Citi Strata: 3X categories without an annual fee
What it earns
Annual fee: $0
| Earn | Where to use it |
|---|---|
| 5X | Hotels, car rentals and attractionsBook through Citi Travel. Other travel does not earn 5X. |
| 3X | SupermarketsEligible supermarket purchases; merchant coding controls what qualifies. |
| 3X | Gas, EV charging and select transitEligible merchants only. Transit is select categories, not every travel purchase. |
| 3X | One Self-Select categoryChoose fitness, select streaming, live entertainment, cosmetic/barber/hair shops or pet supplies. Streaming is the default; changes take effect the next day and are limited to once per quarter. |
| 2X | RestaurantsEligible restaurant purchases, not all food sellers. |
| 1X | Everything elseEligible purchases outside the bonus categories. |
Standard purchase rates, checked Oct 15, 2026. Issuer terms (opens in a new tab). Limited-time bonuses are separate.
TL;DR
- $0 annual fee, with several useful 3X categories.
- Pick one Self-Select category. It does not cover all five at once.
- You can transfer points, but check the partner ratio before moving any.
New here? How to read these guides
Start with the earning table and TL;DR. Then check who the card fits, a spending example and how to redeem. Compare the live offer before applying.
- Cash back
- A percentage back on eligible spending. 3% on $100 = $3.
- Points / miles
- 2X means 2 points per $1 spent. It does not automatically mean 2% back. Each program has different redemption values.
- Welcome bonus / SUB
- Extra rewards for meeting an offer's spending requirement by its deadline. SUB means sign-up bonus.
- Churning
- Opening cards for welcome bonuses. Start with one card you can manage, not a pile of applications. Fees, interest and overspending can erase the upside.
- Transfer
- Moving rewards to an airline or hotel program. Often a one-way move.
The first rule: pay your statement balance in full. Interest can wipe out the rewards.
Who this card is for
You want points on groceries, gas and everyday transit without paying an annual fee. If you mainly want flat cash back, compare Double Cash instead.
What that earns in real life
Illustration: $300 at eligible supermarkets earns 900 points. $200 at gas stations earns 600. $200 at restaurants earns 400. Total: 1,900 points, not $1,900.
How to use the rewards
Cash back is simple. Citi also lists airline and hotel transfer partners, but transfer ratios can vary by card and partner. Find the flight first, check the ratio, then decide whether transferring beats cash.
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Before you apply
Check the live offer and which stores qualify. The Self-Select category starts on streaming unless you change it; a change takes effect the next day and can be made once per calendar quarter. Pay in full so interest does not eat the rewards.
Pay your statement balance in full. Interest can cost more than the rewards you earn.
Quick questions
Does Citi Strata have an annual fee?
No. The current Citi Strata card has a $0 annual fee. Strata Premier is a different card with a $95 fee.
Can I choose more than one 3X Self-Select category?
No. One eligible Self-Select category applies at a time. Citi says you can change it once per calendar quarter.
Sources & what to double-check
Published Oct 15, 2026. Reviewed Oct 15, 2026. Offers can change.
- Current category definitions, merchant coding and Self-Select timing.
- Transfer-partner eligibility and the ratio for this exact card.
- Current offer and new-account bonus eligibility.