When I wrote about the Citi Trifecta, one of our readers made a smart observation: instead of adding the new Citi Strata card to round out the setup, why not use the Citi Custom Cash instead?
It’s a good question—because once you’ve got the Citi Strata Premier in place, you’re already earning elevated points on airfare, hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, and even EV charging. That means any additional card you add should fill in the gaps, not duplicate what the Premier already does.
So the real question becomes: which card—Strata or Custom Cash—can help you earn more points in the categories the Premier doesn’t cover?
Bonus Categories Not Covered by the Strata Premier
Here’s a look at what each card earns on bonus categories not already handled by the Strata Premier:
| Category | Citi Strata | Citi Custom Cash |
|---|---|---|
| Select Transit | 3X | 5X (if top category) |
| Streaming Services | 3X (optional bonus category) | 5X (if top category) |
| Fitness Clubs | 3X (optional bonus category) | 5X (if top category) |
| Live Entertainment | 3X (optional bonus category) | 5X (if top category) |
| Drugstores | ✘ | 5X (if top category) |
| Home Improvement Stores | ✘ | 5X (if top category) |
| Cosmetic/Barber/Hair Salons | 3X (optional bonus category) | ✘ |
| Pet Supply Stores | 3X (optional bonus category) | ✘ |
How Many Points Can You Really Earn?
With the Citi Custom Cash, you earn 5X points on up to $500 per billing cycle in your top eligible spending category. That’s 2,500 points per month, or 30,000 points per year if you max it out regularly. And you don’t have to think about it—it picks your top category automatically.
The Citi Strata card earns 3X points in many of the same categories, but you have to pick just one of those optional categories to activate. As of now, Citi hasn’t made it clear how often you can switch your selection.
So to match the Custom Cash’s monthly 2,500 points, you’d need to spend about $834 per month in a single 3X category with the Strata. And that’s assuming you’re not already earning more with the Strata Premier or Custom Cash.
Which Should You Choose?
When I first looked at the Citi Strata card, I figured it would be a solid complement to the Citi Strata Premier in a Trifecta setup. The bonus categories looked appealing, and having the option to choose a 3X category seemed like a nice way to tailor your earnings.
But after digging into the details, I’m not so sure it holds up against the Citi Custom Cash.
With the Custom Cash, you earn:
- 5X points on up to $500 per month in your top eligible spending category,
- Automatic category selection based on your actual spending, and
- No annual fee.
The Strata card, by contrast, overlaps with the Premier in many categories—but often earns less. And while it does offer some unique 3X categories, you’re really only earning 1X more than what you’d already get with the Citi Double Cash, which earns 2X on everything else.
That’s the part I didn’t think about when I initially assumed the Strata was the better option. With the Trifecta, you already have a strong base earning 2X everywhere, and 3X to 10X on major spend categories with the Premier. So you really have to ask: Is it worth adding another card just to get 1X more on a niche category?
For most people, probably not.
So while my original “hot take” leaned toward the Strata, I’m now leaning the other way. Unless you’re a big spender in a very specific 3X category, the Custom Cash is likely the smarter play for rounding out your Citi Trifecta.
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