Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card vs Citi Strata Elite℠
Side-by-side comparison
| Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card | Citi Strata Elite℠ | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $95 | $595 |
| Welcome offer | 75,000 Avios | 75,000 ThankYou® Points |
| Dining | 1x | 3x |
| Groceries | 1x | 1x |
| Gas | 1x | 1x |
| Travel | 3x | 1.5x |
| Streaming | 1x | 1x |
| Everything else | 1x | 1.5x |
| Est. yearly rewards* | $328 | $439 |
| Points type | Locked to Avios | Transfers to airlines & hotels |
| Network | Visa | Mastercard |
*Estimated yearly rewards on typical household spending, every point valued at a flat 1 cent. Verified June 2026. See your own numbers in the calculator.
The verdict
On a typical year of household spending, the Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card earns about $328 a year in rewards and the Citi Strata Elite℠ about $439, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card charges $95, which you clear through its rewards and perks. The Citi Strata Elite℠ charges $595, but carries about $700 in annual statement credits that offset it for anyone who uses them. Counting rewards, fees, and any credits, the Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card delivers more total value, about $39 a year more for a typical spender, mostly because it earns more where you spend most, on travel. The bigger difference is the ceiling: the Citi Strata Elite℠ earns points you can move to travel partners for outsized value, while the Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card stays locked to a single airline or hotel program. Favor the Citi Strata Elite℠ if you will use travel transfers, the Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card if you want simplicity. On the sign-up bonus, the two are currently comparable in size. A welcome bonus is a one-time event, so weigh it apart from the ongoing rewards.
Pick the Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Card if your spending leans toward travel. Pick the Citi Strata Elite℠ if your spending leans toward dining, everything else.