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Amex Platinum Card vs. Citi Strata Elite Card [Detailed Comparison]

Christine Krzyszton's image
Christine Krzyszton
Edited by: Michael Y. Park
& Jestan Mendame
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Key Takeaways

  • The Platinum Card® from American Express and Citi Strata Elite℠ Card offer peak earnings through their respective travel portals, with the Citi Strata Elite card earning higher rates on flights, hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through Citi Travel.
  • The Amex Platinum card offers broader worldwide lounge, Centurion Lounge, and Delta Sky Club access. In contrast, the Citi Strata Elite card provides Priority Pass Select membership and passes for access to the American Airlines Admirals Club.
  • Both cards offer statement credits for select purchases.

We seldom see new travel rewards cards introduced that are worthy of challenging the Amex Platinum card. An exception is the Citi Strata Elite card, which has appeared on the scene and beckons for our attention.

With a similar earning structure, flexible redemption options, hundreds of dollars in potential statement credits, and travel and shopping protections and benefits, the Citi Strata Elite card is the perfect card to match up against the Amex Platinum card.

In our premium travel rewards card showdown, we’ll examine the attributes of both cards to provide you with sufficient information to decide which is a better fit. Here’s how the Amex Platinum card and Citi Strata Elite card compare.

Overview

Before we examine the Amex Platinum card and Citi Strata Elite card more closely, it can be helpful to glance at an overall, side-by-side comparison.

Here is how our featured cards stack up in key features and benefits.

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Features and Benefits

The Platinum Card® from American ExpressCiti Strata Elite℠ Card

Welcome offer

Apply and find out if you're eligible for as high as 175,000 points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases in the first 6 months. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.Earn 80,000 ThankYou Points after spending $4,000 within the first 3 months of account opening.

Earnings

  • 5x Membership Rewards points on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per calendar year, then 1x)
  • 5x points on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com
  • 1x points on other purchases
  • 12x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through Citi Travel
  • 6x points on air travel booked through Citi Travel
  • Up to 6x points at restaurants, including delivery
  • 1.5x points on all other purchases

Top redemptions

  • Transfer to airline and hotel partners
  • Redeem for travel through AmexTravel.com
  • Transfer to airline and hotel partners
  • Redeem for travel through Citi Travel

Key travel protections and benefits

  • American Express Global Lounge Collection access, including Centurion Lounges
  • Up to $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
  • Hotel program elite status and on-site benefits upon enrollment
  • Up to $200 airline incidentals credit and $200 prepaid hotel credit annually upon enrollment
  • Trip cancellation, trip interruption, and delay
  • Emergency medical evacuation

  • Priority Pass Select membership, Admirals Club passes
  • Up to $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
  • Hotel program benefits and up to $300 hotel credit each year
  • Up to $200 Blacklane chauffeur service credit
  • Trip cancellation, trip interruption, and delay

Key shopping protections and benefits

  • Purchase protection, extended warranty, return protection
  • Up to $100 in Saks Fifth Avenue credits upon enrollment
  • Up to $240 in digital entertainment credits upon enrollment
  • Purchase Assurance Plus, extended warranty
  • Up to $200 annual Splurge Credit

Annual fees and authorized users

  • $595 annual fee
  • Add authorized users for $75 each

Comparing Welcome Offers

Once approved for either the Amex Platinum card or Citi Strata Elite card, you have the opportunity to earn a welcome bonus offer after meeting minimum spending requirements within a specified period. The welcome offers can be generous, providing an opportunity to earn a large number of rewards quickly.

Here are the most current offers and more information for our featured cards:

NEW OFFER
The Platinum Card® from American ExpressTerms Apply / Rates & Fees
Star rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating iconStar rating icon
U.P. Rating 
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.
You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
As High As 175,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.
Up to $3,850
$695
See Pay Over Time APR
Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.
Good to Excellent
Why We Like This Card

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required), Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
  • 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
  • 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com
Cons
  • $695 annual fee (rates and fees)
  • Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)
Card Highlights
  • You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®.
  • $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
  • $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
  • Enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection, with over $500 of annual value if you visit Centurion Lounges and each of our partner lounges including Delta Sky Club® lounges when flying an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations) , select Lufthansa lounges when flying Lufthansa, Plaza Premium lounges and Escape Lounges, and enroll in Priority Pass Select. See terms.
  • A Walmart+ membership can get you free shipping with no order minimum on eligible items shipped by Walmart. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) and receive one statement credit for up to $12.95 (plus applicable taxes. Plus Ups not eligible) each month. Free Shipping excludes most Marketplace items, freight & certain location surcharges. Paramount+ Essential plan only, separate registration required.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
  • $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card® Members can ride or dine in style with $15 in Uber Cash each month, plus a bonus $20 in December after adding their Card to their Uber account. Use your Uber Cash on rides and orders in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
  • $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps get you to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide. Receive up to $199 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for your CLEAR Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) with the Platinum Card®.
  • Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
  • Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • Use Global Dining Access by Resy to access premium dining experiences. Receive Priority Notify and unlock insider access to some of the world's most sought-after restaurants with Global Dining Access by Resy. Download the Resy iOS app or log into Resy.com and add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile to take advantage of your special benefits and discover restaurants near you.
  • $695 annual fee.
  • Terms Apply.
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: See Pay Over Time APR
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Citi Strata Elite℠ Card
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U.P. Rating 
The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Citi Strata Elite card is Citi's most premium card built for frequent travelers and foodies.

The Citi Strata Elite card is Citi's most premium card built for frequent travelers and foodies.
Earn 80,000 bonus ThankYou Points after spending $4,000 within the first 3 months of account opening.
80,000 points
Up to $1,280
$595
21.24% to 29.24% Variable
Why We Like This Card

The Citi Strata Elite card is a great option for frequent travelers, foodies, and those who are fans of the Citi ThankYou Rewards ecosystem thanks to its combination of bonus categories, perks, and annual credits.

Pros & Cons
Pros
  • 12x points on hotels, rental cars, and attractions booked through Citi Travel
  • 6x points on airfare through Citi Travel
  • 6x points on dining on Citi Nights (Friday and Saturday nights from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.) and 3x points on dining at all other times
Cons
  • $595 annual fee
  • Boosted dining rewards are limited to 2 nights per week
Card Highlights
  • Earn 80,000 bonus ThankYou Points after spending $4,000 within the first 3 months of account opening
  • 12x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on cititravel.com
  • 6x points on air travel booked on cititravel.com
  • 6x points at restaurants, including restaurant delivery services, every Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. ET, and 3x points any other time
  • 1.5x points on all other purchases
  • Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
  • Up to $300 annual hotel benefit
  • Up to $200 annual splurge credit
  • Up to $200 annual Blacklane credit
  • 4 American Airlines Admirals Club passes every calendar year
  • Transfer Citi ThankYou Points to partners like American Airlines
  • Complimentary Priority Pass membership
  • No foreign transaction fees
Financial Snapshot
  • APR: 21.24% to 29.24% Variable
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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Earning Potential

One of the key reasons to select a travel rewards card is its earning power. The Amex Platinum card and Citi Strata Elite card have base earnings on every purchase plus bonus category earnings to help you accumulate reward points faster.

Here’s how you earn rewards on each of our featured cards:

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Earning Category

The Platinum Card® from American ExpressCiti Strata Elite℠ Card

Travel purchased through card travel portal

5x Membership Rewards points on airfare (up to $500,000 per calendar year, then 1xs) and prepaid hotels purchased through AmexTravel.com

  • 12x ThankYou Rewards Points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through Citi Travel
  • 6x points on air travel booked through Citi Travel

Flights purchased directly with airline

5x points

1.5x points

All other travel purchases

1x points

1.5x points

Restaurants, including delivery

1x points

6x points on dining on Citi Nights (Friday and Saturday nights from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.) and 3x points on dining at all other times

All other purchases

1x points

1.5x points

Both cards offer strong earnings when you book travel through the cards’ travel portals. The Amex Platinum card also earns well on flights booked directly with the airline, while the Citi Strata Elite card earns 1.5x points for any travel booked outside of Citi Travel.

The Citi Strata Elite card is your weekend go-to for dining purchases. The card has the edge over the Amex Platinum card (1x points on dining), with 6x points earned at restaurants, including restaurant delivery services, every Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Eastern time, and 3x points at all other times. If you can remember to use your card for dining every Friday and Saturday night, you’d earn the most rewards.

When you have frequent spending on expenses outside of bonus categories, such as tuition, medical bills, daily purchases like groceries and gas, or home repairs, you earn more with the Citi Strata Elite card. You earn more because the card offers 1.5 points per $1 spent on all purchases, compared to the Amex Platinum card, which earns 1 point per $1 spent.

However, earning rewards is just a single consideration for a card. The value you receive at redemption time can be of even greater importance.

Redemption Options

American Airlines 787 Stagged Seat
Redeeming points for business class seats is always a treat. Image Credit: James Larounis

The Amex Platinum card earns flexible Membership Rewards points, while the Citi Strata Elite card earns ThankYou Rewards Points, which can also have flexible redemption options. These flexible currencies can have different values depending on your redemption choices.

Here are your choices when it’s time to redeem the rewards you’ve earned:

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Redemptions

The Platinum Card® from American ExpressCiti Strata Elite℠ Card

Redeem points for travel through card travel portal

1 cent per point

1 cent per point

Transfer points to airline and hotel partners

23 airline and hotel transfer partners

19 airline and hotel transfer partners

General statement credit

0.6 cents per point

1 cent per point

Additional redemptions

New York City taxis, Amazon, gift cards, select retailers, charatible donation

Transfer to an eligible Citi account, cash, shopping with participating retailers, gift cards, charitable donation

Without a doubt, the best option for redeeming rewards earned on the Amex Platinum card or Citi Strata Elite card is to transfer points to airline or hotel programs for award flights or free hotel nights.

We value Membership Rewards points at approximately 2.2 cents each and ThankYou Points at 1.6 cents each when utilizing airline and hotel transfer partners.

While the Amex Platinum card has a few more transfer partners than the Citi Strata Elite card, it’s possible to find outsized value when redeeming either rewards currency.

The Citi Strata Elite card offers the best nontravel redemption rate at 1 cent per point for cash and statement credits, as well as the option to transfer points to eligible Citi accounts, including mortgages and student loans.

Hot Tip:

Citi airline transfer partners now include the unique option of transferring points to American Airlines from eligible cards. ThankYou Points earned on the Citi Strata Elite card can be transferred to American Airlines AAdvantage at a 1:1 ratio.

Travel Protections

Travel protections can be helpful if a covered event were to occur and disrupt your travel plans.

Here are the travel protections you find on the Amex Platinum card and the Citi Strata Elite card:

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Travel protection

The Platinum Card® from American ExpressCiti Strata Elite℠ Card

Car rental loss and damage insurance

Secondary coverage with the option to purchase primary Premium Protection for 1 low price that covers the entire rental period

MasterRental secondary coverage within the renter’s country of residence, primary outisde the country, terms apply

Trip cancellation and trip interruption insurance

Up to $10,000 per trip, up to $20,000 per card per 12-month period

Enhanced trip cancellation and trip interruption included*

Trip delay insurance

If trip is delayed more than 6 hours, up to $500 per trip for eligible incidentals, maximum of 2 trips per 12 months

Included*

Emergency medical transport and evacuation

Included with Premium Global Assist Hotline coverage

N/A

Baggage insurance

Up to $3,000 per person, per trip for lost, stolen, or damaged luggage, limits apply

Lost or damaged luggage coverage included*

* Coverage descriptions and terms and conditions are included in the Citi Strata Elite card’s guide to benefits you receive when approved for the card.

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Travel Benefits

Windows at Admirals Club ORD Concourse G
Lounge access can be a quiet respite from a busy terminal. Image Credit: Katie Corrigan Seemann

Travel benefits can save you money and provide perks to make your journey more comfortable.

We’ll begin with a brief comparison, followed by a closer examination of the travel benefits offered by the Amex Platinum card and the Citi Strata Elite card:

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Travel Benefit

The Platinum Card® from American ExpressCiti Strata Elite℠ Card

Airport lounge access

American Express Global Lounge Collection featuring select airline lounges and Priority Pass Select membership upon enrollment

Admirals Club passes, Priority Pass Select membership

Hotel program benefits

Elite status upon enrollment, on-site benefits, statement credits

On-site benefits and statement credits

Airport security benefits

Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, CLEAR Plus credits

Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit

Airline incidental fees credit

Annual credit with preselected airline

N/A

Ride-sharing and transport credits, car rental program benefits

Uber Cash; Avis Preferred Plus, Hertz President’s Circle, and National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status (enrollment required)

Blacklane and Lyft credits, Mastercard car rental discounts

Foreign transacation fees

None (rates & fees)

None

Airport Lounge Access

Amex Platinum Card

The Amex Platinum card is known for offering some of the best lounge benefits, with access to over 1,550 lounges worldwide:

Guest access is included for Priority Pass lounges, although some lounges do not accept guests. Up to 2 guests are included, after which a fee of $35 applies for each additional guest. You can earn guest access for the Centurion Lounge and unlimited cardholder access for Delta Sky Club lounges by spending $75,000 or more on the card annually.

Citi Strata Elite Card

The Citi Strata Elite card also comes with a Priority Pass Select membership, offering access for the cardmember and 2 guests to over 1,500 lounges worldwide. Additionally, Citi partners with American Airlines to provide 4 Admirals Club passes (worth up to $300) each year.

Hotel Program Benefits

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Hotel Program Benefit

The Platinum Card® from American ExpressCiti Strata Elite℠ Card

Hotel program elite status

Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite and Hilton Honors Gold status upon enrollment

N/A

Hotel program on-site benefits

Fine Hotels + Resorts (FHR) and the Hotel Collection benefits

The Reserve by Citi Travel and the Hotel Collection benefits

Hotel program credits

$200 annual statement credit toward eligible stays at FHR and the Hotel Collection

Up to $300 annual hotel credit on a 2-night or longer stay booked through Citi Travel

Amex Platinum Card

The Amex Platinum card includes Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status and Hilton Honors Gold elite status. Elite status can offer benefits such as upgraded rooms, increased hotel loyalty points earning, late checkout, and more.

Amex Platinum cardholders have access to Fine Hotels + Resorts benefits, which include an upgraded room on arrival (when available), daily breakfast for 2, noon check-in (when available), guaranteed 4 p.m. checkout, complimentary Wi-Fi, and a $100 unique property amenity. Stays can be booked through AmexTravel.com with points, prepaid with the card, or a combination of both.

The Hotel Collection properties booked through AmexTravel.com offer similar benefits, such as a $100 on-site credit to spend at the hotel on eligible dining, spa, and resort activities and a room upgrade at check-in (when available).

The annual $200 statement credit applies to FHR hotel bookings of any length and Hotel Collection stays of 2 nights or longer and is limited to 1 credit per calendar year.

Citi Strata Elite Card

The Reserve hotel collection benefits include a $100 experience credit (varies by property), room upgrade when available, daily breakfast for 2, complimentary Wi-Fi, early check-in, and late checkout (when available). Benefits apply only to hotels booked with Reserve rates through Citi Travel.

The Hotel Collection benefits include daily breakfast for 2, complimentary Wi-Fi, early check-in, and late checkout (when available). Stays must be booked through Citi Travel.

When booking a hotel night stay of 2 nights or longer with Citi Travel, you could receive up to $300 each year in credits at checkout. Prepay for your stay with your card, ThankYou Points, or a combination to receive the credit. Please note that you do not earn points on the portion of the purchase covered by the credit.

Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or CLEAR Credit

The Amex Platinum card and Citi Strata Elite card both offer up to $120 in statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck application fee.

Additionally, the Amex Platinum card offers a CLEAR Plus credit of up to $199 each year when you use the card to pay for your application or renewal fee.

Airline Incidentals Fee Credit

The Amex Platinum card offers up to $200 in statement credits each year for qualifying airline incidental fees purchased with your preselected airline using your card.

Ride-Sharing, Transport, and Car Rental Program Benefits

The Amex Platinum card includes up to $200 in annual Uber Cash. Add your card as a payment method to your Uber account and receive $15 monthly from January to November and $35 in December. You can use Uber Cash for Uber rides and Uber Eats in the U.S.

The Amex Platinum card also includes Avis Preferred Plus, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards President’s Circle, and National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status. Enrollment is required for these car rental benefits.

The Citi Strata Elite card comes with up to $200 in annual credits with the global chauffeur company Blacklane. Credits are available in 2 installments: $100 from January through June and $100 from July through December. Additionally, as a World Elite Mastercard holder, you can earn $5 in monthly credit with Lyft after taking 3 rides. Mastercard benefits also include car rental discounts.

Shopping Protections and Benefits

Shopping protections provide economic benefits in the event of a covered loss to an eligible item purchased with your card. Shopping benefits can deliver savings for select purchases.

Here’s an overview of the shopping protections and benefits available on the Amex Platinum card and Citi Strata Elite card:

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Shopping Protection or Benefit

The Platinum Card® from American ExpressCiti Strata Elite℠ Card

Purchase protection

Theft and accidental damage protection for up to 90 days from the purchase date

Purchase Assurance Plus included*

Extended warranty

For eligible items with manufacturer’s warranty of 5 years or less, warranty extended 1 year

Included

Return protection

Eligible items not accepted for return within 90 days of the purchase date, up to $300 per item, maximum of $1,000 per calendar year

N/A

Cell phone protection

Up to $800 for damage or theft, maximum 2 claims 12 months, $50 deductible per claim

N/A

Annual statement credits

  • Up to $100 Saks Fifth Avenue credit
  • Up to $300 Equinox credit
  • Up to $155 Walmart+ credit
  • Up to $240 digital entertainment credit

Up to $200 in Splurge Credits

* Coverage descriptions and terms and conditions are included in the guide to benefits you receive once approved for the Citi Strata Elite card.

Amex Platinum Card

Pay your monthly cell phone bill with your card and receive up to $800 in cell phone protection if your phone is damaged or stolen. You can make a maximum of 2 claims per 12 months, with a $50 deductible per claim.

The Saks Fifth Avenue credit of up to $100 in statement credits each year is available for $50 from January through June, and $50 from July through December. You must first enroll in the benefit through your online card account.

Use your enrolled card to pay for the Equinox+ digital fitness app or an eligible Equinox club membership and receive up to $300 in Equinox credits each calendar year.

The Walmart+ credit gives cardholders up to $155 in statement credits each year, enough to cover the monthly Walmart+ membership. You must use your card to pay for the monthly membership.

The digital entertainment credit helps cover some of those monthly streaming subscription fees. Upon enrollment, you receive up to $240 annually with up to $20 in monthly credits for Disney+, The Disney+ Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal.

Citi Strata Elite Card

The up to $200 annual Splurge Credit can be used with your choice of merchants, including 1stDibs, American Airlines (exclusions apply), Best Buy, Future Personal Training, and Live Nation (exclusions apply). The merchant must activate the transaction before the statement credit can be applied, and you can only have 2 activated merchants at the same time.

Annual Fees and Authorized Users

It’s essential to understand the fees charged on any card you select, particularly the annual fee and any additional charges for adding authorized users. Let’s review the fees charged in these categories for our featured cards.

The Amex Platinum card charges an annual fee of $695. Authorized users can be added for $195 per card. There is no authorized user fee for basic Gold cards (not the same as the American Express® Gold Card).

The Citi Strata Elite card charges an annual fee of $595 and charges $75 to add each authorized user.

Hot Tip:

CitiGold Relationship clients who have a Citi Strata Elite card receive a $145 rebate toward the card’s annual fee each year. CitiGold Private Relationship clients receive a $595 credit in the first year and $145 each subsequent year.

Final Thoughts

The Citi Strata Elite card offers several substantial benefits, including up to $300 in annual hotel credits when booking a hotel through Citi Travel. Another benefit is the Splurge Credit, which can be used at American Airlines. The card also offers 4 Admirals Club lounge passes. American Airlines loyalists may find the card attractive now that the airline has also become a Citi transfer partner.

Both cards finish light on earning, with neither offering many strong bonus category earnings except for travel via the cards’ travel portals or flights purchased directly from airlines, particularly with the Amex Platinum card. The Citi Strata Elite does come through with up to 6x on dining on weekend nights, which could be a positive earner.

As a premium travel rewards card choice, either card can deliver usable benefits and overall economic value. If you’re a frequent traveler who values worldwide lounge access, the Amex Platinum card could be a good choice, as a single annual lounge membership can cost as much as the card’s annual fee. If you’re an American Airlines fan, the Citi Strata Elite card might have more appeal.

The best card for your situation is the one that earns the most rewards on your most common purchases, offers redemption options that match your preferences, provides travel and shopping benefits you can utilize, and has an annual fee you’re comfortable paying.


For the baggage insurance plan benefit of The Platinum Card® from American Express, baggage insurance plan coverage can be in effect for covered persons for eligible lost, damaged, or stolen baggage during their travel on a common carrier vehicle (e.g. plane, train, ship, or bus) when the Entire Fare for a ticket for the trip (one-way or round-trip) is charged to an eligible card. Coverage can be provided for up to $2,000 for checked baggage and up to a combined maximum of $3,000 for checked and carry-on baggage, in excess of coverage provided by the common carrier. The coverage is also subject to a $3,000 aggregate limit per covered trip. For New York State residents, there is a $2,000 per bag/suitcase limit for each covered person with a $10,000 aggregate maximum for all covered persons per covered trip. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

For the car rental loss and damage insurance benefit of The Platinum Card® from American Express, car rental loss and damage insurance can provide coverage up to $75,000 for theft of or damage to most rental vehicles when you use your eligible card to reserve and pay for the entire eligible vehicle rental and decline the collision damage waiver or similar option offered by the commercial car rental company. This product provides secondary coverage and does not include liability coverage. Not all vehicle types or rentals are covered. Geographic restrictions apply. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.

For the trip cancellation and interruption insurance benefit of The Platinum Card® from American Express, the maximum benefit amount for trip cancellation and interruption insurance is $10,000 per covered trip and $20,000 per eligible card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

For the trip delay insurance benefit of The Platinum Card® from American Express, up to $500 per covered trip that is delayed for more than 6 hours; and 2 claims per eligible card per 12 consecutive month period. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

For the purchase protection benefit of The Platinum Card® from American Express, purchase protection is an embedded benefit of your card membership and requires no enrollment. It can help protect covered purchases made on your eligible card when they’re accidentally damaged, stolen, or lost, for up to 90 days from the covered purchase date. The coverage is limited up to $10,000 per occurrence, up to $50,000 per card member account per calendar year. Coverage limits apply. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

For the extended warranty benefit of The Platinum Card® from American Express, when an American Express® card member charges a covered purchase to an eligible card, extended warranty can provide up to one extra year added to the original manufacturer’s warranty. Applies to warranties of five (5) years or less. Coverage is up to the actual amount charged to your card for the item up to a maximum of $10,000; not to exceed $50,000 per card member account per calendar year. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

For the return protection benefit of The Platinum Card® from American Express, with return protection, you may return eligible purchases to American Express if the seller won’t take them back up to 90 days from the date of purchase. American Express may refund the full purchase price excluding shipping and handling, up to $300 per item, up to a maximum of $1,000 per calendar year per Card account, if you purchased it entirely with your eligible American Express® Card. Purchases must be made in the U.S. or its territories. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.

For the cell phone protection benefit of The Platinum Card® from American Express, coverage for a stolen or damaged eligible cellular wireless telephone is subject to the terms, conditions, exclusions and limits of liability of this benefit. The maximum liability is $800, per claim, per eligible card account. Each claim is subject to a $50 deductible. Coverage is limited to two (2) claims per eligible card account per 12 month period. Eligibility and benefit level varies by Card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

For the premium global assist hotline benefit of The Platinum Card® from American Express, you can rely on Global Assist Hotline 24 hours a day / 7 days a week for medical, legal, financial or other select emergency coordination and assistance services while traveling more than 100 miles away from your home. Plus, we may provide emergency medical transportation assistance and related services. Third-party service costs may be your responsibility. Eligibility and benefit level varies by card. Terms, conditions and limitations apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. If approved and coordinated by premium global assist hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, Card Members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the better card, the Amex Platinum card or the Citi Strata Elite card?

The Amex Platinum card has broader lounge access, more statement credits, and better travel insurance benefits than the Citi Strata Elite card, but also has a higher annual fee. Both cards offer elevated earnings on travel purchases through the cards’ respective travel portals and redemption options that are similar.

If you’re an American Airlines loyalist, the Citi Strata Elite card may be a better choice because the card offers Admiral Club passes and a Splurge Credit that can be used for select American Airlines purchases. If you fly several airlines and value lounge access, the Amex Platinum card could offer you more benefits.

Does the Citi Strata Elite card have lounge access?

Yes. The Citi Strata Elite card comes with a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership that allows access to over 1,500 lounges worldwide and 4 passes each year to American Airlines Admirals Clubs.

How do I use the Blacklane credit on the Citi Strata Elite card?

Blacklane is a global chauffeur service that lets you prepay. The Blacklane Citi Strata Elite card credit of up to $200 each calendar year is delivered in 2 separate credits of $100 from January through June, and $100 from July through December. Use your card to book online or via the Blacklane app and receive a statement credit of up to $100 for the purchase.

Does the Citi Strata Elite card have a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit?

Yes. Use your Citi Strata Elite card to pay for your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application or renewal fee and receive reimbursement of up to $120 in statement credits every 4 years.

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About Christine Krzyszton

Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services offices. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, detailed content for UP.

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