Citi’s lineup can be viewed in three layers. Double Cash handles simple flat-rate cash back, Strata Premier adds broad travel and everyday categories plus partner transfers, and Strata Elite raises the fee into premium-travel territory. Custom Cash, once central to category-optimization strategies, is no longer open to new applications, so older card combinations cannot be copied directly.
Quick conclusion
- Flat cash back: Double Cash’s structure is 1% when purchasing and 1% when paying.
- No foreign transaction fee plus transfers: Strata Premier is the balanced $95 option.
- Heavy Citi Travel, lounge, and credit use: Only then consider Strata Elite.
- Do not plan around a new Custom Cash application: Citi says applications closed on May 28, 2026; existing cardholders are unaffected.
Core comparison
| Card | Annual fee | Core earning | Foreign transaction fee | Main value | Main limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Double Cash | $0 | 1% when buying plus 1% when paying; 5% on selected Citi Travel bookings | 3% | Simple 2% cash back | Poor fit for foreign purchases |
| Strata Premier | $95 | 10x selected Citi Travel bookings; 3x air, hotels, dining, supermarkets, gas, and EV charging | None | Mid-fee transfer card | $100 hotel credit requires one $500+ portal stay |
| Strata Elite | $595 | 12x selected portal bookings; 6x portal air; 6x dining during Citi Nights; 1.5x other | None | Premium travel, lounges, and credits | High dependence on portal and partners |
Double Cash: simple, with repayment built into the formula
Double Cash earns 1% when a purchase is made and another 1% as it is paid. The full 2% assumes normal repayment behavior. For a cardholder who pays in full, it is an easy no-fee benchmark.
The card charges a 3% foreign transaction fee. It can handle domestic general spending while another card covers international purchases. Readers wanting only one card should include foreign use in the decision.
Strata Premier: broad categories at a mid-level fee
Strata Premier costs $95. Its 3x categories include air travel, other hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, gas, and EV charging, while selected hotels, rental cars, and attractions through Citi Travel earn 10x. It has no foreign transaction fee and supports ThankYou partner transfers.
The annual $100 hotel benefit requires a single hotel stay of at least $500 through Citi Travel. Readers who usually book less expensive stays, use hotel-member rates, or need flexible cancellation should discount this credit.
Strata Elite: value requires specific channels
Strata Elite costs $595 and provides high Citi Travel earning, Priority Pass Select, four Admirals Club passes, a trusted-traveler credit, and hotel, Splurge, and Blacklane benefits.
Its strongest dining rate has a time condition, while several benefits require Citi Travel or selected partners. It fits frequent travelers who already use those channels. Benefits based on hypothetical future use should be valued conservatively.
What the Custom Cash closure changes
Custom Cash was known for 5% back in the top eligible category each billing cycle. Citi’s official page says it stopped accepting applications on May 28, 2026, while existing cardholders remain unaffected.
As a result:
- New applicants should not treat it as a currently available card.
- Existing cardholders should follow their own terms and not assume conversion paths will remain open.
- Replacements should be compared by category cap, activation requirements, and foreign transaction cost—not merely a “5%” label.
ThankYou transfer boundaries
Citi confirms that eligible Strata cards can transfer points to airline and hotel partners, but the live ThankYou portal may control the current partner list, ratios, and eligibility. Those details should be checked while signed in before a transfer.
Double Cash rewards connect to the ThankYou ecosystem, but available uses depend on account combinations and current rules. A reader who specifically wants partner transfers should hold a card that clearly provides that permission.
How to choose
Simple domestic cash back
Use Double Cash if purchases are primarily domestic and balances are paid in full. Add a no-FTF card for travel.
One mid-fee travel card
Strata Premier fits balanced spending across dining, grocery, fuel, and travel. Count the hotel benefit near face value only when a qualifying portal booking would happen anyway.
Premium benefits
Compare Strata Elite with Venture X, Sapphire Reserve, and Amex Platinum using actual airports, party size, booking channels, and credit-use rates.
Frequently asked questions
Does Double Cash earn 2% immediately on every purchase?
The structure is 1% at purchase and 1% as the purchase is paid.
Can a new applicant get Custom Cash?
As of August 9, 2026, Citi’s official page says applications are no longer accepted.
Is Strata Elite always better than Premier?
No. Elite has more benefits, but also a much higher fee and more conditions. Premier can produce better net value when premium benefits are underused.
Sources and update date
Recent crawl material identified the Custom Cash status and Strata changes. Product facts were verified against official Citi pages and the ThankYou portal. Facts checked August 9, 2026.