Citi's Strata Elite: A Premium Credit Card with Dining and Travel Benefits

Citi has launched the Citi Strata Elite card, offering a welcome bonus of 80,000 ThankYou points for spending $4,000 in the first three months. The card provides 12x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel, and 6x points on air travel and restaurant purchases on Friday and Saturday nights. The annual fee is $495, lower than Chase Sapphire Reserve and AmEx Platinum but higher than Capital One Venture X. The card offers a "Splurge Credit" and Admirals Club passes, but does not include a branded lounge network.

Citi has recently introduced the Citi Strata Elite card, a premium travel rewards card designed to cater to frequent travelers. With a welcome bonus of 80,000 ThankYou points for spending $4,000 in the first three months, the card offers competitive earning rates and several unique perks.

The Citi Strata Elite card provides 12x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on Citi Travel, and 6x points on air travel and restaurant purchases on Friday and Saturday nights. This structure is particularly beneficial for travelers who frequently use credit card travel portals and enjoy dining out on weekends [1].

The annual fee for the Citi Strata Elite card is $595, which is lower than the annual fees of the Chase Sapphire Reserve and American Express Platinum cards, but higher than the Capital One Venture X card. The card offers several statement credits, including up to $300 in hotel credit, up to $200 in a "Splurge" statement credit, and up to $200 in Blacklane credit, which can significantly reduce the effective annual fee [2].

However, the Citi Strata Elite card does not include a branded lounge network, which is a feature found on many other luxury travel cards. This could be a drawback for travelers who value access to airport lounges.

In conclusion, the Citi Strata Elite card is a strong contender in the luxury travel card market, offering a welcome bonus, high earning rates, and several unique perks. However, its lack of a branded lounge network may be a deal-breaker for some travelers. As with any credit card, it's essential to carefully consider your spending habits and travel preferences before applying.

References:
[1] https://www.fool.com/money/credit-cards/articles/3-hidden-perks-of-the-citi-strata-elite-that-could-surprise-you/
[2] https://thepointsguy.com/credit-cards/citi-strata-elite-annual-fee-worth-it/