Name: Citi Strata℠ Card
Brand: Citi®
SKU: 159174

Do you remember getting your first credit card? I do. It was bare-bones, with a tiny credit limit. All I could do with it was make a purchase and then pay over time. No rewards, no perks.

Unfortunately, the first thing I charged was a trendy winter coat, which ended up costing me a ridiculous amount in finance charges because I could only afford to pay the minimum. It was out of style by the time I paid it off.

That was a long time ago, and since then I have learned how to make credit cards profitable, starting with a card that lets you to earn rewards as you charge.

One such account is the Citi Strata℠ Card. For this customizable, points-based account, you will need good credit, but with the prequalification tool, you can quickly and safely find out if you’re a likely candidate.

Here’s what you need to know about the Citi Strata℠ Card, from its unique tiered reward system to its complete array of perks and benefits. I think you’ll find it quite compelling.

While flat-rate rewards cards give you the same point accumulation rate on things you purchase (like 2 points for every dollar you spend), you have the opportunity to earn much more with tiered rewards.

With the Citi Strata℠ Card, you will earn between 1 and 5 times Citi ThankYou® Points for each dollar you spend on the card.

Citi Strata℠ Card

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★★ 4.8/5.0

at the issuer’ssecure website

Our Review »

Earn 20,000 bonus Points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.
0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months; after that, the variable APR will be 18.74% – 28.74%, based on your creditworthiness. There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
Earn 3 ThankYou® Points for each $1 spent in an eligible Self-Select Category of your choice (Fitness Clubs, Select Streaming Services, Live Entertainment, Cosmetic Stores/Barber Shops/Hair Salons, or Pet Supply Stores). Choose your eligible Self-Select Category on Citi Online or by calling customer service. The default Self-Select Category is Select Streaming Services.
Earn 5 ThankYou® Points for each $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals and Attractions booked on Citi Travel® via cititravel.com; earn 3 ThankYou Points for each $1 spent at Supermarkets, on Select Transit purchases, and at Gas & EV Charging Stations.
Earn 2 ThankYou® Points for each $1 spent at Restaurants; earn 1 ThankYou® Point for each $1 spent on All Other Purchases.
No Annual Fee

Intro (Purchases) 0% 15 months on Purchases

Intro (Transfers) 0% 15 months on Balance Transfers

Regular APR 18.74% – 28.74% (Variable)

Annual Fee $0

Credit Needed Good/Excellent

See Rates & Fees »

And not only is there no annual fee, but the Citi Strata℠ Card also offers a 0% promotional APR on both purchases and balance transfers. I definitely could have used that when I charged my coat and then had to pay it off incrementally.

This card is designed for people who spend big in the high-value rewards categories and want to avoid an annual fee.

Annual and Foreign Transaction Fees

For a card that rewards you so richly, you may be surprised that it doesn’t have an annual fee.

This feature makes it a great perennial account because you won't have to worry about an expensive annual fee added to your balance.

However, you may want to keep your charges within the United States, since you will be charged a foreign transaction fee of 3% for international purchases.

If you won't be globetrotting or shopping on international websites, though, this fee will be irrelevant.

Citi Travel and Entertainment

If you haven't taken advantage of shopping portals yet, get ready. These platforms connected to your credit card are amazing.

With Citi Travel, you can plan your trips and book the most important elements, such as flights, accommodations, car rentals, and even a variety of attractions. To pay, you can charge the expenses to your Citi Strata℠ Card (and earn elevated points when you buy certain things through the portal) or use the rewards you’ve built up.

With Citi Entertainment, you can buy tickets to all kinds of performances, sporting events, and cultural experiences, such as museum visits, directly through the platform.

Not only can you purchase tickets to certain live events before they go on sale to the general public, but you'll also have an opportunity to take advantage of Citi exclusive experiences too.

Standard Purchase Protections

Because the Citi Strata℠ Card comes with something called “Citi® Quick Lock,” you can block new charges on a misplaced or stolen card through the mobile app or by logging into your account.

The advantage here is that recurring transactions will continue, so if you have a gym membership or something else that is automatically billed to your card, you won't have to go to the trouble of re-registering suspended service.

You also have 24-hour fraud protection with this card through Mastercard’s ID Theft Protection. If suspicious activity is detected, you will be automatically notified.

I’m impressed with this service. I recently splurged on a pale blue velvet track suit from a Singaporean company. I used my Citi card, and as soon as I made the charge, I received a message asking if it was really me.

They weren’t questioning my style (well, I don’t think so anyway), and it was reassuring that potential fraud was picked up so quickly. You do have to sign up for it, but it’s free and very helpful.

Citi also offers “Zero Liability” fraud protection for all unauthorized charges. Consequently, if someone did slip through and gain access to your account, you wouldn't be responsible for their charges.

The primary benefit of the Citi Strata℠ Card, though, is its unique tiered category system.

ThankYou Points are Citi’s reward currency that you can redeem for everything from goods and services to cash. You will get fixed base ThankYou Points for set categories, ranging from 1 to 5 points per dollar you spend with the card.

On top of that, you can choose another high-value earning potential category that also fits your lifestyle and upcoming plans. There is no cap, either, so the ThankYou Point earning potential won't drop down because you've spent too much in any category.

Introductory Points and Financing Offers

As with many new cards, the Citi Strata℠ Card offers a compelling welcome bonus. As of the time of this writing, you'll: Earn 20,000 bonus Points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.

The Citi Strata℠ Card gives you even more when you open the account. You will enjoy 0% APR on purchases you make in the first 15 months, as well as on balance transfers.

For a fee of $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer (whichever is greater), you can transfer debt to this card, and Citi will waive interest during that period. You have four months to complete that transaction, but each month you wait takes time away from the deal.

The Self-Select Spending Category

Why would you turn away from an extra gift? I certainly wouldn't. That makes the customizable reward category associated with the Citi Strata℠ Card extremely appealing.

Once every quarter, you can choose a Self-Select reward category and earn 3X the ThankYou Points on those purchases. The categories are Fitness Clubs, Live Entertainment, Cosmetic Stores/Barber Shops/Hair Salons, Pet Supply Stores, and Select Streaming Services.

So think ahead. Joining a fitness club that has expensive membership fees? You may want to use this as your self-select spending category. Want to buy a bunch of tickets to shows or games? The live event category may be best for you.

Streaming services are the standard category, so if that’s not where you want to get this extra point value, select the category you do want. Register and sign in to the system, then make your selection. The adjustment will go into effect the following day.

Multipliers: Supermarkets, Transit, Dining, and Citi Travel Portal

Unlike my first basic card, which offered no opportunity to earn rewards, the absolute minimum you can earn with the Citi Strata℠ Card is 1 ThankYou Point per dollar you spend.

Depending on what you buy and where, the multipliers (higher rates of points based on what and where you charge) will accelerate your rewards accumulation significantly.

When you book and pay for hotels, car rentals, and attractions through the Citi Travel portal, you will earn the most rewards.

You plan on charging $5,000 for resort accommodations, $1,500 for the car rental, and $2,000 for everything from tours to sunset cruises.

When you use your Citi Strata℠ Card at supermarkets, on select transit (such as subways, buses, commuter railways and ferries, taxis, ride-share, parking lot garages, and bridge and road tolls), and at gas and EV charging stations, you will earn three points for each dollar you spend.

Therefore, if your regular expenses in these categories total $2,000 a month, it will put 6,000 ThankYou Points into your rewards bank.

Your self-select category purchases will also generate 3 ThankYou Points for every dollar you spend. Maybe you’re a big NFL fan and plan on supporting your team during the season. If each ticket is $500, 10 will set you back $5,000.

That’s a lot to cough up, but if you use this card to pay for them and live entertainment is your self-select category, you’ll get 15,000 points.

You will also earn double the base rate of ThankYou Points when you dine out, pick up, and order in.

Restaurants, fast food, and delivery services are included, as are many bars, cafés, and bakeries. Spend $1,500 on these in a month, and you’ll earn 3,000 points.

There are a few exclusions, though, as you won't earn these extra points at bakeries or restaurants located inside other businesses, which include hotel restaurants and eateries inside stadiums)

Anything that doesn't fit into the categories above will earn a single point per dollar you spend. Just a few examples include airline flights, clothes, school tuition, books, and electronics.

In a year, you may charge $6,000 on these things, which would result in 6,000 points.

To build up as many ThankYou Points as possible, concentrate your Citi Strata℠ Card charging on goods and services that will boost your rewards balance. Yes, this takes a bit of thought and strategy, but it will help you turn a profit just by charging what you need and can afford.

Although the Citi Strata℠ Card takes a bit of work to set up so you get the most out of it, the free Citi Mobile® App doesn’t. Simply download it, log in, and you’re good to go.

With the app, you can manage this card as well as other Citi accounts you may have, and review all activity in real time. In fact, with Citi Mobile Snapshot, you don't even have to log into the app (or the Citi website).

Just turn on Snapshot in your app security settings, and you can view your financial overview on the login screen.

You can also open new accounts, replace lost or stolen cards, and track your ThankYou Point balance from the app dashboard. If you want to change your self-select category, you can do so in the app under the Rewards & Offers section.

Another benefit is complementary access to your latest FICO Score. Just go to the My Citi tab, find where it says Credit Scores & Reports, then tap View My Citi FICO Score.

I have always had good interactions with Citi’s phone support, but for an additional check, I tested it again. On a weekday afternoon, I called 1-800-950-5114 for credit card support to find out how they handle questions about the Citi Strata℠ Card’s self-select category.

I bypassed the prompts for existing account holders. I only had to wait a minute to reach an agent. He introduced himself as John, and I told him that I wanted to know more about the categories and if they ever changed.

John put me on a brief hold and then returned with the answer. When I explained that I was just researching, he invited me to call again anytime and said they are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Getting more interested in the Citi Strata℠ Card? Marvelous! Before you do anything, check your credit score to make sure you have good-to-excellent credit.

Although Citi doesn't specify exactly what number you'll need, your FICO Score should be at least 670, but the closer to 800, the better.

Be aware, though, that Citi will review your most recent credit activity. If you opened several new cards or applied for a bunch in the last six months, the algorithm may automatically reject your application.

Late payments you made over the past few months or carrying especially high balances compared to your credit limits can trigger a rejection, as well.

Your income and basic expenses will also be a qualifying factor. Citi will want to ensure that you have enough money coming in on a steady basis to manage the credit line.

Again (and yes, I know this is frustrating), Citi does not publish how much of a credit limit you might be granted if you qualify for the card.

That decision will be based on such factors as your credit score, credit history, current debt load and payments, and income.

Once everything is considered, and you qualify, Citi will offer you an initial credit limit. For this type of no-annual-fee credit card, you might expect a starting limit of around $10,000, but it may be more or less, depending on your credit and financial circumstances.

Of course, there may come a time when you want a higher credit line. Citi may offer it after you have used the account responsibly for several months, but you can also request an increase. You can do so via the app, website, or over the phone.

Wait at least six months before asking for a higher limit. Citi will review how you’ve managed the account, so make sure all your payments come in on time.

Your credit utilization ratio, both on this card and on others, will also be a factor. If you keep your ratio very low by paying your credit card bills in full (or close to it) each month, you should be in good shape.

Applying for the Citi Strata℠ Card actually begins with Citi's prequalification process, then moves on to the actual application.

Step 1: Name, Email, SSN, and Date of Birth

When I click on the “apply now” button associated with the Citi Strata℠ Card, I am taken to a long prequalification page.

First, I see that the fields ask me to write in my first name, optional middle initial, and last name. I can also list my suffix, such as Sr. or Jr., if applicable.

Other fields ask me to write in my email address, Social Security number, and date of birth.

Step 2: Address, Phone Number, and Income Information

I see a series of fields instructing me to type in my street address, ZIP Code, city, and then choose my state. If I have a PO Box, I will click on another box.

A field where I enter my mobile phone number comes next, along with a box to check if I want to provide my home phone number.

Now I see the area where I am to provide my financial information. I need to list my annual income, and then my monthly mortgage or rent payment.

Step 3: Authorized Users, Security Word, and Terms and Conditions

After that, there is a box I am to check if part of my total annual income is exempt from US federal tax.

Now I see a space to enter a security word. First, I choose a hint (such as my favorite snack or my best friend's last name), then enter the word.

An overview of the terms and conditions of this account is next, in a drop-down menu, so I can read all about the credit card.

Step 4: No Credit Score Impact Acknowledgment

I see a green bar that tells me I can apply with peace of mind because prequalification means my credit score will not be affected. I click the blue “Agree and Continue” button to move on.

Step 5: Prequalification Decision and Review Terms Again

After completing all of the information above, I see that I have been prequalified for the Citi Strata℠ Card.

I'm now instructed to review all of the terms and conditions of the account again. I do and move on to the next part of the form.

Step 6: Agree to Terms and Officially Submit Application

Here, I see that I must agree to paperless enrollment. After a series of six bullet points explaining details such as how my statements will come and email alerts, I will check a square box that indicates I agree to the Paperless Terms & Conditions and the Alerts Terms & Conditions.

Another square box indicates that if I click it, I agree to the card terms and conditions.

After that, there is a sentence about how submitting the application may affect my credit score.

An “Agree and Submit” button follows. If I click it (I don’t), I will find out if I am offered this card and what the terms will be.

Once you have all those ThankYou Points, they're yours to spend. Your first stop should be the Citi ThankYou Rewards website, because that's how you will start to redeem them.

How much your Citi Strata℠ Card ThankYou Points are worth, though, depends on what you redeem them for. Here are your options, from highest to lowest value:

With so many credit cards on the market, it can be hard to choose. Each comes with its unique advantages and disadvantages.

To get the most out of this tiered reward card, you will have to think about how you spend your money.

It won't be right for purchases, as I'll only earn you a penny for each dollar you spend, but it will be great for those you make through the travel portal, as well as for other high-value reward categories.

The Citi Strata℠ Card is a pretty powerful rewards credit card, especially for those who love to strategize and maximize their earnings. But there are other similar cards on the market, and, because you are so good at strategizing, you’ll want to make sure you pick the right one.

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★★ 4.8/5.0

at Capital One'ssecure website

Our Review »

LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Enjoy $300 to use on hotel and vacation rental bookings through Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening – that’s more than $1,000 in travel value
Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
Top rated mobile app

Intro (Purchases) N/A

Intro (Transfers) N/A

Regular APR 19.74% - 28.74% (Variable)

Annual Fee $95

Credit Needed Excellent, Good

See Rates & Fees »

This travel card has a $95 annual fee, but you will earn an unlimited 2X miles for every dollar you spend, and 5X miles when you book and pay for accommodations and car rentals through the company's shopping portal, Capital One Travel.

You can redeem the miles for everything from statement credit against travel expenses to transfers to more than a dozen airline and hotel loyalty programs, often at a higher per-mile value. You'll also get a $120 fee credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four years.

However, the Citi Strata℠ Card may be the better choice if you want to avoid an annual fee altogether and earn more with elevated rewards in common spending categories, such as 3X points at supermarkets, gas stations, and EV charging stations, as well as in transit purchases and Self-Select categories.

And since it also offers 5X points when you book hotels, car rentals, and attractions through the Citi Travel portal, you don't miss out on higher earnings for those travel purchases.

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★★ 4.9/5.0

at Chase'ssecure website

Our Review »

Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Enjoy beneﬁts such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
Earn up to $50 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel℠
10% anniversary points boost - each account anniversary you'll earn bonus points equal to 10% of your total purchases made the previous year.
Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for a min. of one year when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
Member FDIC

Intro (Purchases) N/A

Intro (Transfers) N/A

Regular APR 19.99% - 28.24% Variable

Annual Fee $95

Credit Needed Good/Excellent

This card also has a $95 annual fee and tiered rewards. You will earn 5X points on purchases made through Chase Travel (including flights), 3X on dining, select streaming, and online groceries, 2X on other travel, and 1X on the rest of your spending.

Your points carry a higher value when you redeem them for travel through the portal. You'll also get several credits, and there is no foreign transaction fee.

Unlike the Citi Strata℠ Card, though, there is no introductory 0% APR for purchases and balance transfers, which can save you a lot of money in financing. And since the Citi Strata℠ Card doesn't charge an annual fee, you'll never have to worry about getting more out of your rewards than the card is costing you.

The primary difference between the Citi Strata℠ Card and similar travel credit cards, like these, is the annual fee. When you don’t pay an annual fee, but can still earn rewards at a high rate, you get the best of both worlds.

I would absolutely recommend the Citi Strata℠ Card if you are ready for a grown-up rewards card. It would be great for someone who wants to travel, but not necessarily to international destinations, because there is a foreign transaction fee.

So if you're going to scoot around the country and want to book accommodations and rent cars while earning a high points value through Citi's shopping portal, this card can make a lot of sense.

Additionally, you will be racking up those ThankYou Points by spending on things that go into most people's budgets. The customizable self-select category, where you also get three times the points, is a nice touch.

The Citi Strata℠ Card also comes with a useful app, excellent customer service, and strong consumer protection.

There is no annual fee, and that is a big deal to a lot of people. Such fees can be worth it, but you do have to figure out how to get more from the card than the fees cost you.

If you manage the Citi Strata℠ Card responsibly and pay the bill in full each month, you will profit from the arrangement. And since it comes with 0% APR for 15 months after opening the account, you can indulge in financing-fee-free purchases for well over a year. Balance transfers get the same deal (with a transfer fee), so if you have high-interest debt, this feature can save you money.

In the end, I suggest considering the Citi Strata℠ Card if your credit is very good and you can earn substantial ThankYou Points on the types of spending you already do. It may not be your first card, but like my first card, this one will be memorable (for good reasons).

• About Us »	• Editorial Policy »
• In the Press »	• Media Assets »

My Comprehensive Review of the Citi Strata℠ Card: A Lucrative Rewards Credit Card With No Annual Fee

What to Expect With the Citi Strata℠ Card

Citi Strata℠ Card

Annual and Foreign Transaction Fees

Annual Fee

Citi Travel and Entertainment

Standard Purchase Protections

Benefits, Perks, and Bonus Offers

Introductory Points and Financing Offers

The Self-Select Spending Category

Multipliers: Supermarkets, Transit, Dining, and Citi Travel Portal

Mobile App & Customer Support

What You Need to Qualify

What Credit Limit to Expect

How to Apply (A Look at Every Step)

Step 1: Name, Email, SSN, and Date of Birth

Step 2: Address, Phone Number, and Income Information

Step 3: Authorized Users, Security Word, and Terms and Conditions

Step 4: No Credit Score Impact Acknowledgment

Step 5: Prequalification Decision and Review Terms Again

Step 6: Agree to Terms and Officially Submit Application

How to Redeem ThankYou Points

Pros and Cons

Pros

Cons

Similar Cards Worth Considering

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

Would I Recommend the Citi Strata℠ Card?

About the Author

Erica Sandberg