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Citi Strata Elite Card Calculator: Is It Worth $595?

Use our Citi Strata Elite Calculator to estimate points, credits, and whether the $595 fee is worth it based on your real travel and dining habits.

Written by: Sebastian FungLast updated: July 28, 2025
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The Citi Strata Eliteā„  Card dropped on July 27, 2025, as Citi’s new flagship travel card. On paper, it looks solid: 12Ɨ on travel booked through cititravel.com, Admirals ClubĀ® day passes, AAdvantageĀ® transfers, and up to $1,490+ in annual credits.
 

But here’s the catch: all of that value depends on how you use the card.


If you’re not booking through cititravel.com, not flying American Airlines, or not tracking your benefits, the $595 annual fee can feel steep. That’s why we built this Citi Strata Elite Calculator, to help you estimate how much value you would actually get.

šŸ’³ Citi Strata Elite: Key Benefits at a Glance


Here’s what makes the Strata Elite stand out (if you’re in the right ecosystem):
 

šŸš€ Rewards Multipliers

  • 12Ɨ ThankYouĀ® Points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions via cititravel.com
  • 6Ɨ Points on air travel via cititravel.com
  • 6Ɨ Points on dining + food delivery Friday 6pm–Monday 6am ET
  • 1.5Ɨ Points on all other purchases

āš ļø You must book through cititravel.com to unlock 12Ɨ and 6Ɨ multipliers—third-party or direct bookings don’t count.

šŸ’µ Statement Credits (Up to ~$1,490 Value)

  • up to $300 annual hotel credit (for one 2+ night prepaid stay)
  • up to $200 Splurge Creditā„   annually (choose up to 2 brands like AA, Best BuyĀ®, Live Nation, Future, 1stDibs)
  • up to $200 Blacklane credit annually ($100 every half-year)
  • $120 TSA PreCheck / Global Entry every 4 years
  • 4 Admirals ClubĀ® day passes annually (~$329 value)
  • Priority Passā„¢ Select for lounges
  • $145–$595 CitigoldĀ® banking credit if eligible the first year
     

āœˆļø Travel + Loyalty Perks

  • 1:1 transfers to American Airlines AAdvantageĀ®, a first for Citi!
  • Luxury hotel perks via The Reserve by Citi Travel (breakfast, upgrades, late checkout)
  • Primary rental car CDW, trip delay, cancellation, lost baggage coverage, and more

Citi Strata Elite Card Calculator


Ask Sebby crunches the numbers for you to calculate the Expected Value of the Citi Strata Elite Card. For the expected value of points, we derive the approximate dollar value based on the numbers you enter in the calculator. Scroll down to the end of the post to see our methodology.
 

The calculator below contains default figures and serves as an example only. Users should insert their own data for the most accurate results. 

Calculation Methodology


The results from the above calculator are based on your ability to reach the minimum spend requirement to earn the welcome offer, your amount of spend on different categories, how you plan to redeem Citi ThankYou points, and how much relative value you assign to the other benefits. 
 

The ā€œYearsā€ referenced in the calculator refer to the cardmember year, based on when you are approved for the card.

  • Year 1 = the first 12 months of card membership
  • Year 2 = the following 12 months afterward

ā“ Frequently Asked Questions


Is the Citi Strata Eliteā„  Card worth it?

It can be, but only if you’re actively booking through cititravel.com, using the travel credits, and leveraging the AAdvantageĀ® transfer benefit. If not, it may fall short compared to other premium cards.
 

How do I get the 12Ɨ or 6Ɨ travel points?

You must prepay for eligible bookings on cititravel.com (not direct sites or third-party OTAs).

  • 12x points on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on cititravel.com.
  • 6x points on Air Travel booked on cititravel.com.

If you book outside the portal, you’ll only earn 1.5Ɨ.
 

Do the statement credits roll over?

No, each credit has use-it-or-lose-it rules:

  • Annual Hotel Benefit: get up to $300 off a hotel stay of two nights or more booked through Citi Travel. One stay per calendar year only.
  • Splurge Creditā„ : up to $200 max across two brands. Choose from  1stDibs, American Airlines, Best BuyĀ®, Future Personal Training, and Live Nation.
  • Blacklane: up to $100 expires each half-year (Jan–Jun + Jul–Dec)
     

Can I transfer ThankYouĀ® Points to American Airlines?

Yes, Citi Strata Elite enables 1:1 transfers to AAdvantageĀ® as of 2025.
 

What if I’m a Citigold or Citigold Private Client?

You’ll receive a $145 annual credit, and if you’re a Private Client, your first year is fully reimbursed ($595), effectively making the card free in year one.

🧠 Main Takeaway


The Citi Strata Eliteā„  Card isn’t a bad card, it’s just very situational. If you’re deep in the Citi ecosystem, book everything through cititravel.com, fly American often, and can max out the credits, it can be worth it.
 

But for most people? You’re probably better off with something simpler and more flexible, like the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. It gives you solid rewards on all travel (not just one portal), lounge access that works globally, and credits that are easier to use.
 

Run the numbers with the calculator below and see where you land. If you’re not getting at least $600+ in real value, it’s probably not the move.

 

 

 

 

The information related to the Citi Strata Eliteā„  Card has been collected by AskSebby.com and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer or provider of this product or service.

Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, vendors or companies, and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.