Citi Strata Elite Increases Welcome Offer to 100K Points (Limited Time)

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Published · 2 min read
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The premium Citi Strata Elite℠ Card, which debuted this summer, is boosting its bonus for new applicants.

NerdWallet rating 

Starting Oct. 7, 2025, new cardholders can earn the following: 100,000 bonus Points after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months of account opening. That's 20,000 more points than the card’s previous offer, although the spending requirement is also higher. (When the card first launched, new customers who applied and were approved for the card at a physical Citi retail branch may have been eligible for a higher bonus.)

It's uncommon for a card to increase its welcome bonus so significantly after being on the market for only a few months. The $595-annual-fee Citi Strata Elite℠ Card launched in July 2025.

Beyond the welcome bonus, the card’s ongoing rewards and benefits remain unchanged. It earns the following in ThankYou points:

  • 12 points per $1 on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked on cititravel.com.

  • 6 points per $1 on air travel booked on cititravel.com. 

  • 6 points per $1 at restaurants (including food delivery services on “Citi Nights”) on Fridays and Saturdays between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. Eastern Time. Outside of this timeframe, you’ll earn 3 points per $1 in this category.

  • 1.5 points per $1 on all other purchases. 

Points earned with the card are most lucrative — they’re worth 1 cent each — when redeemed for travel through Citi. When redeemed for cash back, points are worth 0.75 cent each. And for other redemption options like gift cards and purchases at participating retailers and more, point values vary.

You can also transfer points to Citi's hotel and airline partners, including American Airlines, generally at a 1:1 ratio.

Transfer ratios will vary depending on which card you have.

Airlines

  • Aeromexico (1:1 or 1:0.7 ratio).

  • American Airlines (1:1 or 1:0.7 ratio).

  • Air France/KLM (1:1 or 1:0.7 ratio).

  • Asia Miles (1:1 or 1:0.7 ratio).

  • Avianca (1:1 or 1:0.7 ratio).

  • Emirates (1:0.8 or 1:0.56 ratio).

  • Etihad (1:1 or 1:0.7 ratio).

  • Eva Air (1:1 or 1:0.7 ratio).

  • JetBlue (1:1 or 1:0.7 ratio).

  • Qantas (1:1 or 1:0.7 ratio).

  • Qatar Airways (1:1 or 1:0.7 ratio).

  • Singapore Airlines (1:1 or 1:0.7 ratio).

  • Thai Airways (1:1 or 1:0.7 ratio).

  • Turkish Airlines (1:1 or 1:0.7 ratio).

  • Virgin Atlantic (1:1 or 1:0.7 ratio).

Hotels

  • Accor Live Limitless (2:1 or 2:0.7 ratio).

  • Choice Hotels (1:2 or 1:1.4 ratio).

  • The Leading Hotels of the World (5:1 or 5:0.7 ratio).

  • Preferred Hotels & Resorts (1:4 or 1:2.8 ratio).

  • Wyndham (1:1 or 1:0.7 ratio).

Events

  • Virgin Red (1:1 or 1:0.7 ratio).

Here’s how the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card compares with the other two Strata cards:

How the cards compare
Citi Strata℠ Card
Citi Strata℠ Card
NerdWallet Rating
Apply now

on Citibank's application

Rates & Fees
Citibank Strata Premier Card
Citi Strata Premier® Card
NerdWallet Rating
Apply now

on Citibank's application

Rates & Fees
Citi Strata Elite℠ Card
Citi Strata Elite℠ Card
NerdWallet Rating
Apply now

on Citibank's application

Rates & Fees
Annual Fee

$0.

$95.

$595.

Rewards
  • 5 points per $1 on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked on cititravel.com.

  • 3 points per $1 at supermarkets and gas/EV stations, and on select transit.

  • 3 points per $1 on an eligible self-select category of your choice including fitness clubs, select streaming services, live entertainment, cosmetic stores/barbershops/hair salons or pet supply stores.

  • 2 points per $1 at restaurants.

  • 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.

  • 10 points per $1 hotels, car rentals and attractions booked through cititravel.com.

  • 3 points per $1 on air travel and other hotel purchases, restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations and EV charging.

  • 1 point per $1 on all other purchases.

  • 12 points per $1 on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked on cititravel.com.

  • 6 points per $1 on air travel booked on cititravel.com.

  • 6 points per $1 at restaurants (including food delivery services) on “Citi Nights” on Fridays and Saturdays between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. Eastern Time. Outside of this timeframe, you’ll earn 3 points per $1.

  • 1.5 points per $1 on all other purchases.

Benefits
  • Access to Citi transfer partners.

  • 0% APR promotion on purchases and balance transfers.

  • Access to Citi transfer partners, typically at a 1:1 ratio.

  • $100 annual hotel savings benefit. Terms apply.

  • Coverage in the event of trip cancellation, interruption or delay.

  • Coverage if your luggage is lost or damaged.

  • Rental car insurance.

  • Access to Citi transfer partners, typically at a 1:1 ratio.

  • Up to $300 annual hotel credit.

  • Up to $200 annual Splurge Credit.

  • $200 annual Blacklane credit (in the form of two $100 credits).

  • Up to $120 every four years for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry.

  • Four passes per year to American Airlines Admirals Clubs.

  • Priority Pass Select membership.

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