The no-annual-fee Citi Strata℠ Card (see charges and charges) gives compelling incomes charges for on a regular basis purchases and is an effective entry level into the Citi ThankYou Rewards ecosystem.
Let us take a look at what the Citi Strata has to supply that can assist you determine whether or not you may profit from having it in your pockets.
Key advantages of the Citi Strata
Earlier than we all know who ought to (and should not) get the Citi Strata, let’s stroll by way of its major perks.
Strong welcome bonus
New cardholders of the Citi Strata can earn 30,000 bonus factors after spending $1,000 on purchases throughout the first three months of account opening.
This bonus is value $570, per TPG’s September valuations.
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Worthwhile ThankYou Rewards factors
The Citi Strata earns Citi ThankYou Rewards factors. The way in which to get most worth from them is to switch them to one in every of Citi’s airline, resort and retail companions. This card gives most transfers at a 1:0.7 ratio, which means you may get 0.7 factors or miles for each ThankYou level transferred.
Nevertheless, in the event you even have a premium Citi card just like the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card (see charges and charges) or the Citi Strata Premier® Card (see charges and charges), you’ll be able to mix factors earned by the Citi Strata with factors in your “premium” card account for the next switch charge — and transfers to American Airways AAdvantage (which the Strata doesn’t provide).
For instance, Citi Strata Card holders can switch to Air France-KLM Flying Blue at a charge of 1:0.7. However in the event you’re additionally a Citi Strata Elite Card holder, then you’ll be able to mix your factors and switch them at a greater 1:1 ratio.
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Associated: Finest methods to redeem Citi ThankYou Rewards factors
Profitable bonus classes
The Citi Strata has wonderful incomes charges, making it a good selection for on a regular basis purchases. They embrace:
- 5 factors per greenback spent on points of interest, automotive leases and inns booked by way of the Citi Journey portal
- 3 factors per greenback spent at supermarkets
- 3 factors per greenback spent at electrical car charging and gasoline stations and on choose transit
- 3 factors per greenback spent on an eligible self-select class (which you’ll change every quarter)
- 2 factors per greenback spent at eating places
- 1 level per greenback spent on all different purchases
The self-select class stands out as being one of many card’s best perks. You may change the class every quarter. Choices embrace the next eligible buy classes:
- Barber retailers, beauty shops and hair salons
- Health golf equipment
- Dwell leisure
- Pet provide shops
- Choose streaming providers
Who ought to get the Citi Strata?
The Citi Strata will be helpful for anybody so as to add to their purse or pockets, however there are some particular sorts of people that can profit essentially the most from it.
Those that wish to earn bonus factors on gasoline, groceries and EV charging
Many bank cards provide bonus rewards on spending at supermarkets and gasoline stations — and this card gives a strong charge of three factors per greenback spent. However one of the best half is that there isn’t any spending restrict on any of the cardboard’s buy classes, giving it an edge over its rivals.
Granted, different no-annual-fee playing cards earn bonus factors at supermarkets and gasoline stations — however usually with a cap. For instance, the Blue Money On a regular basis® Card from American Specific (see charges and charges) earns 3% money again at U.S. supermarkets and gasoline stations however solely on as much as $6,000 of purchases yearly (then 1% per greenback thereafter). Money again is acquired within the type of Reward {Dollars} that may be redeemed as a press release credit score or at amazon.com checkout.
Fewer playing cards award bonus rewards on EV charging purchases. When you’re searching for a card that earns bonus factors in these classes and would not have an annual charge, the Citi Strata is a good selection since you may earn 3 factors per greenback spent.
Associated: Amex Blue Money On a regular basis Card evaluation: First rate incomes and no annual charge
Those that can reap the benefits of the self-select class
If the Citi Strata’s self-select class choices suit your spending habits, this card will be particularly rewarding. Having the ability to change classes every quarter makes it simple to maximise factors on bills like gyms, streaming and dwell leisure.
Citi Strata challenges rivals just like the Chase Freedom Flex® (see charges and charges), which generally consists of gyms and streaming providers in its quarterly bonus classes (activation required). Nevertheless, the Freedom Flex’s earnings are capped at $1,500 in mixed spending every quarter, a notable limitation for these seeking to earn most rewards.
Those that like transferring to journey companions with no annual charge
The most effective use of Citi factors is to switch them to Citi airline and resort companions. Just lately, Citi launched the power to switch factors from most Citi playing cards to its full vary of companions (besides American Airways AAdvantage), together with Qatar Airways Privilege Membership and Singapore KrisFlyer.
Many no-annual-fee playing cards solely provide money again or transfers to a small variety of companions, which units the Strata aside.
Those that have a premium Citi card
If you have already got the Citi Strata Elite, the Citi Strata Premier or the Citi Status® Card, the factors earned in your Citi Strata will be much more useful. You may cut up your spending between a premium Citi card and the Strata to make sure you’re incomes most factors throughout all of your purchases after which redeem your factors on the highest worth.
The knowledge for the Citi Status has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
Backside line
The Citi Strata excels in two areas:
- It has a variety of bonus-earning classes.
- It gives the power to switch factors to airline and resort companions.
The cardboard covers widespread bonus classes for many customers, and the power to decide on a self-select class every quarter offers it a aggressive edge.
When you fall into any of the classes mentioned above, the Citi Strata might probably present important worth to you.
To study extra, learn our full evaluation of the Citi Strata.
Apply right here: Citi Strata Card
For charges and charges of the Amex Blue Money On a regular basis, click on right here.
