Citi Strata℠ vs Wells Fargo Autograph℠
Side-by-side comparison
| Citi Strata℠ | Wells Fargo Autograph℠ | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | No annual fee | No annual fee |
| Welcome offer | 20,000 ThankYou® Points ($200 value) | 20,000 bonus points ($200 value) |
| Dining | 2x | 3x |
| Groceries | 3x | 1x |
| Gas | 3x | 3x |
| Travel | 1x | 3x |
| Streaming | 3x | 3x |
| Everything else | 1x | 1x |
| Est. yearly rewards* | $511 | $457 |
| Points type | Pools with Citi → transferable | Transfers to airlines & hotels |
| Network | Mastercard | Visa |
*Estimated yearly rewards on typical household spending, every point valued at a flat 1 cent. Verified July 2026. See your own numbers in the calculator.
Welcome bonus and value over time
| Over time | Citi Strata℠ | Wells Fargo Autograph℠ |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome bonus | 20,000 ThankYou® Points ($200 value) | 20,000 bonus points ($200 value) |
| To earn it | $1,000 in 3 months | $1,000 in 3 months |
| Est. first-year value* | $711 | $657 |
| Est. ongoing value / yr* | $511 | $457 |
The Citi Strata℠ wins on both fronts: it comes out ahead in year one on the welcome offer and stays ahead every year after. Short term or long, it is the stronger pick on the numbers.
*First-year value counts the welcome bonus, estimated rewards, and annual credits, minus the annual fee; ongoing value is a typical year after. Every point at a flat 1 cent.
Perks, credits, and redemptions
| Perks | Citi Strata℠ | Wells Fargo Autograph℠ |
|---|---|---|
| Lounge access | None | None |
| Annual credits | None | None |
| Points & redemptions | Transferable (paired with a premium card) | Transferable to airline & hotel partners |
The two are closely matched on perks and redemptions, so the welcome offer and everyday earning above are what should decide it.
Transfer partners and point value
The Citi Strata℠ earns Citi ThankYou, which transfers to American Airlines, Turkish, Avianca, and Air France-KLM. The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ earns Wells Fargo Rewards, reaching Air France-KLM, Avianca, British Airways Avios, and Choice. Most transfers are 1:1 on both, so the partners themselves, not the ratios, are what separate them.
The standout difference is the crown-jewel partner: for the Citi Strata℠ it is American Airlines AAdvantage at 1:1, one of the only ways to transfer points to AA; for the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ it is the Avios and Flying Blue families for flexible short-haul and promo awards. Pick the program whose best partners match the trips you would actually book.
The verdict
On a typical year of household spending, the Citi Strata℠ earns about $511 a year in rewards and the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ about $457, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The Citi Strata℠ has no annual fee, so its rewards are all profit. The Wells Fargo Autograph℠ has no annual fee, so its rewards are all profit. Counting rewards and any credits, the Citi Strata℠ delivers more total value, about $54 a year more for a typical spender, mostly because it earns more where you spend most, on groceries. 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 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℠ if your spending leans toward groceries. Pick the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ if your spending leans toward dining, travel.