Chase Sapphire Reserve® vs Citi Strata℠

Chase Sapphire Reserve®
VS
Citi Strata℠
The short answer: The Chase Sapphire Reserve® delivers a bit more value for most spenders, but choose the Citi Strata℠ if you spend more on groceries, gas.

Side-by-side comparison

Chase Sapphire Reserve®Citi Strata℠
Annual fee$795No annual fee
Welcome offer100,000 Ultimate Rewards® Points20,000 ThankYou® Points ($200 value)
Dining3x2x
Groceries1x3x
Gas1x3x
Travel4x1x
Streaming1x3x
Everything else1x1x
Est. yearly rewards*$406$511
Points typeTransfers to airlines & hotelsPools with Citi → transferable
NetworkVisaMastercard

*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 Chase Sapphire Reserve® earns about $406 a year in rewards and the Citi Strata℠ about $511, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The Chase Sapphire Reserve® charges $795, but carries about $2,108 in annual statement credits that offset it for anyone who uses them. The Citi Strata℠ has no annual fee, so its rewards are all profit. Counting rewards, fees, and any credits, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® delivers more total value, about $153 a year more for a typical spender, mostly because it earns more where you spend most, on travel and dining. 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 Chase Sapphire Reserve® currently has the larger welcome offer. A welcome bonus is a one-time event, so weigh it apart from the ongoing rewards.

Pick the Chase Sapphire Reserve® if your spending leans toward dining, travel. Pick the Citi Strata℠ if your spending leans toward groceries, gas, streaming.

Read the full reviews

Frequently asked questions

Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve® or the Citi Strata℠ better?
On typical household spending, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® comes out ahead after its annual fee, by roughly $153 a year with every point valued at a flat 1 cent. But the Citi Strata℠ 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 Chase Sapphire Reserve® 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 Chase Sapphire Reserve® or the Citi Strata℠?
As of June 2026, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers 100,000 Ultimate Rewards® 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.