Citi Strata PremierTM Card introduces travel protections, rebranding predecessor Premier. Does it directly compete with Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card? Consider factors when choosing a card.
(Credit: CNET)
With one major exception—Citi is introducing important travel protections that have been mostly absent from its array of cards—the Citi Strata Premier Card is virtually a carbon clone of its predecessor, the Citi Premier Card (No longer open to new applicants).
Though this is just a rebranding of the Premier card, does this new version directly compete with cards like the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card? We’ll offer you some thoughts to consider while determining which card might be a better fit.
Offering 10 points per dollar spent on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked on CitiTravel.com, 3 points per dollar spent on restaurants, supermarkets, gas & EV stations, air travel and hotels, and 1 point per dollar spent on all other purchases, the Strata Premier matches the earnings of the former Premier.
Noteworthy additions include EV charging stations at 3 points per dollar and 10 points per dollar on certain travel at CitiTravel.com. With these bonus areas, the Strata Premier is a formidable competitor for daily spending and for anyone who would rather not have to worry about which card to use to optimize earnings.
How High Mortgage Rates are Impacting the Spring Homebuying Season
It has a tempting welcome bonus: 70,000 additional ThankYou® points are yours after you spend $4,000 within the first three months of creating your account.
Although cardholders receive an annual $100 hotel bonus, to qualify for the credit, they must spend at least $500 (excluding taxes and fees) on a single stay made through CitiTravel.com.
Notably absent from the majority of Citi credit cards, the Strata Premier now offers travel insurance benefits.
Here’s what Citi is guaranteeing to travellers, although we don’t know all the specifics about these travel protections, such as what counts as a delay or how much you may expect to collect for misplaced luggage:
Though the reward rates on both cards are competitive, the Citi Strata Premier’s categories for grocery, restaurants, gas stations, and EV charging make it more appropriate for daily spending.
The Citi Strata Premier could be the best choice if you need an everyday card and want to use your points toward future travel. For hotels and vehicle rentals reserved through CitiTravel.com, it also receives an astounding 10x points—double what the Sapphire Preferred provides.
How to Replace Your Social Security Card Online and Which Website to Use?
When used normally, as statement credits, both credit cards have a per-point value of one cent. But the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers a 25% redemption bonus when you use your points to purchase travel through Chase Travel, which raises the point value to 1.25 cents per point. There is a 1:1 point transfer rate for Chase Sapphire Preferred to Chase’s travel partners as well. It takes a little more work, but moving your points might make them worth much more than 1 or 1.25 cents. Cash back, gift cards, bill credits and a few chosen organizations are other redemption choices.
While point transfers are available with the Citi card as well, overseas travellers would benefit more from its partners. According to CNET, when you book with Citi’s airline partners, you transfer points one to one. Citi also offers Citi ThankYou® Rewards, a rewards platform where you can use the Citi website or mobile app to redeem points. You won’t, however, get a higher rate while using the portal to redeem travel rewards, unlike Chase.
EBT Card Florida: How to Get Reimbursed for Stolen Food Stamp Cards?
Travel benefits have been a reason I use and use a card long term, especially one with an annual fee, even though they haven’t been the main reason I decide to apply for a card. Almost often, I book travel using a card that offers trip protections, such as those found in the new Citi Strata PremierTM Card, and it has saved me numerous times.
Should the Strata Premier take over as your preferred card? It presents a compelling argument for a number of bonus earning categories, and these days, the main distinction between it and rivals is the inclusion of hotel and airline transfer partners. This might be a great card that stays in your wallet year after year if Citi’s transfer partners match your travel schedule.
In December, ICE settled a class action lawsuit for $92.5 million, compensating people who were…
FFESP is a program providing money directly to families struggling with low incomes, reducing stress…
The IRS is offering a $1500 tax incentive for homeowners in the United States to…
The PFD program will provide a $1,702 stimulus payment to Alaska residents in April 2025,…
Student loans offer a grace period of six months after graduation, allowing students to settle…
Elon Musk is planning to make significant changes to Social Security, aiming to improve security…