Why the New Citi Trifecta Might Be the Best Value in Travel Rewards

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When credit card enthusiasts talk about a “trifecta,” or any combination of cards from the same bank, what they’re referring to is a strategy to maximize rewards across different types of purchases—all while earning the same transferable points currency.

The idea is that by combining multiple cards from one issuer, you can create a well-rounded setup that helps you earn the maximum possible points on every purchase. Typically, a trifecta includes three types of cards, each covering a different area of spending:

1. The travel card – This card earns elevated rewards on travel-related purchases like airfare, hotels, and rental cars. It also usually unlocks access to transfer partners, allowing you to convert your points into airline miles or hotel points. In many cases, it also provides an even higher earning rate when booking through the bank’s travel portal—sometimes between 5x and 10x points, depending on the category.
2. The everyday spending card – This one focuses on bonus points for daily purchases, such as restaurants, grocery stores, and gas stations. These are the categories where many people spend the most month-to-month.
3. The “everything else” card – This is your catch-all card that earns a solid return on purchases that don’t fall into the other bonus categories. Ideally, you want this card to earn at least 2x points per dollar, so you’re never stuck earning just 1x on any purchase.

The Travel Card: Citi Strata Premier℠

The travel card in Citi’s wallet is the Citi Strata Premier℠, a $95 annual fee card that plays a central role in the new Citi Trifecta.
Here’s our full review of the Citi Strata Premier

This is the only Citi card open to new applicants that unlocks access to Citi’s airline and hotel transfer partners, which makes it essential for anyone looking to use ThankYou Points for outsized travel redemptions.

But it’s more than just a travel card—it’s also something of a multitasker. The Strata Premier earns:

• 3X points per $1 on:
  • Air travel
  • Hotel purchases (outside Citi Travel)
  • Restaurants
  • Supermarkets
  • Gas stations and EV charging stations
• 10X points per $1 on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com

Not bad for a card with just a $95 annual fee. It covers both travel and many everyday categories, which makes it the anchor of Citi’s revamped trifecta setup.

The Everyday Spending Card: Citi Strata℠

The second card in Citi’s new trifecta is the upcoming Citi Strata℠ Card, which replaces the now-discontinued Citi Rewards+® Card.
Here’s a full breakdown of what’s changing

This no-annual-fee card will begin rolling out to existing Rewards+ cardholders on July 20, 2025, and it brings some solid bonus categories, even if it overlaps a bit with the more powerful Strata Premier.

Here’s what the Citi Strata earns:

• 5X points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com
• 3X points at supermarkets
• 3X points on select transit, gas stations, and EV charging stations
• 2X points at restaurants
• 1X point on all other purchases

For most of those categories, the Strata Premier still comes out ahead, especially since it earns 3X at restaurants and unlocks transfer partners. But the Citi Strata brings one more feature to the table that makes it worth considering:

Cardholders can choose one additional 3X bonus category from the following list:

• Fitness clubs
• Select streaming services
• Live entertainment
• Cosmetic stores, barber shops, or hair salons
• Pet supply stores

Depending on where your monthly budget goes, this extra 3X category can help you squeeze out some extra points from purchases that most cards ignore.

The Citi Strata will be open to new applicants later this year, so if you missed out on the Rewards+ Card, there’s still a path to get it.

The “Everything Else” Card: Citi Double Cash®

Rounding out the Citi Trifecta is the Citi Double Cash® Card, which plays the all-important role of covering everything else.
Here’s our full review of the Citi Double Cash

This no-annual-fee card earns:

• 1% back when you make a purchase
• Another 1% back when you pay it off

That means you’re earning a minimum of 2% back on every single purchase, with no category restrictions or caps.

Unlike the other two cards, the Double Cash doesn’t have any flashy bonus categories—but that’s exactly the point. It ensures you’re never stuck earning just 1X on random purchases, which helps you maximize your ThankYou Points across the board.

Just remember: to actually transfer points to Citi’s airline and hotel partners, you’ll need to pool the Double Cash with a card like the Strata Premier. Otherwise, your rewards will remain as cash back or limited-value points.

Why the Citi Trifecta Stands Out

Among the major bank ecosystems—Chase, Amex, Capital One, and Citi—the Citi Wallet is the most budget-friendly trifecta. With just one $95 annual fee (on the Citi Strata Premier℠), it’s significantly cheaper than setups that require two or even three premium cards to unlock full rewards potential.

Despite the lower cost, you’re still getting strong earning power:

• 10X points on select bookings made through the Citi Travel portal
• 3X points on popular everyday categories like travel, dining, supermarkets, gas, and EV charging
• A minimum of 2X points on all other purchases when you use the Citi Double Cash® card

For many users, this setup provides a simple yet powerful way to earn ThankYou Points on nearly every type of purchase, without needing to juggle multiple high-fee cards.

Where the Citi Trifecta Falls Short

As strong as the Citi Trifecta is for everyday earning, there are some drawbacks compared to what you get from Chase, Amex, or Capital One.

• No premium travel perks – Citi doesn’t offer a premium card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve or American Express Platinum. That means no lounge access, no hotel elite status, and no rental car status—all common perks in other banks’ ecosystems.
• Transfer partner complexity – While Citi ThankYou Points can offer excellent value through airline transfers, it requires understanding how to book flights using partner programs, which may not be familiar to most U.S. travelers. JetBlue is Citi’s only U.S.-based airline partner. Booking flights on American, Delta, or United requires going through international programs like British Airways, Flying Blue, or Turkish Airlines, which can be time-consuming to learn.
• Limited hotel transfer partners – Citi’s hotel options aren’t as mainstream or user-friendly as those offered by other issuers:
  • Accor Live Limitless (1,000 ThankYou Points = 500 ALL Reward points)
  • Choice Privileges (1,000 = 2,000 Choice points)
  • Leading Hotels of the World (Leaders Club) (1,000 = 200 Leaders Club points)
  • Wyndham Rewards

  While redemptions are possible, these programs can be challenging to navigate and offer less domestic availability at aspirational properties than Hilton, Marriott, or Hyatt.

What About the Citi Prestige® Card?

While the current Citi Trifecta is built around cards that are still open to new applicants, there is one legacy product worth mentioning: the Citi Prestige Card. Although it’s been closed to new applications since 2021, those who still hold it have access to Citi’s one true luxury travel card.

The Citi Prestige offers strong earning potential across several key categories:

• 5X points on air travel
• 5X points at restaurants
• 3X points on hotels
• 3X points on cruise lines
• 1X point on all other purchases

It also includes:

• Access to Citi’s transfer partners, eliminating the need for the Strata Premier
• Priority Pass™ lounge access
• $250 annual travel credit
• 4th night free hotel benefit (booked through ThankYou.com)
• TSA PreCheck / Global Entry application credit
• Cell phone protection

But the $495 annual fee is steep, especially since Citi has slowly removed key perks over time. Most notably, the Prestige still does not include any travel insurance protections, which puts it at a disadvantage compared to competing luxury cards.

If you’re grandfathered into the Citi Prestige and make use of all the benefits, it can effectively serve as both the travel card and dining card in your Citi Wallet. But for everyone else, the modern Strata-based setup offers a more practical and affordable alternative.

Final Thought

The updated Citi Trifecta may not come with flashy perks or luxury benefits, but it’s quietly one of the most cost-effective ways to earn transferable points across nearly every spending category. With just one annual fee, solid bonus categories, and access to valuable travel partners, it offers real value for everyday users, especially those who don’t need airport lounges or elite status to travel well. If you’re looking for a streamlined setup to rack up ThankYou Points without overcomplicating your wallet, Citi’s refreshed lineup is worth a closer look.

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This post first appeared on Your Mileage May Vary