Citi’s premium travel credit offers airport lounge access, statement credit, and bonus point, all at a cheaper annual fee than its competitors.
Citi has been busy revamping its website. credit card portfolio—and today, the bank has officially reentered the premium credit card space with the Citi Strata Elite Card, which promises high-end travel benefits in exchange for a $595 annual fee. This launch comes four years after Citi discontinued their former premium credit card, The Citi Prestige Card. It was a leader at the time.
This card comes with unique benefits, not offered by other cards from the same brand. For example, it offers travel-friendly credit on your statement, Priority Pass Select airport lounge access, and special (but confusing) bonus earning categories. Citi and American Airlines partnered together again—like they did with the Citi Prestige Card—to offer new benefits to cardholders.
With The Platinum Card by American Express and the Platinum Card by MasterCard, statement credits are now the norm for premium travel credit cards. Chase Sapphire Reserve Cardmembers can offset their annual fees by combining travel and lifestyle benefits.
Citi Strata Elite includes all of the statement credits below:
- Get up to $300 in Hotel Benefits: You can use this offer on any stay of at least two nights when booking through Citi Travel.
- Get up to $200 in annual Splurge Credit: Credit can be used at up to 2 merchants including 1stDibs.com, American Airlines. Best Buy. Future Personal Training. and Live Nation.
- Blacklane credit up to $200 per year: Cardholders will receive $100 of credit for rides with Blacklane – a global chauffeur company – from January through June. From July through December, they’ll get $100.
- Get up to $120 in Global Entry or PreCheck Application Fees Credit: This credit is available every four years, and can be applied to application and renewal fees.
Citi Strata Elite’s points-earning system is another feature that sets it apart from its competitors. It follows the following structure:
- Citi Travel offers 12x points for bookings of hotels, car rentals and other attractions
- Citi Travel: 6x points when booking air travel
- 6x points at restaurants—including delivery—every Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. When purchased during ET, you will receive 3x the points.
- Get 1.5x points for other purchases
It’s pretty simple: you earn 3 points for every dollar spent on dining and 1.5 points for any other purchases. Plus, dine between the hours of 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. for 6 points on every dollar. ET on Saturday and Friday. The bonus clock does not adjust based on the time zone you are in, so those who live on Pacific Time would begin earning their bonus at 3 p.m. ET on Friday and Saturday.
The card also comes with some travel-specific benefits. Priority Pass Select membership is included with the card. This gives members access to thousands airport lounges around the world. Cardholders will receive four American Airlines Admirals Club Passes per year in partnership with American Airlines. These passes can be used to access over 50 American lounges around the world.
Citi Strata Elite members can transfer Citi ThankYou points from American Airlines AAdvantage to American Airlines AAdvantage. It is a huge benefit for point and mile enthusiasts as AAdvantage provides some of best benefits. redemption rates On international award flights. Other programs that offer transferable points do not allow transfers to AAdvantage.
The Reserve and Citi Entertainment will be available to cardholders, as well as a reduction in foreign transaction charges. The Reserve is a platform for booking hotels with benefits such as dining credits and room upgrades. Citi cardholders have access to exclusive concert or sporting events as well as event tickets presales.
Finally, those with a Citigold banking relationship—the wealth management service offered by Citibank—can save on the card’s annual fee. Citigold Private Clients get the $595 standard statement credit in the first year of opening the card. After that, the amount drops to $145 each year. Citigold standard relationship clients receive $145 in annual statement credits. The annual fee is effectively reduced to $145.
Citi’s premium travel credit card is different from those offered by American Express and Chase. The card comes with a lower fee than Amex Platinum or Chase Sapphire Reserve cards. However, it offers less lounge access as well as statement credits. Citi Strata elite offers higher earning rates for everyday purchases.
Citi Strata Elite may be an option for you if, as a semifrequent traveler, you want to earn extra points from your daily spending. The competition may offer more comprehensive airport lounge access, and other travel benefits.
