Citi Strata Elite: Perks vs. Fees
Link: Get the latest scoop on the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card
Welcome, folks, to the launch of the all-new Citi Strata Elite℠ Card. This is Citi’s high-flyer in the ThankYou card ecosystem, squarely aimed at duking it out with heavyweights like The Platinum Card from Amex and Chase Sapphire Reserve®. I’m here to navigate you through the maze of perks and fees, and giving you the rundown on whether this card really swings for the fences.
Big Welcome & Basic Fees
So, you’re keen on racking up Citi ThankYou points? Good choice! The Citi Strata Elite Card is strutting its stuff as the prized jewel in the collection. Let’s dive into that tantalizing welcome offer, who can grab it, and of course, brace yourself for the annual fee.
Welcome Bonus of 80K ThankYou Points
The Citi Strata Elite Card wows with an online welcome bonanza of 80,000 ThankYou points when you shell out $4,000 in the first three months. Citi’s touting this as a limited-time deal, though when it’ll vanish is anyone’s guess. Head into a Citi branch, and there might be an even juicier offer lurking.
I reckon ThankYou points are worth about 1.7 cents each, so this is quite the profitable little carrot they’re dangling.
Card Eligibility & Rules
Long story short: if you’ve nabbed a shiny new account bonus on this very card before, this one’s not for you. Same goes if you’ve morphed another Citi card into this one within the past 48 months. But hey, this card is the new kid on the block, so chances are, you’re in the green!
Beyond that, your eligibility isn’t tied to any other ThankYou card you may be flaunting. Fancy a bonus? You can still cozy up to this card along with other Citi favorites. Just remember, you can’t snatch up more than one Citi card every eight days, or exceed two every 65 days. Play by the rules, folks!
$595 Annual Fee & $75 Authorized User Fee
Now, brace yourselves—the annual fee for the primary cardholder rings in at $595, with a $75 fee for each authorized user. It’s a bit steep, but the perks just might even the score. Authorized users can snag Priority Pass™ Select memberships too, so for $75, it could be worth bringing the gang along.
The Points Party: How You Earn
Spend and earn like a pro! Val Seny ski resort could be one of those attractions you book to pile on the points. Here’s how:
- 12x points on hotels, rental cars, and attractions through Citi Travel
- 6x points on air travel via Citi Travel
- 6x points on dining during Citi Nights (Fridays and Saturdays, 6 PM-6 AM ET)
- 3x points any other time at restaurants
- 1.5x points on all other everyday purchases
No foreign transaction fees either, making it ideal whether you’re Stateside or discovering the slopes at Val Seny ski resort. More on squeezing value out of those bookings soon.
6-12x ThankYou Points Through Citi Travel
Make those travel bookings count! Through the Citi Travel portal, enjoy up to 12x points on certain hotels and attractions, or 6x on flights. Granted, there’s often a catch when booking through a portal, but for points like these? Some might find it’s well worth the trade-off!
3-6x ThankYou Points on Dining
Let’s eat, and let’s earn. The dining bonus is sweet but also slightly complicated. You’ll score 6x points at eateries by taking advantage of Citi Nights, a window on Fridays and Saturdays. Beyond those magic hours, it drops to a reasonable 3x.
1.5x ThankYou Points on Everyday Spending
That 1.5x is solid, but why stop there? Consider the no-fee Citi Double Cash® Card, earning you up to 2x ThankYou points with some strategic bill payments.
How to Redeem Those Hard-Earned Points
Got points? Here’s how to use ’em without getting shortchanged. Straightforward redemption gives you cash back at 0.75 cents each, or slightly better towards travel purchases at 1.0 cent each.
But the hidden gem? Transfer those points to Citi’s airline or hotel pals for maximum bang. Some top choices include Air France-KLM, American AAdvantage, or even Turkish Airlines. It’s a points party, and you’re invited!
Lounge Around with Access Perks
Time to sit back and relax in style. Along with the hefty fee comes some noteworthy lounges:
Priority Pass™ Select Membership
Get Priority Pass™ Select, gain entry to over 1,300 lounges with two guests tagging along, free of charge. This perk’s a treat for all the cardholders and approved users.
American Admirals Club Lounge Access
Four Admirals Club passes a year are up for grabs. Good for 24-hour lounge-hopping, they’re a lifesaver for occasional American Airlines flyers.
Credits, Glorious Credits!
Ready for ear-to-ear grins? These credits may just lighten the annual fee’s blow…
$300 Annual Hotel Credit
A nifty $300 hotel credit awaits to be unleashed on a two-night stay through Citi Travel. Yes, booking restrictions apply, but if timed right, it’s quite the coup.
A Splendid $200 Annual Splurge Credit
Receive $200 in credit for purchases from select merchants like American Airlines and Best Buy. A registered $200 American Airlines ticket practically promises full value return.
$200 Annual Blacklane Credit
Get chauffered around twice a year with up to $100 credit from Blacklane. Some might see this as a valuable indulgence; others, less so.
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Credit
Once every four years, enjoy a rebate on your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee. Little wins count, folks!
Is It Worth the Hype?
No, the Citi Strata Elite Card isn’t rewriting rulebooks, but it stakes its claim for value. The trial run through signup bonuses and first-year gains seems enticing. You’re free to slip into a no-fee option if enduring is not your style. Certainly, that pesky $595 fee bites, but consider:
- The $200 Splurge Credit almost feels like free cash with a $200 American Airlines flight
- Casual Admirals Club lounge visits thanks to free passes…
- The Priority Pass™ Select access, should it fit your lifestyle…
This new ThankYou card, fueled by its revamped portfolio, could work wonders for those with the right priorities. Pair it up—the Citi Double Cash® Card or Citi Strata℠ Card could well build the dream portfolio.
The Bottom Line
In conclusion, the Citi Strata Elite Card enters as Citi’s newest premium offering with gusto. Yes, the $595 is steep, but for all your 1.5-12x points earnings, lounges, and up to $820 in credits, the potential value is undeniable. It’s all about snagging that signup extravaganza and experiencing the fuller Citi ThankYou ecosystem this year.