Citi Strata℠ Card

The Citi Strata℠ Card is a highly versatile for budget-conscious spenders. The Strata offers a broad 5X points on Hotels, Car Rentals and Attractions booked on Citi Travel® via cititravel.com, 3X points on groceries, gas, and transit simultaneously, plus a unique 3X "Self-Select" category for niche expenses like gym memberships or pet supplies. While its 2X dining rate is weaker than competitors, the lack of an annual fee makes it a fantastic foundational card for building ThankYou® Points.

At a Glance

• Welcome Offer:
• Rewards Rate:
  • 5X points on Hotels, Car Rentals and Attractions booked on Citi Travel® via cititravel.com
  • 3X Points on Supermarkets
  • 3X Points on Gas Stations, EV Charging, and Select Transit
  • 3X Points on one "Self-Select" category (Fitness, Streaming, Entertainment, Pet Stores, or Salons)
  • 2X Points on Restaurants
  • 1X Points on all other purchases
• Annual Fee:
• Intro APR:
• Foreign Transaction Fee: 3%
• Credit Score:

Overview

The Citi Strata℠ Card is the entry-level sibling to the Strata Premier. It replaces the old Citi Rewards+® in many ways but offers a much more robust earning structure. It is designed for the "generalist" spender, someone who wants good rewards on almost everything (groceries, gas, transit) without paying an annual fee or juggling rotating categories.

Rewards & Benefits

• The Core 3X Categories:
  • Supermarkets: 3X points.
  • Commuting: 3X points on Gas, EV Charging, and Transit (rideshare, trains, etc.).
• The "Self-Select" Feature: You choose one of the following categories to earn 3X points (you can change your Self-Select category once per calendar quarter):
  • Fitness Clubs
  • Select Streaming Services
  • Live Entertainment
  • Cosmetic Stores, Barber Shops, and Hair Salons
  • Pet Supply Stores
• Dining: You earn 2X points at restaurants.
• Redemption: Points are best used for cash back (0.5 to 1 cent depending on redemption method) or gift cards unless you hold a premium Citi card to transfer them to airlines.

Fees & Requirements

• Annual Fee: .
• Foreign Transaction Fee: 3%.
• Credit Score: Requires credit.

Borrower Experience

• The Ecosystem Play: This card is best used as a "catch-all" for categories your other cards miss. For example, use Strata Premier for Dining (3X), but use Citi Strata for Pet Supplies (3X Self-Select).

Who It’s Best For

• Pet Owners & Gym Goers: If you spend heavily on dog food or fitness memberships, the 3X Self-Select category makes this one of the best cards on the market for you.
• Commuters: The combination of Gas, EV Charging, and Transit at 3X is comprehensive coverage for getting to work.
• Budget Families: If you want one free card that rewards you for food and fuel without spending caps, this beats the Custom Cash.

Who Should Skip It

• Foodies: If you dine out often, the 2X rate is weak.
• Frequent international travelers: A 3% foreign transaction fee makes this a poor default card for purchases abroad (or even online merchants that process transactions outside the U.S.)
• “Set-it-and-forget-it” optimizers: If you want one card that’s straightforward with strong baseline value everywhere, a flat-rate card like Citi Double Cash is simpler (and avoids category/coding surprises

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Bottom Line

The Citi Strata℠ Card is an excellent "utility player." It doesn't have the flash of a 5% card, but its broad 3X coverage on groceries, gas, and transit, plus the unique ability to earn bonus points on pet supplies or haircuts, makes it a valuable tool for everyday life. It is the perfect card for people who spend more on "running errands" than they do on travel or dining.