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Citi Strata Elite Card vs Discover it Secured Credit Card
Side-by-side comparison of fees, rewards, benefits, and more.
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Feature Comparison
| Feature | Citi Strata Elite CardCiti | Discover it Secured Credit CardDiscover |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.1/5 |
| Annual Fee | $595 | $0 |
| APR | 20.24% - 28.24% | 26.49% |
| Signup Bonus | 75,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 in 3 months | Cashback Match — unlimited dollar-for-dollar match of all cash back earned in first year |
| Rewards Rate | 10X on hotels, car rentals & attractions via Citi Travel, 5X on flights via Citi Travel, 3X on air travel, restaurants, supermarkets, gas/EV stations, 1X on everything else | 2% at gas stations and restaurants (up to $1,000/quarter), 1% on everything else |
| Credit Score | excellent | poor |
| Pros | Up to $300 annual hotel credit and $200 annual Splurge Credit 10X on hotels and 5X on flights via Citi Travel Transfer points to 17+ airline and hotel partners | Earn cash back rewards even while building credit — rare for a secured card Cashback Match doubles all rewards in year one No annual fee and automatic review for upgrade to unsecured card |
| Cons | $595 annual fee is steep for the Citi ecosystem New card — still building out lounge and premium perks Fewer transfer partners than Amex or Chase | Requires refundable security deposit ($200 minimum) High 26.49% APR Discover not accepted as widely as Visa/Mastercard |
| View Details → | View Details → |
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Verdict
Our Pick: Citi Strata Elite Card
With a 4.4/5 rating, the Citi Strata Elite Card edges out the Discover it Secured Credit Card (4.1/5). At $595/yr, the value proposition is strong. The Citi Strata Elite is Citi's premium answer to the Amex Platinum and Chase Sapphire Reserve. With up to $500 in annual credits and strong portal earning rates, it competes on value if you can use the credits.