topic Re: Citi Strata Elite approval in Credit Card Approvals

Citi Strata Elite approval

Priory_Man — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 01:52:43 GMT

Looking to change up my travel card options, so apped for the Citi Strata Elite.

Almost instant approval, they sent me a text to make sure it was me.

They gave me a 22.5k SL

Pulled Experian which at time of app was at 838 and dropped to 835 after approval.

100,000 points after $6000 spend over 3 months, which won't be an issue I have a viking cruise coming up which needs to be paid in full in the next two weeks.

Card should be here within the next 3 days.

Scores in my sig were correct at the time of app.

Re: Citi Strata Elite approval

TrapLine — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 13:53:09 GMT

Great approval. Enjoy the new card benefits.

Anything of note as you go along, DPs are always welcome!

Re: Citi Strata Elite approval

Patient957 — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 14:57:28 GMT

@Priory_Man

Congrats on your approval.

You may already be aware, but just in case... Make sure you use your $300 splurge credit and $200 hotel credit before the end of the year in 21 days. Those credits are calendar year, not cardmember year like some other cards.

For the splurge credit, I bought an Amazon gift card at best buy dot com and just loaded it into my Amazon account, since there was nothing at Best Buy I needed.

Re: Citi Strata Elite approval

coreyb80 — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 15:17:43 GMT

Congrats on the strong approval!

Re: Citi Strata Elite approval

Priory_Man — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 15:19:23 GMT

Looks like I'll be off to bestbuy.com to grab a gift card.

The hotel credit is going to be a bit more difficult, most of our travel plans have already been made for the remainder of this year and all through next, I'll certainly give it a go though.
Thanks for pointing that out.

Re: Citi Strata Elite approval

Copenix — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 07:13:23 GMT

Very nice. Congrats on your approval. Enjoy your new card.

Re: Citi Strata Elite approval

BrutalBodyShots — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 16:22:48 GMT

Nice approval and SL, @Priory_Man!

Just as a point of clarification, the 3 points you lost didn't come "after approval" but at the time of application. This is an important distinction, as the drop was due to the hard inquiry taken on from applying for the card. Said differently, even if you had been denied for the card, you would have still seen the 3 point drop to your EX F8 from the inquiry incurred.

From the approval, you'll see a greater drop once the new account lands on your credit reports. That often happens in about a month. At that time your aging metrics will be reduced, including your AoYRA (Age of Youngest Revolving Account) being reset to 0 months. If you haven't opened a credit card in the last 12+ months, the typical drop associated with scorecard reassignment will land around 15-20 points.

Re: Citi Strata Elite approval

Priory_Man — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 19:42:19 GMT

I appreciate you bringing that point up, and you are correct, I have seen an additional lowering on my score, a further drop of 17 points in fact.

All 3 bureaus are still reporting well in the 800's my lowest score been 818 and the other 2 still in the 830's I have updated my signature to reflect that.

In my original post, I was just pointing out the info I had at the time and in no way was I trying to mis-lead anyone into thinking that the impact of obtaining a new card was only going to be a minimal hit to their credit scores.

Re: Citi Strata Elite approval

BrutalBodyShots — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 20:15:12 GMT

I didn't think you were trying to mislead anyone. I just wanted to make sure that you (or anyone else) didn't believe that a score drop comes from a CC approval when the inquiry-related drop (if there is one) comes from the application, regardless of whether or not it is approved.

Those 17 points you lost were from New Revolver scorecard reassignment and will all return in one shot on the 1st of the month next year in the same month that you were approved this year.

Re: Citi Strata Elite approval

RobertS2 — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 23:17:13 GMT

Congrats! Where are you cruising, if you don't mind me asking? Viking cruises look cool, but I've never been on one.

Re: Citi Strata Elite approval

Jessie — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 23:56:30 GMT

Wooohooo! Where are you traveling next!?

Re: Citi Strata Elite approval

firefox100 — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 12:33:26 GMT

Congratulations on your very nice approval, and enjoy that great cruise also happy holidays.

Re: Citi Strata Elite approval

Priory_Man — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 13:58:32 GMT

@RobertS2 wrote:
Congrats! Where are you cruising, if you don't mind me asking? Viking cruises look cool, but I've never been on one.

Cruising the Rhine.

We start out in Basel, Switzerland and end up a week later in Amsterdam. Some magnificent scenery to be had

Re: Citi Strata Elite approval

Openwater — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 04:10:29 GMT

Great approval, and great way to hit your sub off the bat! Good Luck!