Citi's points system can look confusing because several cards earn the same currency, but they do different jobs. Understand the jobs, and you can build a small combination rather than collect cards at random. This guide sets out what each does in 2026 and the traps in the points rules.
Who does what
- ThankYou points
- Citi's rewards currency. Cards share a single thankyou.com account where points can be pooled.
- Pooling
- Combining points from several cards into one account so a card that can transfer can use them.
- Product change
- Switching a card to another product at the same bank. It can affect points, so read the terms first.
- 8/65 rule
- A reported Citi limit of one application every 8 days and two every 65 days.
Strata Premier: the key
For $95 a year, the Premier earns 10x on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked through Citi Travel, and 3x on air travel, other hotel purchases, restaurants, supermarkets and gas or EV charging. It includes a $100 hotel savings benefit once a year on a stay of $500 or more, six-hour trip delay insurance and no foreign transaction fee. Its main value is that it lets you transfer ThankYou points to airline partners. See where to send flexible points.
Strata and Custom Cash: the feeders
Strata, no annual fee
5x on hotels, cars and attractions through Citi Travel, 3x on supermarkets, transit and gas, and 3x in a category you choose. It charges a foreign transaction fee, so keep it for home.
Custom Cash, retired
5x on your top category up to $500 per cycle, 1x elsewhere. Discontinued for new applications in 2026, but possibly still available by product change.
Premier as the hub
Move points from the feeders to a Premier account, and transfer to airline partners from there.
Three ways to lose your points
Closing the account
Points on the card you close can expire. Move them to another card in your thankyou.com account before you close it.
Changing product
USCCG says that a product change, or receiving points from another person, can cause points on that account to expire.
Downgrading to the wrong card
A downgrade to Double Cash or Dividend was reported to expire points in 60 days. Choose a downgrade that keeps ThankYou points.
Which one fits you
If you rarely leave the US, a card with no annual fee is enough to start collecting ThankYou points. If you travel abroad, remember that the Strata card has a foreign transaction fee while the Strata Premier does not, which can matter more than the earning rate on a trip. Whichever you choose, keep ThankYou points in one account so they can be pooled.
Getting approved
See how to price a sign-up bonus for a Strata Premier and Strata Elite example.
Questions people ask
Can I still apply for Citi Custom Cash?
USCCG reported that in May 2026 the card was discontinued for new applications and in June 2026 was still available by product change. Nobody knows how long that lasts, so check what Citi offers today.
What is the 8/65 rule?
USCCG reports that Citi allows you to apply for at most one card every 8 days and at most two cards every 65 days, whether approved or not.
What is the best use of ThankYou points?
USCCG says one of the best uses is a 1 to 1 transfer to American Airlines or EVA Air miles, with Cathay Pacific, Avianca, Singapore Airlines and Flying Blue as other options. Check current ratios first.
Sources
Written from these pages and checked against them on October 6, 2026. Programs and rules change, so check the provider’s current terms before you decide.
General information, not financial, legal or travel advice. Your own card terms and the provider’s current rules always come first.