Potential new applicants eyeing the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card can breathe easy, as Citi assures that they shouldn’t face the same income-verification challenges that some early users encountered, according to a Citi spokesperson.
“New Citi Strata Elite applicants shouldn’t worry about this ongoing issue,” the spokesperson informed BW via email.
The $595-annual-fee Citi Strata Elite℠ Card was launched in July, signifying Citi’s reentry into the premium travel credit card market. It boasts exclusive perks through a partnership with American Airlines, such as access to American’s airport lounges and the ability to transfer Citi ThankYou points to American Airlines’ loyalty program. The card also features actress Kristen Bell as its spokesperson.
Despite some cardholders facing account blocks and requests for IRS Form 4506-C for income verification, Citi has taken steps to rectify the situation for affected users. This includes offering a $595 statement credit, $75 statement credit for authorized user fees, and awarding the sign-up bonus even without meeting the spending requirement.
Citi proactively contacted affected cardholders on Oct. 17 to provide remediation and guidance on income verification procedures.
The outreach followed a report by The Wall Street Journal on cardholders’ frustrations with the income verification process. Despite the initial challenges, Citi is working to resolve the issue and ensure a smoother application process for potential new cardholders.
Is it a good idea to get the Citi Strata Elite right now?
Despite recent challenges, applying for the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card could still be advantageous for those seeking high point-earning categories, access to American’s Admirals Clubs, and transfer options to Citi’s partner programs, including American’s AAdvantage program. The card also offers various statement credits to offset the annual fee.
Eligible applicants can currently earn 100,000 bonus Points after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, making it an attractive offer for new cardholders.
While existing cardholders are receiving their bonuses despite not meeting the spending requirement, new applicants will need to fulfill the minimum spending to qualify for the sign-up bonus.