United℠ Quest vs Citi Strata Elite℠
Side-by-side comparison
| United℠ Quest | Citi Strata Elite℠ | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $350 | $595 |
| Welcome offer | Up to 70,000 bonus miles + 500 PQP | 100,000 ThankYou® Points |
| Dining | 2x | 3x |
| Groceries | 1x | 1x |
| Gas | 1x | 1x |
| Travel | 2x | 12x |
| Streaming | 2x | 1x |
| Everything else | 1x | 1.5x |
| Est. yearly rewards* | $346 | $628 |
| 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℠ Quest earns about $346 a year in rewards and the Citi Strata Elite℠ about $628, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The United℠ Quest charges $350, but carries about $200 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 $304 a year more for a typical spender, mostly because it earns more where you spend most, on travel and everything else. The bigger difference is the ceiling: the Citi Strata Elite℠ earns points you can move to travel partners for outsized value, while the United℠ Quest stays locked to a single airline or hotel program. Favor the Citi Strata Elite℠ if you will use travel transfers, the United℠ Quest if you want simplicity. 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 United℠ Quest if your spending leans toward streaming. Pick the Citi Strata Elite℠ if your spending leans toward dining, travel, everything else.