United℠ Explorer vs Citi Strata Premier℠
Side-by-side comparison
| United℠ Explorer | Citi Strata Premier℠ | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $150 | $95 |
| Welcome offer | Up to 60,000 bonus miles | 60,000 ThankYou® Points |
| Dining | 2x | 3x |
| Groceries | 1x | 3x |
| Gas | 1x | 3x |
| Travel | 1x | 3x |
| Streaming | 1x | 1x |
| Everything else | 1x | 1x |
| Est. yearly rewards* | $322 | $551 |
| Points type | Locked to United MileagePlus | Transfers to airlines & hotels |
| 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 household spending, the United℠ Explorer earns about $322 a year in rewards and the Citi Strata Premier℠ about $551, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The United℠ Explorer charges $150, which you clear through its rewards and perks. The Citi Strata Premier℠ charges $95, which you clear through its rewards and perks. Counting rewards, fees, and any credits, the Citi Strata Premier℠ delivers more total value, about $284 a year more for a typical spender, mostly because it earns more where you spend most, on groceries and gas. The bigger difference is the ceiling: the Citi Strata Premier℠ earns points you can move to travel partners for outsized value, while the United℠ Explorer stays locked to a single airline or hotel program. Favor the Citi Strata Premier℠ if you will use travel transfers, the United℠ Explorer if you want simplicity. On the sign-up bonus, the two are currently comparable in size. A welcome bonus is a one-time event, so weigh it apart from the ongoing rewards.
Pick the Citi Strata Premier℠ if your spending leans toward dining, groceries, gas.