The no-annual-fee Citi Strata℠ Card (see charges and costs) presents compelling incomes charges for on a regular basis purchases and is an effective entry level into the Citi ThankYou Rewards ecosystem.
Let us take a look at what the Citi Strata has to supply that will help you determine whether or not you may profit from having it in your pockets.
Key advantages of the Citi Strata
Earlier than we all know who ought to (and should not) get the Citi Strata, let’s stroll via its principal perks.
Stable welcome bonus
New cardholders of the Citi Strata can earn 30,000 bonus factors after spending $1,000 on purchases inside the first three months of account opening.
This bonus is value $570, per TPG’s September valuations.
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Useful ThankYou Rewards factors
The Citi Strata earns Citi ThankYou Rewards factors. The best way to get most worth from them is to switch them to one in all Citi’s airline, resort and retail companions. This card presents most transfers at a 1:0.7 ratio, that means you may get 0.7 factors or miles for each ThankYou level transferred.
Nevertheless, if you happen to even have a premium Citi card just like the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card (see charges and costs) or the Citi Strata Premier® Card (see charges and costs), you’ll be able to mix factors earned by the Citi Strata with factors in your “premium” card account for a better switch charge — and transfers to American Airways AAdvantage (which the Strata doesn’t provide).
For instance, Citi Strata Card holders can switch to Air France-KLM Flying Blue at a charge of 1:0.7. However if you happen to’re additionally a Citi Strata Elite Card holder, then you’ll be able to mix your factors and switch them at a greater 1:1 ratio.
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Associated: Finest methods to redeem Citi ThankYou Rewards factors
Profitable bonus classes
The Citi Strata has wonderful incomes charges, making it a sensible choice for on a regular basis purchases. They embody:
- 5 factors per greenback spent on sights, automobile leases and motels booked via the Citi Journey portal
- 3 factors per greenback spent at supermarkets
- 3 factors per greenback spent at electrical automobile charging and fuel stations and on choose transit
- 3 factors per greenback spent on an eligible self-select class (which you’ll be able to change every quarter)
- 2 factors per greenback spent at eating places
- 1 level per greenback spent on all different purchases
The self-select class stands out as being one of many card’s biggest perks. You possibly can change the class every quarter. Choices embody the next eligible buy classes:
- Barber retailers, beauty shops and hair salons
- Health golf equipment
- Dwell leisure
- Pet provide shops
- Choose streaming providers
Who ought to get the Citi Strata?
The Citi Strata will be helpful for anybody so as to add to their purse or pockets, however there are some particular varieties of people that can profit essentially the most from it.
Those that need to earn bonus factors on fuel, groceries and EV charging
Many bank cards provide bonus rewards on spending at supermarkets and fuel stations — and this card presents a strong charge of three factors per greenback spent. However the very best half is that there isn’t a spending restrict on any of the cardboard’s buy classes, giving it an edge over its rivals.
Granted, different no-annual-fee playing cards earn bonus factors at supermarkets and fuel stations — however usually with a cap. For instance, the Blue Money On a regular basis® Card from American Categorical (see charges and costs) earns 3% money again at U.S. supermarkets and fuel stations however solely on as much as $6,000 of purchases yearly (then 1% per greenback thereafter). Money again is acquired within the type of Reward {Dollars} that may be redeemed as a press release credit score or at amazon.com checkout.
Fewer playing cards award bonus rewards on EV charging purchases. When you’re searching for a card that earns bonus factors in these classes and would not have an annual payment, the Citi Strata is a good alternative since you may earn 3 factors per greenback spent.
Associated: Amex Blue Money On a regular basis Card evaluation: First rate incomes and no annual payment
Those that can make the most of the self-select class
If the Citi Strata’s self-select class choices suit your spending habits, this card will be particularly rewarding. With the ability to change classes every quarter makes it simple to maximise factors on bills like gyms, streaming and dwell leisure.
Citi Strata challenges rivals just like the Chase Freedom Flex® (see charges and costs), which generally consists of gyms and streaming providers in its quarterly bonus classes (activation required). Nevertheless, the Freedom Flex’s earnings are capped at $1,500 in mixed spending every quarter, a notable limitation for these trying to earn most rewards.
Those that like transferring to journey companions with no annual payment
The most effective use of Citi factors is to switch them to Citi airline and resort companions. Lately, Citi launched the flexibility to switch factors from most Citi playing cards to its full vary of companions (besides American Airways AAdvantage), together with Qatar Airways Privilege Membership and Singapore KrisFlyer.
Many no-annual-fee playing cards solely provide money again or transfers to a small variety of companions, which units the Strata aside.
Those that have a premium Citi card
If you have already got the Citi Strata Elite, the Citi Strata Premier or the Citi Status® Card, the factors earned in your Citi Strata will be much more helpful. You possibly can break up your spending between a premium Citi card and the Strata to make sure you’re incomes most factors throughout all of your purchases after which redeem your factors on the highest worth.
The data for the Citi Status has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
Backside line
The Citi Strata excels in two areas:
- It has a variety of bonus-earning classes.
- It presents the flexibility to switch factors to airline and resort companions.
The cardboard covers fashionable bonus classes for many shoppers, and the flexibility to decide on a self-select class every quarter offers it a aggressive edge.
When you fall into any of the classes mentioned above, the Citi Strata may possible present vital worth to you.
To study extra, learn our full evaluation of the Citi Strata.
Apply right here: Citi Strata Card
For charges and costs of the Amex Blue Money On a regular basis, click on right here.
