Editor’s word: It is a recurring publish, commonly up to date with new info and affords. You possibly can earn 75,000 bonus factors by making use of instantly by way of Citi.com slightly than the 70,000 factors obtainable by way of TPG’s affiliate hyperlink. We’re dedicated to our readers getting the very best bonus obtainable.
Citi is a TPG promoting associate.
American Airways AAdvantage miles are one in all my favourite currencies for reserving flights, so I’m all the time in search of methods to spice up my balances.
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Choose® World Elite Mastercard® is often the primary alternative of many vacationers. In the meantime, there are advantages to incomes transferable foreign money factors; the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card (see charges and costs) is a good way to earn bonus factors on on a regular basis purchases. Though Citi ThankYou factors don’t switch to American Airways, they switch to a number of Oneworld airways, which might be a good way to redeem factors.
In case you’re torn between incomes extra AAdvantage miles or factors that may be transferred to Oneworld companions, right here’s how to decide on between the Citi Strata Premier and the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Choose.
The knowledge for the Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Choose card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
Citi Strata Premier vs. Citi AAdvantage Platinum Choose comparability
| Citi Strata Premier | Citi AAdvantage Platinum Choose | |
| Welcome provide | Earn 70,000 bonus factors after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account opening.
Word that new cardholders can earn 75,000 bonus factors by making use of instantly by way of Citi.com slightly than the 70,000 factors obtainable by way of TPG’s affiliate hyperlink. |
Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $2,500 within the first three months of account opening. |
| Annual charge | $95 | $99, waived the primary 12 months |
| Incomes charges | 10 factors per greenback on purchases made on inns, automobile leases and sights booked on CitiTravel.com
3 factors per greenback at eating places, gasoline stations, electrical car charging stations, supermarkets, air journey and different inns 1 level per greenback on all different purchases |
2 miles per greenback on eating, gasoline and eligible American Airways purchases
1 mile per greenback on all different purchases |
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Citi Strata Premier vs. Citi AAdvantage Platinum Choose welcome provide
New Citi Strata Premier cardholders earn 70,000 bonus factors after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account opening.
Primarily based on TPG’s July 2024 valuations, this welcome provide is price $1,260. Up to now, Citi has provided as much as 80,000 bonus factors for the cardboard. Nevertheless, the present provide is best than their ordinary provide and is price contemplating. We need to word that new cardholders can earn 75,000 bonus factors by making use of instantly by way of Citi.com slightly than the 70,000 factors obtainable by way of TPG’s affiliate hyperlink.
New Citi AAdvantage Platinum Choose cardholders earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $2,500 within the first three months of account opening. Based on TPG’s valuations, AAdvantage miles are price 1.55 cents a chunk, making this provide price $775. The welcome provide on this card varies. Once I opened this card a number of years in the past, I acquired 75,000 bonus miles, a way more profitable provide that comes round on occasion.
Winner: Citi Strata Premier. The bigger welcome bonus provide provides new cardholders extra worth for redemptions.
Associated: Listed here are the most effective bank card welcome affords
Citi Strata Premier vs. Citi AAdvantage Platinum Choose advantages
For a low annual charge journey card, the Citi Strata Premier affords easy advantages for cardholders.
The simplest and most direct dollar-amount profit you’ll be able to make the most of is the $100 annual resort financial savings perk. Whenever you e book a resort reservation of $500 or extra (excluding taxes and costs) by way of CitiTravel.com, you’ll obtain a $100 low cost in your keep. This profit is offered as soon as per calendar 12 months and can assist to offset the cardboard’s $95 annual charge. Word that almost all inns don’t present elite standing advantages, factors or keep credit when reserving by way of a third-party website.
Moreover, the cardboard affords journey protections to make sure your journeys are as stress-free as potential if one thing goes flawed. These protections embody journey delay, cancellation and interruption (Frequent Provider) safety, misplaced or broken baggage insurance coverage and secondary automobile rental protection. As a journey card, you’ll be able to anticipate no international transaction charges.
The Citi AAdvantage Platinum Choose card is a cobranded bank card whose advantages are tied to flying American Airways. You and as much as 4 companions on the identical reservation obtain a free checked bag. You’ll additionally obtain Group 5 precedence boarding on flights marketed and operated by American Airways and a 25% low cost (as a assertion credit score) on inflight purchases of meals and drinks on home AA flights. The cardboard costs no international transaction charges.
You can even obtain a $125 flight low cost certificates after spending $20,000 or extra in purchases throughout your card membership 12 months and renewing your card. You additionally earn Loyalty Factors whereas spending on the cardboard.
Winner: Citi Strata Premier. The cardboard’s journey protections give it the sting over the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Choose, whose advantages are tied to AA and provide no such protections.
Incomes rewards with the Citi Strata Premier vs. Citi AAdvantage Platinum Choose
The Citi Strata Premier is a wonderful card for on a regular basis purchases due to its big selection of bonus-earning classes.
Like different journey playing cards, the cardboard earns bonus factors when reserving by way of its personal journey portal. Cardholders earn 10 factors per greenback on inns, automobile leases and sights booked on CitiTravel.com. Cardholders additionally earn 3 factors per greenback on eating places, gasoline stations, EV charging stations, supermarkets, air journey and different inns. Lastly, the cardboard earns 1 level per greenback on all different purchases.
Compared, the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Choose has restricted incomes potential. Cardholders earn 2 miles per greenback on eating, gasoline and eligible American Airways purchases and 1 mile per greenback on all different purchases. As well as, cardholders earn one Loyalty Level for each AA mile earned by spending on the cardboard, which can assist them achieve elite standing with American Airways.
Winner: Citi Strata Premier. The cardboard has a variety of bonus-earning classes that may repay when redeeming factors sooner or later.
Associated: Why the Citi Strata Premier is 1 of my favourite playing cards in my pockets
Redeeming rewards with the Citi Strata Premier vs. Citi AAdvantage Platinum Choose
You possibly can redeem Citi ThankYou factors in numerous methods. Factors might be redeemed for assertion credit, money rewards, third-party reward playing cards or transferred to Citi’s 19 journey companions. When redeeming by way of the Citi ThankYou portal, factors are price 1 cent every; nonetheless, take into account transferring your factors to an airline or resort associate for higher worth.
AAdvantage miles earned by the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Choose can solely be redeemed for flights with American Airways, Oneworld member airways or associate airways of the AAdvantage program. As a cardholder, I solely use my AA miles for redemptions on Oneworld airways, reminiscent of Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways.
As a result of the AAdvantage program dynamically costs AA-metal tickets, along with subpar business-class arduous and comfortable merchandise, you’re higher off redeeming your miles with different Oneworld companions who provide a dramatically higher expertise in premium cabins. To maximise your miles and redemption choices, be aware of the AAdvantage award chart and program guidelines.
Winner: Citi Strata Premier. This card has the higher hand as a result of it permits customers to redeem factors by way of numerous strategies, together with transferring them to journey companions.
Associated: 7 causes to get the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Choose Card
Transferring rewards with the Citi Strata Premier vs. Citi AAdvantage Platinum Choose
As a cobranded card, the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Choose can not switch miles. The Citi Strata Premier, nonetheless, has 19 switch companions, a few of that are helpful for these seeking to redeem their rewards for larger worth.
Notable switch companions embody Avianca LifeMiles and Air France-KLM Flying Blue. A number of different airways are additionally accessible, together with Qatar Airways Privilege Membership, Qantas Frequent Flyer, JetBlue TrueBlue and Cathay Pacific Asia Miles. Whichever program you select, know that switch occasions can range, and it’s all the time good to plan forward and make sure availability earlier than transferring your factors to the frequent flyer packages.
Winner: Citi Strata Premier. The cardboard has switch companions that permit redemptions on Oneworld, SkyTeam and Star Alliance airways.
Associated: Citi Status vs. Citi Premier
Ought to I get the Citi Strata Premier or Citi AAdvantage Platinum Choose?
In case you worth extra incomes energy throughout a number of classes and the power to switch factors to redeem with airline or resort companions, then the Citi Strata Premier is your card. Nevertheless, for those who fly American Airways typically, are aiming for elite standing with the airline (and its Oneworld equal) and wish to lower your expenses on home flights with free checked baggage, then the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Choose is the suitable alternative.
Backside line
The Citi Strata Premier affords a excessive sign-up bonus and earns as much as 3 factors per greenback that you simply spend in a number of key classes. It’s a incredible mid-tier card for a lot of vacationers. American Airways followers, even those that don’t fly solely with American, can profit from what the AAdvantage Platinum Choose affords. Fastidiously take into account every card’s options earlier than deciding which to use for.
To be taught extra, take a look at our full opinions of the Citi Strata Premier and AAdvantage Platinum Choose.
Apply right here: Citi Strata Premier
Study extra: Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Choose
