Maximizing Citi Rewards+ points

Last reviewed: September 2026. Citi Rewards+® has been replaced by Citi Strata℠. The former Round Up and 10% Points Back features are no longer part of the current standard rewards structure. This guide has therefore been updated to reflect Citi Strata.

Maximizing Citi ThankYou® Points with the current Citi Strata Card starts with understanding its accelerated earning categories and selecting the Self-Select Category that best matches existing spending.

The goal should generally be to use reward categories for purchases that would already be made rather than increasing spending solely to earn additional points.

Start with the current rewards structure

Citi Strata currently earns:

• 5X points on eligible hotels, car rentals and attractions booked through Citi Travel;
• 3X at eligible supermarkets;
• 3X on select transit;
• 3X at eligible gas and EV charging stations;
• 3X in one eligible Self-Select Category;
• 2X at eligible restaurants;
• 1X on other eligible purchases.

This replaces the former Rewards+ structure of 2X at supermarkets and gas stations on the first $6,000 in combined annual spending.

Choose the Self-Select Category based on existing spending

The current Self-Select Category is one of Citi Strata's distinguishing features.

Eligible choices currently include Fitness Clubs, Select Streaming Services, Live Entertainment, Cosmetic Stores/Barber Shops/Hair Salons and Pet Supply Stores.

Select Streaming Services is the default category. The primary cardmember can currently change the selection once during each calendar quarter.

A practical approach is to compare normal spending in the eligible categories and choose the one where the 3X rate is most likely to be used, rather than creating additional expenses to earn bonus points.

Use the 3X supermarket category when eligible

Eligible supermarket purchases currently earn 3 ThankYou Points per dollar.

Merchant classification matters. A retailer that sells groceries may still process under a merchant category that does not qualify as a supermarket.

Use 3X gas, EV charging and select transit categories

Citi Strata currently earns 3X at eligible gas and EV charging stations and 3X on qualifying select transit purchases.

These categories broaden the current product beyond the original Rewards+ structure.

Evaluate the 5X Citi Travel category before booking

Eligible hotels, car rentals and attractions booked through Citi Travel currently earn 5 ThankYou Points per dollar.

The higher earning rate does not necessarily mean Citi Travel will provide the lowest total price for every reservation.

Cardholders can compare the cash price, cancellation terms, loyalty-program treatment and booking conditions available through Citi Travel with those available directly from the travel provider.

Do not base a strategy on Round Up

The original Rewards+ strategy of placing numerous small purchases on the Card because each transaction rounded to at least 10 points no longer applies to Citi Strata.

As of September 2026, purchases earn according to the applicable Citi Strata category rate rather than being automatically rounded to the nearest 10 points.

Do not expect 10% Points Back after redemption

The former Citi Rewards+ benefit that returned 10% of the first 100,000 points redeemed each calendar year has ended.

Redemption decisions should therefore be based on the actual value of the current redemption option rather than assuming that 10% of the points will later be returned.

Compare redemption options

Citi ThankYou Points can currently be used in several ways.

• Travel through Citi Travel;
• Cash back;
• Gift cards;
• Shopping with points at participating merchants;
• Transfers to participating airline, hotel and other loyalty programs.

Different redemption methods can provide different values. Cardholders should compare the points required and the equivalent cash cost rather than assuming that travel automatically provides the highest value.

Evaluate transfer partners before transferring

Citi currently allows eligible ThankYou Points to be transferred to participating loyalty programs.

Current partners include a range of airline and hotel programs, but the available partners and exchange ratios depend on the eligible Citi Card and loyalty program.

Transfers may be irreversible. Award availability, loyalty program pricing, taxes and fees should therefore be checked before moving a substantial points balance.

Combining ThankYou Points requires checking account eligibility

Citi offers account-management features for eligible ThankYou Points accounts, but cardholders should review the current ThankYou Rewards terms before combining or sharing points.

Different Citi credit cards can have different transfer rights and redemption rules, so pooling points should not be assumed to make every point eligible for every feature.

Consider interest costs alongside rewards

The current Citi Strata Card has a $0 annual fee and currently advertises an introductory APR offer for eligible new cardmembers.

After an applicable promotional period ends, carrying a balance can create interest costs that exceed the value of points earned from purchases.

A rewards strategy therefore does not require spending more or carrying a balance simply to accumulate additional ThankYou Points.

Frequently asked questions

Does Citi Strata still round every purchase to the nearest 10 points?

No. Round Up was a Citi Rewards+ feature and is no longer part of the current standard Citi Strata program.

Do I still receive 10% of redeemed points back?

No. The former Rewards+ 10% Points Back feature has ended.

What currently earns 3X points?

Citi Strata currently earns 3X points at eligible supermarkets, on select transit, at eligible gas and EV charging stations, and in one eligible Self-Select Category chosen by the cardholder.

Can ThankYou Points be transferred to travel programs?

Eligible points can currently be transferred to participating loyalty programs. Available partners and transfer ratios depend on the current Citi program terms and eligible Card.

Final considerations

The old Citi Rewards+ optimization strategy centered on Round Up, 10% Points Back and 2X supermarket and gas purchases.

Those rules are no longer the appropriate framework. The current Citi Strata strategy centers instead on its 3X everyday categories, customizable Self-Select Category, 5X Citi Travel category and available ThankYou Rewards redemption options.

For current rewards and redemption information, review the official Citi Strata Card page and current ThankYou Rewards terms.

This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Earning categories, transfer partners, APRs, fees and redemption values may change.