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Citi Launches Strata Elite Card with Unique Rewards Feature
Following weeks of rumors and leaks, Citi has officially introduced its new premium card, the Citi Strata Elite.
About the Citi Strata Elite:
The Citi Strata Elite Card has arrived. This new premium card carries a $595 annual fee, but features some unique offerings.
Starting with rewards, the Strata Elite earns 12x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel. Similarly, air travel booked via Citi Travel will earn 6x.
Elsewhere, while the card earns 3x points at Restaurants any time, it will also offer a bonus opportunity with Citi Nights. With this feature, Dining purchases made on Fridays and Saturdays between 6 p.m. ET and 6 a.m. ET will earn 6x points instead. All other purchases earn 1.5x Thank You points.
The Citi Strata Elite also includes several credit opportunities — with Citi noting that these benefits amount to nearly $1,500 in value. First, cardholders can enjoy an Annual Hotel Benefit, saving them up to $300 on hotel stays of two nights or more booked via Citi Travel each calendar year. Another credit opportunity is what Citi calls an Annual Splurge credit. This includes up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year on up to two of the following brands:
- 1stDibs
- American Airlines (exclusions apply)
- Best Buy,
- Future Personal Training
Live Nation (exclusions apply)
With the Strata Elite card, customers can also redeem a credit of up to $200 per year for Blacklane chauffeur service. This credit is semi-annual, with $100 redeemable January through June and another $100 from July through December.
Lastly, the Citi Strata Elite includes some travel benefits and perks. Cardholders can enjoy complimentary access to more than 1,500 airport lounges with a Priority Pass Select membership. Moreover, the Strata Elite card features four passes annually for American Airlines Admirals Club admission. These passes are per person, meaning that a cardholder can visit on their own four times or use them on a single visit for themselves and up to three guests. Finally, the card includes a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA Precheck application fees, valid every four years.
To mark the debut of the new card, Citi is offering a special welcome bonus. Currently, new Citi Strata Elite cardholders can earn 80,000 bonus points after spending at least $4,000 in purchases on the card in their first three months from account opening.
My Thoughts:
Honestly, there’s a lot to like about this Citi Strata Elite card — including some unique ideas. Starting with the Citi Nights program, while this calls to mind Bilt’s Rent Day promotion, the obvious difference is that this is weekly rather than monthly. However, the downside here is that, aside from travel portal-specific purchases, dining is the only enhanced earning category this card offers. At least that fact is partially offset by the 1.5x base rate.
In terms of value, I do think the credits and perks here should more than make up for the annual fee. First, I like that the Annual Hotel Benefit is valid for any hotel rather than just the fancy ones a la Amex’s Fine Hotels & Resorts/Hotel Collection credit.
Second, the Splurge Credit also seems easy enough to utilize thanks to the inclusions of Live Nation, American Airlines, and Best Buy. To me, that’s a pretty diverse line-up, catering to those who want to travel, enjoy a night out in their city, or just stay home. Also, while there are some hoops to jump through (such as activating the Splurge Credit before your purchase), I appreciate that these two credits are both annual rather than divided up into monthly increments like other products.
Lastly, while Priority Pass isn’t the most exciting lounge option, having four Admirals Club passes per year is a great perk IMHO. That may not be a lot for frequent travelers, but it sounds about right for me. Plus, these passes are good for 24 hours, which is great if you have multiple stops on your itinerary.
Personally, I’m not currently in the market for another premium rewards credit card. However, if I were (and depending on how this impending Amex Platinum refresh goes, perhaps I will be), this is one I’d definitely consider.
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