How to Maximize Citi Trifecta

Hey there! Let’s talk about How to Maximize Citi Trifecta, I mean something that could seriously level up your money game. This is a powerhouse combo of three Citi credit cards—the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card, Citi Custom Cash® Card, and Citi Double Cash® Card—that can help you earn rewards on pretty much everything you spend. I’m excited to walk you through how to maximize Citi Trifecta, because when you use these cards right, you’re looking at cash back, free flights, hotel stays, or whatever else you’re dreaming of. This blog is all about giving you the practical tips and insider know-how to make your spending work harder for you. So, let’s dive in and make those Citi ThankYou points stack up!

What Exactly Is the Citi Trifecta?

Think of the Citi Trifecta as your personal finance dream team. Each card has its own strengths, and together, they cover all your spending bases, earning you 2% to 5% back on every purchase. Here’s a quick rundown of the squad, with details straight from Citi’s credit card page:

• Citi Strata Premier℠ Card: Your go-to for travel with a $95 annual fee. It earns 10X points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com, 3X points on air travel, hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, gas, and EV charging stations, and 1X points on everything else.
• Citi Custom Cash® Card: No annual fee, and it’s super smart—automatically giving you 5% cash back (as ThankYou points) on your top spending category each month, like restaurants, gas, groceries, or streaming, up to $500, then 1% after.
• Citi Double Cash® Card: Also no annual fee, this one’s your reliable backup, offering up to 2% cash back (1% when you buy, 1% when you pay) on all other purchases.

These cards let you rack up ThankYou points you can redeem for travel, cash, gift cards, or more. Want to learn more about how points work? Check out NerdWallet’s guide to Citi ThankYou Rewards. Ready to make them work for you? Let’s get into it.

Your Step-by-Step Guide to Maximizing Citi Trifecta

I’ve got your back with a clear plan to make the most of these cards. It’s all about using each one strategically and turning those points into something awesome. Here’s how to do it.

1. Use the Right Card for Every Purchase

The trick to crushing it with the Citi Trifecta is knowing which card to pull out for each buy. It’s like picking the perfect outfit for the occasion—here’s your cheat sheet, inspired by tips from Bankrate:

• Citi Strata Premier℠ Card:
  • Use it for: Travel (flights, hotels, car rentals, attractions via CitiTravel.com), restaurants, supermarkets, gas, and EV charging.
  • Why it’s great: You’re earning 10X points on CitiTravel.com bookings and 3X points on those everyday categories. For example, if you spend $1,000 a month on groceries, that’s 3,000 points, worth $30-$60 depending on how you redeem, per NerdWallet’s point valuation.
  • Insider tip: This card has no foreign transaction fees, so it’s your best bet for international trips. Save the other cards for local spending.
• Citi Custom Cash® Card:
  • Use it for: Your biggest monthly spending category, like restaurants, gas, groceries, travel, streaming, or drugstores (up to $500).
  • Why it’s great: It automatically gives you 5% back (5X ThankYou points) on your top category. Spend $500 on gas? That’s 2,500 points, worth $25-$50.
  • Insider tip: If your top category overlaps with the Strata Premier’s 3X categories (like restaurants), go with the Custom Cash for the higher 5% rate.
• Citi Double Cash® Card:
  • Use it for: Everything else that doesn’t fall into the bonus categories above.
  • Why it’s great: You get up to 2% back (2X ThankYou points) on all purchases. If you spend $2,000 on non-bonus stuff monthly, that’s 4,000 points, worth $40-$80.
  • Insider tip: Pay your bill on time to get that extra 1%—it’s an easy way to double your rewards.

Picture this: You spend $1,000 on groceries (Strata Premier, 3X = 3,000 points), $500 on restaurants (Custom Cash, 5% = 2,500 points), and $1,500 on other expenses (Double Cash, 2% = 3,000 points). That’s 8,500 points a month from $3,000 in spending, worth $85-$170. Not bad, right?

2. Combine Your Points for Maximum Power

Here’s where the Citi Trifecta gets really fun. You can pool all your ThankYou points into one account, making them super flexible. Here’s how to make it happen, with insights from Forbes:

• Link your cards: Make sure all three cards are tied to the same Citi ThankYou Rewards account. This turns cash back from the Custom Cash and Double Cash into ThankYou points you can use for more than just cash.
• Unlock travel perks with Strata Premier: This card lets you transfer points to Citi’s 15+ travel partners, like Virgin Atlantic Flying Club or Choice Privileges, where they can be worth 1.5-2 cents each, per Citi’s ThankYou Rewards page.

For example: Got 50,000 points? Transfer them to Virgin Atlantic for a round-trip economy flight to Europe, worth about $1,000. That’s way better than cashing out at 1 cent per point.

3. Grab Those Welcome Bonuses

Want a quick boost to your points? The welcome bonuses on these cards are like free money if you play it right. As of May 2025, you might see, based on Bankrate:

• Citi Strata Premier: 70,000 points after spending $4,000 in 3 months.
• Citi Custom Cash: $200 cash back (20,000 points) after spending $750 in 3 months.
• Citi Double Cash: Sometimes offers $100-$200 after meeting spending requirements, though it’s less consistent.

How to do it: Apply for one card at a time to avoid dinging your credit score too much, as noted by Forbes. Space applications 3-6 months apart, and only spend what you can afford to hit the bonuses. Together, these could net you 110,000 points, worth $1,100-$2,200 depending on how you use them.

4. Get the Most Value from Travel Redemptions

If you want to stretch your points, travel redemptions are where it’s at. Here’s how to make them count, with tips from NerdWallet:

• Transfer to partners: Use the Strata Premier to send points to partners like Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles for cheap domestic business-class flights (e.g., 15,000 points round-trip) or Choice Privileges for hotel stays (1:2 ratio, so 10,000 points = 20,000 hotel points).
• Book through CitiTravel.com: Earn 10X points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions, and redeem points at 1 cent each for travel bookings. A $500 hotel stay costs 50,000 points but earns 5,000 points back, so it’s like $450.
• Use the hotel credit: The Strata Premier gives you a $100 credit on a single hotel stay of $500+ (excluding taxes) booked through Citi ThankYou, which is basically free money.

Pro move: Keep an eye on Citi’s ThankYou Rewards page for transfer bonuses that can make your points go even further.

5. Bonus Hack: Add the Citi Rewards+® Card

If you’re feeling extra, the Citi Rewards+® Card (no annual fee) can give your Trifecta a little boost:

• Why it’s cool: It rounds up purchases to the nearest 10 points (a $2 coffee earns 10 points) and gives you a 10% rebate on the first 100,000 points you redeem each year (up to 10,000 points back).
• When to use it: Great for small purchases under $2, where the rounding gives you 5X+ points per dollar. For bigger buys, stick with the Trifecta cards.

Example: Redeem 100,000 points for a $1,000 flight, and you’ll get 10,000 points back, worth $100-$200. It’s like a little thank-you from Citi.

6. Keep It Real to Avoid Trouble

Maximizing rewards is awesome, but you gotta stay smart to make it work, as Bankrate advises:

• Pay off your balance: Interest rates (18.49%-28.49% APR) can eat your rewards faster than you can earn them. Pay in full every month to stay ahead.
• Track your spending: Use apps like Mint or Citi’s mobile app to make sure you’re using the right card for each category.
• Don’t overspend: Chasing rewards isn’t worth it if you’re spending more than you can afford, especially for those welcome bonuses.

Pros and Cons of the Citi Trifecta

Pros

• Big rewards: Earn 2%-5% on all your spending, plus 10X on select travel bookings.
• Affordable: Just one $95 annual fee for the Strata Premier, way cheaper than other trifectas (like Amex’s $945 total).
• Flexible points: Use points for cash, travel, gift cards, or transfers to 15+ travel partners.
• Travel perks: No foreign transaction fees on Strata Premier, plus that $100 hotel credit.

Cons

• Bit of work: Keeping track of three cards and categories takes some effort.
• Foreign fees: Custom Cash and Double Cash charge 3% on international purchases.
• Credit needed: You’ll need a solid credit score (FICO 670+), and applying for multiple cards might nudge your score temporarily.

Wrapping It Up: You’ve Got This!

The Citi Trifecta is like having a secret weapon for your wallet. By using the Citi Strata Premier, Custom Cash, and Double Cash strategically, you can turn everyday spending into rewards that actually make a difference—whether it’s a free vacation or extra cash in your pocket. Start by picking the right card for each purchase, pooling your points, and cashing in on those welcome bonuses. With a little planning, you’ll be amazed at how fast your rewards add up.

Ready to make it happen? Check out the Citi cards, keep an eye on your spending, and start stacking those points. For more money-saving tips, swing by ModernMoneyTalk.com to explore our other blogs on credit cards and personal finance. You’re gonna crush this!

Disclaimer: The info for the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card, Citi Custom Cash® Card, and Citi Double Cash® Card was collected independently and not reviewed by the issuer. Offers and terms can change, so double-check with Citi before applying. Always pay your balance in full to avoid interest charges.