Best Citi Credit Card Combinations | Credit Cards

You may have heard about the Citi Trifecta, but with Citi no longer accepting new applications for the Citi Custom Cash, it doesn’t really work for those building new Citi card combinations.

However, there’s still plenty of ways you can earn with a Citi duo. It just all depends on what you hope to accomplish. Here are some of the best Citi card pairings and whom they suit best.

Why we chose it: If you fly American regularly, the airline-specific benefits like free checked bags and the ability to earn loyalty points toward AAdvantage status make the Platinum Select card ideal. The Strata Premier can act as your everyday card. Plus, when you want a little more flexibility when booking travel, you can use the Strata Premier since it earns three points on air travel and hotel purchases.

Finally, Citi ThankYou® points can be transferred to American Airlines AAdvantage, giving you another way to build your AAdvantage balance.

Why we chose it: The Citi Strata Elite is Citi’s premium travel card, offering elevated earning on travel purchases and with an annual fee to match. But if you can use the annual credits and the Admirals Club passes, the Elite is worth it. The Strata Elite still works best, though, if you prefer to fly American Airlines, since you can transfer ThankYou points to AAdvantage.

While the Strata Elite provides a premium travel experience, your Citi Double Cash can act as your catch-all for your other purchases that don’t fit into the Elite’s bonus categories. This way you’re always earning the most rewards.

Why we chose it: For those who don’t want to pay a high annual fee for their travel card, the Strata Premier is a great option. You still earn elevated rewards on hotels, car rentals and attractions – you just lose some luxury travel benefits.

This pairing is best for those who want a simple two-card strategy that covers a broad range of everyday spending without committing to a particular airline or hotel chain. The Strata Premier handles the bonus categories – groceries, dining gas and travel – while the Double Cash acts as a catch-all for everything else that doesn’t earn a higher rate.

Whichever combination you choose, consider how the two cards complement each other. The right pairing can provide useful benefits and help you earn more rewards without forcing you to overhaul the way you spend.