Citi Premier is now Citi ‘Strata’ Premier, with minimal changes

The Citi Premier Card has undergone a transformation and is now known as the Citi Strata Premier Card. The changes, effective as of May 12, have left many cardholders and potential applicants underwhelmed.

While the annual fee remains at $95, some changes have been introduced to the card. New earning rates include 3 points per dollar spent at electronic vehicle charging stations and an extended 10 points per dollar spent on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through the Citi Travel portal.

One of the most notable changes is the reintroduction of travel protections, including trip cancellation and interruption, trip delay, lost or damaged luggage, and car rental coverage. These benefits were removed in 2019 but have now made a comeback, bringing the Strata Premier in line with its competitors.

Additionally, a limited-time elevated sign-up bonus of 75,000 ThankYou points is being offered to new applicants who spend $4,000 within the first three months of account opening.

Despite these changes, the overall sentiment towards the rebranded card is lukewarm. Many had hoped for more significant enhancements or the addition of new transfer partners. However, the card still offers strong value for its $95 annual fee.

Looking ahead, there is anticipation for the launch of the Citi Prestige’s successor, rumored to be the “Strata Elite” card. This premium offering is expected to compete with top-tier cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve and The Platinum Card from American Express. Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving credit card landscape.