Is the Citi Strata Premier still worth $95 a year?
At renewal there's no welcome bonus left, just the fee against what the card earns and the credits you actually use. Here's that renewal year for three spending profiles, compared with downgrading or switching to a no-fee card. Terms verified Oct 5, 2026.
| Profile | Citi Strata Premier after fee | Best alternative | Pays | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Everyday spender About $2,000 a month, mostly groceries and errands, one trip a year. | $550 | Wells Fargo Autograph | $535 | Close call |
| Balanced About $3,500 a month with a few trips a year and regular dining out. | $1,115 | Wells Fargo Autograph | $1,055 | Keep |
| Frequent traveler About $5,000 a month, heavy on flights, hotels and restaurants, some trips abroad. | $1,803 | Wells Fargo Autograph | $1,782 | Close call |
Profiles use typed totals, so merchant credits (rideshare, delivery, streaming) aren't counted here.Answer a few questions in the calculator below and the verdict updates.
The credits, and what it takes to use them
Up to $100 a year on paper. They only offset the fee to the extent you'd have spent that money anyway.
| Credit | How it works |
|---|---|
| $100 annual hotel benefit (Citi Travel, $500+ stay) | Once per calendar year, $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees), booked and prepaid with the card and/or points through Citi Travel. Applied instantly at booking. No points are earned on the offset portion. Package rates do not qualify. Book through the issuer's travel site. |
Run it on your own spending
The calculator needs JavaScript. The table above is precomputed.
The calculator needs JavaScript. The table above is precomputed.
Downgrade instead of closing: The issuer usually lets you product-change to the Citi Double Cash or Citi Custom Cash, which keeps your account age and credit line. Ask before you cancel.
Compare: Sapphire Preferred vs Citi Strata Premier · Capital One Venture vs Citi Strata Premier