Up to date: October 27, 2025
Study what really issues and what not.
Citi lastly put actual thought behind its new premium card. Strata Elite is at 100,000 ThankYou Points after $6,000 in 3 months. The headline isn’t simply the quantity—it’s that Citi Points now switch 1:1 to American Airways. That flips the worth equation for lots of U.S. flyers.
Earlier than we get cute, a actuality test: the rollout had bumps. Some early candidates hit account lockouts and doc requests. It’s not common, nevertheless it occurred—go in eyes open and maintain data of your utility, bonus phrases, and spend.
What really earns
Citi desires you in-portal and out at dinner on weekends. You get 12x on resorts, automobile leases, and points of interest booked by CitiTravel.com, 6x on air by CitiTravel, 6x eating on Fri/Sat from 6pm–6am ET, 3x eating the remainder of the week, and 1.5x on all the things else. No overseas transaction charges. Translation: the massive numbers stay within the portal and on weekend eating; in any other case, you’ve received a 1.5x ground.
If you happen to’re allergic to portals, you’ll really feel that. Generally CitiTravel costs are wonderful; generally they’re not. Don’t overpay money simply to print fairly multipliers.
Credit which can be really usable
- $300 resort as soon as per calendar 12 months on a 2+ evening CitiTravel reserving. As a result of it’s calendar-year, new cardholders can typically hit it twice of their first membership 12 months (as soon as now, as soon as early subsequent 12 months).
- $200 “Splurge” every calendar 12 months at as much as two manufacturers you choose (at the moment choices embrace American Airways, Finest Purchase, Reside Nation/Ticketmaster, 1stDibs, Future, and extra).
- $200 Blacklane every calendar 12 months, break up $100 Jan–Jun / $100 Jul–Dec—good for an airport run.
That is the way you offset the charge. If you happen to can’t use these cleanly, skip the cardboard.
Lounge actuality
You get Precedence Cross Choose (card on the door; eating places/markets excluded) and 4 Admirals Membership passes per calendar 12 months (AA/oneworld ticket required, 24-hour validity, youngsters can are available in with the grownup who redeems a go). Licensed customers can get their very own Precedence Cross entry for $75 every—which is cheap for handing household PP on a premium card.
Why the 100K issues now
Two phrases: AA transfers. With 1:1 to AAdvantage, your financial institution Points develop into same-day AA or oneworld awards the minute area opens. If you happen to’d moderately play accomplice candy spots, you’ll be able to nonetheless ship Points to packages like Virgin Atlantic, Flying Blue, Cathay, and EVA, plus resorts like Alternative and The Main Accommodations of the World. The win is flexibility—not being trapped at 1.0¢ in a portal.
Who this matches (and who it doesn’t)
Get it for those who’ll really:
- Guide one CitiTravel 2+ evening resort keep per 12 months ($300 again),
- Burn the $200 Splurge at manufacturers you genuinely use (Finest Purchase, AA, Reside Nation are simple), and
- Seize a Blacklane trip or two throughout the 12 months ($200 whole).
Stack that with Precedence Cross and the 4 AA lounge passes, and the first-year worth is easy—earlier than even touching the 100K.
Skip it for those who hate portals, received’t observe credit, or don’t care about AA and switch companions. In that case, an easier cash-back setup will make you happier.
Effective print that really issues
- Annual charge: $595 main; $75 per approved consumer. No overseas transaction charges.
- Eligibility: Product-specific 48-month rule—no bonus for those who’ve earned a Strata Elite new-account bonus (or transformed into it) previously 48 months.
- Citi pacing: Don’t stack apps—Citi usually enforces 1 approval each 8 days, 2 each 65 days.
- Launch hiccups: Uncommon however documented. Screenshot all the things and reply quick if Citi asks for paperwork.
How I’d play it (easy and efficient)
- Apply provided that $6k/3mo is clear. Don’t pressure spend. The 100K is limited-time, however not at the price of curiosity.
- Entrance-load credit by the calendar. Hit the $300 resort now, choose Splurge manufacturers you’ll really burn (reward playing cards at Finest Purchase have traditionally labored; use judgment), and schedule a Blacklane to the airport—then repeat in January.
- Level technique: Default to AA 1:1. When AA area is dry, pivot to accomplice performs (Virgin/Flying Blue/Cathay/EVA). Use the portal solely when the mathematics beats money.
- Use the lounge passes well. The AA passes are 24-hour—chain them on connections, carry the youngsters, and make them depend.
Backside line (no sugar-coating)
At 100K + AA 1:1, Strata Elite lastly has enamel. If you happen to can really use the $300 resort / $200 Splurge / $200 Blacklane and also you’re prepared to guide choose journeys by CitiTravel, the first-year worth is actual—and the continued case is first rate for those who maintain pulling these credit. If that seems like a chore, go. If it seems like your regular life, that is the primary Citi premium card shortly that’s definitely worth the pull.
