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Citi Strata Elite Card vs Citi Strata Premier Card

Both are travel travel cards. The Citi Strata Elite Card comes from Citi at $595/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

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 $500 more per year — only worth it if you'll actually use the upgraded perks.

FeatureCiti Strata Elite CardCiti Strata Premier Card
Annual fee$595$95
Sign-up bonus80,000 points60,000 points
Bonus value (est.)$1,440$1,020
Min spend to unlock bonus$6,000 in 3 mo$4,000 in 3 mo
IssuerCitiCiti
Card categorytraveltravel
Best earning category (Hotels_citi)12x1x
Transfer partnersciti-tyciti-ty
Headline benefits
  • 12x on Citi hotels
  • $300 hotel + $200 Splurge + $200 Blacklane
  • 4 Admirals Club passes
  • Citi TY transfer to 16 partners
  • 3x on restaurants, groceries, flights, hotels & gas
  • $100 hotel savings benefit
  • Transfer to 15+ partners
  • No foreign transaction fees
Read the full review
Citi Strata Elite Card
$595/yr · 80,000 points
Read the full review
Citi Strata Premier Card
$95/yr · 60,000 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.

Editorial take: Citi Strata Premier Card

A solid mid-tier card with 3x across multiple useful categories. The hotel savings benefit and strong transfer partners (especially for international flights) make it worth a look.

Common questions

Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Citi Strata Elite Card or Citi Strata Premier Card?
The Citi Strata Elite Card has the bigger bonus — 80,000 points, worth roughly $1,440, versus 60,000 points (~$1,020) on the Citi Strata Premier Card.
Is the Citi Strata Elite Card's $595 annual fee worth it compared to the Citi Strata Premier Card?
Premium cards like the Citi Strata Elite Card ($595/yr) earn their fee through credits — travel, dining, lounge access, statement reimbursements. If you'd actively use $595+ of those credits, the math works. The Citi Strata Premier Card at $95/yr trades some perks for a lower commitment.
Can I have both the Citi Strata Elite Card and Citi Strata Premier 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 Citi Strata Elite Card or the Citi Strata Premier Card first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Citi Strata Elite Card: $6,000 spend in 3 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.