Alright fellow travel enthusiasts, let’s dive into a head-to-head comparison of two popular mid-tier travel rewards credit cards: the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card. Both cards come with a reasonable $95 annual fee, solid earning structures, and a chance to earn great welcome bonuses, but which one is the better fit for your wallet? Let’s break it down, because I want you to get the most bang for your buck – just like I do when I evaluate my own card strategy.
Card Details: A Quick Overview
Before we get started, let’s take a look at the main details of each card.
| Card details | Chase Sapphire Preferred | Citi Strata Premier | | :———————-
| Annual fee | $95 | $95 | | Welcome bonus | Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening | Earn 60,000 ThankYou points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening | | Earning structure | 5 points per dollar on Lyft rides (through Sept. 2027) and travel booked through Chase Travel℠ 3 points per dollar on dining (including takeout and delivery), select streaming, and online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs) 2 points per dollar on all other travel purchases 1 point per dollar on all other purchases | 10 points per dollar on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through the Citi travel portal 3 points per dollar on restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, EV charging stations, air travel and other hotel purchases 1 point per dollar on all other purchases | | Other benefits | 25% redemption bonus when you book travel through Chase Travel $50 statement credit on hotel stays purchased through Chase Travel 10% anniversary points boost Complimentary DashPass membership for at least one year (when you activate by Dec. 31, 2027) $10 each month toward non-restaurant purchases on DoorDash Robust travel protections | $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more, excluding taxes and fees, when booked through CitiTravel.com (available once per calendar year) World Elite Mastercard benefits Citi Entertainment Access Extended warranty Travel protections |
Welcome Bonus Showdown: Chasing the Bigger Prize
Currently, the Chase Sapphire Preferred offers a welcome bonus of 100,000 points after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months. As someone who meticulously tracks point valuations, I value Chase Ultimate Rewards points at roughly 2.05 cents each. This means that welcome bonus is worth approximately $2,050! After subtracting the $95 annual fee, you’re looking at a net first-year value of around $1,955. This is among the highest offers I’ve ever seen on this card, so if you’ve been considering it, now’s the time!
The Citi Strata Premier, on the other hand, offers 60,000 ThankYou points after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months. I generally value ThankYou points at about 1.8 cents apiece, making this bonus worth $1,080. Deducting the $95 annual fee, you’re left with a net first-year value of $985.
The Verdict: Chase Sapphire Preferred wins this round. The substantially larger welcome bonus and the higher valuation I place on Chase Ultimate Rewards give it a significant edge.
Perks and Benefits: Where Does the Real Value Lie?
Beyond the welcome bonus, the ongoing benefits can make a huge difference in the long run. Let’s compare:
* Chase Sapphire Preferred: This card is packed with useful perks. I particularly love the 25% redemption bonus when booking travel through the Chase Travel portal – it effectively boosts the value of your points. The $50 annual hotel statement credit booked through Chase Travel is also fantastic, as it covers over half of the annual fee. Plus, the 10% anniversary points boost gives you even more points! In addition, there’s a complimentary DashPass membership for at least one year and $10 each month toward non-restaurant purchases on DoorDash. However, for me, the real winner is the suite of travel protections. These cover you in case of rental car damage, trip cancellations, baggage delays, and more, offering invaluable peace of mind.
* Citi Strata Premier: While not as extensive, the Citi Strata Premier’s benefits shouldn’t be overlooked. The $100 annual hotel credit (for stays of $500 or more booked through CitiTravel.com) is double the CSP’s. In addition, I like World Elite Mastercard benefits like cellphone protection and travel protections, which can add another layer of security to your purchases and travels. Also, access to Citi Entertainment can be a game-changer when it comes to snagging pre-sale tickets for concerts and events.
The Verdict: Chase Sapphire Preferred takes the crown. Its mix of statement credits, anniversary points, and robust travel protections offers a more compelling package for my travel style.
Earning Points: Maximizing Your Everyday Spending
How you earn points is just as important as how you redeem them. Let’s look at the earning structures:
* Chase Sapphire Preferred: You’ll earn 5 points per dollar on travel booked through the Chase Travel portal and on Lyft purchases (through Sept. 2027), and 3 points per dollar on dining, select streaming services, and online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs). All other travel purchases earn 2 points per dollar, and everything else earns 1 point per dollar.
* Citi Strata Premier: This card earns 10 points per dollar on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through the Citi Travel portal. You’ll also get 3 points per dollar on air travel, dining, supermarket, other hotel, EV charging, and gas station purchases. The rest earns 1 point per dollar.
The Verdict: Citi Strata Premier wins this category. The bonus categories are broader, including supermarkets and gas stations, which are everyday expenses for many. I can easily see myself racking up points faster with the Strata Premier than with the Sapphire Preferred.
Redeeming Points: Flexibility and Value
Both cards offer similar redemption options:
Chase Sapphire Preferred: Redeem points for travel through Chase Travel (at a rate of 1.25 cents per point) or transfer them to Chase’s airline and hotel partners. Other options include gift cards and cash back. But as an avid points maximizer, I always* recommend transferring to partners for the best value.
* Citi Strata Premier: Redeem for travel through the ThankYou portal (at 1 cent per point), transfer to Citi’s partners, or redeem for gift cards and statement credits. Citi also offers a “Shop with Points” option at merchants like Amazon and Walmart, but you’ll usually get less than 1 cent per point, so I advise against it.
The Verdict: Tie. The redemption options are similar, offering versatility in how you use your rewards.
Transfer Partners: Unlocking Premium Travel
The true power of these cards lies in their transfer partners. Let’s compare:
* Chase Sapphire Preferred: You can transfer Ultimate Rewards points to 14 airline and hotel partners at a 1:1 ratio, including Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer, United MileagePlus, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club, and World of Hyatt. I’ve personally used these partners to book incredible flights and hotel stays for a fraction of the cost. For example, transferring points to Iberia Plus can unlock flights from Miami to Madrid for as low as 21,250 points each way! United’s Excursionist Perk is another valuable tool for maximizing your points.
* Citi Strata Premier: Citi offers 21 travel partners, including JetBlue TrueBlue, Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles, and Choice Privileges. You could use this card to transfer points to Cathay Pacific Asia Miles for business class redemptions.
The Verdict: Tie. Both cards have valuable transfer partners, it really depends on which programs align with your travel goals and preferences.
Final Thoughts: Which Card Should You Choose?
Both the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the Citi Strata Premier are excellent mid-tier travel cards with valuable welcome bonuses and earning rates. So, the best card for you depends on your individual spending habits and travel preferences.
* If you frequently fly Southwest Airlines and stay at Hyatt properties, the Chase Sapphire Preferred and its Ultimate Rewards program are the obvious choice.
* If you want a card that earns bonus points on a wide variety of everyday purchases, the Citi Strata Premier could be the better option.
Also, it might even make sense to get both cards, but only if you can meet the minimum spending requirements for both welcome bonuses.
Bottom Line
The Citi Strata Premier and Chase Sapphire Preferred are two of the leading mid-level cards that earn valuable transferable points. Each card wins in different categories, so the best card for you depends on which benefits and redemption options you value most. No matter which way you go, you can feel great knowing you’re adding a fantastic mid-tier card to your wallet.
