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Citi Strata Premier: Premium Travel Rewards for Jet-Setters
December 11, 2024
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When it comes to travel rewards credit cards, Citi has long been a frontrunner with its popular Citi Premier offering (no longer open to new applications). Now, the financial giant has taken its game to the next level by introducing the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card, a premium option that builds upon the foundation of the Citi Premier while adding several improvements to elevate the cardholder experience.
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What is the Citi Strata Premier?
The Citi Strata Premier is a premium travel rewards credit card that has recently replaced the popular Citi Premier card. The new Strata Premier Card is nearly identical to the old Citi Premier, except it has additional travel protections, bonus spending categories, and a new limited-time welcome offer.
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Why did the Citi Strata Premier Replace the Citi Premier?
As the travel industry continues to evolve, Citi recognized the need to adapt and provide its cardholders with a more robust and comprehensive rewards program. The Citi Strata Premier was introduced to address the changing preferences and demands of modern travelers, offering a more competitive and value-packed proposition.
Not sure which card to get? Kudos can help you navigate this process and find the best card offers through CardMatch.
What are the Rewards for the Citi Strata Premier?
The Citi Strata Premier boasts an impressive rewards structure that caters to various spending categories:
- 10 total Citi ThankYou points per dollar on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through Citi Travel
- 3 points per dollar on air travel
- 3 points per dollar on other hotel purchases
- 3 points per dollar at restaurants
- 3 points per dollar at supermarkets
- 3 points per dollar at gas stations
- 3 points per dollar at EV charging stations
- 1 point per dollar on all other eligible purchases
Additionally, the Citi Strata Premier offers a generous sign-up bonus for new cardholders - you'll earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $750 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com. Note: Bonus ThankYou® Points are not available if you have received a new account bonus for aCiti Premier® or a Citi Strata Premier account in the past 48 months.
Travel Partners
You can get even more value with the ability to transfer ThankYou Points to Citi's array of travel partners. This flexibility opens up a world of possibilities, allowing cardholders to potentially extract even greater value from their hard-earned rewards. Here are the conversion rates from Citi ThankYou points to points or miles in each loyalty program:
- Accor Live Limitless (2:1)
- Aeromexico Rewards (1:1)
- Avianca LifeMiles (1:1)
- Cathay Pacific Asia Miles (1:1)
- Choice Privileges (1:2)
- Emirates Skywards (1:1)
- Etihad Guest (1:1)
- EVA Air Infinity MileageLands (1:1)
- Air France-KLM Flying Blue (1:1)
- JetBlue TrueBlue (1:1)
- The Leading Hotels of the World Leaders Club (5:1)
- Qantas Frequent Flyer (1:1)
- Qatar Airways Privilege Club (1:1)
- Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer (1:1)
- Thai Royal Orchid Plus (1:1)
- Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles (1:1)
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club (1:1)
- Wyndham Rewards (1:1)
This flexibility unlocks access to incredible flight and hotel redemptions, often at a fraction of the cost compared to purchasing tickets outright.
For example, by taking advantage of Flying Blue's monthly promo rewards, cardholders could use their bonus points to book two round-trip economy award flights from the U.S. to Europe, which can easily cost over $500 per person depending on the itinerary. Alternatively, transferring 70,000 ThankYou Points to Avianca LifeMiles would provide enough miles for two round-trip economy award flights from the U.S. to the Caribbean.
The ability to strategically transfer points to travel partners empowers cardholders to tailor their travel experiences, whether they're seeking a European adventure, a tropical getaway, or any other destination on their bucket list. With this level of flexibility, the Citi Strata Premier becomes a powerful tool for unlocking exceptional travel opportunities worldwide.
What Kind of Benefits Does the Citi Strata Premier Have?
Alongside its robust rewards program, the Citi Strata Premier comes loaded with a variety of benefits and perks designed to enhance the travel experience:
- Annual Hotel Credit: The Citi Strata Premier still offers the annual $100 hotel credit included on the Citi Premier Card. You’ll receive $100 off a single hotel stay that costs $500 or more booked through Citi Travel (not including taxes and fees). This more than offsets the card's $95 annual fee!
- Car rental insurance: When you pay for your eligible rental with the Citi Strata Premier and decline the rental company’s collision damage waiver, you’ll receive coverage against damage and theft. This rental car insurance is secondary in your country of residence, which means it only reimburses your deductible and other eligible amounts not covered by your car insurance policy (if you have one).
- Trip cancellation and interruption insurance: You can receive up to $5,000 in per covered trip and up to $10,000 per account every 12 months to reimburse eligible nonrefundable travel bookings if you have to cancel or cut short your trip for a covered reason.
- Trip delay insurance: If your flight or other qualifying travel is delayed by six hours or more for a covered reason (such as severe weather or equipment failure), you could be reimbursed for reasonable expenses such as meals, toiletries or an overnight hotel stay up to $500 per covered trip and up to two claims per account every 12 months.
- Lost or damaged luggage insurance: If your checked or carry-on luggage is lost or damaged, you could be reimbursed up to $3,000 per covered trip (or up to $2,000 per bag per covered trip for New York residents), with a limit of two claims every 12 months.
How does the Citi Strata Premier compare to other travel cards?
The Citi Strata Premier comes head-to-head against perennial favorites in the travel rewards category.
Citi Strata Premier vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
The Citi Strata Premier and Chase Sapphire Preferred both offer lucrative welcome bonuses, and you can maximize your rewards when booking travel. And both cards pack a punch beyond travel categories. They’re good for everyday use, especially when dining out. While both cards have competitive reward rates, the Citi Strata Premier is better suited for everyday spending thanks to its supermarket, restaurant,gas station and EV charging categories.
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Citi Strata Premier vs. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card ( see rates & fees) doesn't have the same long list of bonus spending categories you receive with the Strata Premier. Instead, it earns a flat 2X miles on every purchase, which makes it a strong option for everyday purchases outside of standard bonus categories.
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Citi Strata Premier vs. Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Card
While the Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Card offers a higher flat rate of 2x points on travel and dining purchases, along with 1.5x points on everything else, the Citi Strata Premier provides even more lucrative category bonuses, making it potentially more rewarding for those with concentrated spending in those categories. One advantage that the Bank of America Premier Rewards Card has is that it carries no annual fee, making it more appealing for those who want rewards without paying $95 per year.
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Is the Citi Strata Premier Hard to Get?
Like most premium travel rewards credit cards, the Citi Strata Premier typically requires good to excellent credit for approval. However, Citi's application process takes into account various factors beyond just your credit score, such as income, existing credit lines, and overall creditworthiness.
If you've decided that you'd like to apply for the Citi Strata Premier, here's what you'll need to do:
- Head to Citi and fill out the online application with your personal information, income, and housing costs.
- Review and accept the terms and conditions, then submit your application.
- Wait for a decision, which is often immediate but could take up to 30 days in some cases.
If approved, you'll typically receive your new card within 7-10 business days. From there, you can start using it to earn rewards on every purchase.
Is the Citi Strata Premier Worth It?
For frequent travelers and those who prioritize travel rewards and benefits, the Citi Strata Premier is undoubtedly a worthwhile investment. With its generous rewards structure, valuable travel credits, and comprehensive suite of benefits, this card can quickly pay for itself through savvy usage and strategic redemptions. However, it's essential to consider your spending habits and travel patterns to determine if the annual fee aligns with the potential rewards and benefits you'll receive.
Conclusion
The Citi Strata Premier is a powerful addition to the travel rewards credit card landscape, offering cardholders a compelling combination of generous rewards, valuable benefits, and exceptional travel perks. Whether you're a frequent flyer, a road warrior, or simply someone who appreciates the finer things in life, this premium card is designed to elevate your travel experience and maximize your spending power. With its comprehensive offerings and Citi's commitment to excellence, the Citi Strata Premier is poised to become the go-to choice for discerning travelers seeking a rewarding and hassle-free journey.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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