Citi Strata℠
At Pointalize, we simplify the process by highlighting cards that deliver the strongest rewards, biggest bonuses, and best value for everyday spending. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to maximize premium benefits, our curated picks are designed to help you find the perfect fit for your wallet.
Best For
Rewards Rate - Points
- 5x Hotels & car rentals via Citi® Travel
- 3x Supermarkets & select transit
- 3x 1 quarterly category (e.g., gas/dining/travel)
- 2x Restaurants
- 1x Other purchases
- Intro offer
- No welcome offer found
- Annual fee
- $0
- Regular APR
- 21.24% – 29.24% Variable APR
- Recommended credit
- 700–850 (Good to Excellent)
- Travel Perks
- Travel Insurance
Highlights
- Boosted earning on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked via CitiTravel.com.
- Broad everyday categories for accelerated points on groceries, transit and more.
- A self‑select category lets you tailor earning to your spending pattern.
- No foreign transaction fees on international purchases (see issuer pricing).
Who is this card good for?
- Travelers who frequently book via Citi Travel and want portal‑boosted earn.
- Families with meaningful supermarket and transit spend.
- People who like a customizable category to match lifestyle changes.
Pointalize Opinion
Pros
- Versatile earn mix across travel and daily life.
- Portal bonuses can be very competitive when you book through Citi.
- Solid international usability with no foreign transaction fees (where applicable).
Cons
- Highest returns typically require Citi’s travel portal.
- Category definitions and caps can evolve; check terms.
Pointalize Final Thoughts
Citi Strata (base) balances travel‑portal boosts with broad everyday categories—ideal if you’ll actually book through Citi Travel.
Using a credit card is essentially taking out a short-term loan for a purchase. You are obligated to repay this loan to the card issuer. If you don't pay your balance in full by the due date, you will be charged interest on the remaining amount. This interest is the fundamental business model for the credit card industry.
How credit cards work
A basic credit card transaction works like this:
1. You Make a Purchase.
Whether in a store or online, you present your credit card for payment. The merchant's system captures your card details to begin the transaction.
2. Transaction is Authorized.
The merchant's payment system sends a request to your bank. Your bank checks your account for sufficient credit and verifies the card's validity before approving the charge.
3. Merchant Receives Funds.
After authorization, your credit card issuer transfers the purchase amount to the merchant’s bank, ensuring the business is paid for the goods or services.
4. You Settle Your Bill.
The purchase is added to your credit card bill. At the end of the billing cycle, you receive a statement and pay the bank back for the money they fronted.
Want to know more?: What is a credit card?
Many of the best credit cards give you rewards for your spending. These programs typically come in two main flavors: simple cash back or flexible points and miles. Understanding how you earn and redeem them is key to maximizing their value.
Cash Back
This is the most straightforward reward. You earn a percentage of your spending back as cash, which can be redeemed as a statement credit to lower your balance, a direct deposit into your bank account, or even a paper check.
Points or Miles
Instead of cash, you earn a proprietary currency (points or miles) that can be redeemed for various rewards. While often most valuable for booking travel like flights and hotels, they can also be used for gift cards, merchandise, or even cash back at a fixed rate.
How You Earn: Key Structures to Consider
Whether you choose cash back or points, cards typically use one of two earning structures. A flat-rate card offers simple, consistent value, giving you the same reward rate (e.g., 2% cash back or 2x miles) on every single purchase. In contrast, bonus-category cards offer a higher earning rate on specific types of spending, like dining, groceries, or gas, and a lower base rate on everything else. Strategically matching a bonus-category card to your top spending areas can significantly accelerate your earnings.
Want to know more?: Points vs. Cash Back: Which Credit Card Rewards Are Best?
Credit card companies in 2025 offer different kinds of cards to meet different consumer needs. Some people put a lot of money on their cards every month and then pay them off immediately; those people benefit from a card that returns a portion of their spending in the form of rewards. Others tend to carry a balance from month to month; they're better served with a card that offers a low ongoing interest rate. Still others are working to improve their credit; issuers have cards designed for those people, too.
Rewards credit cards
These cards "pay you back" for a portion of your spending by giving you cash, points or miles. See our roundup of the best rewards credit cards of 2025 for a range of options for different types of users. Or look into specific types of rewards cards:
Interest-saving credit cards
These cards offer an introductory 0% APR period or a low ongoing interest rate. That can save you hundreds or even thousands of dollars in interest on a major purchase or on debt transferred from high-interest cards. Types of interest-saving cards include:
Credit-building credit cards
The credit cards with the richest rewards, plushest perks, lowest interest rates and longest 0% periods are available only to those with good to excellent credit. If you're still building your credit (or rebuilding it after a misstep), you'll want to hold off on applying for these cards until your score improves. However, banks have designed cards specifically for people working to improve their credit.
If you're a beginner to credit cards, see our step-by-step guide to choosing a credit card. It starts by helping you figure out what cards you can qualify for, then walks you through deciding what kind of card best fits your needs. The process in short:
- Check your credit. The higher your credit score, the more likely you are to qualify for the best credit cards. Many services offer free access to your credit score.
- Decide on a broad card type. If your credit score needs work, get a card designed for building or mending credit. Otherwise, choose between a card that will give you rewards for your spending or one that will save you money on interest.
- Narrow your choices. If you want a rewards card, do you prefer cash back or points, and how much effort are you willing to put into managing them? If you’re looking to save on interest, do you need a 0% introductory period, a low ongoing rate, or to do a balance transfer? Consider if a specialized card for students or business owners would be a better fit.
- Apply for a card that gives you the best overall value. Consider how you actually spend money. Don’t get a travel rewards card just because you dream of traveling someday. Get one because you are someone who already travels and would benefit from perks that make it easier and more affordable.
Comparing credit card features
Every credit card strikes a different balance between its features. Think of it like a series of trade-offs: if you want top-tier rewards, you might face a higher interest rate. If you want luxury perks, you'll likely pay an annual fee. A card with a low APR and no fee probably won't offer much else. You're unlikely to find one perfect card that has it all—great rewards, a long 0% APR period, amazing perks, and no annual fee.
Here are the main features to compare when you're looking for a new credit card.
Annual fee
Some people refuse to pay an annual fee, but sometimes it makes sense. The key is simple: do the benefits you get from the card outweigh the yearly cost? If the value of the rewards and perks is higher than the fee, it's a good deal. If you're set on avoiding a fee, check out our list of the best credit cards with no annual fee.
Depending on how you plan to use your card, keep an eye out for these other common charges:
Balance transfer fee. Charged when moving debt to your new card. See our top picks for cards with no balance transfer fee.
Foreign transaction fee. An extra charge on purchases made abroad. Find the best cards with no foreign transaction fee here.
Cash advance fee. Using your card at an ATM is an expensive way to get cash.
Late and returned-payment fees. These can be steep but are easy to avoid.
Introductory interest rate
To attract new customers with good credit, card issuers often offer a 0% introductory APR for a limited time. This is a great way to finance a large purchase or pay down debt without accumulating interest.
Ongoing interest rate
This is the interest rate you'll pay after any intro offer expires. Some cards have a single rate, while others offer a range depending on your credit score. Typically, a better score gets you a lower rate. But remember, if you pay your balance in full each month, your interest rate doesn't matter because you'll never be charged interest.
Rewards
Rewards cards give you something back for your spending, either as cash back, points, or miles. Each program is different, but you can compare them by looking at three main things:
Earn rate: How much do you get for every dollar you spend?
Redemption value: When you cash in your rewards, how much are they actually worth?
Redemption options: How many different ways can you use your rewards?
Sign-up bonus
A sign-up bonus is a one-time offer you can earn by spending a certain amount of money within the first few months of opening your account. These bonuses can be very valuable, often worth hundreds of dollars, and can make a card instantly worthwhile.
Perks
Unlike rewards you earn from spending, perks are the benefits you get just for holding the card. For many premium travel cards, the perks provide most of the value and can easily offset the annual fee. Common perks include:
Airline/airport benefits: Access to airport lounges, free checked bags, and priority boarding.
Hotel benefits: Free anniversary nights, room upgrades, and elite status.
Statement credits: Automatic credits for travel, dining, or application fees for programs like TSA PreCheck and Global Entry.
Rental car coverage: Primary or secondary insurance when you rent a car. Learn how it works.
Cell phone insurance: Coverage against theft or damage when you pay your monthly bill with the card.
Credit tracking and security: Free credit score monitoring and the ability to lock your card.
Credit-building help
If you're focused on building or repairing your credit, some card features become much more important.
Reporting to credit bureaus: The most crucial feature. Ensure the card reports your payment history to all three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion).
Deposit requirements: For a secured card, you'll need a refundable security deposit, usually starting around $200.
Upgrade opportunities: It's a great bonus if the issuer lets you upgrade to a better, unsecured card after you've demonstrated responsible use.
Incentives for responsible behavior: Some cards offer a credit line increase or better rewards after several months of on-time payments.
Figuring out the right number of credit cards is a personal decision. There's no single answer that fits everyone, as the ideal number depends on your financial goals, spending habits, and how actively you want to manage your accounts.
- There's no official limit to the number of credit cards you can own. Lenders evaluate each application individually, so there isn't a hard cap.
- One well-managed card is all you need to build a strong credit score. Credit scoring models value having different types of credit (like a card and a loan), but not necessarily many of the same type.
Advantages of Carrying Multiple Cards
Maximizing Rewards
A multi-card strategy allows you to earn more back on every purchase. You can use one card for a high rewards rate on groceries, another for restaurants, and a third for travel, ensuring you always get the best return on your spending.
Flexibility and a Backup Plan
Some merchants don't accept every type of card. Having a second option from a different network (like a Visa in addition to an Amex) provides a reliable backup. It's also a lifesaver if your primary card is lost, stolen, or flagged for fraud.
Improved Credit Utilization
Having more cards increases your total available credit. This makes it easier to keep your credit utilization ratio low, which is a major positive factor for your credit score.
Risks of Carrying Multiple Cards
Losing Track of Spending
The more cards you have, the easier it is to lose sight of your total spending. This can make budgeting more difficult and increase the risk of accumulating debt across several accounts.
Missing a Payment
Juggling multiple due dates increases the chances of accidentally missing one. A missed payment can result in a late fee and, if it's more than 30 days late, can seriously damage your credit score.
To identify the best credit cards, our review process is guided by the same core principles used by trusted industry leaders like NerdWallet, The Points Guy, and Bankrate. We focus on the features that deliver the most real-world value. Here’s a quick look at what matters most in each category:
For Cash Back Cards
We prioritize high earning rates, the value of the sign-up bonus, and low annual fees. Flexible redemption options and introductory 0% APR offers are also key factors.
For Travel Rewards Cards
We analyze the real-world value of points and miles, the quality of travel perks like lounge access, and the sign-up bonus, weighing them against the annual fee.
0% APR & Balance Transfer Cards
The length of the 0% intro APR period is the most important factor. We also compare balance transfer fees, the ongoing APR, and whether the card has long-term value.
For Cards to Build Credit
We confirm the card reports to all three credit bureaus. We also prioritize low fees, reasonable deposit requirements, and the opportunity to upgrade to a better card in the future.
For College Student Cards
We focus on cards with no annual fee, easy approval for those with limited credit history, and features that encourage responsible financial habits.
For Business Cards
We evaluate rewards on common business expenses, the value of the welcome bonus, and tools that help with expense management, like free employee cards.
What is an APR and why does it matter?
APR stands for Annual Percentage Rate. It's the interest you're charged if you don't pay your balance in full by the due date. If you always pay your bill in full every month, the APR is irrelevant because you'll never pay interest. However, if you plan to carry a balance, a lower APR can save you a significant amount of money.
Is it ever worth paying an annual fee for a credit card?
Yes, but only if the value you get back is greater than the fee. Do the math: if a card has a $95 annual fee but offers perks you'll use, like $100 in statement credits and a free hotel night worth $150, then it's a great deal. If you won't use the benefits, a no-annual-fee card is the better choice.
How many credit cards is too many?
There is no magic number. The "right" amount is whatever you can responsibly manage. For some people, one great card is perfect for simplicity. For others, having 3-4 cards to maximize rewards in different categories (like dining, groceries, and travel) works well. It only becomes "too many" when you can no longer easily track your spending and payments.
What’s the real difference between a credit card and a debit card?
A debit card pulls money directly from your bank account—it's your money. A credit card lets you borrow the bank's money for purchases, which you must pay back later. Credit cards are also powerful tools for building your credit history and offer much stronger fraud protection than debit cards.
Does closing an old credit card hurt my credit score?
It can. Closing a card reduces your total available credit, which can increase your overall credit utilization ratio (a key scoring factor). If it's one of your oldest accounts, it can also lower the average age of your credit history. Unless the card has a high annual fee you can't downgrade, it's often better to keep it open and use it once every few months to keep it active.
What is a sign-up bonus and should I try to get one?
A sign-up bonus is a one-time reward (like $200 cash back or 60,000 points) offered to new cardholders who spend a certain amount of money within the first few months. They are absolutely worth it, but only if you can meet the spending requirement through your normal, planned purchases without going into debt.