Citi Strata Elite vs. Capital One Venture X

Between the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card and the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card, the former is an easier-to-use premium card. Still, the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card offers valuable benefits that could be a better fit for some.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has a $395 annual fee and is one of the lower-priced premium travel cards available. It offers a strong earn rate on everyday purchases, $300 in annual travel credits, an anniversary mileage bonus and a bevy of transfer partners.

The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card, on the other hand, is the most recent addition to the premium travel credit card market, combining strong rewards on dining and travel, up to $700 in annual statement credits and the rare ability to transfer points to American Airlines. Its $595 annual fee is steep, but the perks can deliver value to the right traveler.

Both include travel-friendly benefits like lounge access via Priority Pass, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credits and complimentary travel insurance. Here’s how to choose.

Although an annual fee of $395 is high, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is $200 cheaper than the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card and remains one of the most affordable premium travel cards available, while still offering a decent mix of perks and credits:

• $300 annual travel credit towards bookings through Capital One Travel.

• $120 for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck (every four years).

• 10,000-mile anniversary bonus (worth $100 toward travel). 

If you’re able to make use of these benefits, you’ll be able to easily offset the annual fee. Just keep in mind that the credits on the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card require more effort to use and may not align with your spending.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is also a better pick for everyday purchases, with its earn rate of 2 miles per $1 on all non-bonus categories, outpacing the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card’s 1.5 points per $1 spent earn rate.

Although both credit cards provide access to Priority Pass lounges, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card also offers unlimited entry to Capital One lounges. Currently, there are six Capital One Lounges open in select U.S. airports. These lounges are modern and luxurious. And some offer amenities like yoga rooms, Peloton bikes and napping pods.

Though the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card offers four Admirals Club passes each year, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has no cap on lounge visits.

Another major perk of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is access to the bank’s 22 transfer partners, including Air Canada, Finnair, Japan Airlines, TAP Portugal and several hotels, which aren’t partnered with Citi. Most transfers are at a 1:1 ratio, providing significant value to travelers.

One underrated perk of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the complimentary cell phone insurance up to $800 per claim (after a $50 deductible) in case your phone is lost, stolen or damaged. You might not use this benefit often, but it’s valuable protection to have in case you need it.

The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card is well-suited for travelers who spend a lot on dining and takeout, will use the card’s merchant-specific credits and want access to Citi’s transfer partners.

Offering an earn rate of 3 to 6 ThankYou points per $1 on dining and takeout (particularly during “Citi Nights”), the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card excels in this category, outranking the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, which offers only 2 miles per $1 spent.

While it comes with a $595 annual fee, the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card delivers significantly more potential value than the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. Here are the credits that you’ll get from Citi:

• $300 annual hotel credit (two-night minimum, booked on Citi Travel).

• $200 annual ($100 semi-annually) credit with Blacklane, a chauffeur service.

• $200 annual “Splurge Credit” for two selected merchants (choose from 1stDibs, American Airlines, Best Buy, Future Personal Training and Live Nation).

In total, the card provides $700 in annual credits plus an additional $120 credit for your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee every four years. If your spending aligns with these merchants, you can easily recoup the annual fee.

Citi stands out as the only major issuer that lets you transfer points directly to American Airlines, a valuable perk for those who like to redeem miles on the airline. The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card also comes with four complimentary Admirals Club passes each year, which can be useful for those who don’t already have access to American lounges.

In addition to American Airlines, Citi offers many transfer partners, including Thai Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Leading Hotels of the World and Preferred Hotels, which aren’t available through Capital One. If you prefer to transfer points to these programs, the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card may be a better fit.

The best card depends on how much effort you want to put into maximizing rewards and how your spending aligns with each card’s benefits.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is great if you prefer a simpler, lower-maintenance premium card. If you’re tired of juggling coupon-book style credits and want straightforward perks, this card is a better choice. For most travelers, this card is a better value with an easy-to-use $300 annual credit, a strong everyday earning rate and flexible transfer partners.

The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card, meanwhile, works best if you want the ability to transfer points to American Airlines, spend heavily on dining and takeout, and are confident you’ll use the merchant-specific credits. Its perks add up, but they require more management to unlock their full value.