Chase Sapphire Reserve vs Citi Strata Premier
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
Citi Strata Premier wins 2-1. Replaces Premier — solid mid-tier travel with hotel-direct boost. Chase Sapphire Reserve is still the right call if annual travelers — the upgrade path from sapphire preferred..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Chase Sapphire Reserve | Citi Strata Premier |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · $550 | $95 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | = 10% (travel) | = 10% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | = 1% | = 1% |
| Forex markup | = No FX fee | = No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = 60,000 points after $4,000 in first 3 months | = 75,000 ThankYou points after $4,000 spend in 3 months |
| Fee waiver threshold | = No waiver | = No waiver |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | · 740 | 700 |
| Editorial rating | 4.7/5 | · 4.4/5 |
Benefits compared
Chase Sapphire Reserve
- 10x on hotels and rental cars booked via Chase Travel
- 5x on flights booked via Chase Travel
- 3x on all other dining + travel
- $300 annual travel credit
- Priority Pass Select + Chase Sapphire Lounge access
- 50% bonus when redeeming for travel via Chase portal
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
›Chase Sapphire Reserve vs Citi Strata Premier: which is better?
Citi Strata Premier wins on more dimensions (2 vs 1). 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 Chase Sapphire Reserve 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?
Chase Sapphire Reserve: 60,000 points after $4,000 in first 3 months. Citi Strata Premier: 75,000 ThankYou points after $4,000 spend in 3 months.