Is the The Platinum Card from American Express worth the higher annual fee?

The The Platinum Card from American Express costs $895/yr vs $0/yr for the Citi Strata Credit Card. The higher fee includes lounge access that can offset the cost for frequent travelers.

Which card earns more rewards, the The Platinum Card from American Express or Citi Strata Credit Card?

Both cards earn 1X on everyday purchases. The difference is in bonus categories — check the earn rate comparison above for a full breakdown.

What benefits does the The Platinum Card from American Express have that the Citi Strata Credit Card doesn't?

The The Platinum Card from American Express offers lounge access. The Citi Strata Credit Card focuses more on earn rates than premium perks.

Should I get the The Platinum Card from American Express or the Citi Strata Credit Card?

Choose the Citi Strata Credit Card if you want lower fees and solid rewards. Pick the The Platinum Card from American Express if you spend enough to justify the $895/yr fee through its premium benefits and higher earn rates.

Is the The Platinum Card from American Express worth the higher annual fee?

The The Platinum Card from American Express costs $895/yr vs $0/yr for the Citi Strata Credit Card. The higher fee includes lounge access that can offset the cost for frequent travelers.

Which card earns more rewards, the The Platinum Card from American Express or Citi Strata Credit Card?

Both cards earn 1X on everyday purchases. The difference is in bonus categories — check the earn rate comparison above for a full breakdown.

What benefits does the The Platinum Card from American Express have that the Citi Strata Credit Card doesn't?

The The Platinum Card from American Express offers lounge access. The Citi Strata Credit Card focuses more on earn rates than premium perks.

Should I get the The Platinum Card from American Express or the Citi Strata Credit Card?

Choose the Citi Strata Credit Card if you want lower fees and solid rewards. Pick the The Platinum Card from American Express if you spend enough to justify the $895/yr fee through its premium benefits and higher earn rates.

Is the The Platinum Card from American Express worth the higher annual fee?

The The Platinum Card from American Express costs $895/yr vs $0/yr for the Citi Strata Credit Card. The higher fee includes lounge access that can offset the cost for frequent travelers.

Which card earns more rewards, the The Platinum Card from American Express or Citi Strata Credit Card?

Both cards earn 1X on everyday purchases. The difference is in bonus categories — check the earn rate comparison above for a full breakdown.

What benefits does the The Platinum Card from American Express have that the Citi Strata Credit Card doesn't?

The The Platinum Card from American Express offers lounge access. The Citi Strata Credit Card focuses more on earn rates than premium perks.

Should I get the The Platinum Card from American Express or the Citi Strata Credit Card?

Choose the Citi Strata Credit Card if you want lower fees and solid rewards. Pick the The Platinum Card from American Express if you spend enough to justify the $895/yr fee through its premium benefits and higher earn rates.

CardRewards

Editorial disclosure: CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Our analysis is based on publicly available card data and is reviewed regularly by our editorial team. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or content. Last updated: June 2026.

The Platinum Card from American Express vs Citi Strata Credit Card

The Citi Strata Credit Card ($0/yr) is better for everyday value, while the The Platinum Card from American Express ($895/yr) is worth it for frequent travelers who can use its premium perks. Here's the full comparison.

No image

The Platinum Card from American Express

American Express

Citi Strata Credit Card

Citi

Fees & Welcome Offer

Annual Fee

$895

Welcome Bonus

80,000 Flex point

30,000 Flex point

Earn Rates

Category	The Platinum Card from American Express	Citi Strata Credit Card
Flights	5X	1X
Cosmetics

Category-by-Category Winner

The Citi Strata Credit Card wins in 10 of 11 categories. The The Platinum Card from American Express leads in 1.

Flights

The Platinum Card from American Express earns 5X vs 1X

Grocery Stores

Citi Strata Credit Card earns 3X vs 1X

Gas Stations

Citi Strata Credit Card earns 3X vs 1X

Transit

Citi Strata Credit Card earns 3X vs 1X

Rotating Category

Citi Strata Credit Card earns 3X vs 1X

Cosmetic Stores

Citi Strata Credit Card earns 3X vs 1X

Fitness & Gyms

Citi Strata Credit Card earns 3X vs 1X

Live Entertainment

Citi Strata Credit Card earns 3X vs 1X

Pet Shops

Citi Strata Credit Card earns 3X vs 1X

The Bottom Line

The Citi Strata Credit Card has a lower annual fee ($0 vs $895), making it the more accessible option.

The The Platinum Card from American Express justifies its higher fee with premium perks like lounge access.

Choose the Citi Strata Credit Card if you want solid rewards with a lower cost of entry. Choose the The Platinum Card from American Express if you travel frequently and can maximize its premium benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the The Platinum Card from American Express worth the higher annual fee?: The The Platinum Card from American Express costs $895/yr vs $0/yr for the Citi Strata Credit Card. The higher fee includes lounge access that can offset the cost for frequent travelers.
Which card earns more rewards, the The Platinum Card from American Express or Citi Strata Credit Card?: Both cards earn 1X on everyday purchases. The difference is in bonus categories — check the earn rate comparison above for a full breakdown.
What benefits does the The Platinum Card from American Express have that the Citi Strata Credit Card doesn't?: The The Platinum Card from American Express offers lounge access. The Citi Strata Credit Card focuses more on earn rates than premium perks.
Should I get the The Platinum Card from American Express or the Citi Strata Credit Card?: Choose the Citi Strata Credit Card if you want lower fees and solid rewards. Pick the The Platinum Card from American Express if you spend enough to justify the $895/yr fee through its premium benefits and higher earn rates.

Related Comparisons

Amex Blue Cash Everyday vs Citi Strata Amex Gold vs Amex Platinum Amex Green vs Amex Platinum Amex Green vs Citi Strata

Explore More

The Platinum Card from American Express — Full Review All American Express Cards

Citi Strata Credit Card — Full Review All Citi Cards

Browse all comparisons →Browse all card categories →

Official issuer pages: American Express cards · Citi cards

Editorial disclosure: The analysis on this page is based on publicly available card data and is updated regularly. CardRewards.ai is an independent comparison service. Card issuers do not influence our rankings or editorial content. Last updated: June 2026.

The Platinum Card from American Express vs Citi Strata Credit Card

No image

The Platinum Card from American Express

American Express

Citi Strata Credit Card

Citi

Fees & Welcome Offer

Annual Fee

$895

Welcome Bonus

80,000 Flex point

30,000 Flex point

Earn Rates

Category	The Platinum Card from American Express	Citi Strata Credit Card
Flights	5X	1X
Cosmetics

Category-by-Category Winner

The Citi Strata Credit Card wins in 10 of 11 categories. The The Platinum Card from American Express leads in 1.

Flights

The Platinum Card from American Express earns 5X vs 1X

Grocery Stores

Citi Strata Credit Card earns 3X vs 1X

Gas Stations

Citi Strata Credit Card earns 3X vs 1X

Transit

Citi Strata Credit Card earns 3X vs 1X

Rotating Category

Citi Strata Credit Card earns 3X vs 1X

Cosmetic Stores

Citi Strata Credit Card earns 3X vs 1X

Fitness & Gyms

Citi Strata Credit Card earns 3X vs 1X

Live Entertainment

Citi Strata Credit Card earns 3X vs 1X

Pet Shops

Citi Strata Credit Card earns 3X vs 1X

The Bottom Line

The Citi Strata Credit Card has a lower annual fee ($0 vs $895), making it the more accessible option.

The The Platinum Card from American Express justifies its higher fee with premium perks like lounge access.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the The Platinum Card from American Express worth the higher annual fee?: The The Platinum Card from American Express costs $895/yr vs $0/yr for the Citi Strata Credit Card. The higher fee includes lounge access that can offset the cost for frequent travelers.
Which card earns more rewards, the The Platinum Card from American Express or Citi Strata Credit Card?: Both cards earn 1X on everyday purchases. The difference is in bonus categories — check the earn rate comparison above for a full breakdown.
What benefits does the The Platinum Card from American Express have that the Citi Strata Credit Card doesn't?: The The Platinum Card from American Express offers lounge access. The Citi Strata Credit Card focuses more on earn rates than premium perks.
Should I get the The Platinum Card from American Express or the Citi Strata Credit Card?: Choose the Citi Strata Credit Card if you want lower fees and solid rewards. Pick the The Platinum Card from American Express if you spend enough to justify the $895/yr fee through its premium benefits and higher earn rates.

Related Comparisons

Amex Blue Cash Everyday vs Citi Strata Amex Gold vs Amex Platinum Amex Green vs Amex Platinum Amex Green vs Citi Strata

Explore More

The Platinum Card from American Express — Full Review All American Express Cards

Citi Strata Credit Card — Full Review All Citi Cards

Browse all comparisons →Browse all card categories →

Official issuer pages: American Express cards · Citi cards

The Platinum Card from American Express vs Citi Strata Credit Card

No image

The Platinum Card from American Express

American Express

Citi Strata Credit Card

Citi

Fees & Welcome Offer

Annual Fee

$895

Welcome Bonus

80,000 Flex point

30,000 Flex point

Earn Rates

Category	The Platinum Card from American Express	Citi Strata Credit Card
Flights	5X	1X
Cosmetics

Category-by-Category Winner

The Citi Strata Credit Card wins in 10 of 11 categories. The The Platinum Card from American Express leads in 1.

Flights

The Platinum Card from American Express earns 5X vs 1X

Grocery Stores

Citi Strata Credit Card earns 3X vs 1X

Gas Stations

Citi Strata Credit Card earns 3X vs 1X

Transit

Citi Strata Credit Card earns 3X vs 1X

Rotating Category

Citi Strata Credit Card earns 3X vs 1X

Cosmetic Stores

Citi Strata Credit Card earns 3X vs 1X

Fitness & Gyms

Citi Strata Credit Card earns 3X vs 1X

Live Entertainment

Citi Strata Credit Card earns 3X vs 1X

Pet Shops

Citi Strata Credit Card earns 3X vs 1X

The Bottom Line

The Citi Strata Credit Card has a lower annual fee ($0 vs $895), making it the more accessible option.

The The Platinum Card from American Express justifies its higher fee with premium perks like lounge access.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the The Platinum Card from American Express worth the higher annual fee?: The The Platinum Card from American Express costs $895/yr vs $0/yr for the Citi Strata Credit Card. The higher fee includes lounge access that can offset the cost for frequent travelers.
Which card earns more rewards, the The Platinum Card from American Express or Citi Strata Credit Card?: Both cards earn 1X on everyday purchases. The difference is in bonus categories — check the earn rate comparison above for a full breakdown.
What benefits does the The Platinum Card from American Express have that the Citi Strata Credit Card doesn't?: The The Platinum Card from American Express offers lounge access. The Citi Strata Credit Card focuses more on earn rates than premium perks.
Should I get the The Platinum Card from American Express or the Citi Strata Credit Card?: Choose the Citi Strata Credit Card if you want lower fees and solid rewards. Pick the The Platinum Card from American Express if you spend enough to justify the $895/yr fee through its premium benefits and higher earn rates.

Related Comparisons

Amex Blue Cash Everyday vs Citi Strata Amex Gold vs Amex Platinum Amex Green vs Amex Platinum Amex Green vs Citi Strata

Explore More

The Platinum Card from American Express — Full Review All American Express Cards

Citi Strata Credit Card — Full Review All Citi Cards

Browse all comparisons →Browse all card categories →

Official issuer pages: American Express cards · Citi cards

Benefits & Features

Network

AMEX

MASTERCARD

Key Benefits

✓Lounge access

✓Travel insurance

✓Global Entry credit

None

Pros & Cons

Pros

+Access to 9 lounge networks including exclusive Centurion Lounges with 2 guests free
+$200/year Uber credit plus complimentary Uber One membership ($168 value)
+$400/year Resy dining credit at select restaurants
+Automatic Marriott Gold and Hilton Gold status with room upgrades and breakfast
+5X points on flights booked direct or via Amex Travel

+No annual fee
+30,000 point welcome bonus
+5X points on travel booked via Citi Travel
+3X points on groceries, transit, gas, and Self-Select category
+Self-Select category flexibility (change quarterly)

Cons

−$895 annual fee requires significant credit utilization to break even
−Many credits require specific merchants (Saks, Equinox, SoulCycle)
−Only 1X points on non-travel purchases limits everyday earning
−Secondary car rental coverage unless paying $24.95/rental for primary
−$195 authorized user fee after first 3 free cards

−3% foreign transaction fee
−5X rate requires booking through Citi Travel portal
−Self-Select category can only change quarterly
−Lower transfer value compared to premium ThankYou cards

Streaming

Citi Strata Credit Card earns 3X vs 1X

Dining

Citi Strata Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X

Is the Fee Difference Worth It?

The The Platinum Card from American Express costs $895/yr — that's $895 more than the Citi Strata Credit Card (no annual fee). To justify that gap, you need to extract at least $895 in annual value from the card's higher earn rates and benefits.

The The Platinum Card from American Express offers lounge access, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit. Whether that justifies the fee depends on how often you use these benefits.

Bottom line: The $895 gap is significant. Choose the The Platinum Card from American Express only if you spend heavily on flights and hotels and will use its premium benefits regularly — otherwise the Citi Strata Credit Card delivers strong value at a fraction of the cost.

What You Give Up

Choosing one card means missing out on these benefits from the other.

Choosing Citi Strata Credit Card means losing:

-Airport lounge access
-Travel insurance
-Global Entry credit

Which Card Is Right for You?

Get the The Platinum Card from American Express if you:

+Fly frequently and value airport lounge access

Get the Citi Strata Credit Card if you:

+Spend $300+/month on restaurants and dining out
+Do most of your spending at grocery stores
+Want strong rewards without a large annual fee commitment

Benefits & Features

Network

AMEX

MASTERCARD

Key Benefits

✓Lounge access

✓Travel insurance

✓Global Entry credit

None

Pros & Cons

Pros

+Access to 9 lounge networks including exclusive Centurion Lounges with 2 guests free
+$200/year Uber credit plus complimentary Uber One membership ($168 value)
+$400/year Resy dining credit at select restaurants
+Automatic Marriott Gold and Hilton Gold status with room upgrades and breakfast
+5X points on flights booked direct or via Amex Travel

+No annual fee
+30,000 point welcome bonus
+5X points on travel booked via Citi Travel
+3X points on groceries, transit, gas, and Self-Select category
+Self-Select category flexibility (change quarterly)

Cons

−$895 annual fee requires significant credit utilization to break even
−Many credits require specific merchants (Saks, Equinox, SoulCycle)
−Only 1X points on non-travel purchases limits everyday earning
−Secondary car rental coverage unless paying $24.95/rental for primary
−$195 authorized user fee after first 3 free cards

−3% foreign transaction fee
−5X rate requires booking through Citi Travel portal
−Self-Select category can only change quarterly
−Lower transfer value compared to premium ThankYou cards

Streaming

Citi Strata Credit Card earns 3X vs 1X

Dining

Citi Strata Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X

Is the Fee Difference Worth It?

The The Platinum Card from American Express offers lounge access, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit. Whether that justifies the fee depends on how often you use these benefits.

What You Give Up

Choosing one card means missing out on these benefits from the other.

Choosing Citi Strata Credit Card means losing:

-Airport lounge access
-Travel insurance
-Global Entry credit

Which Card Is Right for You?

Get the The Platinum Card from American Express if you:

+Fly frequently and value airport lounge access

Get the Citi Strata Credit Card if you:

+Spend $300+/month on restaurants and dining out
+Do most of your spending at grocery stores
+Want strong rewards without a large annual fee commitment

Benefits & Features

Network

AMEX

MASTERCARD

Key Benefits

✓Lounge access

✓Travel insurance

✓Global Entry credit

None

Pros & Cons

Pros

+Access to 9 lounge networks including exclusive Centurion Lounges with 2 guests free
+$200/year Uber credit plus complimentary Uber One membership ($168 value)
+$400/year Resy dining credit at select restaurants
+Automatic Marriott Gold and Hilton Gold status with room upgrades and breakfast
+5X points on flights booked direct or via Amex Travel

+No annual fee
+30,000 point welcome bonus
+5X points on travel booked via Citi Travel
+3X points on groceries, transit, gas, and Self-Select category
+Self-Select category flexibility (change quarterly)

Cons

−$895 annual fee requires significant credit utilization to break even
−Many credits require specific merchants (Saks, Equinox, SoulCycle)
−Only 1X points on non-travel purchases limits everyday earning
−Secondary car rental coverage unless paying $24.95/rental for primary
−$195 authorized user fee after first 3 free cards

−3% foreign transaction fee
−5X rate requires booking through Citi Travel portal
−Self-Select category can only change quarterly
−Lower transfer value compared to premium ThankYou cards

Streaming

Citi Strata Credit Card earns 3X vs 1X

Dining

Citi Strata Credit Card earns 2X vs 1X

Is the Fee Difference Worth It?

The The Platinum Card from American Express offers lounge access, Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit. Whether that justifies the fee depends on how often you use these benefits.

What You Give Up

Choosing one card means missing out on these benefits from the other.

Choosing Citi Strata Credit Card means losing:

-Airport lounge access
-Travel insurance
-Global Entry credit

Which Card Is Right for You?

Get the The Platinum Card from American Express if you:

+Fly frequently and value airport lounge access

Get the Citi Strata Credit Card if you:

+Spend $300+/month on restaurants and dining out
+Do most of your spending at grocery stores
+Want strong rewards without a large annual fee commitment