Citi Strata Card Replaces Citi Rewards+ With Bigger, Better Perks

As of May 22, the Citi Rewards+^® Card is officially being rebranded as the Citi Strata℠ Card, with more significant changes rolling out in the coming weeks.

The no-annual-fee Citi Rewards+ card will be fully discontinued on July 20, at which point existing cardholders will be automatically transitioned to the new Citi Strata card. The refresh brings a new name, updated card art, and a revamped rewards structure, and will be available to new applicants later this year.

Here’s a closer look at what’s changing and what to expect from the new Citi Strata card.

Rebranded Citi Strata Card — Details

With Citi officially rebranding the Citi Rewards+ card (no longer available to new applicants) as the Citi Strata card, many cardholders are likely wondering what’s changing — and what’s staying the same.

The good news? Key features are remaining intact. The card will continue to carry no annual fee, retain select access to Citi’s ThankYou Rewards transfer partners, and maintain World Elite Mastercard benefits.

However, there are some notable upgrades. The Citi Strata card will feature a new design made from mostly recycled plastic, expanded bonus categories, and higher earning rates on everyday purchases.

Moreover, Citi is also rolling out an elevated welcome bonus for new Citi Strata card applicants when it becomes available later this year, where they can earn 30,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 within the first 3 months of account opening, adding even more value to this refreshed no-annual-fee card.

One downside to the new Citi Strata card is that, like its predecessor, it comes with a 3% foreign transaction fee — so it’s not the best choice for spending abroad.

Strata’s New Earning Rates Bring More Points on Everyday Spending

The biggest change from the old Citi Rewards+ card is how you earn points. Citi has done away with the quirky “round up to the nearest 10 points” feature that made the Citi Rewards+ card unique. Instead, the Citi Strata card offers straightforward, higher earning rates across several key categories, making it easier to rack up points on everyday spending.

Here’s how the new earning rates break down:

• 5x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com
• 3x points at supermarkets
• 3x points on select transit, including gas stations, electric vehicle charging, and public transportation
• 3x points on 1 self-select category each quarter, chosen from options like fitness clubs, streaming services, live entertainment, beauty salons, or pet supply stores
• 2x points at restaurants
• 1x points on all other purchases

This new structure is simpler, and with a broader range of bonus categories, it will reward cardholders generously in more everyday spending categories than the Citi Rewards+ card, which awarded fewer points per dollar and rounded up purchases to the nearest 10 points.

While the previous round-up perk on the earning structure and 10% points-back feature on redemptions are gone, the Citi Strata card delivers clearer, more valuable rewards where it counts most, making it a stronger option for everyday use.

Final Thoughts

Citi is clearly doubling down on revitalizing its travel rewards credit card offerings, and the Strata portfolio is at the center of that strategy.

With the recent refresh of the no-annual-fee Citi Strata card replacing the Citi Rewards+ card and the earlier rebranding of the Citi Premier Card into the Citi Strata Premier card, Citi is positioning these cards to compete more aggressively in both the everyday and premium rewards spaces.

Even though the Citi Rewards+ card is being replaced — which might feel disappointing — the new Citi Strata card’s higher earning rates across more categories mean you’ll actually earn significantly more points, making it a big win for consumers.