Why the Citi Strata Premier Became My Ultimate Road Trip Companion
Hey friends, Phillip here from Points with Phillip! I'm currently on a fantastic road trip, and I have to tell you, the Citi Strata Premier card has unexpectedly become my absolute go-to for this adventure. Before we dive into all the juicy details, if you find this helpful, please give it a like and share it with your travel-loving friends!
Let's get into why this card has truly shined on our journey.
The Trip: A North Carolina Family & Friends Extravaganza
This particular trip is a lively one! My wife and I are traveling with some friends, their son, and our two dogs (Sadi and their furry companion). We're headed to North Carolina, where my wife's family has a property, so accommodations weren't a worry. However, with so many people (and pups!), we knew we needed a spacious vehicle. We opted for a Grand Wagoneer – incredibly roomy and perfect for our needs.
The main challenge? Fueling this beast and covering other on-the-road expenses. We needed a credit card that could help us earn big on gas, parking, and dining.
Why the Citi Strata Premier Stood Out
Normally, when it comes to rental cars, I prioritize cards with primary collision damage waiver (CDW). For example, my Chase Ritz-Carlton card offers primary CDW up to $75,000, which is fantastic peace of mind. The Citi Strata Premier, on the other hand, offers secondary coverage, meaning your personal insurance kicks in first.
However, for this specific trip, I had a special discount with Enterprise that included CDW. This meant I didn't need the primary coverage from my credit card, freeing me up to optimize for points earning. This is where the Citi Strata Premier truly shone:
3x Back on Travel (including Rental Cars!): Even without primary CDW, earning 3x on our Grand Wagoneer rental was a massive win.
3x Back on Gas: With a large vehicle on a road trip, gas expenses add up fast. The Citi Strata Premier’s 3x on gas was invaluable. While I sometimes use my American Express Business Gold for 4x on gas, I was keen to supercharge my Citi points on this trip, and the Strata Premier delivered.
Asheville Adventures: Dining & Parking Covered
Our first full day took us to Asheville, North Carolina, and a visit to the magnificent Omni Grove Park Inn. We enjoyed a fantastic meal at The Edison restaurant (my bone-in pork chop was perfect, and my wife's fried chicken sandwich with pickled jalapeños and lemon aioli was a millennial's dream!). We also explored the impressive gingerbread contest and indulged in some delightful hot chocolate.
Here's a key reason the Strata Premier was perfect for this: When dining at a hotel restaurant, it's often a gamble whether the charge codes as "restaurant" or "hotel." With the Citi Strata Premier, it doesn't matter – you get 3x back on both categories! This is a huge advantage over cards like the Amex Gold, which offers 4x on dining but only 1x on hotels. Knowing I'd get 3x regardless made it the clear choice. We also used it for parking at the Omni, again, earning 3x.
Boone Excursion & Culinary Competition
The next day, we ventured to Boone, North Carolina, and naturally, had to stop at the Comeback Shack for their delicious burgers, homemade sauces, and great shakes – another easy 3x on dining!
Later, we decided on a fun "soup-making competition" – perfect for a cold, rainy mountain day. This meant a trip to the grocery store. Again, the Citi Strata Premier came through with 3x back on groceries, making our ingredient haul even more rewarding. (I also used it at the Mast General Store, hoping it codes as a grocery store – fingers crossed for 3x there too!)
A Quick, Crucial Aside: Travel Insurance
Before I dive further into the trip, I want to briefly touch on travel insurance. While many premium credit cards offer travel protections, they often have limitations – like not covering healthcare in your destination country or requiring a round-trip fare booked on the card for full benefits.
For true peace of mind, especially when using points and miles or traveling internationally, I highly recommend considering a dedicated travel insurance policy. I got one for my last trip to England and was so glad I did, even though I didn't need to use it. Knowing I had a safety net for severe issues was invaluable.
(Look for links in the original video description for quotes from various travel insurance providers if you're planning a trip!)
The Citi Strata Premier: Why It Rocks
Beyond my personal travel experience, let's recap why the Citi Strata Premier is such a compelling card:
$95 Annual Fee: Very reasonable for the benefits.
Full Access to Citi Transfer Partners: This is huge!
JetBlue (1:1)
Choice Privileges (1:2)
IHG One Rewards (1:4)
American Airlines (1:1) Earning 3x on dining, groceries, gas, travel, and transit means those points can quickly turn into valuable airline miles or hotel stays.
$100 Hotel Credit: You get $100 off a hotel stay of $500 or more booked through the Citi Travel Portal. While I personally have too many hotel credits to utilize this one right now, it's a solid benefit for many.
Honestly, I didn't expect the Citi Strata Premier to become such a central card for me, but thanks to a recommendation from Joe Beretto, I gave it a shot, and I'm so glad I did! For families and domestic travelers, especially, its versatile 3x categories and excellent transfer partners make it a fantastic option for maximizing your rewards.
What are your thoughts on the Citi Strata Premier? Let me know in the comments below! Thanks so much for joining me on this journey, and I can't wait to share more with you next time. Have a great day!