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New Citi Strata Card: Everything You Need to Know About the No Annual Fee Rewards Card
February 6, 2025
The credit card landscape is evolving, and Citi is making a significant move by replacing the popular Citi Rewards+ Card with the brand-new Citi Strata℠ Card. This no-annual-fee credit card promises enhanced rewards and better value for everyday spending. Here’s your complete guide to understanding what makes this card worth considering.
What Happened to the Citi Rewards+ Card?
In April 2025, Citi closed the Citi Rewards+ Card to new applicants, marking the end of an era for this beloved rewards card. However, existing cardholders don’t need to worry – all Citi Rewards+ cardholders will be automatically upgraded to the new Citi Strata Card on July 20, 2025.
New applications for the Citi Strata Card will open in late 2025, giving prospective cardholders something exciting to look forward to.
Citi Strata Card: Key Features and Benefits
No Annual Fee Structure
The Citi Strata Card has a $0 annual fee, making it accessible for cardholders who want premium rewards without the yearly cost. This positions it as an excellent option for both new credit card users and experienced rewards enthusiasts.
Enhanced Rewards Program
The new card offers significantly improved earning rates compared to its predecessor:
Top-Tier Rewards (5x ThankYou Points):
- Hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through cititravel.com
Triple Points Categories (3x ThankYou Points):
- Supermarkets
- Select transit and gas/EV charging stations
- Quarterly self-select category of your choice, including:
- Fitness clubs
- Select streaming services
- Live entertainment venues
- Cosmetic stores, barbershops, and hair salons
- Pet supply stores
Double Points (2x ThankYou Points):
- Restaurants
Base Rate (1x ThankYou Points):
- All other purchases
Welcome Bonus Offer
New cardholders can earn 30,000 ThankYou points after spending $1,000 within the first three months. Since ThankYou points are worth 1 cent each when redeemed for cash, this welcome bonus provides $300 in value.
Introductory APR Benefits
The Citi Strata Card offers financial flexibility with:
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months
- Variable APR of 19.24%-29.24% after the promotional period
Additional Card Benefits
Beyond the rewards structure, the Citi Strata Card includes:
- World Elite Mastercard benefits including Lyft perks, Mastercard ID Theft Protection, and Priceless Experiences
- Access to Citi Merchant offers for additional savings
- Citi Entertainment access for exclusive event tickets and experiences
Important Limitations
- 3% foreign transaction fee - not ideal for international travel
- Limited travel transfer partners compared to premium Citi cards
ThankYou Points: Redemption Options and Value
Flexible Redemption Choices
ThankYou points earned with the Citi Strata Card can be redeemed for:
- Cash back (1 cent per point)
- Gift cards
- Statement credits
- Travel bookings through select partners
Travel Transfer Partners
While more limited than premium Citi cards, the Strata Card allows point transfers to:
- Choice Privileges
- JetBlue TrueBlue
- Wyndham Rewards
Note: Access to Citi’s full roster of travel partners requires the Citi Strata Premier Card or Citi Prestige Card.
Meet the Citi Strata Premier Card: The Premium Option
While the regular Citi Strata Card offers excellent value with no annual fee, Citi also offers the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card for those seeking enhanced benefits and broader redemption options.
Key Differences from the Regular Strata Card
The Citi Strata Premier Card features:
- $95 annual fee (unlike the no-fee regular Strata Card)
- 10x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com (vs. 5x on regular Strata)
- 3x points on air travel (not available on regular Strata)
- Access to Citi’s complete roster of travel transfer partners including:
- Air France-KLM Flying Blue
- Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
- Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
- Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
- Emirates Skywards
- And many more premium partners
- No foreign transaction fees (vs. 3% on regular Strata)
- Annual $100 hotel credit for stays of $500+ booked through CitiTravel.com
- Premium travel insurance benefits including:
- Trip cancellation/interruption coverage (up to $5,000 per trip)
- Trip delay insurance (up to $500 per trip)
- Lost/damaged luggage coverage (up to $3,000 per trip)
- Car rental insurance coverage
Which Strata Card Should You Choose?
Choose the Regular Citi Strata Card if:
- You want to avoid annual fees
- You’re satisfied with basic travel transfer partners (Choice, JetBlue, Wyndham)
- You primarily redeem for cash back or gift cards
- You’re new to rewards credit cards
Consider the Citi Strata Premier Card if:
- You’re willing to pay a $99 annual fee for more benefits
- You want access to Citi’s full transfer partner network
- You frequently book premium travel
- You’re an experienced rewards maximizer
Strategic Tip: Many cardholders find value in holding both cards together, using the no-fee Strata for everyday spending and the Premier for its enhanced redemption options and transfer partners.
What’s Different from the Citi Rewards+ Card?
Improvements in the New Card
- Higher earning rates across multiple categories
- More flexible bonus categories with the self-select option
- Competitive welcome bonus for new cardholders
- Longer 0% intro APR period
Features Not Continued
The Citi Strata Card will not include some unique features from the Rewards+ Card:
- 10% points bonus on the first 100,000 points redeemed annually
- Automatic rewards "roundup" to nearest 10 points per purchase
Exception: Cardholders who opened a Citi Rewards+ Card between July 20, 2024, and July 19, 2025, will retain these bonus features until July 19, 2026.
Who Should Consider the Citi Strata Card?
Ideal Candidates
- Everyday spenders who shop regularly at supermarkets and restaurants
- Commuters who spend significantly on gas or public transit
- Flexible spenders who want to optimize different categories quarterly
- Balance transfer seekers looking for an extended 0% intro APR period
- Domestic travelers who book through travel portals for maximum points
- No annual fee enthusiasts who want premium rewards without yearly costs
Not Ideal For
- International travelers due to 3% foreign transaction fees
- Premium travel seekers who need full transfer partner access
- High-spend travelers who could benefit from premium card protections
Comparison with Other No Annual Fee Cards
The Citi Strata Card stands out in the competitive no-annual-fee space by offering:
- Multiple 3x earning categories (most no-fee cards offer 1-2 categories)
- Quarterly flexible self-select bonus category (unique feature)
- Strong $300 welcome bonus (competitive with premium cards)
- Extended 15-month 0% intro APR (longer than most competitors)
- 5x travel portal earnings (higher than typical no-fee cards)
Compared to similar cards:
- Citi Double Cash® Card: Provides 2% flat rate vs. Strata’s bonus categories
- Chase Freedom Unlimited®: Offers flat 1.5x vs. Strata’s category-based earning
- Discover it Cash Back Credit Card: Similar quarterly categories, but a 5% rate with a $1,500 per quarter spending cap
- Bank of America® Customized Cash Rewards Credit Card: 3% in one category vs. Strata’s multiple 3x categories
How to Maximize Your Citi Strata Card Rewards
Strategic Category Selection
Quarterly Optimization: Since you can change your self-select 3x category each quarter, plan ahead based on your seasonal spending patterns:
- Q1 (Jan-Mar): Consider fitness clubs if you have New Year gym memberships
- Q2 (Apr-Jun): Pet supplies might work well for spring/summer pet care
- Q3 (Jul-Sep): Streaming services could be ideal for summer entertainment
- Q4 (Oct-Dec): Live entertainment for holiday events and activities
Optimize Your Spending
- Maximize 5x earnings by booking all travel through cititravel.com
- Use for all supermarket and restaurant purchases to earn 3x and 2x respectively
- Strategic gas station usage for 3x points on fuel and EV charging
- Time balance transfers during the 15-month 0% intro period
- Avoid international use due to 3% foreign transaction fees
Building a Citi Portfolio
Consider pairing the Citi Strata Card with:
- Citi Double Cash® Card for 2% back on non-bonus categories
- Citi Custom Cash® Card for 5% back in your top spending category
- Citi Strata Premier Card if you need premium travel benefits
Timeline and Application Process
Important Dates:
- April 2025: Citi Rewards+ Card closed to new applicants
- July 20, 2025: Existing cardholders automatically upgraded
- Late 2025: New applications open to the public
Important Update: Cash Back Devaluation for Premium Cards
Breaking News (May 2025): Citi has announced a significant change that affects holders of the Citi Strata Premier and Citi Prestige cards. Starting August 24, 2025, cash back redemptions for these premium cards will be reduced from 1 cent per point to just 0.75 cents per point.
What This Means for Cardholders
Cards Affected:
- Citi Strata Premier Card
- Citi Prestige Card
The Change:
- Current Value: 10,000 ThankYou points = $100 cash back
- New Value (8/24/25): 10,000 ThankYou points = $75 cash back
Confirmed Workaround
Good News: This devaluation has a workaround. According to Dan's Deals confirmation with Citi, the reduced redemption rate will only apply if you hold a Strata Premier or Prestige card as your only Citi cards (aside from co-branded cards).
How to Maintain 1¢ Per Point Value:
- Hold a Citi Double Cash Card alongside your premium card
- Hold a Citi Custom Cash Card alongside your premium card
- Link your ThankYou points accounts together
Impact on the Regular Citi Strata Card
Important: This devaluation does not affect the regular Citi Strata Card discussed in this article. The no annual fee Citi Strata Card maintains its 1 cent per point cash back value.
Strategic Implications
This change reinforces the importance of:
- Building a Citi card portfolio rather than holding just one premium card
- Considering travel redemptions which typically offer better value than cash back
- Acting before August 23, 2025 if you plan to cash out existing points at the current rate
Bottom Line: Is the Citi Strata Card Worth It?
The Citi Strata Card represents a significant upgrade from its predecessor, offering enhanced rewards, a competitive welcome bonus, and valuable intro APR benefits – all with no annual fee. The flexible self-select category and multiple 3x earning opportunities make it a strong contender in the no annual fee rewards card space.
For existing Citi Rewards+ cardholders, the automatic upgrade brings immediate benefits. For prospective applicants, the late 2025 launch provides an opportunity to secure a well-rounded rewards card that balances earning potential with accessibility.
Key Takeaway: The Citi Strata Card successfully modernizes Citi’s no annual fee offering, providing enhanced value for everyday spending while maintaining the accessibility that made its predecessor popular.
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