Benefit Activation Checklist
Step-by-step guide to activate and maximize every benefit on this card.
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Non-Affiliate Offer
Citi Strata Elite℠ Card
Welcome Offer
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How to Earn Rewards
12x
ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on cititravel.com
6x
ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on Air Travel booked on cititravel.com
6x
ThankYou® Points per $1 spent at Restaurants on Citi Nights℠ purchases (Friday & Saturday from 6 PM – 6 AM ET; includes restaurant delivery services)
3x
ThankYou® Points per $1 spent at Restaurants any other time (includes restaurant delivery services)
1.5x
ThankYou® Points per $1 spent on All Other Purchases
Key Benefits
Tap any benefit to see details.
Up to $300 Off a 2+ Night Hotel Stay (Annual, via cititravel.com)
Each calendar year, enjoy up to $300 off a single hotel stay of 2 nights or more when booked through cititravel.com and prepaid with this card. Resets every January 1 — combine with a December stay for first-year double-dip ($300 in 2026 + $300 in 2027 if cardholder activates in late 2026).
Up to $200 Annual Splurge Credit℠ (Choose 2 of 5 Brands)
Up to $200 in statement credits each calendar year on purchases from your choice of up to 2 of: 1stDibs, American Airlines (exclusions apply), Best Buy®, Future Personal Training, and Live Nation (exclusions apply). Best Buy is the easiest path (buy a $200 Amazon or other store gift card). American Airlines $200 gift cards never expire, so you can buy one each year for AA spending.
Up to $200 Annual Blacklane® Chauffeur Credit ($100 Semi-Annually)
Up to $200 in statement credits each calendar year on Blacklane purchases (premium global chauffeur service): up to $100 Jan-Jun, up to $100 Jul-Dec. Blacklane isn't cheap, but that's because it's a real pre-booked chauffeur service rather than an on-demand rideshare. Best for special occasions or international travel where premium ride pricing is competitive.
Priority Pass™ Select Membership ($469 Value)
Complimentary Priority Pass Select membership for cardmember + authorized users + up to 2 guests. Access to 1,500+ airport lounges worldwide. Annual membership fee is $469. NOTE: restaurants are NOT included with this Citi version of Priority Pass. Authorized users get their own membership with their own 2-guest privilege.
4 Admirals Club® Citi Strata Elite℠ Passes Annually (Each Admits 1 Adult + Up to 3 Children Under 18)
Each calendar year, receive 4 one-time Admirals Club® passes for access to nearly 50 Admirals Club lounges (over $300 in value). Each pass admits 1 adult plus up to 3 children under 18. Requires a same-day boarding pass arriving or departing on a oneworld airline, and each pass is valid for 24 hours across multiple lounges in one day. First-year double-dip available — get 4 in 2026 plus 4 in 2027 if you sign up in late 2026.
Up to $120 Global Entry® or TSA PreCheck® Credit (Every 4 Years)
Up to $120 statement credit as reimbursement for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee. Available once every 4 years. Worth $30/year amortized.
Transfer ThankYou Points to American Airlines AAdvantage (NEW in 2025)
Citi added American Airlines AAdvantage as a 1:1 transfer partner. Major addition since AA was previously not transferable from any major flexible points currency. Particularly useful for AA award flights, Cathay Pacific awards, and other oneworld redemptions.
Choice Privileges Transfer at 1:2 Ratio — Points Double!
Strata Elite offers a special 1:2 transfer ratio to Choice Privileges — meaning your ThankYou Points DOUBLE on transfer. Strong value for Choice/Preferred hotel redemptions. (Note: verify current ratio with Citi T&Cs as transfer ratios change.)
Transfer Partners: JetBlue, Virgin Atlantic, Cathay, EVA, Leading Hotels, Aeromexico, Wyndham
Standard Citi ThankYou transfer partners + premium additions: JetBlue (1:1), Virgin Atlantic (1:1), Cathay Pacific (1:1), EVA Air (1:1), Leading Hotels of the World, Air France-KLM Flying Blue, Avianca LifeMiles, Etihad Guest, Singapore KrisFlyer, Qatar Privilege Club, Aeromexico (1:1 or 1:0.7), Wyndham. Minimum transfer 1,000 points, no transfer fee.
Citigold® Relationship Credit ($145/Year for $200K+ AUM)
Citigold clients ($200K+ in qualifying Citi/CitiBank assets) receive a $145 annual statement credit (offsets ~24% of the AF). Citigold Private Clients ($1M+ AUM) get the full $595 first-year fee waived + $145/year thereafter.
Enhanced Trip Cancellation & Interruption Protection
Reimbursement for non-refundable trip costs if your trip is cancelled or interrupted due to covered reasons. Higher-tier coverage than the entry-level Strata Premier card.
Trip Delay Protection
Reimbursement for unreimbursed expenses (meals, lodging) when a covered trip is delayed.
Lost or Damaged Luggage Coverage
Reimbursement for checked or carry-on luggage that is lost or damaged by a common carrier.
MasterRental Coverage (Auto Rental Insurance)
Mastercard's auto rental collision damage waiver — secondary in the U.S., primary internationally. Charge entire rental to card and decline rental company's CDW.
Extended Warranty + Purchase Assurance Plus
Extended warranty extends the manufacturer's U.S. warranty by 2 years on eligible warranties. Purchase Assurance Plus covers purchases against damage or theft.
No Foreign Transaction Fees
No foreign transaction fees on international purchases. Important for a premium travel card.
Cash Redemptions = 0.75 Cents Per Point (Downgrade)
ThankYou Points on this card redeem at 0.75 cents per point for cash back (10,000 points = $75 cash). Travel through Citi Travel = 1 cent per point. Transfer partners typically offer 1.5-2+ cents per point value. Don't redeem for cash on this card.
Citi Application Restrictions (48-Month Family + Velocity Rules)
48-month welcome bonus restriction on Strata Elite specifically (longer than Chase 24-month). HOWEVER each Citi Strata card considered INDEPENDENTLY — eligible even if you currently hold or have held: Strata Premier, Strata, Prestige, Custom Cash, Double Cash. Citi 1/8 (1 personal per 8 days) + 2/65 (2 per 65 days) velocity rules apply. Doesn't count toward Chase 5/24.
Katie's Take
Why this card might (or might not) be right for you.
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Katie's Take
Why this card might (or might not) be right for you.
The credits make it a bit harder to get the full value of that $595 annual fee back. But because they are calendar year credits, the very first year of holding the card has a much higher value potential. That's because you can get benefits like the $200 Splurge Credit or $300 hotel credit right when you get the card and then again after January 1st. The Splurge credit is easy to use at Best Buy (you can buy gift cards for other stores like Amazon).
This card also has some unique features is (1) lounge access for and (2) transfer partners.
For Priority Pass lounge access, you'll get to bring in 2 guests — not quite enough for most families. But you also get 4 passes for the Admirals Club® lounges (valid if you have a same day boarding pass arriving or departing on a oneworld airline). These passes get in an adult and up to 3 children under 18. For families flying American a few time a year, it's an interesting perk.
This card also has a number of standard transfer partners and one very unique one: American Airlines.
Ultimately, you'll need to use our Benefits Calculator (below) to find out if this makes sense for you.
Lounge Access Details
Networks Included
Priority Pass
American Admirals Club
Priority Pass Scope
Lounges Only
Guest Access
Priority Pass: 2 guests (Lounge access only). Admirals Club: 4 passes per calendar year — each pass admits 1 adult + up to 3 children under 18, valid 24 hours, re-usable within that window. Family of 4: two adults can each use a pass on the same visit.
Authorized Users
Paid
$75 per AU
Admirals Club access is via 4 passes per year, not full membership.
Benefits Calculator
What's the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card worth to you? Get a personalized estimate.
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Benefits Calculator
What's the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card worth to you? Get a personalized estimate.
Citi Strata Elite℠ Card Benefits Calculator
Enter your personal estimated annual value for each benefit to see a customized calculation of the card's worth.
Each calendar year, enjoy up to $300 off a single hotel stay of 2 nights or more when booked through cititravel.com and prepaid with this card. Resets every January 1 — combine with a December stay for first-year double-dip ($300 in 2026 + $300 in 2027 if cardholder activates in late 2026).
$
Up to $200 in statement credits each calendar year on purchases from your choice of up to 2 of: 1stDibs, American Airlines (exclusions apply), Best Buy®, Future Personal Training, and Live Nation (exclusions apply). Best Buy is the easiest path (buy a $200 Amazon or other store gift card). American Airlines $200 gift cards never expire, so you can buy one each year for AA spending.
$
Up to $200 in statement credits each calendar year on Blacklane purchases (premium global chauffeur service): up to $100 Jan-Jun, up to $100 Jul-Dec. Blacklane isn't cheap, but that's because it's a real pre-booked chauffeur service rather than an on-demand rideshare. Best for special occasions or international travel where premium ride pricing is competitive.
$
Each calendar year, receive 4 one-time Admirals Club® passes for access to nearly 50 Admirals Club lounges (over $300 in value). Each pass admits 1 adult plus up to 3 children under 18. Requires a same-day boarding pass arriving or departing on a oneworld airline, and each pass is valid for 24 hours across multiple lounges in one day. First-year double-dip available — get 4 in 2026 plus 4 in 2027 if you sign up in late 2026.
$
Up to $120 statement credit as reimbursement for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee. Available once every 4 years. Worth $30/year amortized. ($120 every 4 years = $30/yr)
$
Your Total Annual Value
$0
Annual Fee: annual_fees
Your Net Value / Cost
$0
Offer History
See past welcome bonuses to gauge whether the current offer is elevated.
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Offer History
See past welcome bonuses to gauge whether the current offer is elevated.
| Offer | Spend Req. | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Citigold: $145 Annual Banking Relationship CreditCurrent | $200K+ AUM | Banking relationship offer for Citigold members |
| Citigold Private Client: Full $595 First-Year Fee WaiverCurrentElevated | $1M+ AUM | Banking relationship offer for Citigold Private Clients |
| 75,000 ThankYou PointsCurrent | $6,000 in 3 mo | Current) |
| 80,000 ThankYou Points (Launch) | $4,000 in 3 mo | Launch offer when card debuted July 28, 2025 |
| 100,000 ThankYou PointsElevated | Standard spend | Highest ever; in-branch then public; ended Feb 2026 |
| 80,000 ThankYou Points (Page Display, Now Stale) | $4,000 in 3 mo | Was current Feb-April 2026; now superseded by 75K/$6K offer |
