There are quite a few competing travel credit cards on the market today, some of which come with luxury benefits and have annual fees over $500 per year. There are also several mid-tier travel credit cards with annual fees under $100, which is where you’ll find the card_name and the card_name. Both of these travel cards have generous rewards rates, plenty of built-in features and points that transfer to airlines and hotels, yet they each come with a manageable annual fee. Citi is a CardRatings advertiser.
Which of these cards is best? That really depends on the rewards categories you spend the most in and the transfer partners you want access to. Then again, you could always carry both of these cards and use them strategically to earn more rewards that can be used in different ways. Let’s break down the benefits of each of these cards to help you decide.
Rewards rates
Rewards rates on the card_name credit card work well for consumers who want a card for everyday purchases. This card earns 5X points on travel through the Ultimate Rewards portal; 3X points on dining (including eligible takeout and delivery); 3X on select streaming services; 3X points on online grocery store purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs); 2X points on other travel; and 1X point on other purchases. Users also earn 5X points on Lyft rides through March 2025.
The card_name really shines in terms of its earning rates since it offers 3X points in so many categories including air travel and other hotel purchases, restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations and EV charging stations. Amazingly, cardholders also earn 10X points on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com. All other purchases earn a basic rate of 1X point per dollar spent.
Bonus offers
These two travel credit cards have similar bonus offers, although they can both be worth more or less depending on how you redeem your rewards. The card_name comes with up to $1,050 in Chase Travel℠ value – earn 60,000 bonus points after $4,000 in purchases in your first three months from account opening (worth $750 when redeemed through Chase Travel); plus, get up to $300 in statement credits on Chase Travel purchases within your first year.
The card_name earns 70,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of opening an account. However, these points are worth $700 in travel or gift cards at thankyou.com or varying amounts when redeemed through partners.
Redemption options
Rewards from either program are incredibly flexible, and that’s true for both travel and non-travel redemptions. Chase Ultimate Rewards points can be redeemed for non-travel options like cash back, statement credits, gift cards and merchandise. Rewards also transfer to 14 different airline and hotel partners, but the biggest benefit is the fact points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel through the Chase travel portal.
Citi ThankYou points earned with the card_name can also be redeemed for non-travel options like gift cards and online purchases through Amazon.com, CVS.com and other retailers. Points transfer to 18 different airline and hotel partners as well, and rewards can be used to book travel through CitiTravel.com.
At the end of the day, the choice of transfer partners you want access to can help you determine the right card between these two. Where Chase offers more domestic airline partners to choose from, Citi offers more transfer partner options altogether. If you believe you’ll want to book most of your rewards travel through a travel portal, on the other hand, you may prefer the card_name since it offers 25% more value for points when redeemed for travel through Chase.
Travel benefits
When it comes to travel benefits, both cards offer similar perks. The card_name automatically comes with a $50 hotel credit annually for a stay booked through the Ultimate Rewards portal, trip cancellation/interruption insurance, trip delay reimbursement, baggage delay insurance, lost luggage reimbursement, travel accident insurance and travel and emergency assistance services.
That said, one standout feature of the card_name is its primary rental car coverage. This insurance works in place of your own auto insurance and is worth up to the actual cash value of most rental cars. This coverage applies to damage and theft, plus applicable loss of use charges.
➤ LEARN MORE:What does credit card rental car insurance cover?
The card_name offers a more robust $100 annual hotel benefit on eligible bookings of $500 or more made through CitiTravel.com. Included travel protections come in the form of trip cancellation/interruption insurance, trip delay protection, lost and damaged luggage protection and MasterRental car rental coverage. Cardholders also get access to Luxury Collection hotel properties and on-property benefits like breakfast for two and early check-in.
To learn more about how these two cards stack up, review our table below for details on rewards, benefits, features and fees associated with each card.
Chase Sapphire Preferred® vs. Citi Strata Premier℠
Annual Fee
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annual_fees
New Cardholder Bonus Offer
Get up to $1,050 in Chase Travel℠ value – earn 60,000 bonus points after $4,000 in purchases in your first three months from account opening (worth $750 when redeemed through Chase Travel); plus, get up to $300 in statement credits on Chase Travel purchases within your first year.
70,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of opening an account — worth $700 in travel or gift cards at thankyou.com
Rewards
- 5X points on travel through the Ultimate Rewards portal
- 3X points on dining (including eligible takeout and delivery)
- 3X on select streaming services
- 3X points on online grocery store purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs)
- 2X points on other travel
- 1X point on other purchases
- Plus earn five points on Lyft rides through March 2025
- Receive a points bonus each year equal to 10% of your total purchases from the previous year
- 10X points on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com
- 3X points on air travel and other hotel purchases
- 3X points at restaurants
- 3X points at supermarkets
- 3X points at gas stations and EV charging stations
- 1X points on other purchases
Redeeming Rewards
- 25% more value when redeemed for travel through Chase’s travel portal. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel when redeemed through Chase Travel
- Points transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Redeem for a wide selection of gift cards
- Redeem for travel purchases on Citi Travel website
- Points transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Redeem for a wide selection of gift cards
- Shop with points at Amazon.com, CVS.com and other retailers
Foreign Transaction Fees
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foreign_transaction_fee
Travel Benefits
- $50 hotel credit annually for a stay booked through Chase Travel
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance
- Trip delay reimbursement
- Baggage delay insurance
- Lost luggage reimbursement
- Travel accident insurance
- Travel and emergency assistance services
- Auto rental collision damage coverage
- $100 annual hotel benefit on eligible bookings of $500 o5 more made through CitiTravel.com
- Trip cancellation/interruption insurance
- Trip delay protection
- Lost and damaged luggage protection
- MasterRental car rental coverage
- Access to Luxury Collection hotel properties and on-property benefits like breakfast for two and early check-in
APR
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For a full synopsis of each card, be sure to check out our card_name and card_name reviews.
