Citi Strata℠ vs U.S. Bank Cash+®

Citi Strata℠
VS
U.S. Bank Cash+®
The short answer: The U.S. Bank Cash+® delivers a bit more value for most spenders, but choose the Citi Strata℠ if you spend more on groceries.

Side-by-side comparison

Citi Strata℠U.S. Bank Cash+®
Annual feeNo annual feeNo annual fee
Welcome offer20,000 ThankYou® Points ($200 value)$250 rewards bonus
Dining2x2x
Groceries3x2x
Gas3x5x
Travel1x5x
Streaming3x5x
Everything else1x1x
Est. yearly rewards*$511$564
Points typePools with Citi → transferableCash back only
NetworkMastercardVisa

*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 Citi Strata℠ earns about $511 a year in rewards and the U.S. Bank Cash+® about $564, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The Citi Strata℠ has no annual fee, so its rewards are all profit. The U.S. Bank Cash+® has no annual fee, so its rewards are all profit. Counting rewards and any credits, the U.S. Bank Cash+® delivers more total value, about $53 a year more for a typical spender, mostly because it earns more where you spend most, on travel and gas. The bigger difference is the ceiling: the Citi Strata℠ earns points you can move to travel partners for outsized value, while the U.S. Bank Cash+® pays plain cash back. Favor the Citi Strata℠ if you will use travel transfers, the U.S. Bank Cash+® if you want simplicity. On the sign-up bonus, the U.S. Bank Cash+® 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℠ if your spending leans toward groceries. Pick the U.S. Bank Cash+® if your spending leans toward gas, travel, streaming.

Read the full reviews

Frequently asked questions

Is the Citi Strata℠ or the U.S. Bank Cash+® better?
On typical household spending, the U.S. Bank Cash+® comes out ahead, by roughly $53 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 Citi Strata℠ and the U.S. Bank Cash+®?
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 Citi Strata℠ or the U.S. Bank Cash+®?
As of June 2026, the Citi Strata℠ offers 20,000 ThankYou® Points ($200 value) and the U.S. Bank Cash+® offers $250 rewards bonus. Welcome offers change often, so confirm the current offer on each card's page before applying.