Back to Credit Cards

Strata Elite vs Strata Premier

Every figure below is from the same dataset Miles computes its recommendations from. Rows the two cards agree on are collapsed at the bottom.

Economics

Dollar figures are per year unless the row says otherwise. Ongoing annual value is Miles' estimate of what the card adds per year after its annual fee: statement credits discounted for realistic use, benefits, and earning above a strong flat-rate card on a typical spending profile. First-year value is a separate net figure that includes the welcome bonus. A welcome bonus shown at its advertised maximum may not be available to every applicant; that figure is not marked as stronger. ★ marks the stronger comparable figure on other rows, and no row is marked when either figure is unknown.
Figure
Annual fee$595
Best: $95
$500/yr less
Ongoing annual value, after fee$69
Best: $500
$431/yr more
First-year value$884
Best: $1,205
$321/yr more
Authorized user fee$75
Best: $0
$75 less

Sign-up Bonus

The current welcome offer as recorded in the dataset. No winner is marked: a bonus is points times a valuation times a spend requirement you may or may not clear, and the first-year value above already prices it.
Offer
Current offer75K points after $6K spend in the first 3 months60K points after $4K spend in the first 3 months

Earning

Percentages are the return on a dollar spent: the multiplier times what Miles values those points at. ★ marks the higher return on a row. Categories only one card earns a bonus on are marked for that card; the other earns its base rate.
Category
Air Travel booked through Citi Travel
Best: 6X9%
—Unknown
Dining for purchases authorized Friday 6:00 PM through Saturday 6:00 AM ET, and Saturday 6:00 PM through Sunday 6:00 AM ET (Citi Nights, based on authorization time not posting time)
Best: 6X9%
—Unknown
Dining—Unknown
Best: 3X4.5%
Dining (including delivery services) outside of Citi Nights
Best: 3X4.5%
—Unknown
EV charging—Unknown
Best: 3X4.5%
Flights—Unknown
Best: 3X4.5%
Gas Stations—Unknown
Best: 3X4.5%
Grocery Stores—Unknown
Best: 3X4.5%
Hotels—Unknown
Best: 3X4.5%
Attractions booked through Citi Travel
Best: 12X18%
10X15%
Car rentals booked through Citi Travel
Best: 12X18%
10X15%
Hotels booked through Citi Travel
Best: 12X18%
10X15%
All other purchases
Best: 1.5X2.2%
1X1.5%

Benefits

Statement credits, lounge access and elite status as listed in the dataset; protections are counted, not listed. No winner is marked: twelve small credits are not more than two large ones, and the row that prices them, ongoing annual value, is under Economics.
Benefit
Statement credits
  • Hotel via Citi Travel: $300 (Annual Calendar Year)
  • Blacklane: $100 (Semi Annual Calendar Year)
  • Splurge: $200 (Annual Calendar Year)
  • Global Entry/TSA PreCheck: $120 (Every 4 Years)
  • Hotel via Citi Travel: $100 (Annual Calendar Year)
Lounge access
  • Priority Pass Select (unlimited)
  • Admirals Club (4/yr)
—Unknown
Elite status—Unknown—Unknown
Protections66
The same on both cards (5)
Rows where both cards state the same figure or the same earning rate. Nothing is marked, because there is no stronger side.
FactStrata EliteStrata Premier
Foreign transaction feeNoneNone
IssuerCitiCiti
Rewards currencyCiti ThankYou RewardsCiti ThankYou Rewards
Card typePersonalPersonal
NetworkMastercardMastercard
Which one is right for you

This page shows the difference. It does not pick: the winner depends on what you spend and what you already hold, and adding these figures up without knowing that would be a guess dressed as a verdict. Ask Miles and it computes the answer against your own wallet.

Ask Miles which to get