FEATURED CREDIT CARDS

Mission Lane Visa® Credit Card

Mission Lane Visa<sup>®</sup> Credit Card
  • No Annual Fee
  • Fair Credit
  • Enjoy coverage from Visa®.
    *See Card Terms

Indigo® Mastercard® - $1,000 Credit Limit

Indigo<sup>®</sup> Mastercard<sup>®</sup> - $1,000 Credit Limit
  • Get the credit limit you deserve—$1,000 guaranteed if approved
    Rates & Fees

Milestone® Mastercard®

Destiny Mastercard
  • $700 Credit Limit
  • No security deposit
  • Less than perfect credit is ok
    Rates & Fees

Citi Strata Card Self-Select Categories: Which One is Right for You?

Accurate as of: November 17, 2025

One of the most unique features of the no-annual-fee Citi Strata Card is its ability to adapt to your spending habits via the Self-Select Category feature. This allows you to choose where you earn accelerated rewards, making the card highly personalized.

This guide will explain how the feature works and help you choose the category that maximizes your ThankYou® Point earnings.

Affiliate Disclosure: We are a professional review site that receives compensation from the companies whose products we review and recommend. If you apply for a credit card through our links, we may earn a commission. We are independently owned, and the opinions expressed here are our own.

Earning 3x Points Your Way

The Citi Strata Card offers 3 ThankYou® Points for each $1 spent in an eligible Self-Select Category of your choice.

The Eligible Categories:

The current options available for selection are:

  • Fitness Clubs

  • Select Streaming Services (The default if you don't choose one)

  • Live Entertainment

  • Cosmetic Stores/Barber Shops/Hair Salons

  • Pet Supply Stores

  • You must choose your eligible Self-Select Category on Citi Online or by calling customer service.

    How to Maximize Your Choice

    To get the most out of this feature, evaluate where your household spends the most money after considering the card's fixed 3x categories.

    For example:

  • If you pay a high monthly gym fee or have a large family membership, Fitness Clubs is likely your best choice.

  • If you pay for multiple streaming services (Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, etc.), Select Streaming Services might add up fastest.

  • If you frequently attend concerts, theater shows, or sporting events, Live Entertainment could be a winner.

  • For a full breakdown of all earning rates and card benefits, refer to our main review: The Citi StrataCard: Review, Rewards, and How to Maximize Your ThankYou® Points.

    Important Fine Print

  • Category Changes: While you can select a category, Citi typically allows changes on a specific schedule (e.g., once per year or quarter). Check the official Citi terms for the current rules on when you can switch.

  • Merchant Category Codes (MCCs): Citi uses standardized MCCs to determine if a purchase qualifies. A big-box store might not code correctly for "Pet Supply Stores" even if you bought pet food there. Stick to dedicated retailers for the best results.

  • Making Your Selection

    The power of this card lies in its flexibility. By actively choosing a category that aligns with your current lifestyle, you ensure you are maximizing every dollar spent.

    Ready to customize your rewards? Review the details and apply on the official Citi Strata Card Website.

    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

    Rates & Fees







    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

    A FICO® Score is a specific, proprietary type of credit score created by the Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO). It is the most widely used credit scoring model, with approximately 90% of top U.S. lenders using a FICO® Score to make lending decisions.

    FICO® Score Ranges:

    • Exceptional: 800–850
    • Very Good: 740–799
    • Good: 670–739
    • Fair: 580–669
    • Poor: 300–579
    While many people (and credit education websites) use "Excellent" and "Bad" as general, descriptive terms, FICO® officially categorizes its score ranges as Poor, Fair, Good, Very Good, and Exceptional.

    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

    Key Characteristics of FICO® Scores

    • 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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