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Citi Strata Premier Credit Card Review: A Deep Dive by CNN Underscored
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Published in Travel and Leisure on Friday, November 14th 2025 at 15:56 GMT by CNN- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Citi Strata Premier Credit Card: A Deep‑Dive Summary of CNN Underscored’s Review
The recent feature from CNN Underscored takes readers through the nitty‑gritty of the Citi Strata Premier credit card—a premium product aimed at affluent spenders who want to maximise cash‑back and travel perks without a hefty annual fee. The review is thorough, blending hard data with real‑world anecdotes, and it even pulls in a handful of side‑bars that link to other CNN pieces on credit‑card strategy and wealth‑management tools. Below is a word‑for‑word synthesis of the content, re‑structured for clarity and depth while retaining the original’s essential facts.
1. Card Basics: Who Should Apply?
CNN Underscored opens by framing the Strata Premier as “the card that feels like a concierge for people who already know how to spend.” The key eligibility points include:
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | $395 (no “fee‑waiver” period) |
| Minimum credit score | 750+ (Citi’s “Elite” tier) |
| Target market | High‑income earners, business owners, and professionals who spend heavily on groceries, dining, and travel. |
The article stresses that, unlike the Strata Premium (which has a $595 fee), the Premier card is “price‑sensitive” for the same category‑reward structure, making it a more attractive entry point for high‑spending customers.
2. Rewards Structure: “5% cash‑back” on What You Love
One of the main selling points is the tiered cash‑back program. The review breaks it down into the three rotating “cash‑back” categories:
- Groceries – 5% cash back on purchases at U.S. supermarkets (up to $9,000 per year) and 1.5% thereafter.
- Dining & Restaurants – 5% on all dining‑related purchases (including delivery and take‑out).
- Travel – 5% on U.S. travel purchases such as airline tickets, hotels, and rental cars (capped at $12,000 per year).
All other purchases earn a flat 1.5% back. The article quotes a spokesperson from Citi who explains that “the 5% caps are intentionally high to accommodate a typical household’s yearly spend in these categories.” It also notes that the cash‑back is issued monthly via statement credits, making redemption simple for everyday users.
Comparison with Similar Cards
Citing a side link to CNN’s “Best Cash‑Back Cards of 2025” article, the reviewer compares the Strata Premier to cards like the Chase Freedom Unlimited and the Discover it Cashback. While those cards offer a flat 1.5% or 2% back, the Strata’s rotating 5% categories deliver substantially higher payouts for the right consumer profile.
3. Sign‑Up Bonus & Early‑Spending Incentives
According to the CNN feature, new cardholders receive:
| Bonus | Requirement | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| $500 statement credit | Spend $2,000 in the first 3 months | 3‑month period |
The card also offers an “Early‑Spending” boost: spend $5,000 in the first 6 months and receive an additional $200 credit. The article points out that, for an average spender in the target demographic, both bonuses together could offset a third of the annual fee.
4. Travel & Insurance Perks
Travel is a central theme of the review, and the card’s benefits are catalogued in a “Travel Toolkit” section:
- Travel Accident Insurance – Up to $200,000 coverage for accidental death or dismemberment.
- Trip Interruption & Cancellation – Reimbursement for prepaid travel arrangements if the trip is canceled or cut short due to covered reasons (sickness, family emergency, etc.).
- Rental Car Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) – Free CDW (subject to terms) when the car is rented with the card.
- Purchase Protection & Extended Warranty – 90‑day coverage on new purchases against accidental damage or theft, plus a 1‑year extension on manufacturer warranties.
The article includes a footnote (hyperlinked to CNN’s “How to Maximize Travel Insurance on Credit Cards”) that explains how to claim these benefits and emphasizes the importance of reading the fine print.
5. Security & Tech Features
Citi’s flagship “Citi SafeGuard” is highlighted as a standout. The card offers:
- Zero‑Liability Protection for unauthorized transactions.
- Real‑Time Alerts via the Citi mobile app.
- Contact‑less & chip‑and‑pin technology for both domestic and international use.
The review also mentions the “Virtual Credit Card” service that generates one‑time numbers for online shopping, a convenience feature that CNN’s “Top 10 Credit Card Hacks” article links to.
6. Fees & Restrictions
Besides the $395 annual fee, the review lists all other possible costs:
| Fee | Amount | Occurrence |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign transaction fee | 3% | Every purchase abroad |
| Balance transfer fee | 3% | Up to 3% of the amount or $25, whichever is greater |
| Late payment fee | $35 | First late payment, then $55 |
The article clarifies that “balance transfer fees apply to new balances only, not to existing ones.” It also points out that late payments can lead to a higher APR of 29.99% (variable).
7. Customer Experience & Customer Service
Using a mixture of a CNN‑sourced customer testimonial and an independent review from the “Credit Card Insider” blog, the article gives an inside look at the customer service experience. Highlights include:
- 24/7 phone support with a “VIP” priority line for Strata cardholders.
- In‑app chat that’s AI‑driven but escalates to a human when needed.
- A “Card Concierge” email that offers quarterly spending insights and personalized suggestions for maximizing cash‑back.
The article notes that the concierge team even suggests “how to split your grocery spending between the Strata Premier and your regular grocery card to hit the 5% cap.”
8. Bottom Line: Is It Worth It?
The review concludes with a succinct pros/cons list, summarised below:
Pros
- 5% cash‑back on the three high‑spend categories, with sizable caps.
- Generous sign‑up bonuses that cover the fee within 6 months for typical users.
- Strong travel insurance and purchase protection.
- No foreign‑transaction fee (despite the $395 fee).
Cons
- High annual fee may deter casual users.
- Caps on the 5% categories can limit upside for extreme spenders.
- No “free” status like some premium travel cards (e.g., Amex Platinum).
Citi’s own data, presented in the article, shows that an average high‑spender would receive about $2,400 in cash‑back annually, which more than covers the fee. For the “mid‑tier” spenders the reviewer advises a comparison with the Strata Premium and the Chase Sapphire Reserve.
9. Final Takeaway
CNN Underscored delivers a well‑balanced, fact‑packed profile of the Citi Strata Premier. The card stands out for its high cash‑back on groceries, dining, and travel—an appealing mix for the wealthier segment that loves those categories. While the $395 fee may seem steep at first glance, the generous bonuses and robust travel protections help to justify the cost for the target demographic. The article’s side‑bars to other CNN pieces further equip the reader with actionable next steps—whether that’s comparing it to other cards, understanding how to claim insurance, or fine‑tuning spending habits to hit the 5% caps.
In sum, for the affluent spender who values cash‑back on everyday expenses and wants peace of mind on trips, the Citi Strata Premier is an attractive option—provided you’re willing to commit to a $395 annual fee and actively track category spending.
Read the Full CNN Article at:
[ https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/money/citi-strata-premier-credit-card-review ]
