https://en.souus.com/tags/thankyou-points/Recent content in ThankYou Points on Smart Savings & OffersHugoen-usSun, 09 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://en.souus.com/bank/citi/Sun, 09 Aug 2026 20:51:48 -0700https://en.souus.com/bank/citi/<p>Citi&rsquo;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.</p> <h2 id="quick-conclusion">Quick conclusion</h2> <ul> <li><strong>Flat cash back:</strong> Double Cash&rsquo;s structure is 1% when purchasing and 1% when paying.</li> <li><strong>No foreign transaction fee plus transfers:</strong> Strata Premier is the balanced $95 option.</li> <li><strong>Heavy Citi Travel, lounge, and credit use:</strong> Only then consider Strata Elite.</li> <li><strong>Do not plan around a new Custom Cash application:</strong> Citi says applications closed on May 28, 2026; existing cardholders are unaffected.</li> </ul> <h2 id="core-comparison">Core comparison</h2> <table> <thead> <tr> <th>Card</th> <th style="text-align: right">Annual fee</th> <th>Core earning</th> <th>Foreign transaction fee</th> <th>Main value</th> <th>Main limitation</th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td>Double Cash</td> <td style="text-align: right">$0</td> <td>1% when buying plus 1% when paying; 5% on selected Citi Travel bookings</td> <td>3%</td> <td>Simple 2% cash back</td> <td>Poor fit for foreign purchases</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Strata Premier</td> <td style="text-align: right">$95</td> <td>10x selected Citi Travel bookings; 3x air, hotels, dining, supermarkets, gas, and EV charging</td> <td>None</td> <td>Mid-fee transfer card</td> <td>$100 hotel credit requires one $500+ portal stay</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Strata Elite</td> <td style="text-align: right">$595</td> <td>12x selected portal bookings; 6x portal air; 6x dining during Citi Nights; 1.5x other</td> <td>None</td> <td>Premium travel, lounges, and credits</td> <td>High dependence on portal and partners</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <h2 id="double-cash-simple-with-repayment-built-into-the-formula">Double Cash: simple, with repayment built into the formula</h2> <p>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.</p>