Citi
Citi Strata℠ Credit Card
Flexible rewards card with no annual fee. Earn 5x points on travel bookings, 3x on supermarkets and gas, and enjoy 15 months of 0% intro APR.
Annual fee
None
Top rate
5x hotels & car rentals
Welcome bonus
$200
Quick look
Flexible 5x Travel Rewards
Earn accelerated points on travel and everyday purchases with no annual fee
4.0
out of 5
Rewards
Fees
Welcome bonus
Perks
Value
Overall score is a weighted average: Rewards 20% · Fees 20% · Welcome bonus 20% · Perks 20% · Value 20%.
Ideal for
Grocery and gas shoppers seeking travel rewards without an annual fee, who redeem points through Citi Travel or as gift cards rather than transferring to airlines.
The verdict
The Citi Strata is a no-annual-fee workhorse for everyday spenders and travel bookers. The 5x on travel through Citi Travel, 3x on groceries and gas, and 0% intro APR for 15 months make it a solid entry point to ThankYou points rewards—but the card's true weakness is hidden: points transfer at a reduced 0.7:1 ratio to partner airlines and hotels, meaning your rewards won't buy as much as you'd expect. For casual redemption through Citi Travel or gift cards, it's worth keeping. For transfers, the $95 Strata Premier becomes the smarter play.
Best for frequent grocery and gas shoppers with an interest in travel earnings who can exploit the 5x portal bonus and don't rely on airline transfer partners for redemption.
Pros
- No annual fee—lowest barrier to entry for Citi rewards ecosystem
- 5x on travel booked through Citi Travel portal, a rare rate in the no-fee tier
- 3x on supermarkets and gas stations covers two of the top spending categories
- 15-month 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers reduces financing risk
- Self-select category (streaming, fitness, salons, entertainment) adds flexibility
Cons
- ThankYou points transfer at 0.7:1 ratio—airlines and hotels devalue your awards compared to 1:1 competitors
- 2x on dining ranks 45th in the catalog; poor showing for a rewards card
- 1x base rate trails most competitors, punishing non-bonus-category spend
- 5x travel bonus locked to Citi Travel portal, not flexible like airline cards
- No listed cardholder benefits—credits, protections, or status perks are absent
Reward rates
| Category | Rate | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Hotels & car rentals | 5x | 5x points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked through Citi Travel |
| Groceries | 3x | 3x points per $1 at Supermarkets |
| Gas & EV charging | 3x | 3x points per $1 on Select Transit and at Gas & EV Charging Stations |
| Streaming | 3x | 3x points per $1 on Self-Select Category (default: Streaming Services; options include Fitness, Entertainment, Salons, Pet Stores) |
| Dining & restaurants | 2x | 2x points per $1 at Restaurants |
| Everything else | 1x | 1x point per $1 on All Other Purchases |
The Strata's earning rates are solid where they matter most: 5x on Citi Travel portal bookings and 3x on the two biggest everyday spend categories (groceries and gas). The self-select category adds flexibility. Where it struggles is on dining (2x, rank 45 in the catalog) and base spend (1x, rank 56)—this card rewards intentional bonus-category shopping, not organic everyday purchases. The critical limitation is the 0.7:1 transfer ratio on ThankYou points; transfers to partners like Singapore Airlines or Hyatt net you significantly fewer points-per-dollar than cards with full 1:1 ratios. For Citi Travel portal redemptions or gift card cash-outs, this limitation doesn't apply and the card's value holds up.
Fees and APR
Does it pay for itself?
The $0 annual fee is the card's biggest structural advantage, removing the requirement to justify rewards earnings against costs. That said, the reduced 0.7:1 transfer ratio functions as a hidden fee for aspirational transfer players—you're effectively paying 30% more in points to reach the same reward. If you redeem through Citi Travel or take gift cards, this fee structure doesn't apply and the card breaks even immediately.
Welcome bonus
Is it worth chasing?
The 20,000-point welcome bonus is modest by premium standards but competitive for a no-annual-fee card. The $1,000 minimum spend requirement is attainable within 3 months for regular spenders. As a dollar value, this bonus ($200 when redeemed through Citi Travel) partially offset by the 0.7:1 transfer devaluation, lands in the middle tier—solid but not remarkable.
Similar cards
Same issuer with $95 annual fee but 1:1 transfer ratio and 60,000-point bonus—better for airline transfer maximizers
No-fee competitor earning 3x on travel, dining, gas, and streaming with superior category breadth and 20,000-point bonus
Frequently asked questions
Can I transfer ThankYou points to airlines or hotels with this card?
Yes, but at a reduced 0.7:1 ratio. If you transfer 10,000 points to Singapore Airlines, you'll receive only 7,000 frequent flyer miles. This discounted ratio is the card's major limitation for transfer players compared to the premium Strata tiers.
Is the Citi Travel portal worth using for this card's 5x bonus?
It depends on portal pricing. Citi Travel functions like Expedia or Kayak—rates aren't always the best. Before activating the 5x, compare the portal price to booking directly. If pricing is competitive, the 5x boost makes it worthwhile.
What is the self-select category and how do I use it?
You choose one category (streaming services, fitness memberships, entertainment, salons, pet stores) to earn 3x points. You can change your selection once per statement period. Streaming is the default, so if you don't actively select something else, your streaming charges will earn 3x.
Is this card better than the Citi Strata Premier for rewards?
The Premier costs $95 annually but gives you 1:1 transfer ratios (no 0.7:1 penalty), a higher welcome bonus (60,000 points), and 1x on all other purchases instead of this card's 1x. For transfer-focused players, the Premier almost always pays for itself. For Citi Travel portal users, this no-fee card may be sufficient.
How long does the 0% intro APR last and what happens after?
The 0% intro APR lasts 15 months on both purchases and balance transfers. After the intro period ends, the regular purchase APR (variable, currently 18.49%-28.49%) applies. This card is best used for monthly payoff, not balance-carry strategies.
What credit score do I need to apply for the Citi Strata Card?
Citi typically requires good to excellent credit (typically 700+) for approval, though the exact threshold varies. The application will note Citi's guidelines at the time of your application.
Reviewed by YoungerFinance Editorial · Last updated August 10, 2026