I once received the most incredible cashmere sweater as a gift. For such a utilitarian item, it was so soft and luxurious that all the other options suddenly felt, well, “meh”. When I learned the price (okay, fine, I researched it), I was shocked.

Still, it was different. Better. I felt special every time I wore it, which I did often because it fit my wardrobe and lifestyle so well.

So what does this have to do with the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card? A lot. Just as there is nothing wrong with basic apparel, credit cards without annual fees are fine. They get the job done, and many have helpful benefits and rewards programs. However, accounts that have high entry fees often have super sumptuous perks.

The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card is among them. Not only does it have a massive welcome bonus, but you can also earn a tremendous amount of points in certain spending categories, and it includes a plethora of valuable credits and perks that can help you travel in comfort and style.

Ready to slip this special card on? You’ll want all the details first. Here is everything this card comes with, what you need to qualify, and how to apply (should it sound like a perfect fit).

The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card exists in the rarified realm of premium travel credit cards. Yes, these products charge expensive annual fees, but if you take advantage of all the benefits, that cost is nullified.

Citi Strata Elite℠ Card

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★★ 4.7/5.0

at the issuer’ssecure website

Our Review »

Earn 75,000 bonus Points after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.
Earn 12 Points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on cititravel.com and 6 Points per $1 spent on Air Travel booked on cititravel.com
Earn 6 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants including Restaurant Delivery Services on CitiNights℠ purchases, every Friday and Saturday from 6 PM to 6 AM ET. Earn 3 Points per $1 spent any other time
Earn 1.5 Points per $1 spent on All Other Purchases
Up to $300 Annual Hotel Benefit: Each calendar year, enjoy up to $300 off a hotel stay of two nights or more when booked through cititravel.com.
No Foreign Transaction Fees

Intro (Purchases) N/A

Intro (Transfers) N/A

Regular APR 20.74% – 28.74% (Variable)

Annual Fee $595

Credit Needed Excellent

See Rates & Fees »

When you charge liberally (especially in high-reward categories) while keeping the debt to zero, you can earn quite a bit of money in the form of reward points. But if you rarely use it, the price of admission won’t be worth your while.

Because the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card is a general travel card, benefits aren’t limited to a single airline or hotel chain, so it also offers maximum flexibility.

Annual Fee

The standard premium fee for the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card card is $595. That cost will be applied to your first bill, so prepare to pay it off before it turns into revolving debt that grows with interest.

After that, the fee will be added to your account on every yearly anniversary of account opening.

There are exceptions, though. If you are a Citigold banking client, you get a relationship credit of $145, taking the annual fee down to $450. Go up another membership level to reach Citigold Private Client status, and the $595 fee will be waived in the first year and will be just $145 in subsequent years.

But let’s not negate what this card comes with. In many cases, even the standard premium fee will be offset by the perks. For example, let’s talk about credits, which put money back in your pocket.

There is no foreign transaction fee, either, so when you travel abroad, you won’t have to concern yourself with extra costs added to those purchases.

So does a card with an annual fee of $595 make financial sense? If you take advantage of even a few of its luxury perks and credits, yes, it balances out.

Citi Travel and Entertainment

I am very much a fan of online shopping portals. You can peruse, book, and pay all in the same place. Citi has two, one for travel purchases and the other for entertainment.

First up, Citi Travel, the all-in-one booking site for flights, accommodations, vacation packages, car rentals, and experiences such as museums and excursions. You can build most of the elements of a trip through this online platform.

The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card card also enables you to take advantage of The Reserve by Citi Travel. This is a special collection of hotels that offer a variety of on-property benefits. When you book The Reserve rate, you’ll unlock additional privileges.

Expect complimentary breakfast for two every morning, free wifi, and a $100 property credit to spend on things like food or spa treatments. Plus, if it’s available when you arrive, you might also get early check-in, late checkout, and a room upgrade.

With Citi Entertainment, you can find and buy tickets to a huge variety of live events. Think concerts, comedy shows, sporting events, and the theater. Through the portal, you can purchase tickets for a limited time before they’re available to the general public and have access to preferred seating.

Looking for something really unique? Check out the Citi VIP Package deals, where you get premium seating plus extras, like artist merchandise, meet and greets, and access to special hospitality areas.

Also watch for notices of “Citi Exclusive Tickets for U.S. Citi Strata Elite℠ Card Cardmembers,” which give you access to an exceptional experience. For example, you may find an event that combines fashion designers with fine dining.

Travel and Purchase Protections

The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card card also comes with important travel and purchase protection from Mastercard, which helps safeguard your charges. These products can give you peace of mind and save you money.

For example, Trip Delay Protection kicks in when your trip is delayed for more than six hours. With it, you can be compensated up to $500 per trip for such expenses as meals, lodging, and toiletries.

Meanwhile, the enhanced trip cancellation and trip interruption protection will reimburse you for nonrefundable, prepaid trip expenses due to a covered emergency. You may be covered up to $5,000 per trip per person (but it is limited to $10,000 per 12-month period).

There can be a lot of stress when losing bags or having them damaged, so it’s nice to know that this card includes protection that reimburses you for both checked and carry-on luggage, up to $5,000 per covered trip.

And an otherwise marvelous trip can be ruined if your rental car is broken into or you get into an accident. The embedded MasterRental coverage can soothe this anxiety, since it may reimburse you in case of collision or theft.

When you buy something with a warranty, you know you will be protected against certain unforeseen problems for a specific time period. After that, you’re on your own. But this card comes with extended warranty protection, which doubles the time period of the original manufacturer’s or store’s warranty.

It adds an additional 24 months, with a maximum coverage limit of $10,000 per item. So if your fancy Italian washer-dryer goes kaput in the first few years of having it, you may be reimbursed.

You also get Citi Purchase Assurance Plus, which will reimburse you if eligible new items that you bought with your card are stolen or damaged. It starts at either the date of purchase or delivery and lasts 90 days. Coverage is typically up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account per year.

You will earn Citi ThankYou points any time you spend with the card, but some categories offer an impressive amount of points per dollar spent. Here’s what you can expect, from high to low:

Here’s an example of how many points you can earn: Imagine you’re arranging an anniversary vacation for two to Miami. The resort and rental car are $3,000, and the flights total $2,500. You’ll be dining out most nights, with a combined spend of $1,000, half during weeknights at 7 PM and the other half at other times and days.

You’ll also be buying gifts and souvenirs, totaling $700. For a combined $6,200 in charges, you could earn 46,050 ThankYou points.

To jump-start your ThankYou points balance: Earn 75,000 bonus Points after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months of account opening. (That example anniversary vacation fits neatly into this equation!)

As you can see, by using the card liberally in high-earning categories, your points will accumulate very quickly. And as you’re earning them, you’ll also be enjoying the premium perks of the card.

Bonus Rewards on Dining

Earning 3 ThankYou points for every dollar you spend at restaurants is great, especially if this is a common occurrence. Dining out is expensive these days, so any way you can reduce those costs with rewards is more than welcome.

The “Citi Nights” boost takes it many steps further. You will earn 6X ThankYou points on restaurant purchases on Friday or Saturday evenings, from 6 PM to 6 AM Eastern Time.

It includes everything from fine dining to fast food, coffee shops, bars, taverns, lounges, and nightclubs, as well as takeout orders and third-party delivery services.

Oh, and you don’t need to do anything. The Citi Nights 6X point multiplier automatically goes into effect. There’s no need to register or enroll.

Citi Travel Portal Points Multipliers

I keep going back to the fact that the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card is a credit card designed for travel. That means you will get the most out of it when you use it for those expenses.

A rate of 12X points for every dollar you spend is definitely on the high side. And that’s what you’ll get when you book hotels, car rentals, or attractions directly through the Citi Travel portal.

Let’s say you want to come visit me in San Francisco, and you’ll be staying at the Ritz-Carlton (an excellent choice, by the way). With an average per-night stay of $500, you’re looking at $2,000 for four nights.

But if you booked through the travel portal instead of directly through the hotel, you’d earn 12X the points instead of 1.5X. That puts 24,000 points in your ThankYou rewards bank, which will typically be worth between $240 and $432, depending on how you redeem them.

Some travel credit cards with no or lower annual fees don’t provide many points for air travel. Not so with the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card. As long as you book through the travel portal, you’ll get 6 points per dollar, as opposed to 1.5 points if you book those arrangements any other way with your card.

Elite Airport Lounge Access

Last summer, I traveled to Czechia for the first time. I was so excited that I got to the airport early and situated myself in the airline’s lounge to wait for my flight in peace. Then my flight was delayed for more than seven hours.

That refined space helped ease the pain, though, with its free food and drinks and ultra-comfortable seating.

This is what you will get with the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card card, times about 1,000. That’s because you will have a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, which gives you access to more than 1,500 airport lounges worldwide. And not just for you, but also for authorized users and up to two guests.

Moreover, every calendar year, you will receive four American Airlines Admirals Club passes, providing access to nearly 50 Admirals Club lounges.

Premium Travel Credits and Other Perks

Gosh, I love a credit. It is literally cash that the company gives you that you can use for certain purchases. The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card offers a number of them.

Every calendar year, you will get $300 off a hotel stay of two nights or more when you book through Citi Travel. It’s so easy because the credit is automatically applied at checkout, immediately reducing the amount you pay.

As a frequent flyer, you will appreciate the statement credit of up to $120 for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee. These U.S. government programs smooth out the often prickly airport travel process.

PreCheck lets you pass through domestic security lines with a dedicated lane, while Global Entry (which includes PreCheck) helps you quickly move through customs when returning to the US from other countries.

The Annual Splurge Credit is also amazing. You can earn up to $200 in annual statement credits from Citi’s partner brands, such as American Airlines, Best Buy, and Live Nation. Simply activate at least two brands you want to shop from, then pay with your Citi Strata Elite℠ Card card. Citi will automatically apply a statement credit to your account.

Citi Strata Elite℠ Card puts the premium on ground transportation, too. You’ll get $200 in Blacklane credit a year — $100 to spend January through June, then another $100 July through December. Book through Blacklane, schedule your ride, pay with this card, and you’ll be reimbursed with the credit.

The Citi Mobile App is solid, offering standard account management options plus a few extras.

The app lets you view your statements, recent transactions, current balance, and your billing due date, and through it, you can make a single payment or schedule automatic payments.

You can also transfer funds between accounts and split bills with Zelle. Your ThankYou point balance will also show up on the dashboard, and you can redeem them straight through the app.

The security features are excellent on the app. You can log in using Face ID or Fingerprint authentication. If you lose or misplace your card, you can instantly lock the account down, reset the PIN, or request a replacement card with Citi Quick Lock.

What do I find especially beneficial? With the Citi Mobile App, you can categorize your expenses, monitor spending trends, and even view your FICO credit score for free.

Be aware that the Citi Mobile App does not offer an AI agent. If you need additional help, you can call the bank. Citi’s credit card customer service phone number is 1 (800) 950-5114. A live representative is available every day of the year, 24 hours a day.

To test it out, I called. I was immediately presented with the option to enter my current account information to use the automatic system, but I bypassed that by pressing “1” to speak with an agent.

It took exactly 45 seconds (on a Friday at 2:31 PM) to be connected to Julie. I asked questions about income and credit rating requirements for the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card card, and how the rewards program works. Julie was friendly and professional, offering understandable explanations.

The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card card is not for everyone. Top-notch credit is required. Citi doesn’t specify exactly what score you’ll need, but an excellent FICO score ranges from 800 to 850.

You should have a long and strong history of paying all of your credit accounts on time, as well as a very low credit utilization ratio (the amount you owe on other credit cards compared to how much you can borrow with them).

If you have a healthy mix of credit types, such as mortgages, auto loans, personal loans, and other credit cards that you’ve handled responsibly, all the better.

And don’t neglect income. You need to earn more than enough to meet the payments associated with this card’s credit limit. You will provide your total annual income as well as your monthly housing costs on the application. To make sure you qualify, Citi will verify the information you list.

I started by clicking the APPLY NOW button on the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card card at CerdRates.com. When I do, I see an explanation about the bonus points offer, the annual fee, and how to unlock nearly $1,500 in added value.

A white button labeled “Apply Now” is below. Next to that, it shows that if I follow through, it is for pre-qualification, and there will be no impact to my credit score.

From what I could tell, there doesn’t seem to be a way to apply without first going through this pre-qualification process. So that’s where I start.

Step 1: Personal Information, Income, and Housing

I read on the pre-qualification screen that I can apply with more peace of mind by completing the form. I am then asked to complete a number of boxes, asking me to input my personal information, such as my first and last name, email address, Social Security number, and date of birth.

After that, I see boxes to type in my home address and phone number, and then my financial information, including my total annual income and monthly mortgage or rent payment.

If I have an American Airlines AAdvantage membership number, I am to add it in the box. If I don’t, I have to click the “no” button.

Now I see that if I want to add an authorized user to my account, I will click a small blue box. If I do, I will add that person’s name.

After that, I see an area asking me to provide a security word. On a drop-down menu of keyword suggestions (such as my favorite snack food, pet’s name, and best friend’s last name) I choose one and write my response in the box next to it.

Then, I see a disclosure box outlining the account terms and conditions. I take the time to read what getting approved for this card entails, from the interest rates and fees to how the rewards program is structured.

Step 2: Prequalification Decision

In a moment, I find out that I am pre-qualified for the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card card, based on the information that I provided.

The screen I see now informs me that the offer may not be available if I leave the page, and that reviewing the offer will not impact my credit score.

Step 3: Agree to Terms and Submit the Application

I am taken to a page that, again, shows me the terms and conditions of this credit card.

Now, I see that there are two boxes to check for paperless enrollment, with explanations about the card’s terms and conditions, and a variety of agreements.

I read that I have to check these boxes before submitting the application. And when I do, my credit score may be impacted.

If I click the blue button that says “Agree and Submit,” I will find out if I am approved or denied for the card.

And that’s it. Be aware that you may not know either way at the time of application. Although the bank can extend its decision to 30 days, it is also common to get a message that it will take seven to ten days for them to decide.

Citi will likely use this time to verify the information you submitted, and if you are approved, to set the interest rate and your initial credit limit.

There is a certain expectation that, as a Citi Strata Elite℠ Card cardholder, you will also be a big spender, so the credit limits aren’t small.

Although Citi does not publish precise credit limits (or even a range of credit limits) for this product, current account holders have shared their experiences on social media platforms.

If you do get the card and start off with a limit that is too low for your liking, you can request an increase. Contact Citi after about six months of using the account responsibly, and be prepared to update your income and expenses.

The bank will also check your most recent credit score and credit activity. In general, you will find out if you qualify for a higher limit in a matter of moments, but if they need to verify information, it can take up to 30 days.

On the other hand, Citi may increase your line automatically if you have demonstrated a history of using your account responsibly. And that means paying on time, every time, while keeping the balance low (or at zero).

Of course, the fun part of accumulating ThankYou points is redeeming them. And you have plenty of options available on ThankYou.com.

You can trade them in for travel, such as to book airline tickets, hotel reservations, and car rentals, through the travel portal. If you don’t have enough, you can supplement your points by using your credit card to cover the rest.

Do you want to buy gift cards? You’ll see which brands Citi has partnerships with, and what the current deals are. For example, you may find that a $25 Banana Republic gift card is on sale for 2,250 ThankYou points, when it’s normally 2,500 points. Just click the gift cards you want to buy and check out.

You can also shop with your ThankYou points at a wide variety of merchants, both online and in-store. They include major retailers like Amazon and HomeGoods.

Some gas stations, such as Amoco and Shell, are included, as well. Just swipe or tap your card, and select “Yes” to the prompt when the screen asks if you want to redeem your ThankYou points for a discount. Using your points this way can help drive everyday costs down.

If you really want to turn your rewards points into cash, you can do that as well. The money can come in the form of a direct deposit into your bank account, a statement credit to pay down a balance, or a check that will be sent to you in the mail.

All options sound great, right? They are, but be aware that the value of your points depends on how you redeem them.

To get the highest value from your ThankYou points, transfer them to Citi’s partner airlines or hotels. By shifting them to loyalty programs like Choice Hotels, JetBlue, or various international airlines, you can buy expensive flights and book accommodations for a steep discount, as it often doubles the value of each point.

The next best option is to book your travel plans directly through Citi’s online portal. When you do, your ThankYou points will always be worth a flat 1 cent each. The same redemption rate applies to gift cards and charitable contributions.

You will get less out of your points when you redeem them for shopping (0.8 cent per point) and cash back (0.75 cents per point).

The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card is a smart card for all kinds of wonderful things, but it’s not ideal for everyone. Here are what I consider its major advantages and disadvantages.

This card probably won’t be right for you if you don’t travel much or if you only use it occasionally for basic household expenses. And if you’re looking for a card that will give you cash back, this is an inefficient card for that purpose.

The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card is not the only luxury travel card on the market that pairs a high annual fee with high-end benefits. Here are two others you may consider.

The Platinum Card®

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★★ 4.7/5.0

at the issuer’ssecure website

Earn 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after you use your new card to make $8,000 in purchases in your first 6 months of Card Membership
Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points for flights booked directly through airlines or American Express Travel, on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. Also earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com.
$600 annual hotel credit, $200 annual airline fee credit, $200 per year Uber cash credit, $300 per year digital entertainment credit, and more.
Platinum Card Members have unlimited complimentary access to all locations of The Global Lounge Collection®, including 1,550 airport lounges.
Apply with Confidence: Know if you’re approved for this Card with no credit score impact
Fee Credit for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, CLEAR® Plus Membership

Intro (Purchases) N/A

Intro (Transfers) N/A

Regular APR 19.99% – 28.99% Pay Over Time

Annual Fee $895

Credit Needed Excellent

This is an even more expensive travel card, with an $895 annual fee. But if airport lounges are what you’re after, the card delivers, with its Global Lounge Collection of over 1,550 lounges, including Centurion Lounges, 10 Delta Sky Club visits (when flying on an eligible Delta flight), and Priority Pass membership.

It also comes with a long list of credits, including a $600 hotel credit, a $200 airline fee credit, and $200 in Uber cash. Compared to the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card card, though, the reward accumulation potential is less. You will earn 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels, and 1X points on all other purchases.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

CardRates Expert Rating ★★★★★ 4.7/5.0

at Chase’ssecure website

Our Review »

Earn 125,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Get more than $2,700 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve.
Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase Travel℠, including The Edit℠ and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases
$300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club with two guests. Plus, up to $120 towards Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck® every 4 years
Get up to $150 in statement credits every six months for a maximum of $300 annually for dining at restaurants that are part of Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables.
Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and more.
Get complimentary Apple TV+, the exclusive streaming home of Apple Originals. Plus Apple Music — all the music you love, across all your devices. Subscriptions run through 6/22/27 — a value of $250 annually
Member FDIC

Intro (Purchases) N/A

Intro (Transfers) N/A

Regular APR 20.24% – 28.74% Variable

Annual Fee $795

Credit Needed Good/Excellent

This credit card’s annual fee is $795, and it also has a tiered reward rate. You’ll earn 8 points per dollar on travel booked through Chase Travel, 4 points on flights and hotels booked directly, and 3 points on dining worldwide with no time restrictions.

Among its many credits are a $300 annual travel credit, a $250 credit for Chase Travel hotels, and a $300 OpenTable credit. For airport lounges, it includes Priority Pass access and entry into Chase’s Sapphire Lounges.

The 100,000-point bonus after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months is impressive. However, Citi Strata Elite℠ Card offers 12X earning potential when booking plans through its travel portal, for a lower annual fee.

If you want to be spoiled with a credit card that goes beyond the basics, I strongly suggest considering the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card. Just evaluate your lifestyle first.

To make the annual fee worthwhile, you should want to book travel plans and experiences through the shopping portals. Dining out, especially on weekend evenings, ought to be part of your normal routine.

And of course, if you appreciate airport lounges, this is a great card because you get Priority Pass as well as access to the Admirals Club four times a year. The credits really add up, too, and can make luxurious expenses such as chauffeured car service more affordable.

When combined with the substantial ThankYou points signup bonus and robust spending in high-value categories, you can absolutely come out ahead.

I appreciate the embedded insurances this card offers because they protect your purchases, including excursions. Knowing that you’re covered in the event of trip delays, cancellations, and missing luggage is a huge relief when you’re on the road.

Of course, this card won’t be right for you if these things aren’t important and you don’t have any intention of flying, renting cars, or staying in hotels. But if you do? Well, the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card could just be your go-to cashmere sweater. Expensive, but oh so worth the price.

• About Us »	• Editorial Policy »
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An Expert Review of the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card: A Plush Account for Your Luxury Lifestyle

What to Expect With the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card

Citi Strata Elite℠ Card

Annual Fee

Citi Travel and Entertainment

Travel and Purchase Protections

Rewards Program and Luxury Travel Perks

Bonus Rewards on Dining

Citi Travel Portal Points Multipliers

Elite Airport Lounge Access

Premium Travel Credits and Other Perks

The Citi Mobile App & Customer Support

What You Need to Qualify

How to Apply (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Personal Information, Income, and Housing

Step 2: Prequalification Decision

Step 3: Agree to Terms and Submit the Application

What Credit Limit to Expect

How to Redeem ThankYou Points

Pros and Cons

Pros

Cons

Similar Cards Worth Considering

The Platinum Card®

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Would I Recommend the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card?

About the Author

Erica Sandberg