Citi Strata Premier vs. Chase Sapphire Preferred: Chase Checks All the Boxes
Review
Updated
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While it flies under the radar, the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card packs a lot of value for an affordable annual fee. It earns bonus points in everyday and travel categories, has a large welcome offer, and offers a yearly hotel credit that more than covers the annual fee.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) doesn't fly under the radar. It's one of the most popular travel credit cards, and it has a lot of the same benefits as the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card. And the travel points it earns are even more valuable.
Here's a detailed breakdown of the close race between these two credit cards.
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| Citi Strata Premier℠ Card | Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card |
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Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor
Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
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Credit Rating Requirement:
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Good/Excellent (670-850) |
Credit Rating Requirement:
Falling within this credit range does not guarantee approval by the issuer. An application must be submitted to the issuer for a potential approval decision. There are different types of credit scores and creditors use a variety of credit scores to make lending decisions.
Recommended Credit Score required for this offer is: Good/Excellent (670-850)
Good/Excellent (670-850) |
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Welcome Offer: Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com. 60,000 ThankYou® Points |
Welcome Offer: Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. 100,000 bonus points |
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Rewards Program: 10x on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked through CitiTravel.com. Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases. Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Restaurants. Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Supermarkets. Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Gas and EV Charging Stations. Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on All Other Purchases $100 Annual Hotel Benefit: Once per calendar year, enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through CitiTravel.com. Benefit applied instantly at time of booking. Travel insurance protection: Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption (Common Carrier), Trip Delay, Lost or Damaged Luggage, MasterRental Coverage (Car Rental). 1x - 10x points |
Rewards Program: Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more. 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining and 2x on all other travel purchases |
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Intro APR: Purchases: N/A Balance Transfers: N/A |
Intro APR: N/A Purchases: N/A Balance Transfers: N/A |
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Regular APR: 20.24% - 28.24% (Variable) |
Regular APR: 19.99% - 28.24% Variable |
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Annual Fee: $95 |
Annual Fee: $95 |
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Highlights:
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Highlights:
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You'll probably earn more points on everyday expenses with the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card. It earns 3X points per $1 at gas stations and supermarkets. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card doesn't have either of those bonus categories, although it does earn 3X points per $1 on online grocery purchases.
This Citi credit card also pays for itself if you use its annual $100 hotel credit. You can earn that once a year if you book a single hotel stay of $500 or more through CitiTravel.com. If you don't mind using Citi's travel portal, and you regularly book hotel stays of at least $500, then you'll easily come out ahead on the annual fee.
Apply for [creditcard also pays for itself if you use its annual $100 hotel credit. You can earn that once a year if you book a single hotel stay of $500 or more through C.com. If you don't mind using Citi's travel portal, and you regularly book hotel stays of at least $500, then you'll easily come out ahead on the annual fee.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has one of the best travel rewards programs. Citi's doesn't quite match it. With this Chase card, you get $0.0125 per point on travel bookings through Chase Ultimate Rewards. With the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card, you get $0.01 per point on travel bookings through its Citi Travel portal. If you have 100,000 points, that's a difference of $250 in value.
Both rewards programs also let you transfer points to travel partners. Having used both, I'd argue that Chase's list of partners is better. It's partnered with bigger U.S. airlines as well as World of Hyatt, one of the top hotel rewards programs.
Like other Chase credit cards, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card each have a full suite of travel protections. These include complimentary coverage for trip delays, cancellations, and baggage issues.
We recommend comparing options to ensure the card you're selecting is the best fit for you. To make your search easier, here's a short list of standout credit cards.
| Offer | Our Rating | Welcome Offer | Rewards Program | APR | Learn More |
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Rating image, 4.50 out of 5 stars.
4.50/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
Discover will match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year. | 1% - 5% Cashback Earn 5% cash back on everyday purchases at different places you shop each quarter like grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, and more, up to the quarterly maximum when you activate. Plus, earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. |
Intro: Purchases: 0%, 15 months Balance Transfers: 0%, 15 months Regular: 18.24% - 27.24% Variable APR |
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Rating image, 5.00 out of 5 stars.
5.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
$200 cash rewards Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months. | 2% cash rewards Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases. |
Intro: 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers Purchases: 0% intro APR, 12 months from account opening Balance Transfers: 0% intro APR, 12 months from account opening on qualifying balance transfers Regular: 19.24%, 24.24%, or 29.24% Variable APR |
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Apply Now for Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
On Bank of America's Secure Website. |
Rating image, 4.00 out of 5 stars.
4.00/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best
= Excellent
= Good
= Fair = Poor |
25,000 points 25,000 online bonus points after you make at least $1,000 in purchases in the first 90 days of account opening - that can be a $250 statement credit toward travel purchases | 1.5-3 points per dollar Earn unlimited 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, with no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees, and your points don't expire as long as your account remains open. Earn 3 points per $1 spent on travel purchases booked through the Bank of America Travel Center. |
Intro: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases. 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days. After the intro APR offer ends, 18.24% - 28.24% Variable APR on purchases and balance transfers will apply. A 3% fee for 60 days from account opening, then 4% fee applies to all balance transfers. Balance transfers may not be used to pay any account provided by Bank of America. Purchases: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for purchases Balance Transfers: 0% Intro APR for 15 billing cycles for any balance transfers made in the first 60 days Regular: 18.24% - 28.24% (Variable) |
Apply Now for Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card
On Bank of America's Secure Website. |
Next, let's look at how these cards compare in a few important ways.
These cards each have a $95 annual fee and spending credits that could balance it out. With the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card, you earn $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more that you book through CitiTravel.com. You can earn this $100 hotel savings once per calendar year.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card also helps you save on hotels. You earn up to $50 in statement credits each account year on hotel stays that you book with Chase Ultimate Rewards. It's not as much as what Citi offers, but it's easier to use, since it doesn't require a stay of $500 or more.
Winner: Tie
Welcome offers are another area where these cards are a close match. The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card earns 60,000 ThankYou® Points when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. If you redeem them for travel bookings through Citi or gift cards, those bonus points are worth $600 total ($0.01 per point). Or you could transfer points to Citi's travel partners and potentially get even more value.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card also earns 100,000 bonus points when you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. While it's the same number of points, Chase lets you redeem them for 25% more on bookings through the Chase Travel portal. They're worth $0.0125 per point that way, giving the sign-up bonus a value of up to $1,250 in Chase Travel℠ value. Once again, you can also transfer points to travel partners.
Winner: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card has a mix of everyday and travel-friendly bonus categories. It earns:
You also get quite a few bonus categories with the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card. Here's what it earns:
These cards have lots of similar bonus categories. As far as differences, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the only one to earn bonus streaming rewards.
But the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card is the only one to earn bonus gas rewards. It also earns 3X points per $1 on supermarket spending, not just online groceries. That's a big advantage, as most people spend more on gas and groceries than streaming.
Winner: Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
Both cards have a strong set of complimentary travel protections::
These aren't features that get a lot of attention, but they're nice to have. They give you the peace of mind that you're covered if something goes wrong on a trip.
Winner: Tie
These are both top credit cards. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is slightly ahead for a few reasons. It gives you better ways to use your points, and it's the more well-rounded card. It has a long list of perks and no notable weaknesses, and all for a reasonable annual fee.
The Citi Strata Premier℠ Card has the edge for earning rewards. Bonus points on gas and groceries are always a great perk. That's especially true with travel cards, since most don't offer those types of bonus categories. It's also easy enough to earn a $100 hotel credit with this card and make back your annual fee. The decision comes down to whether you prefer that or Chase's rewards program.
2025 Award Winner
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR N/A
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
19.99% - 28.24% Variable
Rewards Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining and 2x on all other travel purchases
Annual Fee
$95
Welcome Offer Earn 100,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
100,000 bonus points
This card easily justifies the (very reasonable) annual fee with benefits that deliver real value. For a limited time, earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 in the first 3 months, which we estimate is worth $1,250 in Chase Travel℠ value. Plus, enjoy bonus travel and dining rewards, a $50 annual hotel credit, and 25% more value when booking through Chase Travel. With added travel protections like rental car insurance and trip reimbursement, we think this card is a game-changer for any traveler. Read Full Review
Good/Excellent (670-850)
Intro APR
Purchases: N/A
Balance Transfers: N/A
Regular APR
20.24% - 28.24% (Variable)
Rewards 10x on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked through CitiTravel.com. Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases. Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Restaurants. Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Supermarkets. Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Gas and EV Charging Stations. Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on All Other Purchases $100 Annual Hotel Benefit: Once per calendar year, enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through CitiTravel.com. Benefit applied instantly at time of booking. Travel insurance protection: Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption (Common Carrier), Trip Delay, Lost or Damaged Luggage, MasterRental Coverage (Car Rental).
1x - 10x points
Annual Fee
$95
Welcome Offer Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.
60,000 ThankYou® Points
Citi Strata Premier offers a unique combination of bonus categories we don't see on many travel cards. It earns 3X points on travel and everyday-type categories, including supermarkets and gas/EV charging. You can also earn a welcome bonus worth $600. That combination of rewards is an excellent value for a relatively low annual fee. Plus, if you run into any problems on a trip, its complimentary travel protections (including coverage for trip delays, trip cancellations and interruptions, and lost/damaged luggage) could save the day. Read Full Review
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