Citi Strata Premier Card vs. Discover it Student Cash Back
On the criteria below, Citi Strata Premier Card wins 3 of 4. The verdict depends on which criteria matter to you.
Citi Strata Premier Card
Citi
Discover it Student Cash Back
Discover
Citi Strata Premier Card wins 3 of 4 criteria here, making it the stronger all-rounder.
Citi Strata Premier Card wins on first-year math, earning ceiling, and travel insurance; Discover it Student Cash Back wins on annual fee.
Pick the Citi Strata Premier Card if year-one math is your priority; take the Discover it Student Cash Back if you want a cheaper card to keep long-term.
Who wins what
3 vs 1- First-year math Citi Strata Premier Card
Citi Strata Premier Card wins on bonus value minus annual fee.
- Annual fee Discover it Student Cash Back
Discover it Student Cash Back is $95 cheaper to keep.
- Earning ceiling Citi Strata Premier Card
Citi Strata Premier Card earns more on its best category (10× vs 5×).
- Travel insurance Citi Strata Premier Card
Citi Strata Premier Card carries built-in travel insurance.
By the numbers
- Annual fee
- $95
- Free
- Welcome offer (typical value)
- $900
- —
- First-year net
- +$805
- +$0
- Peak earning rate
- 10×
- 5×
- Top categories
- Travel, Travel, Dining
- Rotating Quarterly
- Lounge access
- No
- No
- Travel insurance
- Yes
- No
- Elite status
- No
- No
- Foreign transaction fee
- None
- None
- Reward currency
- Citi ThankYou Points
- Discover Cashback
Welcome-offer dollar values use each program's typical-tier valuation from our signup bonus calculator. See the methodology page for sourcing details.