The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card (see charges and costs) splashed onto the premium bank card scene this 12 months as a brand new choice for luxury-minded vacationers and other people trying to accumulate extra Citi ThankYou Rewards factors.
Citi ThankYou Rewards factors grew to become extra precious with the addition of American Airways AAdvantage as a switch companion. That transfer made Citi the one card issuer with direct transfers to American Airways, one of many three largest U.S. airways.
TPG’s September 2025 valuations place Citi ThankYou Rewards factors at 1.9 cents every. The Strata Elite offers wonderful incomes charges to gather these factors, and it packs in additional perks to assist take the sting out of its excessive $595 annual payment.
These assertion credit will help elevate your journey expertise and offset the annual payment, so long as you spend mindfully.
This is a breakdown of what it’s worthwhile to know to profit from these credit.
Overview of Strata Elite credit
This is an inventory of the credit the Strata Elite offers:
| Credit score | Worth |
|---|---|
| Pay as you go lodge stays booked with Citi Journey | $300 yearly |
| Splurge | $200 yearly |
| Blacklane | $200 yearly ($100 biannually) |
| International Entry/TSA PreCheck | As much as $120 each 4 years |
These whole $820 in first-year worth, which greater than offsets the Strata Elite’s $595 annual payment. With out the International Entry/TSA PreCheck credit score, the cardboard offers $700 in annual assertion credit.
Previous its assertion credit, the Strata Elite offers ongoing worth with 4 Admirals Membership Citi Strata Elite passes every calendar 12 months, Precedence Cross lounge entry and entry to The Reserve by Citi Journey. You may additionally obtain wonderful journey and buy protections.
Associated: How lengthy does it take to obtain assertion credit from Amex, Capital One, Chase and Citi?
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Pay as you go lodge stays booked with Citi Journey
The Strata Elite‘s most precious credit score offers $300 off a pay as you go lodge keep of not less than two nights booked via Citi Journey, the issuer’s journey portal.
That is an annual $300 credit score, so you should utilize it suddenly.
Plus, you are not restricted in your lodge choice. You should use this credit score on any pay as you go keep of not less than two nights that is booked with Citi Journey.
Associated: Do you have to ebook lodges via Citi Journey?
Splurge
Strata Elite Card holders will obtain as much as $200 in assertion credit on purchases with as much as two manufacturers of their alternative.
Cardholders have a alternative of the next manufacturers:
- 1stDibs (promoting luxurious artwork, furnishings and jewellery)
- American Airways
- Greatest Purchase
- Future Private Coaching
- Stay Nation (occasion tickets and experiences)
If you go to pick out retailers for this credit score, it is good observe to pick out two. Even should you do not find yourself making purchases with each manufacturers, you will not remorse being lined in case you make a spur-of-the-moment choice.
This can be a distinctive profit that may be utilized in a number of methods. You may ebook a flight on American Airways, purchase a brand new tech product from Greatest Purchase or safe live performance tickets with Stay Nation and have $200 wiped off your assertion yearly.
Associated: Tips on how to use the Citi Strata Elite Splurge credit score for as much as $200 in annual worth
Blacklane
One of many distinctive assertion credit included on the Strata Elite is the $200 annual Blacklane credit score, break up into two biannual $100 credit (one to make use of from January via June and one other to make use of from July via December).
Blacklane is a non-public chauffeur service obtainable in additional than 50 nations.
One experience with Blacklane may price greater than $100, so this credit score might be straightforward to make use of should you worth the service.
TPG bank cards author Danyal Ahmed paid 566 euros ($657) on Blacklane to be pushed in a Mercedes-Benz Vito van from Rosewood Schloss Fuschl in Salzburg, Austria, to Munich Airport (MUC). In his expertise, Blacklanes are cheaper in Asia or the Center East, however he suggests contemplating this credit score to be extra of a coupon for the reason that service may be costly.
Associated: Issues to know earlier than the subsequent time you employ a ride-hailing service on the airport
International Entry/TSA PreCheck
The Strata Elite additionally offers as much as $120 in assertion credit each 4 years towards International Entry or TSA PreCheck functions.
We advocate making use of for International Entry because it additionally features a TSA PreCheck membership.
There are a number of International Entry and TSA PreCheck bank cards available on the market, so you could have already got a card in your pockets with this perk. Fortunately, you should utilize your assertion credit score to pay for another person’s utility should you do not want it.
Associated: Which airports settle for International Entry — and why you must get it
Advantages for qualifying Citigold members
The assertion credit we have mentioned thus far have been open to anybody who holds the Strata Elite. However there are two extra perks which are open to sure cardholders with prior Citi banking relationships.
Qualifying Citigold members are eligible for credit to assist offset the Strata Elite’s annual payment.
This is what to know:
- Citigold Non-public Shopper Relationship Tier credit score: In the event you’re a qualifying Citigold Non-public Shopper, you’ll be able to obtain a $595 first-year banking relationship credit score and an annual $145 credit score every year afterward so long as you might have an open Strata Elite Card.
- Citigold Relationship Tier credit score: In the event you’re a qualifying Citigold shopper, you’ll be able to obtain an annual $145 credit score every year so long as you might have an open Strata Elite Card.
For qualifying Citigold Non-public Purchasers, that is basically a first-year no-annual-fee deal. Qualifying Citigold Non-public Purchasers and qualifying Citigold shoppers can obtain $145 off their annual payment yearly.
Associated: Greatest Citi bank cards
Backside line
In the event you can maximize the Strata Elite’s assertion credit, you may obtain greater than your annual payment again in worth.
Plus, new cardholders can earn 80,000 bonus factors after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months from account opening. You could possibly earn a better welcome supply of 100,000 bonus factors with the identical spending requirement should you apply in particular person at a Citi department.
And, you may earn precious ThankYou Rewards factors each time you swipe the cardboard.
To be taught extra, learn our full evaluation of the Strata Elite.
Apply right here: Citi Strata Elite Card
