Link: Learn more about the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card
The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card (review) is Citi’s new premium credit card. The card has a big welcome bonus that makes it worth applying for — many people should be eligible for the product, and it’s a card that I recently applied for. There’s likely a particular interest in this card since Citi ThankYou points can be transferred to American AAdvantage.
The card has a $595 annual fee, but offers a variety of perks that can help justify that, with an especially strong value proposition in the first year. These benefits include a $300 annual hotel credit, a $200 annual “Splurge Credit,” four annual Admirals Club passes, a Priority Pass membership, and more. In this post, I’d like to take a look at the $200 annual Blacklane credit offered by the card, especially as I’ve now had time to use this benefit, and can report back with my experience.
What is Blacklane, how complicated is it to use this credit, and is it even a good deal? I’ve gotten a lot more value from this perk than I was expecting to, so let me explain…
In this post:
Basics of Blacklane global chauffeur service
Blacklane is a global chauffeur service that is available in many cities across the globe. We all know Uber for the concept of ridesharing, while the idea is that Blacklane has a global network of professional drivers who can be booked for city-to-city rides, airport transfers, or even hourly or full day hires.
It’s of course important to emphasize that Blacklane essentially provides the technology for this, while drivers work either independently or for regional car services. So it’s not like all the drivers work directly for Blacklane, and therefore, you may find there’s a bit of inconsistency.
What differentiates a chauffeur service from a rideshare? A chauffeur service is supposed to be in a nice business or luxury vehicle, the drivers are professionals who do this for a living, you generally book in advance (there are exceptions, and that can work to your advantage), the driver typically arrives early and will wait for you for a certain amount of time, etc.
As you’d expect, booking a chauffeur service is considerably more expensive than booking a rideshare, since it’s supposed to offer a different level of reliability and service. Note that with Blacklane, tips, tolls, taxes, and fees, are included with rides.
Details of the Citi Strata Elite Card Blacklane credit
The Citi Strata Elite Card offers a $200 Blacklane credit annually. As you’d expect, there are some terms to be aware of:
- This is a semi-annual credit, meaning you can earn up to a $100 statement credit in January through June, and up to a $100 statement credit in July through December
- There’s no registration required, and credits will post automatically for eligible purchases made with your Citi Strata Elite, across one or more transactions
- In order for Blacklane rides to be eligible for the credit, the booking needs to be made directly through the Blacklane website or app
- Purchases made by the primary cardmember or authorized users can count toward the Blacklane credit, though the credit is a maximum of $100 semi-annually per primary cardmember account
- The credit can be used for any purchases with Blacklane globally, so it’s not only for the United States, or for certain types of rides
Is the Citi Strata Elite Card Blacklane credit worth using?
Going back many years, I used Blacklane with some frequency for airport transfers at some foreign destinations. This was at a time when Uber wasn’t available at many airports, and while Blacklane was expensive, I found it to consistently be cheaper than ordering a car through a hotel, etc. It was an easy “one stop shop” for booking reliable transfers, since it can otherwise be time consuming to find a reliable, local car service.
However, I then didn’t use Blacklane for many years, primarily due to how much more widespread Uber has become, and I also feel like Blacklane has become more expensive over time (I mean, what hasn’t?).
So when it comes to the Citi Strata Elite Card Blacklane credit, the question is whether this benefit is worth anything at all, and if so, how much value can you get from it? In other words, does the $100 Blacklane credit every six months factor into my math on justifying the card? As I’ve increasingly played around with Blacklane, a few things have stood out, which I’d consider to be a pleasant surprise.
First of all, there are some markets in which Blacklane has more competitive pricing than in other markets. For example, in Dubai, Blacklane pricing is in line with what you’d expect for a professional chauffeur service.
Furthermore, Blacklane offers “chauffeur hailing” in a limited number of cities, meaning you can order a car service on demand (rather than booking in advance), and that pricing is much lower than a pre-arranged car service. Officially, this is available in Dubai and Miami, but I’m also finding this to be available in some other markets, like London, by just selecting the “Request now” option.
Let me give some examples of pricing. For example, if you want to go from the St. Regis Dubai The Palm to Dubai Airport (DXB), you could book an on-demand ride for ~$60, while you could schedule a ride for ~$62. As a point of comparison, booking an Uber Black would cost ~$53.
As another example, say you want to go from the Park Hyatt London River Thames to London Heathrow Airport (LHR). You could book an on-demand ride for ~$92, while you could schedule a ride for ~$140. As a point of comparison, booking an Uber Exec would cost ~$117.
As another example, say you want to go from the Four Seasons Miami to Miami Airport (MIA). You could book an on-demand ride for ~$61, while you could schedule a ride for ~$92. As a point of comparison, booking an Uber Black would cost ~$52.
I think what stands out to me the most is that pre-booked rides are actually a decent value in some cities, like Dubai. But what excites me most is that Blacklane is also offering on-demand rides in select cities, and those are generally priced comparably to an Uber Black.
For example, I’ve been using my Citi Strata Elite Card Blacklane credit for on-demand rides in Miami. Most rides that aren’t too far away seem to cost $25, so I’ve now taken a few of those rides, and they’ve been reimbursed (the reimbursement typically comes around two to three weeks after the ride, in my experience).
I’ve gotta say, the quality of cars and drivers has been way higher than I’ve come to expect from ridesharing apps, so that’s great. The drivers have all had brand new cars, drive in a civilized way (that’s a big benefit in Miami!), even wear suits, etc.
So I expect that I’ll fully be able to maximize my $100 semi-annual Blacklane credit on an ongoing basis. This is more valuable than those cards that have rideshare credits where you get $10 or so every month, since at least you can use the entire $100 credit toward a single ride (or at least on a much more limited number of rides).
With that in mind, how much do I value this $200 annual Blacklane credit? I don’t value it close to face value, but I at least feel confident that I can consistently use it, and will get value out of it.
If I had to put a price on this, I’d say I probably think it’s worth around half of face value, though that’s conservative. I guess I’m also lucky that I live in Miami, where the on-demand service is available, which is much easier to use, and allows me to maximize value pretty easily.
Bottom line
The Citi Strata Elite Card offers several valuable benefits, and among those is a $200 annual Blacklane credit. This is a semi-annual benefit, meaning that you can receive a $100 statement credit toward Blacklane rides every six months.
Blacklane is a global chauffeur service, and as you’d expect for a professional service, pricing is often on the steep side. Initially I thought I might value this credit at very little, but I actually think I’ll get decent use out of this.
For one, pricing in some cities is quite attractive, with rides more than covered by the $100 credit. But what excites me most is that Blacklane also has an on-demand chauffeur hailing service in select cities (including my home city!), which generally has much lower pricing. So while I don’t think the Blacklane credit is worth face value, I do still value it considerably.
What’s your take on the Citi Strata Elite Card $200 Blacklane credit?
Just used Blacklane for the first time & also tried using the CSE credit (which 2 weeks after booking/pmt still hasn’t posted).
Lady arrives late at MEX & cannot find us exiting bag claim - I felt like WE needed a sign on us cos she certainly didn’t have one as agreed to in the ride instructions.
She was a weak driver who spoke no English & def NOT in the Mercedes advertised....
Just used Blacklane for the first time & also tried using the CSE credit (which 2 weeks after booking/pmt still hasn’t posted).
Lady arrives late at MEX & cannot find us exiting bag claim - I felt like WE needed a sign on us cos she certainly didn’t have one as agreed to in the ride instructions.
She was a weak driver who spoke no English & def NOT in the Mercedes advertised.
All this for $250. I completed the survey after & received 1/2 off my next ride. Whatever…,
Just an FYI, booked a Blacklane pickup from LHR a few days in advance. Provided my flight details. We arrived about 45 min early and even though they claim the flight would be monitored, no one was waiting for us. As our original pickup time was approaching I received a phone call from them advising our driver couldn’t make it and we could wait 60-90 minutes for another driver. We eventually just took the Underground...
Just an FYI, booked a Blacklane pickup from LHR a few days in advance. Provided my flight details. We arrived about 45 min early and even though they claim the flight would be monitored, no one was waiting for us. As our original pickup time was approaching I received a phone call from them advising our driver couldn’t make it and we could wait 60-90 minutes for another driver. We eventually just took the Underground and were advised the booking would be refunded. I also requested they cover the expense of the Underground and they advised they would look into it.
I’ve found it completely unusable. In every city that I have looked so far— Boston, Madrid, Denver— The cost of the blacklane car is more than $100 than an uber.
Can I book a ride for my daughter using my Blacklane account and my Citi Strata card and still get the statement credit?
@ Cheryl Stewart -- As long as your card is used, it doesn't matter who the ride is actually booked for.
It's hardly comparable to Uber. Just tested a booking to SFO:
Blacklane "business class" to SFO from the City: $177 (pickup not for 40 minutes).
"first class" is $300.
Uber black: $89 in 4 minutes.
Uber Black SUV: $103 in minutes.
Isn't the Blacklane credit just once per half-year? So $25 four times will only get reimbursed once for $25, not $100?
@ sr -- Nope, there's no requirement for it to just be one transaction. Semi-annually, you receive up to $100 in statement credits, and that can be across one or multiple transactions.
Hmm did you get that to work? The Citi website says:
"Up to $200 annual credit for Blacklane chauffeur service every calendar year: From January to June, take $100 off a Blacklane chauffeur service ride with the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card. From July to December, take $100 off another ride."
Not a Blacklane issue per se, but there have been news reports of new CSE cardholders having their new account frozen after-the-fact until they submit an IRS form 4506-C (Income verification)?
Unusual?
Funny I just looked into this today as to whether this had to be one transaction or if multiple were OK.
London is a great example where Blacklane is comparable to Uber, and there this has value. NYC is an example of where Blacklane is significantly more expensive compared to Uber.
LAX allows Blacklane to pick up at the terminal rather than LAxit.
I didn't value it anything until CA allowed ride share drivers to unionize. Rides back home from LAX were already $80 range and I have to take the stupid shuttle to the ride share pickup area. After unionization black lane might get a whole influx of new customers. I used my wife's card to book and the credit did post. I do not think their systems are sophisticated enough to know who actually took the...
I didn't value it anything until CA allowed ride share drivers to unionize. Rides back home from LAX were already $80 range and I have to take the stupid shuttle to the ride share pickup area. After unionization black lane might get a whole influx of new customers. I used my wife's card to book and the credit did post. I do not think their systems are sophisticated enough to know who actually took the ride. It was so nice just walking across to the parking lot instead of taking the stupid shuttle. Just a tip for anyone that doesn't have an account yet create the account about a couple months of when you think you will take a ride and you maybe get a $50 discount code. I got one and it timed perfectly with a trip I was taking. I may have to get the elite myself just to get another set of credits. I booked an EQE and got the EQS for my trip. So for got an upgraded car as well.
The image of Mercedes with Midtown Manhattan in the background... is telling. Yeah, if you live in NYC, this'll do, but elsewhere, kinda 'meh,' no? Like, I won't let my credits go to waste, but, no one 'asked' for this, ya know...
It is funny how different cards appeal to different people. I have been on the credit card fatigue bandwagon the last few months due to chase reserve and amex plat. However this card is super appealing to me without even trying.
*100,000 sign up bonus (amazing)
*300 hotel credit (easy to use)
*Blacklane: I love blacklane especially for my airport pickup in international locations. Usually cheaper than hotel transfer
*Splurge: Just...
It is funny how different cards appeal to different people. I have been on the credit card fatigue bandwagon the last few months due to chase reserve and amex plat. However this card is super appealing to me without even trying.
*100,000 sign up bonus (amazing)
*300 hotel credit (easy to use)
*Blacklane: I love blacklane especially for my airport pickup in international locations. Usually cheaper than hotel transfer
*Splurge: Just fly AA once a year somewhere. Easy peasy
No spreadsheets, no guessing which month to use what. Really like this card. Balances the ease of Venture X with easy to use credits of the more expensive ones without going crazy. Blacklane and hotels I would spend anyway so this is not like the LuLu Lemon stuff I would not spend otherwise
Andrew, the SUB is where it's at, and maximizing the credits for the first two calendar years (the 'double dip'), but, beyond that, Citi Strata Elite is simply not a keeper card, like the Prestige was before it (that 4th night free was epic, and it had a simpler 5x credit for airfare/dining, exceeding Amex Platinum on dining at least.) Anyway, you do you, if you wanna keep paying $595 or more each year thereafter....
Andrew, the SUB is where it's at, and maximizing the credits for the first two calendar years (the 'double dip'), but, beyond that, Citi Strata Elite is simply not a keeper card, like the Prestige was before it (that 4th night free was epic, and it had a simpler 5x credit for airfare/dining, exceeding Amex Platinum on dining at least.) Anyway, you do you, if you wanna keep paying $595 or more each year thereafter. I'll probably downgrade to Strata (no fee) after renewal, unless there's a compelling retention offer.
I might downgrade after the first year. But I will spend the 300 travel credit, 200 blacklane and the splurge without even trying so we shall see. Besides my old cards, I see the new ones as a year by ear proposition anyway. Keep me interested with perks,
Yeah, in that case, you'd still be 'ahead' ($700 in annual credits for $595 AF), so, maybe keeping it is fine, depending on your circumstances. Folks like us who are disciplined enough to actually use what we have do tend to end up ahead; yet, it's shocking how many people seem relatively clueless, often letting these lucrative credits expire without using them. That said, it's not like any of us needed an 11th Priority Pass membership...
For sure, and I am the rare breed who uses Blacklane lol
There is no $300 travel credit. It’s $300 on hotels booked through Citi only. It has a 2 night minimum and is no loyalty benefits or earnings.
for many that’s not easy to use or justify
I use hotel credits for my sales reps at trade shows. Although I'm more keen on AAdvantage hotels as the multipliers are insane.
I don't work for Citi so don't get the card lol. I have a few trips a year that my hotels are just places to sleep while visiting family. Easy for me.
Yes, Mark, things are often more complicated than what a few folks say in comments. See the full terms and conditions for more details. (And, yeah, not as 'clean' as the 1 night FHR 2x $300 updated credits via Amex Platinum, eh?)