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JetBlue Plus Card vs Citi Strata Elite Card

Both are well-respected travel cards. The JetBlue Plus Card comes from Barclays at $99/yr; the Citi Strata Elite Card from Citi at $595/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.

Bottom line

For most people the Citi Strata Elite Card is the stronger pick today — the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($660 more in estimated value) than the JetBlue Plus Card's. Get the Citi Strata Elite Card first; revisit the JetBlue Plus Card after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureJetBlue Plus CardCiti Strata Elite Card
Annual fee$99$595
Sign-up bonus60,000 points80,000 points
Bonus value (est.)$780$1,440
Min spend to unlock bonus$1,000 in 3 mo$6,000 in 3 mo
IssuerBarclaysCiti
Card categoryairlinetravel
Best earning category (Jetblue)6x1x
Transfer partnerstrueblueciti-ty
Headline benefits
  • 5,000 anniversary points
  • 10% redemption rebate
  • Free bag for 4 travelers
  • 6x at JetBlue
  • 12x on Citi hotels
  • $300 hotel + $200 Splurge + $200 Blacklane
  • 4 Admirals Club passes
  • Citi TY transfer to 16 partners
Read the full review
JetBlue Plus Card
$99/yr · 60,000 points
Read the full review
Citi Strata Elite Card
$595/yr · 80,000 points

Editorial take: JetBlue Plus Card

Strong East Coast card. The 5,000 anniversary points alone are worth ~$65 (more than half the fee), and the 10% redemption rebate keeps the rest of your TrueBlue stash compounding.

Editorial take: Citi Strata Elite Card

Citi's premium answer to Amex Platinum + Sapphire Reserve. The 12x on Citi-booked hotels is the best earning rate in the category; the $200 Blacklane and 4 Admirals Club passes are differentiated perks. $595 fee penciled out if you'll actually use the hotel + Splurge credits.

Common questions

Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, JetBlue Plus Card or Citi Strata Elite Card?
The Citi Strata Elite Card has the bigger bonus — 80,000 points, worth roughly $1,440, versus 60,000 points (~$780) on the JetBlue Plus Card.
Is the JetBlue Plus Card's $99 annual fee worth it compared to the Citi Strata Elite Card?
At $99/yr, the JetBlue Plus Card is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the Citi Strata Elite Card's — pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
Can I have both the JetBlue Plus Card and Citi Strata Elite Card?
Yes, since they're from different issuers (Barclays and Citi) the application rules don't conflict. Many points enthusiasts hold both — they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
Should I get the JetBlue Plus Card or the Citi Strata Elite Card first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. JetBlue Plus Card: $1,000 spend in 3 months. Citi Strata Elite Card: $6,000 in 3 months. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.

Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time — confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.