If you’ve been eyeing Citi’s new premium cards because of the buzz around American Airlines transfers, don’t be fooled into thinking you need to shell out $595 for elite benefits. Citi quietly gave its Strata Premier card — just $95/year — access to 1:1 AA point transfers, making it one of the best value travel cards of 2025. In this post, I break down why Strata Premier outshines Citi’s own Elite card, how it stacks up against Chase Sapphire Reserve and Amex Platinum, and why smart travelers should focus on value, not hype.

In Part 2 of my “Vacation for Free” series, I’m breaking down how I used 200,000 Bilt Points to book a 7-day all-inclusive trip to Jamaica from Nashville—covering both flights and hotel with nearly zero out-of-pocket cost. From strategic airline transfers to Hyatt resort rewards, here’s how I turned points into paradise.