The Citi Strata℠ Card: Review, Rewards, and How to Maximize Your ThankYou® Points
Accurate as of: November 17, 2025
The Citi Strata℠ Card offers a compelling combination of everyday reward earning potential and an introductory APR period, all with no annual fee. This card serves as an excellent entry point into the flexible Citi ThankYou® Rewards program, providing a unique "Self-Select" category option to tailor rewards to your spending habits.
If you're seeking a no-annual-fee card with flexible point-earning options on various purchases, this guide covers the essentials.
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At a Glance: Key Features & Current Rates
Debt Management: Learn how the 0% intro APR can help you save money on existing debt in our deep dive: Citi Strata® Card: A Balance Transfer Strategy for Paying Off Debt.
Top Earning Categories
The Citi Strata℠ Card provides a tiered rewards structure, including a unique "Self-Select" category. Specific earning rates include 5 points per $1 on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com, 3 points per $1 in the chosen eligible Self-Select Category, 3 points per $1 at supermarkets, on select transit, and at gas & EV charging stations, 2 points per $1 at restaurants, and 1 point per $1 on all other spending. Citi Strata® Card Self-Select Categories: Which One is Right for You? will help you choose the best category for your spending habits..The Pros: Why Apply for the Citi Strata℠ Card?
1. No Annual Fee: Earn rewards without an annual cost.2. Flexible Rewards: The Self-Select category allows for customized 3x earning.
3. Intro APR: Includes a 0% intro APR for 15 months on purchases and balance transfers.
4. Transfer Partners: Points can be transferred to participating airline and hotel programs, although often at a lower ratio than premium Strata cards.
The Cons: Drawbacks to Consider
1. Foreign Transaction Fees: A 3% fee applies to foreign purchases. Consider the Citi Strata Premier® Card for international travel as it has no foreign transaction fees.2. Lower Transfer Ratios: Point value for transfers is typically lower compared to annual-fee Strata cards like the Strata Premier®.
3. No Travel Insurance: Lacks travel insurance benefits (like trip cancellation or baggage insurance) found on annual-fee versions.
Maximizing Your Rewards: A Pro Strategy
Adjust your Self-Select category to align with your spending. Points can be combined with other Citi ThankYou® cards like the Citi Double Cash® to boost earning potential. For details on all redemption options and how to get maximum value from your points, see our guide: Citi Strata℠ Card: How and Where to Redeem Points.Ready to Apply?
The Citi Strata℠ Card is a strong contender if you want a no-annual-fee card with good everyday rewards and an intro APR offer.Learn more and apply on the official Citi Strata℠ Card page.
Citi Strata℠ Card
- Earn 30,000 bonus Points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.
- 0% Intro APR on balance transfers and purchases for 15 months; after that, the variable APR will be 18.74% - 28.74%, based on your creditworthiness. There is an intro balance transfer fee of 3% of each transfer (minimum $5) completed within the first 4 months of account opening. After that, your fee will be 5% of each transfer (minimum $5).
- Earn 3 ThankYou® Points for each $1 spent in an eligible Self-Select Category of your choice (Fitness Clubs, Select Streaming Services, Live Entertainment, Cosmetic Stores/Barber Shops/Hair Salons, or Pet Supply Stores). Choose your eligible Self-Select Category on Citi Online or by calling customer service. The default Self-Select Category is Select Streaming Services.
- Earn 5 ThankYou® Points for each $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals and Attractions booked on Citi Travel® via cititravel.com; earn 3 ThankYou Points for each $1 spent at Supermarkets, on Select Transit purchases, and at Gas & EV Charging Stations.
- Earn 2 ThankYou® Points for each $1 spent at Restaurants; earn 1 ThankYou® Point for each $1 spent on All Other Purchases.
- No Annual Fee
Found this guide helpful? Bookmark it for future reference as you continue your financial journey!
Experian Boost: A Comprehensive Guide to Boosting Your Free Credit Score
FICO® Credit Scores
FICO® Score Ranges:
- Exceptional: 800–850
- Very Good: 740–799
- Good: 670–739
- Fair: 580–669
- Poor: 300–579
What is a Credit Score?
A credit score is a three-digit number, typically ranging from 300 to 850, that predicts your creditworthiness—how likely you are to repay borrowed money on time. Lenders use this score to assess the risk of lending to you and to determine the interest rates and terms of any credit you might receive.
Why is a Credit Score Important?
A credit score is important because it acts as your financial reputation. Lenders, landlords, insurers, and employers use this single number to quickly judge how reliable you are with money. A higher score helps you qualify for loans and credit cards, often securing lower interest rates that can save you significant money. Conversely, a poor credit score can lead to application denials or much higher costs for borrowing, making it a key factor in your overall financial opportunities.
FICO® Credit Score Facts
- Three-Digit Number: Like other credit scores, FICO® Scores are a three-digit number that summarizes a consumer's credit risk.
- Range: Most standard FICO® Scores range from 300 to 850. Higher scores indicate lower credit risk.
- Data Source: FICO® Scores are calculated using data from your credit reports maintained by the three major credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Your score may vary slightly depending on which bureau's data is used.
- Industry Standard: Lenders rely on FICO® Scores for mortgages, auto loans, and credit cards because they provide a consistent, statistically sound assessment of the likelihood that a borrower will repay their debt.
Note: Credit scores are used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any credit card product.
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