What is the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card and is it worth it?
The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card is Citi's mid-tier travel rewards card — it replaced the Citi Premier card in 2024. It earns ThankYou Points on travel, dining, grocery stores, and gas. The annual fee is $95. Its main value is the ThankYou Points transfer network and broad earning categories. Whether it's 'worth it' depends on whether you use the points via airline/hotel transfer partners; cash-out value is modest. Verify current bonus offers and APR at citi.com before applying.
The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card replaced the Citi Premier℠ Card in 2024. It earns Citi ThankYou Points across multiple everyday categories — including dining, groceries, gas, and hotels — with a $95 annual fee. The strongest use case is transferring ThankYou Points to airline partners; redeeming for cash back or gift cards typically produces lower value per point.
How travel points programs work
- Travel rewards points earned on credit cards are typically worth most when transferred to airline or hotel partners; cash redemption rates are generally lower. — CFPB
- Annual-fee travel cards are most valuable when cardholders use benefits and transfer partners; the break-even depends on individual spending patterns. — CFPB
Earning categories (verify current rates at citi.com)
- Hotels: elevated earn rate per $1 on hotel purchases.
- Dining: elevated earn rate per $1 at restaurants.
- Grocery stores: elevated earn rate per $1 at supermarkets.
- Gas stations and EV charging: elevated earn rate per $1.
- Air travel: elevated earn rate per $1 on flights.
- All other purchases: base earn rate.
ThankYou Points transfer partners
ThankYou Points transfer to airline partners including Air France-KLM Flying Blue, Avianca LifeMiles, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles, Emirates Skywards, Etihad Guest, Turkish Airlines Miles & Smiles, Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, and Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, among others. Hotel partners include Choice Privileges and Wyndham Rewards. Transfer ratios and partner availability can change; verify at citi.com.
Is the $95 fee worth it?
- Yes, if: you dine out frequently, buy groceries, or travel — and you use transfer partners to book flights or hotels at elevated value.
- Marginal, if: you'd redeem for cash back (lower value per point) and don't travel.
- No, if: you carry a balance — interest costs will exceed any rewards earned.
- Consider pairing with a no-fee cash-back card for non-category purchases to maximize total rewards.
Comparing travel cards? See how Chase and Amex transfer partners compare to understand the competitive landscape. For everyday cash back without an annual fee, compare the Citi Custom Cash® Card.
Key takeaways
- Citi Strata Premier℠ replaced the Citi Premier℠ card in 2024; same $95 annual fee, updated earning structure.
- Earns ThankYou Points on dining, groceries, gas, hotels, and air travel.
- Best value comes from transferring points to airline partners — not cashing out.
- Worth the fee if you actively use earning categories and redeem via transfer partners; not worth it if you carry a balance.
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