Citi Strata Elite statement credits: What they are and how to maximize them

The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card (see rates and fees) is a great option for luxury-minded travelers and people looking to collect more Citi ThankYou Rewards points.Citi ThankYou Rewards is appealing in large part because of its partnership with American Airlines AAdvantage. Currently, Citi is the only card issuer with direct transfers to American Airlines, one of the three largest U.S. airlines.TPG's July 2026 valuations place Citi ThankYou Rewards points at 1.9 cents each. The Strata Elite offers excellent earning rates for collecting these points, and it packs in more perks to justify its $595 annual fee.These statement credits can help elevate your travel experience and offset the annual fee, as long as you spend mindfully.Here's a breakdown of what you need to know to make the most of these credits.Overview of Strata Elite creditsHere's a list of the credits the Strata Elite provides:CreditValuePrepaid hotel stays booked with Citi Travel$300 annuallySplurge$200 annually for select merchants (exclusions may apply)Blacklane$200 annually ($100 biannually)Global Entry/TSA PreCheckUp to $120 every four yearsThese total $820 in first-year value, which more than offsets the Strata Elite's ...