CashFreely is all about maximizing your cash back in the easiest way possible. This is why we like the Citi Strata Premier® Card. The Citi Strata Premier Card (formerly Citi Premier® Card) remains one of our favorite mid‑tier cash back cards. This card is issued by Citi, and it earns strong bonus multipliers on a wide range of everyday categories—like dining, groceries, gas, and travel—and offers flexible ThankYou® points. It’s a solid choice for those looking to diversify their cash back strategy beyond Chase and Amex.
Here’s the current offer:
Formerly the Citi Premier® Card, this is a new excellent rewards credit card with a solid signup bonus and 3x spending categories. Read the application rule carefully regarding "48 months."
I talk a lot about the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card as our favorite overall card, and if you don’t have the “CSP”—stop reading this post and go here! But, it’s time to meet another top ranked card: Citi Strata Premier® Card.
If you are familiar with the Chase Sapphire Preferred, then think of the Citi Strata Premier as Citi’s version. It is VERY similar. The Citi Strata Premier is a flexible point currency card earning ThankYou® Points that can be used for lots of different types of rewards, including cash back. However, the card also earns valuable rewards towards travel, so there’s flexibility with the card.
If you prefer a travel rewards card, or might prefer to use the points earned towards travel at some point down the road, our sister site, Travel Freely, can give you all the details of this card in terms of travel rewards.
Here’s why the card is worth it:
1. Redeeming for gift cards in the rewards portal
As of 8/24/25, the cash back rate for the Citi Strata Premier (and Citi Prestige) decreased to 0.75 cents per point (originally 1 cent per point). However, the value of purchasing gift cards in the Citi rewards portal remains 1:1.
The highest value for redeeming your points comes from transferring them to one of Citi’s partner sites, especially with the addition of American Airlines as a transfer partner, which you can read more about at Travel Freely.
2. Earn 2.25% cash back on lots of expenses
Apart from the signup bonus, the spending categories on this card rival those of some of the top rewards cards out there. From your everyday spending to your travel expenses and dining out, you’ll quickly rack up points on purchases with the Citi Strata Premier Card.
- 10x (worth 7.5% cash back) on hotel, car rental and attraction bookings through Citi directly
- 3x (worth 2.25% cash back) at restaurants
- 3x (worth 2.25% cash back) on gas and EV charging stations
- 3x (worth 2.25% cash back) at supermarkets
- 3x (worth 2.25% cash back) on airfare and hotels (when not booked through CitiTravel.com)
- 1x (worth 0.75% cash back) on everything else
3. Purchase protections:
a) Extended Warranty: This card has been my go-to card when we buy our cell phones and computers. We’ve gotten 2 cell phones replaced because we were still under warranty. Citi extends the manufacturer’s warranty by 24 months on items with a manufacturer’s warranty of 5 years or less. This is the best extended warranty coverage of any issuer. Extra tip: I also bought our MacBook with this card at Costco. Citi’s extra 24 months kicked in after Costco’s extra warranty expired.
b) Damage and Theft Protection: Covers your new purchases for 90 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per calendar year.
4. Extra value: $100 hotel credit
Once per year you can apply a coupon for $100 off on an after-tax hotel booking of $500 or more. Unfortunately, you have to book through Citi’s ThankYou portal, which has been historically overpriced and does not allow access to hotel member rates, AAA rates, or other discounted rates. In other words, this perk won’t save you a full $100 in many situations.
Zac’s Advice: What would I do?
I would absolutely get this card. It’s one of the best offers available and incredibly easy to redeem your points for cash back. With a relatively low minimum spend requirement, this is a quick and easy way to put a large sum of cash in your pocket.
Citi Strata Premier Application Tips
a) 48 Month Rule (ThankYou Cards): To get a new account bonus on any ThankYou card, you have to wait 48 months after receiving a bonus for the same exact card. Applies to Citi ThankYou Preferred Card (no longer available), Citi Premier (former) / Strata Premier (current), Citi Strata Elite℠ Card, Citi Strata℠ Card, Prestige (no longer available), and Citi Rewards+® Card (no longer available). Additionally, if you converted another Citi credit card account into a Citi Premier (no longer available) or Citi Strata Premier account, it must be 48 months since you received a new account bonus on the original Citi credit card.
b) Velocity Rules: Citi will approve 1 personal card per 8 days and 2 personal cards per 65 days.
c) Already have the Citi Strata Premier? Citi allows getting same card again (even if card is still open) as long as you follow the 48 month rule and velocity rules (above).
Want to apply?
Please consider using our link below:
Formerly the Citi Premier® Card, this is a new excellent rewards credit card with a solid signup bonus and 3x spending categories. Read the application rule carefully regarding "48 months."
To check on your application status, call 800-763-9795 (personal card application status) 7am-midnight EST 7 days a week
If denied, call reconsideration here: 800-695-5171 (personal), and consider using our article on denied and pending applications for help.
Want to do more research? Check out our Citi Strata Premier Complete Guide.
