Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Citi Strata Premier
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
Chase Sapphire Preferred wins 2-0. First-time travel-rewards card, sweet-spot earn rates Citi Strata Premier is still the right call if mid-tier travel card; 10x is citi travel portal-only, 3x on everyday travel and dining..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Chase Sapphire Preferred | Citi Strata Premier |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | = $95 | = $95 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | 5% (travel) | · 3% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | = 1% | = 1% |
| Forex markup | = No FX fee | = No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in first 3 months (~$750 in travel) | = 75,000 ThankYou points after $4,000 spend in 3 months |
| Fee waiver threshold | = No waiver | = No waiver |
| Min income | = None stated | = None stated |
| Min credit score | = 700 | = 700 |
| Editorial rating | 4.7/5 | · 4.4/5 |
Benefits compared
Chase Sapphire Preferred
- 5x points on travel booked through Chase Ultimate Rewards
- 3x on dining (incl. takeout & delivery)
- 2x on all other travel
- 25% more value when redeeming for travel via Chase Ultimate Rewards portal
- No foreign transaction fees
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance, primary auto rental coverage
Citi Strata Premier
- 10x on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through the Citi Travel portal only
- 3x on air travel and other hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, and gas
- 1x on everything else
- $100 hotel benefit on $500+ Citi Travel hotel bookings
- Transfer to 16 airline + hotel partners
FAQ
›Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Citi Strata Premier: which is better?
Chase Sapphire Preferred wins on more dimensions (2 vs 0). But the right answer depends on your specific spending pattern, see the calculator below.
›Can I get both?
Yes, if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use Chase Sapphire Preferred for its best categories, Citi Strata Premier for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
Chase Sapphire Preferred: 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in first 3 months (~$750 in travel). Citi Strata Premier: 75,000 ThankYou points after $4,000 spend in 3 months.