Points · Mastercard · $595 annual fee
Last verified 2026-09-09. Review issuer source
Citi Strata Elite is a $595-a-year points card from Citi. Its best everyday rates are 3x on dining; everything else earns 1.5x. The 12x rate applies only to attractions booked through CitiTravel.com, so treat it as a bonus rather than the reason to apply.
On our reference budget of $24,600 a year it earns $738, which clears the $595 fee with $143 to spare before any credits or perks. The welcome bonus, 100,000 points after $6,000 in 3 months, is the strongest reason to open it in a given year.
Premium cards are a bet that you will use the credits. Count only the ones that replace spending you already do, then see whether the lounge access and what is left justifies the fee.
6 points per dollar spent on Air Travel booked on cititravel.com
12 points per dollar spent on Attractions booked on cititravel.com
12 points per dollar spent on Car Rentals booked on cititravel.com
3 points per dollar spent at Restaurants any other time
12 points per dollar spent on Hotels booked on cititravel.com
Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months.
Get free access to your FICO® Score online to review your credit history.
Every calendar year, receive 4 Admirals Club® Citi Strata Elite? Passes for access to nearly 50 Admirals Club® lounges (over $300 in value). Inside each of the nearly 50 lounges, you can enjoy a selection of snacks, complimentary cocktails, personal travel assistance and more.
Citi Entertainment® is an entertainment access program available to eligible Citi® credit card and Citibank® Debit Card customers. Citi cardmembers get special access to purchase tickets to thousands of events, including presale tickets and exclusive experiences to the year's most anticipated concerts, sporting events, arts and culture experiences.
A collection of participating hotels on cititravel.com offering on-property benefits including daily, complimentary breakfast for two, free Wi-Fi, a $100 experience credit (varies by property). Other benefits, subject to availability, include early check-in, late check-out and room upgrades. Select a Reserve Hotel rate at checkout to receive the benefits.
Qualifying Citigold Private Clients receive a $595 first year banking relationship credit and a $145 credit each year thereafter if the primary cardmember has an open and current Strata EliteSM Card account with an assessed Annual Membership Fee of $595.
Enjoy bespoke content and tutorials from Death & Co®, one of the most influential cocktail institutions of the modern era. With access to their online learning platform, Fashioned, Citi Strata Elite? cardholders can learn everything about cocktails, from drink-making fundamentals to advanced techniques. Complimentary access is granted by enrolling with a Citi Strata Elite? Card. For Adults 21+
Points transfer to American Airlines, JetBlue, Virgin, Atlantic, Cathay Pacific, Eva Air, Choice Hotels, The Leading Hotels of the World® and others. There is no fee, and the minimum transfer is only 1,000 points.
Enjoy complimentary access to 1,500+ airport lounges worldwide. Annual membership fee valued at $469.
Help stay protected with travel insurances, including Trip Delay Protection, Enhanced Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption Protection, Lost or Damaged Luggage, MasterRental Coverage (car rental insurance), and Extended Warranty and Purchase Assurance Plus.
Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption (Common Carrier).
Receive a statement credit, up to $120 every four years, as reimbursement for your application fee for Global Entry® or TSA PreCheck®
Every calendar year, earn up to $200 in statement credits when you book with Blacklane, a premium global chauffeur service. Earn up to $100 on Blacklane purchases January through June and up to $100 July through December.
Every calendar year, earn up to $200 in statement credits on your choice of up to 2 of the following brands: 1stDibs, American Airlines (exclusions apply), Best Buy®, Future Personal Training, and Live Nation (exclusions apply).
Each calendar year, enjoy up to $300 off a hotel stay of 2 nights or more when booked through cititravel.com.
These come from Mastercard, not from Citi. Every card on the World Elite Mastercard tier carries them, so they should not decide between two cards.
Call 1-800-MASTERCARD (1-800-627-8372) for 24/7 assistance to report a lost or stolen card.
Enroll in HealthLock for Mastercard Medical Claim Monitor complimentary membership plus a 90-day upgrade to all HealthLock services at no monthly cost.
Groceries and more delivered in as fast as one hour. Get $10 off your second order each month, and new Instacart+ members can also get three free months of Instacart+. Offer expires 1/31/2027.
More rides means more adventure. Take three rides in a month with Lyft to earn a $5 credit.3* Plus, save 10% on all scheduled rides to or from U.S. airports when you pay with your World Elite or World Legend Mastercard. Offer expires 1/31/2027.
Get exclusive PGA TOUR® experiences and access amazing golf benefits with our Golf Concierge Service.
Monitor your credit file for fraud, get alerts for suspicious activity and access a resolution specialist.
Mastercard gives you exclusive access to premium preferred seats and ticket presales at top venues and festivals across the U.S. Eligibility restrictions, exclusions and terms apply. Offer expires 3/31/2027.
Save when you tap and go with your eligible Mastercard and receive a $2.50 statement credit when you spend $10 or more each month at participating transit systems.
Browse exclusive Mastercard benefits, book travel, get hotel upgrades and more.
Get $3 off Peacock Premium or Peacock Premium Plus each month when you use your World Elite or World Legend Mastercard to subscribe. Watch new movies from theaters, buzzworthy original series, hit TV shows, live sports and so much more. Eligibility restrictions, exclusions and terms apply. Offer expires 12/31/2027.
Enjoy experiences in culture, dining, sports, entertainment and more in over 45 exciting destinations around the globe.
With Mastercard Zero Liability protection you’re protected against unauthorized transactions in stores, online and in app.
Complimentary 24/7 concierge agent for lifestyle needs, travel bookings and event access.
Benefit descriptions are the issuer’s and network’s own wording, trimmed for length. Limits and exclusions are in the guide to benefits.
Priority Pass™ Select membership | American Airlines Admirals Club® Lounge Access Passes
| Card | Annual fee | Rewards earned | Net after fee | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citi Strata EliteThis card · 3x on dining | $595 | $738 | +$143 | 910th of 1,291 |
| Citi Double Cash®Citi's most-held other card · 2% on everything | None | $492 | +$492 | 282nd of 1,291 |
| Savor RewardsThe strongest no-fee card on this budget · 3% on dining | None | $642 | +$642 | 4th of 1,291 |
| Robinhood Gold CardHighest net return on this budget · 3% on everything | $50 | $798 | +$748 | 1st of 1,291 |
Reference budget: groceries $6,000, dining and restaurants $3,600, gas and ev charging $2,400, travel and transit $3,000, online shopping $2,400, entertainment and streaming $1,200, everything else $6,000. Points are valued at 1¢ unless the program is worth less; statement credits, welcome bonuses, and perks are left out. Run it with your own spending.
