Another update 7/30/25: a reader report indicates that this 100k bonus might be getting extended through 8/30/25. See this comment.
Update 7/28/25: a reader sent in an image of the 100k flyer from a Citi branch and it shows and end date of 7/31/25. So this might 100k offer might be super short term for the next few days only. Flyer image:
Original Post 7/28/25:
Yesterday the Citi Strata Elite launched with an 80,000 point bonus online alongside Citi 1:1 transfers to American Airlines. It is currently possible to get a 100,000 point bonus in branch with the same $4,000 spend requirement. You can use the branch locator to find your local branch, but branches also have the ability to e-mail you the higher 100,000 point bonus without going in branch. It’s obviously possible not all branches will do this, but I suspect it’s good for their stats if they drive sign ups so it shouldn’t be too difficult.
As always share your experiences in the comments below.
Does anyone know if the redemption rate will be the same as the Premier card after August 24th which will be 0.75 cents per point? If so, will applying for a Custom Cash and then connecting them together bring the redemption back up to 1 cent per point? Thanks!
Heads up internal emails saying email applications issues happening with new strata elite card and no solution as of now.
7/23 – Instant approval of Citi AAdvantage (0/6, 2/12, 2/24). No pre-qualified offers online.
7/31 – Instant approval (1/6, 3/12, 3/24). No pre-qualified offers online.
Got link from west coast as I tried to apply after bank close in east coast.
Application kept erroring out when logged in even with clearing cache or incognito.
Signed out online and tried the banker 100k link and it worked.
12k and 19k limits on both cards respectively.
Instant denial on 8/24 Tried calling recon and was told to wait until the letter arrives in mail.
I was told the offer is expiring 8/7 by the agent
The Citi app has a clock that tells you when Citi Nights are live. LOL
I was just in a Citibank branch for regular banking, and they are really pushing the Strata CC lineup (marketing every single person in the teller line). The promo they had was 100K points so it must be still going on. I asked when the deadline is, the banker said they just got this, so they expect it to be for a while. 4 types of cards with different signup bonuses: $595 fee, $95 fee, free & student card. Anyway, I was in a hurry so I didn’t look too closely at the flyers. I can’t stomach a $595 fee & told the banker so. He countered if I add a bunch of $ to my account and become private client (or whatever their $1mil+ acct is called), I can get the $595 fee waived the 1st year. Um, OK, let me just throw in my spare $1mil into the account — hahaha. I gave him a look. He said for Citi Gold ($200K) and on up, they offer a discount off the big annual fee of $145, so net $450 fee. Anyway, I already have a ton of credit cards and can’t really use the benefits of this $595 (I don’t want to use Citi travel to book my air/hotel as they tend to be more expensive & less flexible & I lose all loyalty club benefits/pts if I don’t book direct. Plus I have corporate discount codes & accts I am supposed to use for work).
I was ultimately approved via banker 100K link after initially getting the 7-10 day message, but still no sign of the Admirals Club passes or the card in my Citi account (I was logged in when I applied). I saw everyone has been getting ilthe AA passes instantly – cause for concern?
Admirals club passes showed up immediately in the AA app under rewards (scroll to bottom). But that app is pretty crashy, so maybe give it 24 hours?
Card showed up in Citi app after 48 hours.
Card itself arrived four days later.
*Citi has advised bankers to only share the email link with clients who stepped foot in the branch but no mechanism to really enforce this, so just an FYI if bankers are hesitant or refuse to send out a link.
Links are UNIQUE to each client, as of right now their is no stated expiration date on the 100k OFFER anyone who says otherwise is simply speculating/ spreading rumors.
I do live right by a branch but had a super busy work week so I wasn’t able to go in. Just called that branch and easily got to a banker who happened to be the banker listed on my online account as the branch contact. She emailed me the link and the whole call took less than one minute. She said that the offer is supposed to expire today so I should apply today even though you are supposed to have 10days, just in case. Approved with $22.5k limit. Credit score in the 800s, one personal card and one business card opened in the last 6 months, 4/24 (now 5 dammit). I have a lot of Citi cards but haven’t opened a new Citi card in over a year except for the Rewards+ that I product changed to Custom cash last week which doesn’t count as a new opening. I’ve just been leveraging all the retention offers without opening a new Citi card for a while. Thank You points are actually my favorite program at this time— so much value in hotel redemptions and a variety of options for my recent Europe trip. I am excited to replenish my point balance which is at an all time low. I won’t be under 5/24 until well into next year so I might just go for the 30k bonus for the no fee Strata card too and call it a year.
One annoying thing was that it made me create a new login account and I’m guessing the thank you account is a new one too. I’m going to have to get it merged with my existing account. Do I call the regular bank customer service??!!