Amex Hilton Honors vs Citi Strata Premier
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
EXPRESS
Amex Hilton Honors wins 3-2. No-fee Hilton card — solid for occasional Hilton stays. Citi Strata Premier is still the right call if replaces premier — solid mid-tier travel with hotel-direct boost..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Amex Hilton Honors | Citi Strata Premier |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | No annual fee | · $95 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | · 7% (travel) | 10% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | 3% | · 1% |
| Forex markup | = No FX fee | = No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = 70,000 Hilton points after $2,000 spend in 6 months | = 75,000 ThankYou points after $4,000 spend in 3 months |
| Fee waiver threshold | = N/A (no fee) | = No waiver |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | 670 | · 700 |
| Editorial rating | · 4.1/5 | 4.4/5 |
Benefits compared
Amex Hilton Honors
- 7x Hilton Honors points at Hilton hotels
- 5x at US restaurants + gas stations
- 3x on everything else
- Hilton Honors Silver status
- No annual fee, no foreign transaction fees
Citi Strata Premier
- 10x on hotels, car rentals, and attractions via Citi Travel
- 3x at restaurants + supermarkets + gas stations
- 1x on everything else
- $100 hotel benefit on $500+ Citi Travel hotel bookings
- Transfer to 16 airline + hotel partners
FAQ
›Amex Hilton Honors vs Citi Strata Premier: which is better?
Amex Hilton Honors wins on more dimensions (3 vs 2). But the right answer depends on your specific spending pattern — see the calculator below.
›Can I get both?
Yes — if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use Amex Hilton Honors for its best categories, Citi Strata Premier for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
Amex Hilton Honors: 70,000 Hilton points after $2,000 spend in 6 months. Citi Strata Premier: 75,000 ThankYou points after $4,000 spend in 3 months.