Citi Just Released a New Premium Travel Credit Card With Competitive Perks

Citi has been hard at work revamping its credit card portfolio—and today, the bank has officially reentered the premium credit card space with the Citi Strata Elite Card, which promises high-end travel benefits in exchange for a $595 annual fee. This launch comes just four years after Citi discontinued its former premium credit card, the Citi Prestige Card, which was once a leader in the space.

The new card includes unique benefits not found in other offerings from the brand, like travel-friendly statement credits, a Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership, and unique (but slightly confusing) bonus earning categories. Further, Citi and American Airlines partnered together again—like they did with the Citi Prestige Card—to offer new benefits to cardholders.

Statement credits are becoming the norm among premium travel credit cards, with The Platinum Card from American Express and the Chase Sapphire Reserve both offering travel and lifestyle credits to cardmembers to help offset the annual fee.

The Citi Strata Elite is no different, and includes the following statement credits:

• Up to $300 Annual Hotel Benefit: This can be used on stays of two nights or longer at any hotel of your choosing when booked through Citi Travel.
• Up to $200 Annual Splurge Credit: This credit can be used for purchases at up to two merchants, including 1stDibs, American Airlines, Best Buy, Future Personal Training, and Live Nation.
• Up to $200 Annual Blacklane Credit: Cardholders receive $100 in credit January through June, and $100 July through December toward rides with Blacklane, a global chauffeur service.
• Up to $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Application Fee Credit: This credit is awarded every four years and is applied toward application and renewal fees.

Another standout feature of the Citi Strata Elite card is its points earning structure, which strays from that of competitors in the market. It follows this structure:

• 12x points on car rentals, hotels, and other attractions booked through Citi Travel
• 6x points on air travel booked through Citi Travel
• 6x points at restaurants—including delivery—every Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. ET and 3x points when purchased at any other time
• 1.5x points on other purchases

This is relatively straightforward: You’ll earn bonus points on travel booked through Citi Travel, 3 points per dollar on dining, and 1.5 points per dollar elsewhere. Plus, you can earn an industry-leading 6 points per dollar when you dine between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. ET on Friday and Saturday. Oddly, this perk doesn’t change based on your time zone, so those on Pacific time would start the bonus earning clock at 3 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.

There are some interesting travel-specific benefits included with the card, too. Members will get a Priority Pass Select membership with their card, which provides access to thousands of airport lounges worldwide. In partnership with American Airlines, cardholders receive four American Airlines Admirals Club passes per year that can be used at over 50 American-branded lounges worldwide.

Speaking of American Airlines, Citi Strata Elite cardmembers can also transfer their Citi ThankYou points to American Airlines AAdvantage. This is a big benefit for points and miles enthusiasts, as AAdvantage offers some of the best redemption rates on international award flights. No other transferable points programs offer transfers to AAdvantage.

Cardholders will also benefit from stripped foreign transaction fees, and access to The Reserve and Citi Entertainment. The former is a preferred hotel booking platform that includes benefits like room upgrades and dining credits. Meanwhile, the latter gives Citi cardholders access to event ticket presales to things like exclusive concerts or sporting events. 

Finally, those with a Citigold banking relationship—the wealth management service offered by Citibank—can save on the card’s annual fee. Citigold Private Clients receive the standard $595 statement credit the first year they open the card, but then that number drops to $145 per year going forward. Meanwhile, those at the standard Citigold relationship tier get $145 per year in statement credits. This effectively brings the annual fee to $145.

Citi’s take on the premium travel credit card differs from the likes of Chase and American Express. The card has a lower annual fee than the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Amex Platinum cards, but also offers less lounge access and statement credits. At the same time, the Citi Strata Elite offers higher earning rates on everyday purchases, which may be helpful for frequent shoppers.

If you’re a semi-frequent traveler and want to earn bonus points on your everyday spending, the Citi Strata Elite can be a good option. However, those looking for more extensive airport lounge access and travel benefits may be better served by the competition.