Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card vs Citi Strata Elite℠
Side-by-side comparison
| Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card | Citi Strata Elite℠ | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $295 | $595 |
| Welcome offer | $1,500 cash back | 75,000 ThankYou® Points |
| Advertising | 2% | 1.5% |
| Shipping | 2% | 1.5% |
| Office supplies | 2% | 1.5% |
| Phone & internet | 2% | 1.5% |
| Travel | 2% | 1.5% |
| Everything else | 2% | 1.5% |
| Est. yearly rewards* | $900 | $702 |
| Points type | Cash back only | Transfers to airlines & hotels |
| Network | Amex | 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 business spending, the Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card earns about $900 a year in rewards and the Citi Strata Elite℠ about $702, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card charges $295, 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 Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card delivers more total value, about $148 a year more for a typical spender, mostly because it earns more where you spend most, on everything else and advertising. The bigger difference is the ceiling: the Citi Strata Elite℠ earns points you can move to travel partners for outsized value, while the Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card pays plain cash back. Favor the Citi Strata Elite℠ if you will use travel transfers, the Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card if you want simplicity. On the sign-up bonus, the Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited 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 Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card if your spending leans toward advertising, shipping, office supplies.