Ink Business Premier vs Citi Strata℠
Side-by-side comparison
| Ink Business Premier | Citi Strata℠ | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $195 | No annual fee |
| Welcome offer | $1,000 cash back | 20,000 ThankYou® Points ($200 value) |
| Advertising | 2% | 1% |
| Shipping | 2% | 1% |
| Office supplies | 2% | 1% |
| Phone & internet | 2% | 1% |
| Travel | 2% | 1% |
| Everything else | 2% | 1% |
| Est. yearly rewards* | $900 | $510 |
| Points type | Cash back only | Pools with Citi → transferable |
| 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 business spending, the Ink Business Premier earns about $900 a year in rewards and the Citi Strata℠ about $510, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The Ink Business Premier charges $195, 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 Ink Business Premier delivers more total value, about $195 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℠ earns points you can move to travel partners for outsized value, while the Ink Business Premier pays plain cash back. Favor the Citi Strata℠ if you will use travel transfers, the Ink Business Premier if you want simplicity. On the sign-up bonus, the Ink Business Premier currently has the larger welcome offer. A welcome bonus is a one-time event, so weigh it apart from the ongoing rewards.
Pick the Ink Business Premier if your spending leans toward advertising, shipping, office supplies.