Editorial take: Chase Sapphire Preferred
The best starter travel card, period. Transferable points, solid bonus categories, and a low annual fee make this the card we recommend to almost everyone getting into the points game.
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Side-by-side
Chase Sapphire Preferred vs Citi Strata Premier Card
Both are travel travel cards. The Chase Sapphire Preferred comes from Chase at $95/yr; the Citi Strata Premier Card from Citi at $95/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
Bottom line
These cards are close on the fundamentals (similar bonus value, similar fee). The right pick depends on which category you spend the most in and which transfer partners best fit your travel goals.
| Feature | Chase Sapphire Preferred | Citi Strata Premier Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $95 | $95 |
| Sign-up bonus | 75,000 points | 60,000 points |
| Bonus value (est.) | $1,500 | $1,020 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $5,000 in 3 mo | $4,000 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | Chase | Citi |
| Card category | travel | travel |
| Best earning category (Travel) | 5x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | chase-ur | citi-ty |
| Headline benefits |
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Read the full review
Chase Sapphire Preferred
$95/yr · 75,000 points
Read the full review
Citi Strata Premier Card
$95/yr · 60,000 points
Editorial take: Citi Strata Premier Card
A solid mid-tier card with 3x across multiple useful categories. The hotel savings benefit and strong transfer partners (especially for international flights) make it worth a look.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Chase Sapphire Preferred or Citi Strata Premier Card?
- The Chase Sapphire Preferred has the bigger bonus — 75,000 points, worth roughly $1,500, versus 60,000 points (~$1,020) on the Citi Strata Premier Card.
- Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred's $95 annual fee worth it compared to the Citi Strata Premier Card?
- At $95/yr, the Chase Sapphire Preferred is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the Citi Strata Premier Card's — pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the Chase Sapphire Preferred and Citi Strata Premier Card?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (Chase 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 Chase Sapphire Preferred or the Citi Strata Premier Card first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Chase Sapphire Preferred: $5,000 spend in 3 months. Citi Strata Premier Card: $4,000 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.