Citi Introduces High-End Credit Card to Compete with American Express and Chase
Premium Credit Cards See Major Shifts in 2025
The world of premium credit cards is undergoing significant changes, with key players like Citi's Strata Elite, Chase Sapphire Reserve, and American Express Platinum leading the way. These changes include higher fees, altered rewards programs, and adjustments to perks and redemption options.
Citi Strata Elite has recently been announced, but its fees, rewards, and features remain undisclosed. It is expected to be a high-fee card targeting frequent travelers, similar to American Express's The Card®, offering annual credits and luxury perks.
American Express Platinum is set to undergo changes later in 2025, including new credits and benefits, paired with higher annual fees. For the Amex Business Platinum card, there have been both positive and negative changes to statement credits, such as Dell and Adobe credits, and a significant devaluation in the Pay With Points rebate — notably ending the premium redemption value for first- and business-class tickets booked on AmexTravel, limiting rebates to flights within designated airlines only.
Chase Sapphire Reserve has seen a steep increase in its annual fee, rising from $550 to $795, with authorized user fees also increasing. Chase replaced its longstanding 50% redemption boost on points used via Chase Travel with a new Points Boost program, although existing cardholders have a grace period extending until October 2027 to continue redeeming at prior rates. The welcome bonus rules have also changed, restricting cardholders to one welcome bonus per lifetime for Sapphire cards.
These evolving terms mean that cardholders should reassess the net value of these cards against their travel and spending patterns. Brian Riley, Director of Credit and Co-Head of Payments at Javelin Strategy & Research, advises carefully considering what one wants from a premium credit card before investing.
Strata Elite cardholders can benefit from a $300 annual hotel credit, but most travel perks are only available when bookings are made through Citi's travel portal. The card also offers various perks, including 6x points on restaurant purchases on Friday and Saturday, and a $200 annual splurge credit usable at select brands.
There are second-year benefits changes to watch out for in 2026, and Riley suggests keeping an eye on these shifts in rewards. If a person were to have all three cards (Strata Elite, Sapphire Reserve, and Platinum card), the combined annual fees would be $2,000.
Riley prefers the Amex Platinum card due to its timeless cache, but to maximise returns, he recommends using the Uber credit monthly and transferring personal subscriptions to the card.
Individuals with high credit scores have become a sought-after commodity, and the financial industry is focusing more on the affluent customer base. However, the market is uncertain if there is room for another premium credit card, with these industry shifts adding to the uncertainty.
[1] https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/01/citi-strata-elite-credit-card-targets-frequent-travelers-with-perks.html [2] https://thepointsguy.com/guide/american-express-business-platinum-card-changes-2025/ [3] https://thepointsguy.com/guide/chase-sapphire-reserve-changes-2025/ [4] https://thepointsguy.com/guide/chase-sapphire-reserve-changes-2022/
- In the rapidly evolving world of premium business and finance, the upcoming changes to technology-driven credit cards in 2025, such as Citi's Strata Elite, Chase Sapphire Reserve, and American Express Platinum, are poised to reshape the landscape of luxury offerings and alter the travel and spending experiences of cardholders.
- As these premium credit cards undergo transformations in fees, rewards, and perks, it is essential for technology-savvy cardholders to navigate these advancements in business, finance, and technology with careful assessment, ensuring the cards align with their travel and spending patterns while maximizing returns.
