If you want a credit card to make your trip a top-notch experience, look no further than the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card (see rates and fees). From airport lounge benefits to hotel perks, this card is designed to enhance how you travel and how you arrive.
Valued at nearly $1,500 annually, the Citi Strata Elite Card combines enhanced travel benefits and strong profitability with lounge access, hotel benefits and the world’s legendary Mastercard experience.
Whether you’re flying across the country to visit family or heading overseas for a once-in-a-lifetime trip, the Citi Strata Elite Card gives you access and rewards to make quality travel easier. Think of it as the key to quality travel.
Travel benefits to enhance your travel experience
When you choose a premium travel card, it should provide tangible comfort and value when you leave home. The Citi Strata Elite card is designed with this in mind, offering benefits that make your airport and hotel experiences smoother, smarter and more valuable.
“Travel is one of the most meaningful ways people invest their time and money,” said Pam Habner, head of Citi branded cards and loans. “With the Citi Strata Elite Card, we focused on creating a card that provides lasting value and rewards that last long after the trip is over. Our goal is to give card members confidence that their card will meet their needs on every trip.”
Global lounge access
It’s no secret that airport lounges set the tone for your trip. They offer higher space, quality food and drinks, and time to recharge before boarding. With the Citi Strata Elite card, you get:
- Four American Airlines Admirals Club® Citi Strata Elite passes per year (valued over $300 annually), giving you access to nearly 50 lounges around the world
- Free Priority Pass Select™ membership (valued at $469 annually) for you, your authorized users and up to two guests, unlocking over 1,500 lounges worldwide (Note: Some locations restrict guest access)
Together, these benefits mean you can relax, recharge and enjoy your journey before boarding your flight.
Premium hotel accommodation
Your Citi Strata Elite card also makes your hotel stays even more valuable:
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- The Reserve by Citi Travel®: Access to 4 1/2-star and 5-star hotels with benefits such as daily breakfast for two; $100 experience credit (points vary by hotel); free Wi-Fi; room upgrades, early check-in and late check-out (when available) when you choose to book a rate when booking through the Citi Travel portal.
- Up to $300 in hotel savings per year: Save up to $300 when you book two nights (or more) of hotel stays each year through the Citi Travel Portal.
The Reserve by Citi Travel brings an upscale experience to your stay, and annual hotel deals offer significant savings, making your Citi Travel reservations even more valuable.
American Airlines Benefits
CitiThankYou® Rewards, the only major transferable points program that converts points into American Airlines AAdvantage® miles, was named Best American Airlines Loyalty Program in the 2024 TPG Awards by TPG readers.
Your daily purchases on the card will earn you ThankYou Rewards points. If you transfer Thank You Rewards points to the American Airlines AAdvantage program at a 1:1 ratio, your AAdvantage miles can be used for:
- Award flights from American Airlines and its oneworld partners
- Upgrades and additional features make flying more comfortable
For example, last year I redeemed 70,000 AAdvantage miles for a Qatar Airways Qsuite flight from Colombo, Sri Lanka, to Houston (with a stop in Doha). My out-of-pocket cost was only $174 (including tax), which is a great deal for one of the world’s top business-grade products.
With the Citi Strata Elite Card, you can use your CitiThankYou Rewards points in a similar way to unlock premium experiences at significantly lower prices.
Currently, new applicants for the Citi Strata Elite Card can earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 in purchases within the first three months of account opening.
Accelerate money-making opportunities
With the Citi Strata Elite Card, you can earn points faster where it matters most:
- Earn 12 points for every $1 spent when booking hotels, car rentals and attractions through the Citi Travel portal
- Earn 6 points per USD 1 spent on flights booked through the Citi Travel portal
- Earn 6 points per $1 spent at restaurants (including takeout) every Friday and Saturday from 6pm to 6am ET (3 points per $1 spent on these purchases at other times)
- Earn 1.5 points per $1 spent on all other purchases, including everyday purchases
This structure ensures you’ll earn rewards whether you book a trip or enjoy a meal.
On-site dining and entertainment venues
From dining to concerts and sporting events, the Citi Strata Elite card opens the door to turning everyday outings into extraordinary experiences.
Through the Citi Entertainment® program, you’ll be able to purchase advance tickets and VIP experiences for music, sports and cultural events, giving you the chance to see top performers from the best seats in the venue.
Plus, as a Citi Strata Elite card holder, you’ll enjoy Mastercard’s top World Legend benefits:
- Priority access to concerts, theater performances and sporting events
- Priority reservations at popular restaurants around the world
- Carefully curated global dining and travel experiences
bottom line
The Citi Strata Elite card isn’t just another premium travel card. Annual value of nearly $1,500, with lounge benefits, hotel benefits and amazing rewards.
If you’re someone who travels frequently, especially flying with American Airlines, this card can help you start your bucket list travels and turn your everyday purchases into premium experiences.
To learn more, read our full review of the Citi Strata Elite card.
Apply for the Citi Strata Elite Card here and earn 100,000 bonus points when you spend $6,000 in purchases within three months of account opening.
