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All comparisons
Head-to-head, 2026

American Express Blue Cash Preferred Citi Strata Premier

Annual fee, welcome offer, top earning categories, and key benefits — compared side-by-side using Perqt's catalog data.

Lower annual fee: Citi Strata Premier

American Express

Blue Cash Preferred

Annual fee
$95
Network
amex
Welcome value
Min spend
$3,000 / 6mo

Top earning rates

  • 6×U.S. supermarkets
  • 6×Select U.S. streaming subscriptions
  • 3×Gas at U.S. gas stations
  • 3×Transit

Key benefits

  • $120 Disney Streaming Credit · $10
  • Global Assist® Hotline · $0
  • Purchase Protection · $0
  • American Express Venue Collection · $0
  • Amex Special Ticket Access · $0
Full American Express Blue Cash Preferred review

Citi

Strata Premier

Annual fee
$0
Network
mastercard
Welcome value
Min spend
$4,000 / 3mo

Top earning rates

  • 3×Air travel and other hotel purchases · ThankYou Points
  • 3×Restaurants · ThankYou Points
  • 3×Supermarkets · ThankYou Points
  • 3×Gas and EV charging stations · ThankYou Points

Key benefits

  • $100 Annual Hotel Benefit · $100
  • Lost or Damaged Luggage Protection · $0
  • MasterRental Coverage · $0
  • The Reserve by Citi Travel Hotel Benefits · $0
  • Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance · $0
Full Citi Strata Premier review

Wondering which one is right for your wallet?

Spec sheets can't tell you which card actually earns more for the way you spend. Perqt connects to your wallet, runs the math against your real transactions, and tells you which of these two — or another card entirely — gives you the biggest annual uplift.

Get my personal answer