strata Elite Card first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp Card: no published min spend. 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.