Strata Elite℠: High-Earning Travel Card with Premium Benefits

Earn elevated rewards on travel and dining, enjoy premium travel perks, lounge access, and flexible redemptions.

The Bottom Line

4.3
BIG4CREDIT RANKING Our 5-star rating is based on Big4credit’s independent, data-driven scoring system. Each card is evaluated across multiple weighted categories – including rewards, fees, welcome offers, 0% intro APR, ongoing APR, perks, benefits, and protections. Ratings are determined solely by our research and analysis and are never influenced by card issuers or advertisers. Read about our ranking system in the Credit Card Ranking & Methodology section.
Strata Elite℠ is designed for frequent travelers who want premium perks and higher rewards in exchange for a high annual fee. It offers elevated earning on travel and dining, flexible redemption, plus valuable benefits like lounge access and annual travel credits. The card makes the most sense if you travel often enough to fully use the credits and perks each year. It’s less appealing if you prefer simple cashback or don’t want to track premium benefits. If you’re looking for a luxury travel card and can maximize its value, this card can justify its cost – otherwise, a mid-tier option may be a better fit.
Strata Elite℠
Apply now

On Citi's Secure Website

Strata Elite℠
Annual fee:   $595

Intro APR

Purchases: N/A

Balance Transfers: N/A

Regular APR

20.49% - 28.49% Variable APR

Buy Now, Pay Later Make equal monthly payments on purchases of $75 or more. No interest, just a fixed monthly fee. The plan availability is up to the bank's discretion.

Citi Flex Plan

Credit Score

670-850 (Good/Excellent)

Rewards Earn 12x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through Citi Travel®. Additionally, earn 6x points on flights booked via Citi Travel® and at restaurants on Citi Nights℠, Friday and Saturday, 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. ET. You’ll earn 3x points on restaurants at all other times, plus 1.5x points on all other purchases.

1.5x - 12x Points

Welcome Offer Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 in the first three months.

75,000 Points

Welcome Offer

  • Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 in the first three months.

Rewards

  • 12x Points on Select Citi Travel®: Earn 12x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through Citi Travel®.
  • 6x Points on Air Travel booked through Citi Travel®.
  • Up to 6x Points at Restaurants:
    • 6x Points at Restaurants on Citi Nights℠ purchases, Friday and Saturday from 6pm - 6am ET.
    • 3x Points at Restaurants any other time.
  • 1.5x Points on all other purchases.

Redemption Options

  • Flexible Redemption: Redeem points for cashback, gift cards, travel, purchases at Amazon.com, PayPal checkout, and more.
  • Travel Partner Transfers: Points can be transferred to select airline and hotel partners, though transfer ratios may vary.

Fees and APR

  • Annual Fee: $595, with an additional $75 for each authorized user.
  • Regular APR: 20.49% - 28.49% Variable APR.
  • Balance Transfer Fees: $5 or 5% of each transfer amount, whichever is greater.
  • Foreign Transaction Fee: None.

Annual Credits & Statement Credits

  • Up to $300 Annual Hotel Credit: Receive up to $300 off a hotel stay of two nights or more each calendar year when you book through Citi Travel®.
  • Up to $200 Annual Splurge Credit℠: Earn up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year across up to two selected participating brands (terms and exclusions apply). Participating brands currently include 1stDibs, American Airlines (select purchases), Best Buy®, Future Personal Training, and Live Nation.
  • Up to $200 Annual Private Chauffeur Credit with Blacklane®: Earn up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year on eligible Blacklane bookings – up to $100 January-June and up to $100 July-December.

Relationship Credits

  • Citigold® Relationship Credit: Eligible Citigold® clients may receive a $145 annual banking relationship credit when the primary cardmember has an open and active Citi Strata Elite℠ Card with the $595 annual fee assessed.
  • Citigold® Private Client Relationship Credit: Eligible Citigold® Private Client members may receive a $595 banking relationship credit in the first year and $145 annually thereafter when the primary cardmember has an open and active Citi Strata Elite℠ Card with the $595 annual fee assessed.

Lounge Access

  • Priority Pass™ Select membership (Valued up to $469): Complimentary membership for primary cardmembers and authorized users, with access to 1,500+ airport lounges worldwide. Includes up to 2 guests per visit (additional guests $35 each). Access is subject to lounge capacity and participation.
  • American Airlines Admirals Club® Lounge Passes ($300+ in Value): Receive four Admirals Club® passes per calendar year for access to nearly 50 Admirals Club® locations. Passes are subject to availability and lounge access policies.

Travel Benefits

  • Up to $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® Credit: Receive a statement credit (up to $120 every four years) as reimbursement for your Global Entry® or TSA PreCheck® application fee.
  • The Reserve by Citi Travel®: Curated hotel collection offering benefits such as daily breakfast for two, a $100 on-property credit (varies by property), and select perks like upgrades or late checkout when available. Benefits apply when booking an eligible Reserve rate through Citi Travel.

Travel Protections

  • Trip Delay Protection: Get reimbursed for eligible expenses like meals and lodging if your trip is delayed for a covered reason.
  • Trip Cancellation & Interruption Insurance: Get reimbursed for non-refundable travel costs if you need to cancel or cut your trip short due to a covered reason. Applies to airfare, ferry, train, bus, and cruise tickets when purchased with your card.
  • Lost or Damaged Luggage: Get reimbursed for eligible expenses if your checked or carry-on luggage is lost or damaged during your trip.
  • MasterRental® Coverage (Car Rental): Get coverage for damage or theft of a rental car when you pay for the rental with your card and decline the rental company’s collision damage waiver.

Purchase Protections

  • Purchase Assurance Plus: Covers eligible new purchases against damage or theft.
  • Extended Warranty: Get extra warranty protection at no cost on eligible items you purchase with your card.

Convenience Features

  • Digital wallet compatible: Apple Pay®, Google Pay™, Samsung Pay.

Nice Extras

  • Entertainment Access: Citi Entertainment® (presale ticket access and occasional exclusive events).
  • Citi Travel®: :** Integrated travel booking portal (book flights, hotels, car rentals, and attractions using your eligible Citi card, points, or a combination of both).
  • Dining Events Access: Access to select ticketed dining events through The Supper Club® (tickets available for purchase; availability varies by city and event).
  • Access to Fashioned by Death & Co®: Complimentary access to Fashioned by Death & Co®, an online learning platform for cocktail education (enrollment required; 21+).

Buy Now, Pay Later Options

  • Citi® Flex Pay: Buy now and pay over time with fixed monthly payments on eligible purchases of $75 or more, while still earning points on your purchases.

Additional Features

  • Identity Theft Assistance: Mastercard ID Theft Protection (identity monitoring alerts and guided recovery support).
  • Card Lock: Citi Quick Lock (temporarily blocks new purchases while allowing recurring transactions).
  • Free credit score access.

Terms and Conditions

  • Click Apply Now to see the terms and conditions.

EarnSmart Rewards Strategy

  • Citi Double Cash®: Unlimited 2% cashback on all purchases, with rewards that can be combined with Citi Strata Elite℠ points. 👉 Learn more about Citi Double Cash®.
  • Citi Custom Cash®: Earn up to 5% cashback on your top eligible spending category each billing cycle, complementing Citi Strata Elite℠’s broader rewards structure. 👉 Learn more about Citi Custom Cash®.

Share this card review