Amex Platinum vs Citi Strata Elite
Amex Platinum edges Citi Strata Elite on year-1 math ($3,805 more value at 1.8¢/pt).
Quick verdict
Amex Platinum edges Citi Strata Elite on year-1 math ($3,805 more value at 1.8¢/pt)
Amex Platinum: $3,764 recurring credits + $3,150 welcome bonus − $895 AF = $6,019 net. Citi Strata Elite: $1,369 recurring credits + $1,440 welcome bonus − $595 AF = $2,214 net. These are year-1 numbers (welcome bonus included) at a 1.8¢/pt rewards valuation. The /tools/annual-fee-breakeven calculator runs the year-2-onward math without the bonus.
Side-by-side specs
| Amex Platinum | Citi Strata Elite | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $895 | $595 |
| Welcome bonus | 175,000 pts after $12,000 in 6mo | 80,000 pts after $8,000 in 3mo |
| Welcome bonus value @ 1.8¢ | $3,150 | $1,440 |
| Free-night cert | — | — |
| Recurring credits / year | $3,764 | $1,369 |
| Year-1 net @ 1.8¢ | $6,019 | $2,214 |
Year-1 net assumes the welcome bonus values at 1.8¢/pt. For year-2-onward math, use the Annual Fee Break-even Calculator.
Amex Platinum
14 recurring credits
- Digital Entertainment$25 · Monthly
- Uber Cash$15 · Monthly
- Walmart+ Membership$13 · Monthly
- Resy Credit$100 · Quarterly
- Lululemon Credit$75 · Quarterly
- Hotel Credit (FHR/Hotel Collection)$300 · Semi-annual
- Priority Pass Select$469 · Annual
- Equinox Credit$300 · Annual
- Centurion Lounge access$300 · Annual
- CLEAR Plus$209 · Annual
- Oura Ring Credit$200 · Annual
- Airline Fee Credit$200 · Annual
- Uber One Membership$120 · Annual
- Global Entry / TSA PreCheck$120 · Every 4 years
Citi Strata Elite
4 recurring credits
- $1K Mister Credit (quarterly via dining/grocery)$25 · Quarterly
- Hotel Credit (semi-annual)$300 · Semi-annual
- Priority Pass Select$469 · Annual
- Blacklane Chauffeur Credit$200 · Annual
Pick Amex Platinum if
the recurring credits stack is richer ($3,764 vs $1,369); the welcome bonus pays more at 1.8¢/pt ($3,150 vs $1,440).
Pick Citi Strata Elite if
the AF is meaningfully lower ($595 vs $895).