Citi
Citi Strata Card
No annual fee to keep the card
- Annual fee
- None
- Welcome offer
- ~$380
- Annual benefits value
- $0
- Est. 1st-year value
- $380
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Our review
The Citi Strata Card is the no-annual-fee member of the Citi Strata family and the successor to the former Citi Rewards+ Card. It aims to deliver solid everyday earning and an introductory APR period without asking cardholders to pay a yearly fee, which makes it a reasonable entry point into the ThankYou Points ecosystem.
Earning is the card's strongest feature for a product that costs nothing to hold. It rewards supermarkets, gas and EV charging, and select transit at an elevated rate, adds a self-select bonus category you can choose from a rotating list, and earns extra on travel booked through the Citi Travel portal. It is uncommon to find triple points across that many everyday categories on a card with no annual fee.
Where it comes back down to earth is redemption value. On this card, ThankYou Points are worth less for cash back than on some of Citi's other products, and transfers to Citi's airline and hotel partners typically come at a less favorable ratio than the transfer rates offered by the fee-charging Strata Premier. Travelers chasing maximum transfer value will find better leverage a tier up.
The card also includes an introductory APR period on purchases and balance transfers, which can be useful if you are financing a large purchase or paying down a balance. That feature, combined with the welcome bonus, adds some near-term value beyond the ongoing rewards.
As a no-fee everyday card, the Citi Strata Card is a sensible keeper, especially as a companion to a stronger travel card. Just go in understanding that its points are most valuable when paired with a higher-tier Citi card, not on their own.
Why we like it
- No annual fee, so it is easy to keep long term as an everyday earner.
- Elevated earning across supermarkets, gas and EV charging, and select transit, plus a self-select bonus category.
- An introductory APR period on purchases and balance transfers.
- Access to Citi ThankYou transfer partners, which is rare on a no-fee card.
Who it's best for
- Everyday category spenders who want a no-fee card with broad bonus earning.
- People who already hold or plan to hold a higher-tier Citi card and want to pool ThankYou Points.
- Anyone who could use an introductory APR window on purchases or balance transfers.
Welcome bonus
Citi advertises a welcome bonus of ThankYou Points after you meet a required spend within the first few months; see the estimated value shown above for a sense of the potential worth.
As with other Citi cards, bonus eligibility is limited by Citi's 48-month rule on this product, so confirm you qualify before applying.
Verify the current offer and spend requirement on Citi's application page, as these change over time.
Using your rewards
ThankYou Points earned on this card can be redeemed for travel through Citi, for gift cards, at participating merchants, or transferred to Citi's airline and hotel partners.
Transfer ratios on this card are generally less favorable than on the Strata Premier, so pairing it with a higher-tier Citi card is the most effective way to unlock strong transfer value.
Airport lounge access
The Citi Strata Card does not include airport lounge access.
Foreign transaction fees
The Citi Strata Card charges a foreign transaction fee on purchases made abroad, so it is not the best choice for international spending. Use a no-foreign-fee card overseas instead.
Major credits & annual benefits
The card includes an introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for a set period from account opening; review the current terms and any balance-transfer fee before relying on it.
A self-select bonus category lets you tailor part of your elevated earning to your own spending, with the option to change categories on Citi's stated schedule.
Insurance & protections
As a no-fee card, protections are limited compared with premium products.
Any coverage that does apply is governed by the benefits administrator's terms, so pay with the card and review the current guide to benefits before assuming a purchase or travel protection is included.
Fees & tradeoffs
There is no annual fee, which is the card's central appeal, but the tradeoff is weaker point value: cash-back redemptions and transfer ratios are less generous than on Citi's fee-charging cards.
It also charges foreign transaction fees, which limits its usefulness abroad.
Final verdict
The Citi Strata Card is a capable no-fee everyday earner with a welcome bonus and an introductory APR period, and it shines brightest as a companion to a higher-tier Citi card where its points gain more value.
If you want the best transfer ratios, strong cash-back value, or a card to use internationally, look to a fee-charging Citi card or another issuer.
Card details change often. Verify current rates, fees, welcome offers, credits, and benefit terms with the issuer before applying.
Is this card worth it for you?
Check the benefits you’d realistically use and see your personalized total value below. This is a personal estimate — actual value depends on your spending. Verify terms with the issuer.
- Selected benefits
- $0
- Welcome offer
- $380
- Annual fee
- +$0
- Estimated first-year net
- +$380
Welcome offer
Welcome offer value
Earn 20,000 points after $1,000 in spend within 3 months
$380
Spend requirements apply. Verify current offer with the issuer. How we calculate this
Benefits & credits
Total benefits & credits value
Estimated annual value of all tracked perks
$0
| Benefit | Frequency | Est. annual value |
|---|---|---|
0% Intro APR (15 months) 0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months from account opening. | One-time | $0 |
Earning rates
Who it's for
Consider it if
- No annual fee to keep the card
- Points transfer to travel partners
Maybe skip it if
- Best value requires learning transfer partners
Fees & details
- Annual fee
- None
- Foreign transaction fee
- 3%
- Card network
- Varies
- Recommended credit
- Good to Excellent (690+)
- Rewards currency
- Citi ThankYou Points
- Last updated
- 2026-07-25
Details are estimates and may be out of date. View issuer terms. Verify all rates, fees, and offers with the issuer before applying.
How it compares
| Annual fee | None | $895 | $895 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welcome offer | ~$380 | ~$3,000 | ~$3,000 |
| Est. 1st-year value | $380 | $5,160.40 | $4,684 |
| Annual benefits value | $0 | $2,160.40 | $1,684 |
| Editor rating | 3.4 / 5 | 5.0 / 5 | 5.0 / 5 |
| Points earning structure |
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| Transfer partners | |||
| Lounge access | |||
| No foreign txn fee | |||
| Recommended credit | Good to Excellent (690+) | Good to Excellent (690+) | Good to Excellent (690+) |
