Citi Strata Elite℠ Card Annual Fee: Is $595 Worth It?
Accurate as of: May 04, 2026
The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card has a $595 annual fee, placing it in the premium travel card category. The key question for most applicants is whether the benefits and rewards outweigh the yearly cost.
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Annual Fee Overview
The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card charges a $595 annual fee, which is billed once per year after account opening and every year thereafter.
This fee places the card in the premium rewards category, meaning it is designed for users who can take advantage of travel perks and elevated earning rates.
What You Get for the $595 Fee
- 75,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months
- 12 points per $1 on hotels, car rentals, and attractions via CitiTravel
- 6 points per $1 on air travel via CitiTravel
- 6 points per $1 on CitiNights℠ dining (Friday–Saturday nights)
- 3 points per $1 on dining at other times
- 1.5 points per $1 on all other purchases
- Up to $300 annual hotel benefit on eligible bookings
- No foreign transaction fees
Breaking Down the Value
One of the biggest factors in determining whether the annual fee is worth it is the welcome bonus alone.
The 75,000-point welcome offer can provide significant value depending on how points are redeemed, especially for travel through Citi’s partners or booking platforms.
Additionally, the $300 annual hotel credit reduces the effective cost of the card to approximately $295 if fully used.
Is the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card Worth the Annual Fee?
The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card may be worth the $595 annual fee if you can take advantage of:
- The 75,000-point welcome bonus
- Frequent travel bookings through CitiTravel
- The annual hotel credit
- High dining and travel spending categories
However, if you do not regularly travel or cannot maximize the bonus categories and credits, the annual fee may outweigh the benefits.
Summary
- Annual fee: $595
- Key offset: Up to $300 hotel credit
- Welcome bonus: 75,000 points after $6,000 spend
- Best for: Frequent travelers and high spenders in travel/dining categories
Overall, the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card is designed for users who can fully utilize its travel benefits and offset the annual fee through credits and rewards.
Apply here: Citi Strata Elite℠ Card Application
Citi Strata Elite℠ Card
- Earn 75,000 bonus Points after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.
- Earn 12 Points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on cititravel.com and 6 Points per $1 spent on Air Travel booked on cititravel.com
- Earn 6 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants including Restaurant Delivery Services on CitiNights℠ purchases, every Friday and Saturday from 6 PM to 6 AM ET. Earn 3 Points per $1 spent any other time
- Earn 1.5 Points per $1 spent on All Other Purchases
- Up to $300 Annual Hotel Benefit: Each calendar year, enjoy up to $300 off a hotel stay of two nights or more when booked through cititravel.com.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees
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