Citi Strata Elite: the good, bad, and ugly | Frequent Miler on the Air Ep317 | 8-1-25

(00:00) - In this podcast episode, we'll talk about how US Bank is bonvoying grandfathers and US Bank's plans to add transfer partners. We'll also talk about who the Citi Strata Elite card is good for.

Giant Mailbag

(01:40) - This listener has tips about their strategy when a flight becomes available for a lesser mileage price...

Card News

(05:50) - Citi now offers transfers to American Airlines from Strata Elite, Prestige & Strata Premier

(07:23) - Now transfer from most Citi cards to most ThankYou partners (even from Custom Cash)

(09:41) - Citi Strata card now available

(12:16) - U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve: Major changes expected in December.

Bonvoyed

(18:21) - US Bank bonvoys grandfathers (Smartly card sends updates to those previously grandfathered into old 4% term)

Awards, Points, and More

(22:38) - Inn at Bay Harbor leaving Marriott

(23:42) - JetBlue & TAP Air Portugal split up as of 9/30

(24:50) - Greg earned Alaska EQMs for his flight to London

(26:53) - Nick's JetBlue 25 for 25 update post

Read more about Nick's JetBlue 25 for 25 journey so far here: https://frequentmiler.com/nick-jetblu...

(27:50) - Another JetBlue 25 for 25 update

Main Event: Citi Strata Elite: Good, Bad, and Ugly

(30:00) - Branch Offer: 100K after $4K of spend in 3 months

Read more about the Citi Strata Elite offer here: https://frequentmiler.com/citi-strata...

Or, read our Citi Strata Elite Q&A post here: https://frequentmiler.com/citi-strata...

(31:45) - Application rules, basics, and earning rate...

(39:32) - Credits and benefits

(47:31) - Mini experiment: Citi Travel Hotels vs. Hotels.com

(48:45) - What happens to Citi Prestige customers?

(49:58) - Do Citi Travel hotel bookings earn hotel points and elite credit?

(53:33) - Quick Review: What do we think about the card's earning rate and perks?

(57:47) - What do we think about the card's coupons?

(1:01:37) - Does this card deserve a place in an all-ThankYou wallet?

(1:09:41) - Does this card deserve a place in a mixed-earning wallet? (For example, would this be your 3X card?)

Question of the Week

(1:12:54) - Advice regarding authorized users. What do you do about authorized user cards showing up to Chase as contributing to your 5/24 status?

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Music Credit – “Ocean Deep” by Annie Yoder