Why I Added the Citi Strata Premier Card to My Wallet
Citi Strata Premier Card to My Wallet
If you’ve followed my points and miles journey, you know I don’t add cards to my wallet lightly. With so many annual fees and overlapping benefits, every new addition has to earn its place. Recently, I decided to apply for the Citi Strata Premier Card — here’s why.
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1. A Welcome Bonus That Was Too Good to Pass Up
Citi launched the Strata Premier with a strong welcome offer, and it immediately caught my attention. I earned 60,000 ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in 3 months — and because I had a large unavoidable expense coming up, I knocked out the minimum spend in one swipe.
Was it fun spending that money? No. Did earning 60,000+ points soften the blow? Absolutely.
The biggest surprise? Citi added American Airlines as a transfer partner. We love flying AA — this year alone we used miles for:
✈️ 2 round‑trip flights to Quebec City
✈️ 2 flights to Rome
Having AA as a transfer partner makes this card dramatically more valuable for our family.
If this feels overwhelming, don’t worry — my Points 101 guide breaks everything down in plain English.
2. 3X on Groceries Fits Our Real Life
We don’t eat out much, but we spend a lot on groceries — especially with college kids living at home. That’s why the Strata Premier’s 3X at supermarkets is such a win.
I recently picked up the Amex Blue Cash Preferred for its 6% grocery cash back, but I missed earning flexible points. So for now, I’m splitting grocery spend between the two cards and will decide at annual‑fee time which one stays.
If groceries are one of your biggest expenses too, this card can quietly rack up a ton of transferable points.
3. Transfer Partners That Fit My Travel Style
Citi’s ThankYou program doesn’t always get the same hype as Chase or Amex, but the partners are seriously valuable. Again, the huge factor for me on this is American Airlines as a transfer partner. This is huge in my book!
Thinking about adding the Citi Strata Premier® Card to your wallet? It offers a robust set of benefits tailored for travelers and everyday spenders alike. Here's a breakdown of its key perks:
Rewards Structure
10X points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through Citi Travel
3X points on:
Air travel and other hotel purchases
Restaurants
Supermarkets
Gas and EV charging stations
1X point on all other purchases
Welcome Bonus
60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
Travel & Lifestyle Benefits
$100 hotel credit once per calendar year on a stay of $500+ booked through Citi Travel
No foreign transaction fees, ideal for international travel
Travel protection, including insurance coverage for eligible trips
This card is especially valuable for frequent travelers who want strong earning potential without a premium annual fee. The annual fee for this card is $95 a year.
Want to See the Other Cards I Actually Use?
I keep an updated list of the cards that earn the most points for our real‑life spending — groceries, gas, travel, and everyday purchases.
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Let’s make your next trip the smartest one yet.
About the Author
Hi, I’m Julie — the founder of No Point Left Behind, a mom of college‑age kids, and a firm believer that families shouldn’t have to pay full price to see the world.
I started this blog after realizing that points, miles, and a few smart strategies could turn our everyday spending — groceries, gas, bills, even random life expenses — into flights, cruises, and hotel stays we never thought we could afford. What began as a personal challenge (“Can I really make this work?”) quickly became a passion for helping other families do the same.
Today, I share real trips we’ve booked with points, honest reviews, practical travel hacks, and beginner‑friendly guides that make travel hacking feel simple instead of overwhelming. I’m not here to impress you with complicated charts or unrealistic redemptions — I’m here to show you what works in real life, for real families, with real budgets.
If you’re ready to stretch your travel dollars, earn smarter, and take trips you didn’t think were possible, you’re in the right place.
