There were a lot of new credit cards released in 2025, but one card that continues to stand out—despite mixed opinions online—is the Citi Strata Elite. While some critics argue that it falls short compared to other premium cards, a closer look reveals that this card is actually one of the more underrated options of the year and may deserve a place in many wallets.
I’ve been invested in the Citi ecosystem for a long time—long before it became popular again. With Citi’s recent addition of American Airlines as a transfer partner, interest in Citi cards has surged, and for good reason. American Airlines has one of the strongest loyalty programs among domestic carriers, offering excellent value for both domestic flights and international premium cabins. That partnership alone significantly boosts the value of Citi ThankYou Points.
The Citi Strata Elite is positioned as Citi’s top-tier ThankYou Points card, effectively replacing the now-discontinued Citi Prestige. While it doesn’t mirror the Prestige exactly, it brings several strong features to the table—especially when you consider its $595 annual fee, which is notably lower than competitors like the Chase Sapphire Reserve ($795) and the American Express Platinum ($895).
One of the card’s biggest strengths is its earning structure. Cardholders earn an impressive 12X points on hotels, rental cars, and experiences booked through the Citi portal. While booking through portals isn’t always ideal, hotel bookings can often be a great use case, and 12X is one of the best earning rates available on the market.
Dining is another highlight. The card earns 3X on dining at all times, which is standard, but it also offers 6X on dining during “Citi Nights”—Friday and Saturday evenings. Since most dining out happens on weekends, this effectively boosts the average dining return into the 4–5X range for many users.
Additionally, the Strata Elite earns 1.5X on all other purchases, making it a solid catch-all card. While 2X is often considered ideal, 1.5X has long been accepted in other ecosystems, such as Chase, and works well here given the strength of Citi’s transfer partners.
Speaking of transfers, Citi ThankYou Points shine when redeemed strategically. Points transfer at favorable rates to hotel programs like Preferred Hotels & Resorts (1:4) and Choice Hotels (1:2), and airline partners include heavy hitters like Air France, British Airways, and now American Airlines.
The card also offers several easy-to-use credits that help offset the annual fee. These include:
- A $300 hotel credit on a two-night stay booked through the Citi portal
- A $200 “Splurge Credit”, usable with American Airlines, Best Buy, or Ticketmaster
- A $200 Blacklane credit for premium car service rides
Add in Priority Pass lounge access (with guests) and four American Airlines Admirals Club passes, and the value proposition becomes even stronger.
While the Citi Strata Elite isn’t perfect, its strong earning rates, valuable transfer partners, and straightforward credits make it one of the most compelling premium cards of 2025—especially for travelers who value flexibility and American Airlines redemptions.
The Rewards Master 