Why I Added the Citi Strata Premier Card to My Wallet

Written By Julie Davis

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.

1. The Welcome Bonus Was Too Good to Ignore

When Citi rolled out the Strata Premier, they introduced a nice welcome offer. Earning a large stash of ThankYou® Points right off the bat was enough to get my attention. I earned 60,000 points for spending $4,000 in 3 months. I had an upcoming expense that took care of the sign up bonus with one charge. Thankful I could get a sign-up bonus on a big spend. I hate I had to spend the money but silver lining I got over 60,000 points for it!

What really caught my eye with the Citi Strata cards was that they announced a new travel partner, American Airlines. We love using American Airlines miles to fly. This summer, we used our stockpile on two round-trip tickets to Quebec City and 2 flights to Rome.

2. Strong Earning Power on Groceries

One of my favorite things about the Strata Premier is the 3x on groceries. We rarely eat out, but we spend a ton on groceries. My college students live at home, and we buy a lot of food! I had recently gotten the American Express Blue Card for groceries with 6x on groceries. However, it’s a cash back card, and I miss the versatility of a points card. We spend a ton on groceries, so I am going to split our spending between the two cards for now. I will decide when it’s time to pay the annual fees, which one I will keep permanently.

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 months2

🛎️ 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

Julie Davis
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