Citi
Citi Strata Elite
Annual Fee
$595
Sign-up Bonus
75,000 pts
Travel Credit
$300
Card data last reviewed 2026-08-21
Where It Wins, Where It Doesn't
Generated from the card's data against our full catalog, not editorial opinion.
- 3x on dining (catalog median is 2x)
- 3x on fast food (catalog median is 2x)
- Airport lounge access
- The $595 annual fee needs strong category spending to clear
Is the $595 Fee Worth It?
Net annual value (rewards + credits at typical usage, minus the fee) at three reference spending profiles. Signup bonuses excluded.
Everyday
Groceries, gas, and dining out a few times a month ($24,000/yr)
+$79/yr
$414 rewards + $260 credits - $595 fee
Foodie
Heavy dining and delivery, lighter on travel ($26,000/yr)
+$190/yr
$525 rewards + $260 credits - $595 fee
Traveler
Several trips a year with flights and hotels ($28,000/yr)
+$148/yr
$483 rewards + $260 credits - $595 fee
Rewards by Category
Dining
3x
Grocery
1.5x
Gas
1.5x
Flights
1.5x
Hotels
1.5x
Other Travel
1.5x
Online Shopping
1.5x
Rideshare
1.5x
Streaming
1.5x
Amazon
1.5x
Costco
1.5x
Other
1.5x
Apple
1.5x
Cell Phone
1.5x
Fast Food
3x
Home Utilities
1.5x
Internet
1.5x
Walmart
1.5x
Point value: 1.0 cents per point
The Fine Print That Changes the Math
$595 annual fee, $75 per authorized user. 12x hotels, car rentals and attractions and 6x air booked on cititravel.com. 6x at restaurants during Citi Nights (Friday and Saturday 6 PM to 6 AM ET, judged on authorization time), 3x at restaurants any other time. 1.5x all other purchases. Up to $300 annual hotel benefit on a 2-night Citi Travel stay, $200 Splurge credit across two chosen brands, $200 Blacklane credit split into two $100 halves, lounge access plus 4 Admirals Club passes. Launched July 2025.
Benefits & Credits
Airport Lounge Access
Priority Pass or proprietary lounges
$300 Annual Hotel Benefit$300
We count this at 50% of face value (typical usage)
Requires a stay of two nights or more booked through Citi Travel. Portal lock reduces realization for users who prefer booking direct for status.
$200 Splurge Credit$200
We count this at 35% of face value (typical usage)
Applies to two brands chosen from a fixed list (1stDibs, American Airlines, Best Buy, Future Personal Training, Live Nation). Worth face value only if you already buy from two of them.
$200 Blacklane Credit$200
We count this at 20% of face value (typical usage)
Split $100 January-June and $100 July-December for Blacklane chauffeur service. Narrow use case for most cardholders.
Citi Strata Elite FAQ
What is the Citi Strata Elite annual fee?
The Citi Strata Elite has a $595 annual fee. Statement credits worth about $260/yr at typical usage reduce the effective cost.
What is the Citi Strata Elite signup bonus?
75,000 points for new cardholders meeting the minimum spend. Verified 2026-08-21. Check the issuer's site for the current offer.
What are the best spending categories for the Citi Strata Elite?
3x on dining, 3x on fast food, 1.5x on flights. Everything else earns 1.5x.
Is the Citi Strata Elite worth the annual fee?
At a typical $24,000/yr spending profile, it nets about $79/yr after the fee. Your own spending mix decides it; run the numbers in the optimizer.
Does the Citi Strata Elite include airport lounge access?
Yes. Lounge access is included; the cash value depends on how often you fly.
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Is Citi Strata Elite Right for You?
Run your personalized optimization to see how this card fits into your wallet and how much you could earn based on your actual spending.
Sources & Verification
Card data last reviewed 2026-08-21.
Card details are for informational purposes only. Please verify current terms, rewards, and benefits on the issuer's website before applying. Links to issuers are direct; CardSavvy currently earns no commission from them.