The world of travel rewards has just been jolted with excitement! Citi has officially ripped the covers off its dramatically revamped no-annual-fee powerhouse: the Citi Strata℠ Card. Effective May 22, 2025, the card many U.S. travelers know as the Citi Rewards+® Card is undergoing a monumental transformation. This isn't just a new name or a minor tweak; it's a full-blown "major makeover" [Link to Citi's Official Announcement] set to deliver a supercharged rewards structure, promising significantly more value on your travel and everyday spending.

For savvy travelers looking to maximize points without an annual fee, and for current Citi Rewards+ cardholders wondering about the exciting road ahead, this overhaul is news you can't afford to ignore. The Citi Strata Card is poised to become a formidable contender in your wallet.

Get Ready: A Richer Rewards Structure Unveiled!

The heart of the new Citi Strata Card beats with a dramatically enhanced earning system, all while impressively maintaining its $0 annual fee [Link to Citi Strata Card Terms and Conditions]. Prepare to see your ThankYou® Points balance skyrocket with these incredible earning rates:

• 5X Points on Travel via Citi: Your bookings for hotels, car rentals, and attractions through the cititravel.com portal will now earn a stunning 5 ThankYou® Points per dollar. What was once a temporary perk is now a permanent, high-value feature of the Strata Card!
• 3X Points at Supermarkets: Transform your grocery hauls into serious rewards! Earn 3 points per dollar spent, making everyday essentials more rewarding than ever.
• 3X Points on Transit, Gas & EV Charging: Your commutes and road trips just got a major boost. Earn 3 points per dollar on eligible transit, at gas stations, and, importantly, on electric vehicle charging – an expanded and more lucrative offering.
• 3X Points with a NEW Self-Select Category: This is a game-changer! Each quarter, you choose one category to earn 3 points per dollar. Options are set to include fitness clubs, select streaming services, live entertainment, cosmetic stores/barber shops/hair salons, or pet supply stores [Link to Details on Self-Select Categories].
• 2X Points at Restaurants: Whether dining out or ordering in, you'll now accumulate 2 points per dollar.
• 1X Point on All Other Purchases: Every other eligible purchase continues to earn a solid 1 point per dollar.

This isn't just an update; it's a strategic move by Citi to craft a card that’s not only versatile but also exceptionally valuable for daily expenditures, bringing its earning power impressively close to its sibling, the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card (which has a $95 annual fee).

Your Rewards, Your Choice: The Power of the Self-Select Category

The introduction of the quarterly self-select 3X bonus category is a standout innovation, offering unparalleled flexibility. This empowers U.S. travelers and everyday spenders to tailor the card’s earning muscle to perfectly match their unique lifestyle and spending habits throughout the year.

Imagine this:

Maria, a freelance graphic designer in Miami, is focusing on health and wellness this quarter. She selects "Fitness Clubs" and earns 3X points on her gym membership and yoga classes. Next quarter, with a big music festival on her radar, she switches to "Live Entertainment" to triple her points on tickets. This adaptability ensures the Citi Strata Card remains a rewarding partner, no matter how her priorities shift.

Maximize Your Journeys: The 5X Supercharge on Cititravel.com

For U.S. travelers comfortable with booking through an issuer’s portal, the 5X ThankYou® Points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked via cititravel.com is an absolute win. This feature alone can rapidly accelerate your journey to your next dream vacation.

Consider this:

The Chen family from Seattle is planning their annual national park adventure. By booking their lodges and rental car through cititravel.com with their new Citi Strata Card, a $2,500 spend on these components would net them a fantastic 12,500 ThankYou Points. That’s effectively a 5% return, potentially even more if they leverage those points with Citi’s travel partners!

Elevating Your Everyday: More Points for Daily Life

The significantly enhanced earning rates at supermarkets (3X), on transit, gas, and EV charging (3X), and at restaurants (2X) fundamentally transform the Citi Strata Card into a robust engine for your daily spending.

Attention Existing Citi Rewards+® Cardholders: What This Means for YOU

If you currently hold the Citi Rewards+® Card, Circle July 20, 2025, on your calendar – this is when you'll automatically transition to the new Citi Strata℠ Card [Link to Citi's Transition Information for Rewards+ Holders]. You'll gain the incredible new earning structure, but it’s crucial to note two specific Rewards+ perks are being discontinued:

• The 10% Points Rebate: The benefit of receiving 10% of your redeemed ThankYou Points back (on the first 100,000 points redeemed annually) will cease.
• The "Round Up" Feature: The popular perk where purchases were rounded up to the nearest 10 points will also be retired.

While the loss of these unique features, particularly the 10% rebate, might be felt by some who maximized them, Citi is clearly confident that the substantially boosted earning potential of the Strata Card will deliver far greater overall value for the vast majority of users. We advise evaluating your spending – you may find the new structure significantly more rewarding!

A Warm Welcome to Newcomers: Snag 30,000 Bonus Points!

Thinking of jumping into the ThankYou® Rewards ecosystem? There’s never been a better time! New customers approved for the Citi Strata Card can seize a limited-time welcome bonus of 30,000 ThankYou Points after spending $1,000 within the first three months of account opening [Link to Citi Strata Card Application & Bonus Offer]. This is a fantastic jumpstart for a no-annual-fee card! (Note: Existing Citi Rewards+ cardholders being automatically converted are not eligible for this specific new applicant bonus).

The Bigger Picture: Citi's Streamlined Strata Family

This transformation into the Citi Strata Card, alongside the existing Citi Strata Premier℠ Card, clearly signals a strategic streamlining of Citi's "Strata" family. This no-annual-fee powerhouse now provides a much more compelling entry point and everyday earner within the ThankYou Rewards ecosystem. Plus, it’s crafted from almost entirely recycled plastic and includes World Elite Mastercard benefits, like potential cell phone protection.

The TravelCardInsider Financial Advisor's Take: Is the Citi Strata Card Your Next Smart Move?

As a no-annual-fee card, the Citi Strata Card presents an incredibly low-risk, high-reward opportunity to amass valuable ThankYou Points. Here’s who stands to benefit immediately and immensely:

• Budget-Savvy U.S. Travelers: If you want stellar travel rewards without an annual fee and are comfortable booking through the Citi travel portal, the 5X category is an industry leader. This card should be at the top of your list!
• Everyday Spenders Demanding Value & Simplicity: The 3X on groceries, gas/transit/EV, and the adaptable self-select category, plus 2X on dining, make this a daily workhorse that consistently delivers.
• Existing Citi Rewards+ Holders Ready for an Upgrade: If your spending patterns align with the new, richer bonus categories (and for most, they will!), you are likely to earn significantly more points, easily outweighing the loss of the older rebate and round-up. Do a quick check of your spending – the upside is likely huge!
• Newcomers to Travel Rewards: This is an exceptionally accessible and rewarding entry point into one of the major flexible currency programs. Don’t hesitate!

However, keep in mind:

• Portal Booking for Peak Travel Rewards: To unlock that incredible 5X travel rate, using cititravel.com is key.
• Value Maximization: The ultimate worth of your ThankYou Points shines brightest when transferred to travel partners, especially if paired with a premium Citi card.

The Final Verdict: A Resounding YES! The Citi Strata Card is a Must-See!

The evolution of the Citi Rewards+ into the Citi Strata Card is more than an upgrade; it’s a declaration. Citi has made this card an undeniably stronger, more competitive force in the no-annual-fee rewards market for U.S. consumers. The boosted earning rates on travel and essential everyday spending, crowned by the innovative self-select bonus, present a value proposition that’s frankly hard to beat.

For current Rewards+ members, it’s time to get excited about earning more. For those seeking a new no-annual-fee champion, the refreshed Citi Strata Card, with its powerful perks and attractive welcome bonus, demands your serious consideration. Act now to ensure your spending starts earning you the maximum rewards!