American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp Card vs Citi Strata Elite
Side-by-side comparison of rewards, fees, and benefits
American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp Card
Citi
Citi Strata Elite
Citi
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Rates verified August 2026
American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp Card comes out ahead by $295/yr at a typical $24,000/yr spending profile.
See the assumptions and math
Everyday profile: $24,000/yr across groceries, gas, dining, online shopping, streaming, and everything else. Signup bonuses excluded (first-year only). Statement credits counted at typical usage rates, not face value.
| Card | Rewards | Credits | Fee | Net/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp Card | $374 | $0 | -$0 | $374 |
| Citi Strata Elite | $414 | $260 | -$595 | $79 |
Booking through the card issuer's travel site. Point values adjust automatically.
Simple Advanced view shows effective return rates (multiplier × point value) instead of just multipliers. | American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp CardCiti | Citi Strata EliteCiti |
|---|---|---|
Annual Fee | $0 | $595 |
Sign-Up Bonus | 10,000 pts | 75,000 pts |
Point Value How much each point is worth in cents. This varies based on how you redeem (cash back, travel portal, or transfer partners). | 1.0¢(Travel Portal) | 1.0¢(Travel Portal) |
Dining | 1x | 3x |
Grocery | 2x | 1.5x |
Flights | 2x | 1.5x |
Hotels | 1x | 1.5x |
Gas | 1x | 1.5x |
Online Shopping | 1x | 1.5x |
Everything Else | 1x | 1.5x |
Fast Food Quick-service restaurants (MCC 5814). Most "dining" bonuses include fast food. | 1x | 3x |
Streaming Subscriptions like Netflix, Spotify, Disney+, etc. | 1x | 1.5x |
Internet Home internet and cable bills. | 1x | 1.5x |
Cell Phone Cell phone bills (may incur processing fees). | 1x | 1.5x |
Home Utilities Electricity, gas, water, sewer, trash. | 1x | 1.5x |
Travel/Airline Credit | - | - |
Est. Perks Value | - | - |
Lounge Access | No | Yes |
* Est. Perks Value: Requires enrollment; varies by usage. Excludes Travel/Airline Credit (shown separately).
Amex Platinum ($2,884): $600 FHR/THC hotel credit, $400 Resy dining, $300 lululemon, $300 digital entertainment, $320 Uber ($200 cash + $120 Uber One), $209 CLEAR+, $200 Oura, $155 Walmart+, $100 Saks, $300 Equinox.
CSR ($828): $420 DoorDash (DashPass + credits), $288 Apple TV+ and Apple Music, $120 Lyft credits.
Quick Verdict
Citi Strata Elite excels at everyday spending like dining and gas. American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp Card has a lower annual fee ($0 vs $595). Your best choice depends on where you spend the most.
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