Beta

Free during beta. Plus launches at $12/mo or $99/yr on July 1. Annual is locked for 12 months during beta.

Skip to content
RewardZ Travel
All credit cards
Side-by-side

Citi Strata Elite Card vs Discover it Cash Back

Both are well-respected travel cards. The Citi Strata Elite Card comes from Citi at $595/yr; the Discover it Cash Back from Discover at $0/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 ($1,150 more in estimated value) than the Discover it Cash Back's. Get the Citi Strata Elite Card first; revisit the Discover it Cash Back after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureCiti Strata Elite CardDiscover it Cash Back
Annual fee$595$0
Sign-up bonus75,000 pointsCashback Match (first year, unlimited)
Bonus value (est.)$1,350$200
Min spend to unlock bonus$6,000 in 3 mo$0 in 12 mo
IssuerCitiDiscover
Card categorytravelcashback
Best earning category (Hotels_citi)12x1x
Transfer partnersciti-tyNone
Headline benefits
  • 12x on Citi hotels
  • $300 hotel + $200 Splurge + $200 Blacklane
  • 4 Admirals Club passes
  • Citi TY transfer to 16 partners
  • 5% rotating categories
  • First-year match
  • No annual fee
  • No foreign tx fees
Read the full review
Citi Strata Elite Card
$595/yr · 75,000 points
Read the full review
Discover it Cash Back
$0/yr · Cashback Match (first year, unlimited)

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: Discover it Cash Back

The first-year Cashback Match effectively doubles your earnings, someone who earns $300 in cash back gets $600 total. It's the best no-fee first card for building credit with real rewards.

Common questions

Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Citi Strata Elite Card or Discover it Cash Back?
The Citi Strata Elite Card has the bigger bonus, 75,000 points, worth roughly $1,350, versus Cashback Match (first year, unlimited) (~$200) on the Discover it Cash Back.
Is the Citi Strata Elite Card's $595 annual fee worth it compared to the Discover it Cash Back?
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 Discover it Cash Back at $0/yr trades some perks for a lower commitment.
Can I have both the Citi Strata Elite Card and Discover it Cash Back?
Yes, since they're from different issuers (Citi and Discover) 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 Citi Strata Elite Card or the Discover it Cash Back first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Citi Strata Elite Card: $6,000 spend in 3 months. Discover it Cash Back: $0 in 12 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.