Aeroplan® Credit Card vs Citi Strata℠

Aeroplan® Credit Card
VS
Citi Strata℠
The short answer: The Citi Strata℠ delivers a bit more value for most spenders, but choose the Aeroplan® Credit Card if you spend more on dining, travel.

Side-by-side comparison

Aeroplan® Credit CardCiti Strata℠
Annual fee$95No annual fee
Welcome offer75,000 points20,000 ThankYou® Points ($200 value)
Dining3x2x
Groceries3x3x
Gas1x3x
Travel3x1x
Streaming1x3x
Everything else1x1x
Est. yearly rewards*$508$511
Points typeLocked to Air Canada AeroplanPools with Citi → transferable
NetworkMastercardMastercard

*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 Aeroplan® Credit Card earns about $508 a year in rewards and the Citi Strata℠ about $511, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The Aeroplan® Credit Card charges $95, which you clear through its rewards and perks. The Citi Strata℠ has no annual fee, so its rewards are all profit. Counting rewards, fees, and any credits, the Citi Strata℠ delivers more total value, about $99 a year more for a typical spender, mostly because it earns more where you spend most, on gas and streaming. The bigger difference is the ceiling: the Citi Strata℠ earns points you can move to travel partners for outsized value, while the Aeroplan® Credit Card stays locked to a single airline or hotel program. Favor the Citi Strata℠ if you will use travel transfers, the Aeroplan® Credit Card if you want simplicity. On the sign-up bonus, the Aeroplan® Credit Card currently has the larger welcome offer. A welcome bonus is a one-time event, so weigh it apart from the ongoing rewards.

Pick the Aeroplan® Credit Card if your spending leans toward dining, travel. Pick the Citi Strata℠ if your spending leans toward gas, streaming.

Read the full reviews

Frequently asked questions

Is the Aeroplan® Credit Card or the Citi Strata℠ better?
On typical household spending, the Citi Strata℠ comes out ahead, by roughly $99 a year with every point valued at a flat 1 cent. But the Aeroplan® Credit Card can be the better fit if your spending lines up with its stronger categories. Run both through the Cardocrat calculator to see your own numbers.
Can I have both the Aeroplan® Credit Card and the Citi Strata℠?
In most cases yes, as long as you meet each issuer's approval rules (for example Chase's 5/24 rule). Many people hold complementary cards to cover more bonus categories, then pool or redeem the rewards together where the program allows.
Which has the better welcome bonus, the Aeroplan® Credit Card or the Citi Strata℠?
As of June 2026, the Aeroplan® Credit Card offers 75,000 points and the Citi Strata℠ offers 20,000 ThankYou® Points ($200 value). Welcome offers change often, so confirm the current offer on each card's page before applying.