Don't Want to Pay the Citi Strata Elite's $595 Annual Fee? Here Are 3 Great Alternatives

The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card caused a lot of buzz when it launched this summer. With perks like airport lounge access and big hotel discounts, this travel card goes toe-to-toe with heavyweights like the American Express Platinum Card® and Chase Sapphire Reserve®.

Its welcome offer of 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months after account opening has turned heads, too.

But the card's $595 annual fee is steep, and not every user will earn it back.

If you'd prefer a travel card with a lower (or no) annual fee, then I have three excellent options for you.

1. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: lower annual fee and lounge access

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees) is a simple yet premium travel card with an annual fee that can be incredibly easy to recoup.

Key features:

• 100,000 Miles (worth $1,000 in travel) after you spend $10,000 within 6 months of account opening
• 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
• 2X miles on all other purchases
• $300 annual credit for Capital One Travel bookings
• 10,000 bonus miles every year, starting on your first anniversary
• Access to over 1,300 airport lounges (enrollment required)

There are three things that really make this card stand out:

1. The $395 annual fee (see rates and fees) is very low for a card with lounge access.
2. The base rate of 2X miles is twice as high as what most travel cards offer. The Capital One Venture X Card rewards you more for everyday spending.
3. You can basically earn the annual fee back with one purchase. Just book a flight or hotel worth $300 or more through Capital One Travel, and you'll get $300 back. (Note: The travel credit can also apply to multiple smaller purchases.) And the 10,000-point anniversary bonus is worth $100 toward travel.

Spending on travel can help offset the annual fee, and the points you earn are icing on the cake.

To get these perks and a limited-time offer worth $1,000 toward travel, click here to learn more and apply for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.

2. Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: $95 annual fee and solid travel perks

While it doesn't come with lounge access, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees) unlocks a ton of value for a low annual fee.

Key features:

• 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 within 3 months of account opening
• 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠
• 3X points on dining, select streaming services, and online groceries
• 2X points on all other travel purchases
• 1X points on all other purchases
• $50 annual credit for hotel stays purchased through Chase Travel

One hotel stay will cover over half this card's annual fee. You can easily make up the rest (and then some) with the points you earn.

This card also unlocks Chase's excellent travel protections and travel partners. Points can be transferred -- sometimes for more value -- to popular airlines and hotel chains like Southwest, United, JetBlue, Hyatt, and Marriott.

Want a low-annual-fee travel card that punches above its weight and offers a sign-up bonus worth at least $750 in Chase Travel℠ value? Learn more about the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card and apply today.

3. Citi Strata℠ Card: $0 annual fee and Elite-like perks

This card is sort of an entry-level version of the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card, with some impressive rewards for no annual fee.

Key features:

• 30,000 bonus points after you spend $1,000 within three months of account opening
• 5X ThankYou® Points for each $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals and Attractions booked on Citi Travel® via cititravel.com
• 3X ThankYou® Points for each $1 spent in an eligible self-select category of your choice (fitness clubs, select streaming services, live entertainment, cosmetic stores/barber shops/hair salons, or pet supply stores); earn 3 ThankYou Points for each $1 spent at supermarkets, on select transit purchases, and at gas & EV charging stations
• 2X ThankYou® Points for each $1 spent at restaurants
• 1X ThankYou® Point for each $1 spent on all other purchases
• Intro APR offer: 0% intro APR for 15 months on Purchases and 15 months on Balance Transfers; after that, a 18.49% - 28.49% (Variable) APR applies

Here's why this card stands out:

1. With no annual fee and 3X ThankYou® Points at supermarkets and gas stations, this card is extremely practical
2. The welcome offer is easy to earn
3. Unlike most travel cards, it offers 0% intro APR

The Citi Strata℠ Card doesn't come with travel insurance, and its bonus categories do not include flights. But you can still earn a lot of points through daily spending, then redeem them for flights, hotels, and more.

The self-selected 3X category is a nice bonus. The options include fitness clubs, select streaming services, live entertainment, cosmetic stores/barber shops/hair salons, and pet supply stores.

Want to earn an easy welcome bonus of 30,000 bonus points, plus travel rewards for everyday spending? Click here to learn more about the Citi Strata℠ Card and apply today.