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Sapphire Reserve vs Citi Strata Elite

Up to three cards side by side, most decisive first. Open any section for the detail.

Rewards only pay if you pay in full. We compare what a card earns and gives, not its interest rates: carrying a balance costs more than any card earns. Rates and fees like APR, balance transfer and cash advance vary by applicant, so check the issuer's rates and fees before you apply. Why we never carry a balance

Chase Sapphire Reserve Card card art
Sapphire Reserve 1 of 2
Citi Strata Elite Card card art
Citi Strata Elite 2 of 2
Comparing 2 cards
Cost and value $795 fee$595 fee
Annual fee
$795 Best: Citi Strata Elite
$595 Best
Credits you can use a year, if you use every one
$2,340 Best
$1,470 Best: Sapphire Reserve
Fee after credits
$1,545 back Best credits beat the fee
$875 back credits beat the fee Best: Sapphire Reserve
Point value per point or mile
2.05¢ Best Estimate
1.90¢ Estimate Best: Sapphire Reserve
Rewards currency
Ultimate Rewards points
ThankYou Points
Foreign transaction fee
None
None
Rates and fees
On the issuer's site APR, balance transfer and cash advance vary by applicant
On the issuer's site APR, balance transfer and cash advance vary by applicant
Sign-up bonus 100,000 points, about $2,05075,000 points, about $1,425
Bonus
100,000 points
75,000 points
Estimated value
$2,050 Best
$1,425 Best: Sapphire Reserve
Spend to earn it less a month is easier
$6,000 in 90 days about $2,000 a month
$6,000 in 90 days about $2,000 a month
Varies by applicant
No
Yes the issuer may show you a different offer
Earning rates Top rate 10xTop rate 12x
Return is points per dollar times that card’s point value, so 3x and 4x on different currencies compare fairly.
Dining
3x about 6.1% back Best: Citi Strata Elite
6x Best about 11.4% back
Flights
1x about 2.0% back, the everything-else rate
  • 8x via the issuer portal, about 16.4%
Best: Citi Strata Elite
1.5x Best about 2.8% back, the everything-else rate
  • 6x via the issuer portal, about 11.4%
Hotels
1x about 2.0% back, the everything-else rate
  • 8x via the issuer portal, about 16.4%
Best: Citi Strata Elite
1.5x Best about 2.8% back, the everything-else rate
  • 12x via the issuer portal, about 22.8%
Travel (ground only)
1x about 2.0% back, the everything-else rate
  • 8x via the issuer portal, about 16.4%
Best: Citi Strata Elite
1.5x Best about 2.8% back, the everything-else rate
Everything else
1x about 2.0% back Best: Citi Strata Elite
1.5x Best about 2.8% back
Only on this card
  • 10x Peloton equipment and accessories
  • 5x Transit and rideshare
None
Statement credits $2,340 a year$1,470 a year
Trusted traveler
  • $120 every 4 years
    What counts

    Receive one statement credit of up to $120 every four years as reimbursement for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, or NEXUS application fee charged to your card.

  • $120 every 4 years
    What counts

    Receive a statement credit, up to $120 every four years, as reimbursement for your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee.

Rideshare
  • $120 a year $10 every month
    What counts

    Lyft members get up to $10 in monthly in-app credits, up to $120 annually, to use on rides through 9/30/27.

None
Dining and delivery
  • $300 a year $150 every 6 months
    What counts

    Up to $150 in statement credits January-June and again July-December (max $300 annually) for dining at restaurants in the Sapphire Exclusive Tables program on OpenTable.

  • $240 a year $20 every month
    What counts

    Two $10 DoorDash promos each month ($20 a month) for DashPass members, on groceries, retail and other non-restaurant orders, through 12/31/29.

  • $180 a year $15 every month
    What counts

    $15 monthly promo on any qualifying DoorDash order for DashPass members, available through 12/31/29.

None
Travel booking
  • $300 a year resets every card anniversary
    What counts

    Up to $300 in statement credits for travel purchases each account anniversary year; qualifying purchases will not earn points.

  • $250 a year resets every year
    What counts

    Up to $250 in statement credits through 12/31/26 on prepaid Chase Travel hotel bookings with select brands (IHG, Montage, Pendry, Omni, Virgin Hotels, Minor Hotels, Pan Pacific), two-night minimum required.

  • $300 a year resets every year
    What counts

    Each calendar year, enjoy up to $300 off a hotel stay of 2 nights or more when booked through cititravel.com.

  • $200 a year resets every year
    What counts

    Every calendar year, earn up to $200 in statement credits on your choice of up to 2 of the following brands: 1stDibs, American Airlines, Best Buy, Future Personal Training, and Live Nation.

Shopping
  • $300 a year $150 every 6 months
    What counts

    Up to $150 in statement credits January-June and again July-December, for a maximum $300 annually, for StubHub and viagogo purchases through 12/31/27. Activation required.

None
Wellness
  • $120 a year $10 every month
    What counts

    $10 statement credit per month on eligible Peloton memberships, max $120 annually through 12/31/27 (activation required); plus earn 10x total points on eligible Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $150 through 12/31/27.

None
Other credits
  • $500 a year resets every year
    What counts

    Statement credit of up to $250 per prepaid booking with The Edit, up to $500 annually, two-night minimum required.

  • $595 a year resets every year
    What counts

    Qualifying Citigold Private Clients receive a $595 first year banking relationship credit and a $145 credit each year thereafter if the primary cardmember has an open and current Strata Elite Card account with an assessed Annual Membership Fee of $595.

  • $200 a year $100 every 6 months
    What counts

    Earn up to $200 in statement credits each calendar year when you book with Blacklane, a premium global chauffeur service. Earn up to $100 on Blacklane purchases January through June and up to $100 July through December.

  • $145 a year resets every year
    What counts

    Qualifying Citigold clients receive a $145 Banking Relationship Annual Credit if the primary cardmember has an open and current Strata Elite Card account with an assessed Annual Membership Fee of $595.

Monthly credits to track fewer is less work
4 Best: Citi Strata Elite
0 Best
Transfer partners 14 partners24 partners
Partners
14 Best: Citi Strata Elite
24 Best
Alliance reach
Oneworld, SkyTeam, and Star Alliance
Oneworld, SkyTeam, and Star Alliance
Air France-KLM Flying Blue
1:1
1:1
JetBlue TrueBlue
1:1
1:1
Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
1:1
1:1
Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
1:1
1:1
Wyndham Rewards
1:1
1:1
Accor Live Limitless
None
2:1
Aer Lingus AerClub
1:1
None
Aeromexico Rewards
None
1:1
Air Canada Aeroplan
1:1
None
American Airlines AAdvantage
None
1:1
Avianca LifeMiles
None
1:1
British Airways Club
1:1
None
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles
None
1:1
Choice Privileges
None
1:2
Copa Airlines ConnectMiles
None
1:1
EVA Air Infinity MileageLands
None
1:1
Emirates Skywards
None
5:4
Etihad Guest
None
1:1
I Prefer Hotel Rewards
None
1:4
IHG One Rewards
1:1
None
Iberia Club
1:1
None
Japan Airlines Mileage Bank
None
1:1
Leaders Club
None
5:1
Marriott Bonvoy
1:1
None
Qantas Frequent Flyer
None
1:1
Qatar Airways Privilege Club
None
1:1
Shop Your Way
None
10:1
Southwest Rapid Rewards
1:1
None
Thai Royal Orchid Plus
None
1:1
Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
None
1:1
United MileagePlus
1:1
None
Virgin Red
None
1:1
World of Hyatt
4:3
None
Status, lounges and travel Avis Preferred Preferred Plus, IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite, National Emerald Club Executive, 3 lounge benefits2 lounge benefits
Elite status
  • Avis Preferred: Preferred Plus after you enroll
  • IHG One Rewards: Platinum Elite after you enroll
  • National Emerald Club: Executive after you enroll
None
Other status perks
  • Bookings through The Edit by Chase Travel receive complimentary benefits such as a property credit, daily breakfast for two, and a room upgrade if available, average value over $550 per stay. $550
  • Southwest Rapid Rewards A-List status through the following calendar year, after spending $75,000 in a calendar year.
  • World of Hyatt Explorist status for the remainder of the calendar year through February of the following year, after spending $75,000 in a calendar year.
  • IHG One Rewards Diamond Elite status for the remainder of the calendar year in which you qualify and the following calendar year, after spending $75,000 in a calendar year.
None
Airport lounges
  • Complimentary access to Chase Sapphire Lounges by The Club and 1,300+ Priority Pass airport lounges worldwide with up to two guests, valued at over $850 annually. $850
  • Complimentary access to select Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges and Air Canada Cafés in the U.S., Canada and Europe with an eligible boarding pass, for primary cardmember and one guest.
  • Complimentary Priority Pass Select membership providing access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide; primary cardmember and authorized users each allowed up to two accompanying guests.
  • Complimentary Priority Pass Select membership offering access to 1,500+ airport lounges worldwide. Annual membership fee valued at $469. $469
  • Every calendar year, receive 4 Admirals Club Citi Strata Elite Passes for access to nearly 50 Admirals Club lounges (over $300 in value), including snacks, complimentary cocktails, and personal travel assistance.
Travel benefits
  • Build and book a custom itinerary with a Reserve Travel Designer, valued at up to $300 per trip. $300
  • With Points Boost offers, points are worth up to 2x on top booked hotels, including The Edit, and flights with select airlines through Chase Travel.
None
Protection and insurance 8 coverages3 coverages
Rows line up by coverage type. "Not listed" means the terms we track do not mention it, not that the card lacks it.
Trip delay
  • Reimburses up to $100 a day for up to 5 days for essential purchases when baggage is delayed over 6 hours.
  • Covered for unreimbursed expenses up to $500 per covered traveler if common carrier travel is delayed more than 6 hours or requires an overnight stay.
  • Includes Trip Delay Protection, Enhanced Trip Cancellation and Trip Interruption Protection, Lost or Damaged Luggage, MasterRental Coverage (car rental insurance), and Extended Warranty and Purchase Assurance Plus.
Baggage
  • Reimbursement up to $3,000 per covered traveler for lost, damaged, or stolen checked or carry-on baggage.
Not listed
Rental car
  • Primary coverage providing reimbursement up to $75,000 for theft and collision damage for most rental vehicles in the U.S. and abroad when you decline the rental company's collision insurance.
Not listed
Extended warranty
  • Extends manufacturer's U.S. warranty by an additional year on eligible warranties of three years or less, up to four years from purchase date.
Not listed
Purchase protection
  • Covers eligible new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per item.
  • The ID Theft Protection program offered by Mastercard helps eliminate the worry of identity theft by monitoring information and alerting you if suspicious activity is found.
Emergency evacuation
  • Covered for medical services and transportation up to $100,000 for emergency evacuation during trips 100+ miles from home.
Not listed
Travel accident
  • Up to $1,000,000 in accidental death or dismemberment coverage when paying for air, bus, train or cruise transportation with your card.
Not listed
Other coverage
  • You can be reimbursed for eligible items that the store won't accept within 90 days of purchase, up to $500 per item, $1,000 per 12-month period.
  • Reimbursed up to $2,500 for medical expenses, subject to a $50 deductible, if sick or injured 100+ miles from home.
  • Covered up to $50 per incident, 4 times a year for tow, battery assistance, tire change, locksmith or gas.
  • Reimbursed up to $10,000 per covered traveler and $20,000 per trip for pre-paid, non-refundable travel expenses if trip is canceled or cut short.
  • Provides legal and medical referrals and access to other travel and emergency assistance services while traveling away from home.
  • Buy now, pay later with Citi® Flex Pay. Pay over time in fixed monthly payments and continue to earn points on purchases. Available on eligible purchases of $75 or more.
Lifestyle and other perks 2 perks1 perk
Lifestyle and entertainment
  • Complimentary subscriptions to Apple TV and Apple Music for a minimum of one year when activated by June 22, 2027, a value of $324 annually. $324
  • Complimentary DashPass membership for 12 months, a $120 value, with $0 delivery fees and reduced service fees on eligible DoorDash orders when activated by 12/31/27. $120
  • Citi cardmembers get special access to purchase tickets to thousands of events, including presale tickets and exclusive experiences to concerts, sporting events, and arts and culture experiences.
Authorized users PaidPaid
Cost
$195 a year for each authorized user.
$75 a year for each authorized user.
Each one gets
  • Auto rental coverage
  • Baggage delay insurance
  • Chase Sapphire reserve lounge network
  • Complimentary DashPass membership
  • DoorDash monthly promos
  • DoorDash monthly promos restaurant orders
  • Emergency evacuation and transportation
  • Emergency medical and dental
  • Extended warranty protection
  • Lost luggage reimbursement
  • Priority Pass select membership
  • Purchase protection
  • Return protection
  • Roadside assistance
  • Travel accident insurance
  • Travel and emergency assistance
  • Trip cancellation and interruption insurance
  • Trip delay reimbursement
  • Priority Pass select membership
  • Travel and shopping protection
Application rules 5/241/8
Issuer approval rules
  • 5/24 Community-reported
    What counts

    Chase generally declines applicants who have opened 5 or more credit cards from any issuer in the past 24 months.

  • 1/8 Community-reported
    What counts

    Citi generally approves at most 1 card application per 8 days.

  • 2/65 Community-reported
    What counts

    Citi generally approves at most 2 card applications per 65 days.

Bonus eligibility
  • Sapphire 48-month rule Community-reported
    What counts

    You can earn a Sapphire sign-up bonus only once every 48 months.

  • 48-month rule Community-reported
    What counts

    Citi sign-up bonuses within the same card family are generally available only once every 48 months.

Card type
Personal
Personal