The Citi Strata Elite Card's Incredible First Year Value: Why It Stands Out

Lack of comments mean anything?

I'm sure we're all just still digesting our turkey along with the article that Citi PR half wrote and planted in the WSJ on Thursday to try and excuse its atrocious rollout of the Elite. At least the journalist had some credibility in trying to balance out the article, including noting that Citi has had a string of operational misfires and that it remains under consent orders with respect to its laughable internal controls. Honestly I think the article makes Citi look even worse in many ways, even though Citi spent the first half of the article trying to blame all of the people "gaming" them.

Here's the pull quote from Citi for the article- “The majority of those affected by this situation used an application they were fully aware was not intended for them in order to circumvent the appropriate channels to improve their chances of being approved for a card and getting special sign-up bonus points,” Citi said in a statement. “They then shamelessly complained when we took action to protect our bank from their behavior.”

Shamelessly complained! What a complete joke. Even more of a joke was the pull quote at the end from the CEO to Citi investors: “We’ve re-entered the premium rewards segment with the Citi Strata Elite that’s had a very strong reception in the market,” Chief Executive Jane Fraser said.

A very strong reception? Carefully chosen yet absolutely meaningless words.

Look, the roll out has been a spectacular public and internal failure. And Citi can cry wolf all it wants, but meanwhile, it's doling out the biggest affiliate referral bonuses ever to try and get folks to sign up for this card. And when the best pitch that can be made is "you can game Citi's atrocious internal systems by getting credits in each calendar year not each cardmember year" it's a little rich of Citi to complain publicly in the WSJ that folks are trying to game them, no? They're literally paying for this exact coverage telling consumers to game them!

End of the day, the Elite card launch reeks of desperation, as does this latest WSJ article. All that said, by all means if you are eligible- go get the card, use the credits, take the 100k SUB, and make OMAAT some money! Nothing wrong with that at all! But let's not pretend that this card otherwise is something more than a complete waste of time.

While you argue the card is a complete waste of time -- and, let's say that it is -- you just wasted how much of your life composing your soliloquy? As well as that of readers.

The constant promotion on the citi cards on this site with the lack of transparency about the ongoing issues, which affect both people that used the hacked link and countless others makes this site lose credibility.

Ben, I think it's time to cover the Citi elite roll-out issues on your site. It's a a pretty glaring gap. This is not just isolated to people that used the hacked link. I got my account locked and opened the card in branch so this is not isolated to those who just tried to "game the system". We've had citi cards for 10+ years, 800+ credit score. I think what triggered it for us is we got fraud on the account.

The card's first year value is there and it's easier to capture than that of the CSR. As a keeper, the credits easily offset the annual fee. But, the card is a niche play. Weekends dining out and non-network hotels via Citi Travel. For most, that's not enough. But, for some, it is. I'd expect a tweak within a year. No longer can banks wait on major refreshes. The terrain moves more quickly now.

Yup I got it for the first year value. We will see if I keep it. 1.5 years of the credits and the 100k bonus though were a no brainer.

How long do I have to wait to get this card after canceling my current one?

I am a long time Citi credit card holder. I was immediately approved for the strata premier card two weeks ago and went ahead and applied for the strata elite card today and got the following message: . “We have received your application and further processing is required. We will contact you in approximately 7-10 days regarding our decision.”
Do you know if that means a likely denial? thanks.

The main “value” of this card is the commission you earn from each successful application.

If you book hotels using the Citi travel portal, can you still earn points with that hotel’s loyalty program? And will those hotels recognize your status?

@Jack - 5 minutes? So - you disliked my comment so much that you took an additional minute to reply to me complaining that I wasted your time by reading it? You're in the 25th recycled article about the same content on a niche blog, and you're complaining that someone commented?

Thought your comment was perfectly accurate for what it's worth. For me, I don't overly care about SUBs and credits. I want creative benefits, statuses, lounges. Citi announced none of that - it's a card that was a dud to begin with, and they compounded their mistake by having a disaster of a roll out. I find that interesting and worthy of thought and comment. If you don't, to each their own! Happy Thanksgiving!

No

Then don't read the blog.

Then don't read the blog.

How can you call yourself a airline blogger when you don’t even mention the urgent Airbus warning regarding the A320 software? OMAAT is nothing but vapid, lightweight fluff between affiliate product placement. I used to enjoy reading this blog, now I just sigh.

Yeah, kind of ridiculous that Ben has now published several posts in the past month or two praising this card, conveniently ignoring the WSJ articles, Citi canceling all of a customer's accounts if they don't provide tax transcripts (weeks after approval no less!!), and then tried to blame customers for using an in-branch sign up link. Ridiculous and shameless!!

Repost

I got this card for the SUB and 1st year value and will assess if I keep it after. The 12x points on hotels is valuable for me

I think he's losing credibility here by not addressing issues with the card. Many people are losing all TYP (not just their citi elite cards) after Citi permanently closes their cards following the income verification. That's a bigger risk than reward.

And, many people (including me) did NOT use the branch link and still got their account processed for verification.

Does not Amex Platinum also have credits on calendar year basis?

Not that there’s anything wrong with Ben’s business model! We’re not paying him for the content 😉

Well I don’t need more points, but couldn’t resist the SUB so I applied and got approved. I’ll meet the spend requirement via federal taxes which are high this year since we sold our Capitol Hill row house - Now I’m Bill in DC in name only - actually now Bill n IC
I’m using the first year’s hotel credit tonight for a two night stay at Hyatt House Rochester. The cost was about $50 more thru Cititravel than Hyatt website so actually only a $250 credit
We’ll see what value I get on next year’s ’double dip’.
My visit to Mayo added appointments so needed two night. Cancelled the original 1 nite using my Chase Hyatt cc free annual night
Best wishes for a joyous Holiday season

What lack of transparency? We know that Ben is a marketing affiliate. His job is to promote the card. But, I would agree that coverage of the warts is warranted.

This is a fair and reasonable approach.

were you approved?