Citi Strata Elite: the good, bad, and ugly | Frequent Miler on the Air Ep317 | 8-1-25

94 snips

Aug 1, 2025

Join a lively discussion about the Citi Strata Elite card's pros and cons, including its generous sign-up bonus and potential drawbacks. Discover US Bank's unexpected moves, such as bonvoying grandfathers and adding new transfer partners. Learn essential tips for securing award flights at lower mileage costs and hear about exciting travel promotions like JetBlue's 25 for 25. Listen in for valuable strategies on maximizing credit card rewards and navigating the ever-changing loyalty landscape!

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INSIGHT

Citi Strata Elite Welcome Bonus

Citi Strata Elite offers a $100K branch signup bonus after $4K spend in 3 months, better than the 80,000 online offer.
The large welcome bonus is a major card attraction despite the high annual fee.

INSIGHT

Citi Strata Elite Annual Fee Details

Citi Strata Elite has a $595 annual fee with $145 rebate for Citi Gold clients, reducing effective fee to $450.
Citi Gold requires $200,000 in deposits or investments to qualify for the rebate.

INSIGHT

Strata Elite Earning Rates Overview

Citi Strata Elite earns 12X on hotels, cars, attractions via Citi Travel portal and 6X on flights booked there.
Direct purchases earn 3X dining always, 6X Friday/Saturday 6 p.m.-6 a.m. Eastern time, and 1.5X on all other spend.

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In this podcast episode, we'll talk about how US Bank is bonvoying grandfathers and US Bank's plans to add transfer partners. We'll also talk about who the Citi Strata Elite card is good for.

Giant Mailbag

(01:40) - This listener has tips about their strategy when a flight becomes available for a lesser mileage price...

Card News

(05:50) - Citi now offers transfers to American Airlines from Strata Elite, Prestige & Strata Premier

(07:23) - Now transfer from most Citi cards to most ThankYou partners (even from Custom Cash)

(09:41) - Citi Strata card now available

(12:16) - U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve: Major changes expected in December.

Bonvoyed

(18:21) - US Bank bonvoys grandfathers (Smartly card sends updates to those previously grandfathered into old 4% term)

Awards, Points, and More

(22:38) - Inn at Bay Harbor leaving Marriott

(23:42) - JetBlue & TAP Air Portugal split up as of 9/30

(24:50) - Greg earned Alaska EQMs for his flight to London

(26:53) - Nick's JetBlue 25 for 25 update post

(27:50) - Another JetBlue 25 for 25 update

Main Event: Citi Strata Elite: Good, Bad, and Ugly

(30:00) - Branch Offer: 100K after $4K of spend in 3 months

Read more about the Citi Strata Elite offer here.

Or, read our Citi Strata Elite Q&A post here.

(31:45) - Application rules, basics, and earning rate...

(39:32) - Credits and benefits

(47:31) - Mini experiment: Citi Travel Hotels vs. Hotels.com

(48:45) - What happens to Citi Prestige customers?

(49:58) - Do Citi Travel hotel bookings earn hotel points and elite credit?

(53:33) - Quick Review: What do we think about the card's earning rate and perks?

(57:47) - What do we think about the card's coupons?

(1:01:37) - Does this card deserve a place in an all-ThankYou wallet?

(1:09:41) - Does this card deserve a place in a mixed-earning wallet? (For example, would this be your 3X card?)

Question of the Week

(1:12:54) - Advice regarding authorized users. What do you do about authorized user cards showing up to Chase as contributing to your 5/24 status?

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Music Credit – “Ocean Deep” by Annie Yoder

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