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Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
vs. Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
Updated: October 8, 2024
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The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card and Citi Premier credit cards are both mid-tier travel rewards cards. These two cards have become favorites among frequent and not-so-frequent travelers because of their flexible reward programs and generous welcome bonuses. Both have $95 yearly fees, but vary in perks and features.
Because choosing between two good rewards credit cards can be difficult, this comparison will break down the differences between the Sapphire Preferred and Premier Card to help you make a decision.
Comparison Overview: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card vs. Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® CardCiti Strata Premier℠ Card
- Has Annual Fee
- Has Balance Transfer Offer
- Has APR Offer
- Cash Back Rewards
- Travel Rewards
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card At a Glance
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card credit card is one of the best rewards cards available today. The card comes with a bonus of 60,000 bonus points (worth $750 toward travel when redeemed via Chase Travel℠), 3X points per dollar spent on dining, 5X total points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, flexible redemption choices and no foreign transaction fees. However, to be approved for the Sapphire Preferred, you must have excellent credit — otherwise, you may be denied.
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
A very good rewards card with no foreign transaction fees and comprehensive travel cover
- 1–5 Points per $1Rewards Rate
- 21.49%–28.49% VariableAPR
- $95Annual Fee
- 670–850 (Good to Excellent)Recommended Credit
Pros
- Generous new cardholder bonus
- High rewards on travel and dining
- No foreign transaction fees
- With travel insurance and benefits
- Flexible rewards redemption options
Cons
- With annual fee applies
- High credit requirement
- Rewards program can be complex
- Potentially high APR
Introductory Offers
- Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account opening.
Rewards
- Earn 5x points on travel booked through Chase Travel.
- Earn 3x points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries.
- Earn 2x points on all other travel purchases.
- Earn 1x points on all other purchases.
- Points are worth 25% more when redeemed for travel through Chase Travel, making 60,000 points equivalent to $750 in travel value.
Perks & Benefits
- Enjoy a $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit.
- Benefit from Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance.
- Use Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver.
- Protect your belongings with Lost Luggage Insurance.
- Get complimentary DashPass access with $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for at least one year when activated by December 31, 2027.
Citi Strata Premier℠ Card At a Glance
New cardmembers can earn 60,000 ThankYou bonus points after spending $4,000 in purchases with the Citi Premier® Card within the first three months of account opening. ThankYou Points are worth $0.01 per point when redeemed through Citi’s travel portal or for gift cards. So 60,000 points would be worth $600 toward gift cards, travel and other redemptions.
- Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
An excellent travel rewards card for international use
- 1–3 Points per $1Rewards Rate
- 21.24% – 29.24% VariableAPR
- $95Annual Fee
- ExcellentRecommended Credit
Pros
- Opportunity to earn a sizeable sign-up bonus
- 3X points for travel purchases and on a few other categories
- No foreign transaction fees
- Transfer points to popular frequent flyer programs or redeem them in other ways
- $100 hotel savings benefit each year
Cons
- Annual fee of $95
- No complimentary insurance
- No purchase protection
- Cash advance and balance transfer fees
- Penalty APR may apply in case of a late or returned payment
Introductory Offers
- For a limited time, earn 75,000 bonus ThankYou Points after spending $4,000 in the first three months. Redeemable for $750 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.
Rewards
- Earn 10 ThankYou Points per dollar on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com.
- Earn 3 points per dollar on air travel, other hotel purchases, restaurants, supermarkets, gas, and EV charging stations.
- Earn 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
Perks & Benefits
- Enjoy a $100 Annual Hotel Benefit: Get $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more once per calendar year when booked through CitiTravel.com.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases.
- Points do not expire and there's no limit to the amount you can earn.
Comparison Summary
Compare the similarities and differences between these two mid-tier travel rewards credit cards to see which card is best for you.
Card Detail | Comparison Summary |
|---|---|
Travel Coverage and Purchase Protection | Insurance for trip cancellation, trip delay, baggage delay, travel accidents and an auto rental collision damage waiver are all included in Chase Sapphire Preferred Card's travel benefits. The Citi Premier® Card doesn’t have any travel protections. Winner: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card |
Welcome Bonus | Both providers offer generous welcome bonuses to their new cardholders. The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card offers new cardholders the opportunity to earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of account setup. Chase Travel℠ are incredibly valuable since each point is worth $1.25 when redeemed using the Chase travel site or the Pay Yourself Back function (so the 60,000-point incentive is worth $750). When redeemed, ThankYou Points are only worth $0.01 per point. Therefore 60,000 points are worth $600 in gift cards or towards a vacation. Winner: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card |
Rewards | In terms of rewards, both cards are excellent. With the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, it’s possible to earn 5X points on Chase Travel℠ (excluding hotel purchases that qualify for the $50 Anniversary Hotel Credit), 3X points at restaurants, select streaming services and online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart and wholesale clubs), 2X points on all other travel purchases and 1X points on general purchases With the Citi Premier® Card, you’ll earn 3X points for every dollar spent at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, airports and hotels. You’ll also earn 1X point per dollar spent on all other eligible items. For frequent travelers, the Sapphire Preferred is the ideal option since it earns 5X points per dollar instead of the Premier Card's 3X points per dollar. Winner: Chase Sapphire Preferred Card |
Annual Fee | The annual fee is $95 for both the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card and the Citi Premier® Card. Winner: Tie |
Foreign Transaction Fee | Neither card has foreign transaction fees. Winner: Tie |
Which Card Should You Get?
When deciding between the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card and Citi Premier® Card, it’s best to consider your financial habits and goals. The best choice will depend on your individual travel needs and spending patterns.
Who Should Consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is ideal for people who want to stretch their points farther on travel and statement credits. It's also an excellent choice for people looking to earn points that can be used with various partners, such as airlines, hotels and restaurants.
Frequent travelers may want to take advantage of this card's ample travel protections, plus 5X total points rewards bonus on select travel purchases.
Each year, customers may use a $50 statement credit for hotel stays booked via Chase Travel℠.
≫ More: Read Our Full Review
Who Should Consider the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card?
The Citi Premier® Card is a good choice for individuals who want to earn points on regular purchases. The card will also help you save money on travel, as there are no foreign transaction fees.
Once per year, the Citi Premier® Card gifts customers with a $100 Annual Hotel Savings Benefit on a single stay of $500 or more booked through thankyou.com.
Experience-seekers may enjoy the Citi Entertainment rewards system, which gives cardholders special access to purchase tickets for concerts, sporting events, dining experiences and more.
≫ More: Read Our Full Review
EXPERT OPINION
The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is definitely the better card in this comparison. Bonus rewards points are extremely valuable as you can transfer them to great airline and hotel loyalty programs. While you can do the same with Citi ThankYou points, the partners are not as valuable as the majority of them are international airlines.
Other Helpful Decision-Making FAQs
Despite knowing the differences between the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card and the Citi Premier® Card, you might still be undecided about which one to go with. MoneyGeek has answered some frequently asked questions that can help you make an informed decision.
Is the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card better than the Citi Premier® Card?
Choosing the best card for you will depend on your preferences. The Citi Premier® Card offers travel rewards and points for everyday expenditures. On the other hand, Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is a better choice if you want to use your points for travel.
Can you get the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card if you have a Citi Premier® Card?
Yes, you can get Chase Sapphire Preferred Card if you have a Citi Premier® Card. People who are in a position to switch cards should consider other factors, including interest rates and annual fees, to decide which card is best for them. Carefully comparing options before making a change will help you avoid surprises down the road.
Can you transfer points from the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card to the Citi Premier® Card?
Chase only allows you to transfer your points to another Chase card with Ultimate Rewards belonging to you or one member of your household.
Can you switch from the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card to the Citi Premier® Card?
Yes, if you consider the Citi Premier® Card more beneficial to you.
What’s harder to get, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card or the Citi Premier® Card?
The Citi Premier® Card is relatively easy to get if you have good to excellent credit and can qualify for the minimum credit limit, compared to Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, for which you need excellent credit.
How much do you have to spend for Chase Sapphire Preferred Card vs. Citi Premier® Card to get the welcome bonus?
You must spend $4,000 in the first three months of your Chase Sapphire Preferred Card account to receive 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points. Similarly, with Citi Premier, you'll only be eligible for 60,000 ThankYou points after spending $4,000 in three months.
Still Not Sure About These Cards? Consider These Options
If you can't decide between the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card and the Citi Premier® Card, look into other cards that offer significant rewards advantages. If you want to receive money back on purchases, a cash back credit card could be a good option for you.
Learn more about credit cards in general
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About Doug Milnes, CFA
Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.
Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.
sources
- Chase Bank. "Chase Sapphire Preferred Card." Accessed October 8, 2024.
- Citi Premier. "Citi Premier® Card." Accessed October 8, 2024.
*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
Advertiser Disclosure: MoneyGeek has partnered with CardRatings.com and CreditCards.com for our coverage of credit card products. MoneyGeek, CardRatings and CreditCards.com may receive a commission from card issuers. To ensure thorough comparisons and reviews, MoneyGeek features products from both paid partners and unaffiliated card issuers that are not paid partners.