Amex Platinum vs Citi Strata Elite
The Citi Strata Elite comes out ahead for all three spending profiles we tested. Below: what each card pays after fees for three spending profiles, the break-even, and a live calculator for your own numbers. Card terms verified Oct 5, 2026.
Simulated results
Five years, welcome offers counted when the profile's own spending reaches them, points valued for travel (Amex points at 1.5¢, Citi points at 1.4¢). Merchant credits like Uber or DoorDash aren't counted for typed profiles; they show up in the break-even instead.
| Profile | Amex Platinum: year 1 | then yearly | 5 years | Citi Strata Elite: year 1 | then yearly | 5 years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Everyday spender About $2,000 a month, mostly groceries and errands, one trip a year. | $2,119 | −$506 | $94 | $1,022 | −$28 | $910 |
| Balanced About $3,500 a month with a few trips a year and regular dining out. | $2,540 | −$85 | $2,200 | $1,476 | $426 | $3,178 |
| Frequent traveler About $5,000 a month, heavy on flights, hotels and restaurants, some trips abroad. | $3,134 | $509 | $5,170 | $1,954 | $904 | $5,572 |
The break-even
Everyday spender
Amex Platinum trails Citi Strata Elite by $163 a year. It wins only if its lounge access, Global Entry credit, elite status and credits you'd have to use are worth more than $163 a year to you.
With about 2 lounge visits a year at the airports you fly through, that's $97 a visit.
This flips if Amex points are worth more than 1.77¢ each to you (we're using 1.5¢).
Balanced
Amex Platinum trails Citi Strata Elite by $196 a year. It wins only if its lounge access, Global Entry credit, elite status and credits you'd have to use are worth more than $196 a year to you.
With about 5 lounge visits a year at the airports you fly through, that's $39 a visit.
This flips if Amex points are worth more than 1.72¢ each to you (we're using 1.5¢).
Frequent traveler
Amex Platinum trails Citi Strata Elite by $80 a year. It wins only if its lounge access, Global Entry credit, elite status and credits you'd have to use are worth more than $80 a year to you.
With about 14 lounge visits a year at the airports you fly through, that's $6 a visit.
This flips if Amex points are worth more than 1.56¢ each to you (we're using 1.5¢).
Try it with your spending
Starts from the Balanced profile. Change any number, or drop in your statements; they're read on this device and never uploaded.
The live calculator needs JavaScript. The tables above are precomputed.
The live calculator needs JavaScript. The tables above are precomputed.
Side by side
| Term | Amex Platinum | Citi Strata Elite |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer and network | American Express, American Express | Citi, Mastercard |
| Annual fee | $895 | $595 |
| Requires | Nothing extra | Nothing extra |
| Welcome offer | 175,000 points after $12,000 in 6 months (as high as; offers vary) | 75,000 points after $6,000 in 3 months |
| Earning | 5x on flights booked directly with airlines or through Amex Travel, on up to $500,000 a calendar year · 5x on prepaid hotels (and prepaid vacation rentals) booked through Amex Travel · 2x on prepaid car rentals and cruises booked through Amex Travel · 1x on everything else | 12x on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked through Citi Travel · 6x on air travel booked through Citi Travel · 3x at restaurants, including restaurant delivery (6x on Citi Nights: Fri & Sat 6 PM-6 AM ET) · 1.5x on everything else |
| Rewards currency | American Express Membership Rewards points | Citi ThankYou points |
| Statement credits | $200 Uber Cash ($15 a month, $35 in December) · $120 Uber One membership credit · $200 airline incidental fee credit · $600 hotel credit ($300 semi-annually) on Fine Hotels + Resorts / The Hotel Collection · $400 Resy credit ($100 a quarter) · $300 digital entertainment credit ($25 a month) · $300 lululemon credit ($75 a quarter) · Walmart+ monthly membership credit (up to $12.95 a month) · $219 CLEAR+ credit · $200 Oura Ring credit · $300 Equinox credit | Up to $300 annual hotel benefit (Citi Travel, 2+ nights) · Up to $200 Splurge Credit (choose up to 2 brands) · Up to $200 Blacklane chauffeur credit ($100 Jan-Jun + $100 Jul-Dec) |
| Lounges | American Express Centurion Lounge, Priority Pass member lounge (lounges only; restaurants, spas, sleep pods, gaming excluded), Delta Sky Club, Plaza Premium Lounge, Escape Lounges (The Centurion Studio Partner) | Priority Pass member lounge (lounges only; restaurants, spas, sleep pods, gaming excluded), American Airlines Admirals Club |
| Foreign transaction fee | None | None |
| Authorized users | $195 each | $75 each |
| Availability | Open to new applicants | Open to new applicants |
| Verified | Oct 5, 2026 | Oct 5, 2026 |
Is the Amex Platinum worth its $895 fee? · Is the Citi Strata Elite worth its $595 fee? · Compare every card with your statements