American Express® Green vs Citi Strata Elite℠

American Express® Green
VS
Citi Strata Elite℠
The short answer: The Citi Strata Elite℠ delivers a bit more value for most spenders.

Side-by-side comparison

American Express® GreenCiti Strata Elite℠
Annual fee$150$595
Welcome offer40,000 Membership Rewards® Points100,000 ThankYou® Points
Dining3x3x
Groceries1x1x
Gas1x1x
Travel3x12x
Streaming1x1x
Everything else1x1.5x
Est. yearly rewards*$402$628
Points typeTransfers to airlines & hotelsTransfers to airlines & hotels
NetworkAmexMastercard

*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 American Express® Green earns about $402 a year in rewards and the Citi Strata Elite℠ about $628, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The American Express® Green charges $150, but carries about $199 in annual statement credits that offset it for anyone who uses them. The Citi Strata Elite℠ charges $595, but carries about $735 in annual statement credits that offset it for anyone who uses them. Counting rewards, fees, and any credits, the Citi Strata Elite℠ delivers more total value, about $49 a year more for a typical spender, mostly because it earns more where you spend most, on travel and everything else. Both earn transferable points rather than flat cash, so the deciding factor is whose transfer partners reach the airlines and hotels you would actually book. On the sign-up bonus, the Citi Strata Elite℠ currently has the larger welcome offer. A welcome bonus is a one-time event, so weigh it apart from the ongoing rewards.

Pick the Citi Strata Elite℠ if your spending leans toward travel, everything else.

Read the full reviews

Frequently asked questions

Is the American Express® Green or the Citi Strata Elite℠ better?
On typical household spending, the Citi Strata Elite℠ comes out ahead after its annual fee, by roughly $49 a year with every point valued at a flat 1 cent. But the American Express® Green 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 American Express® Green and the Citi Strata Elite℠?
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 American Express® Green or the Citi Strata Elite℠?
As of June 2026, the American Express® Green offers 40,000 Membership Rewards® Points and the Citi Strata Elite℠ offers 100,000 ThankYou® Points. Welcome offers change often, so confirm the current offer on each card's page before applying.