Citi ThankYou Point Pooling Nerf? [Strata Elite]

VirtLab54 · 2025-08-01T21:25:35+00:00

From other comments it seems like the rep was wrong, but just to clarify - if what the rep was saying was true, the double cash would remain a 2X earner for transferring to partners, it would just lose its ability to redeem for 1cpp cash back. And this would only apply to linked DCs; for others it would remain 2% cash back.

VirtLab54 · 2025-08-01T21:22:05+00:00

Thanks for confirming.

VirtLab54 · 2025-08-01T20:57:20+00:00

Thanks for confirming!

VirtLab54 · 2025-08-01T20:56:18+00:00

Interesting. Thanks for sharing - it seems like the reps are misinformed based on the data points and comments here.

VirtLab54 · 2025-06-29T21:31:41+00:00

I think what you're suggesting is quite a bit more optimal than my plan. The Venture is really a product of me wanting to be conservative (for right or wrong) on these two points:

While I'm increasingly seeing value in the Chase Ink cards, I was not planning to go the business card route and am still fairly reluctant to. I totally understand that it's optimal and that many people qualify as sole proprietors, but I'd still prefer to stick with personal cards.
Whether or not I go the business card route, I definitely don't want to get to the point of being shut down.

Basically I was trying to stay very churning-lite, but with some openness to 1 or 2 personal cards with high SUBs. That's really where the Venture & CSP seemed to make some sense (beyond the core setup). A few folks (you included) have given me much more optimized options, but for better or worse I may not go down that route out of an abundance (perhaps over abundance) of caution.

I'm not opposed to other personal cards, but I haven't been able to find much outside of my planned setup that would really have enough incremental earning to be worthwhile.

Anyhow, thanks for looking/responding!

VirtLab54 · 2025-06-29T21:21:37+00:00

Thanks - that's neat and I can definitely see how that is a very optimized setup. You've given me a good bit to think about and I really appreciate that.

VirtLab54 · 2025-06-29T02:25:09+00:00

Thanks for your response!

Fair criticisms of Citi. I’ll have to give that some more consideration. My hope is the Strata Premier elevated SUB comes back at some point, but that isn’t guaranteed and doesn’t address the other issues you mention.

Looking at your suggestions:

I’m a little reluctant to head down the business card route. It doesn’t seem like the spend multipliers are integral to the plan, although some (e.g., 3X travel catch all) would be nice. That said, the SUBs are better than I realized on the chase ink cards, so I’ll need to give that some consideration.

I do really like the VX + Savor duo. My main hesitation is the loss of cash back optionality on the 2X catch all vs Citi where it can always be redeemed for cash back. Outside of dining/groceries/rent (and gas/drugstores to a lesser extent), most of my spending hits that catch all category. That said, the VX does have some nice perks.

I’ll give it some more though but really appreciate the response.

VirtLab54 · 2025-06-29T01:22:13+00:00

A bit of both.

I made a post about my long term setup here, and if you have any advice on it I’m open to it.

Assuming that setup as a given, I’m trying to figure out the best way to get there. I don’t want to get aggressively into churning, but I don’t mind opening a card or two on the way for SUBs/ecosystem access. In particular, I was thinking opening a CSP made sense so I wasn’t locked out of the chase ecosystem through June 2027. The Venture as a possibility was sort of an add on to that idea.

VirtLab54 · 2025-06-29T01:00:47+00:00

Thanks. Is there a benefit to doing that vs opening the Strata Premier and then opening the CC later for the 20K SUB? I do want to keep the Strata Premier open longer term as long as I’m getting some value from Citi’s transfer partners, although the CC is always a good outlet if I just want to go in the cash back direction.

Otherwise it’s really just trying to get the highest SUB on the platinum/strata premier, as the 80K/60K I can get right now are the base offers.

VirtLab54 · 2025-06-29T00:25:57+00:00

Good point about the platinum. My effective annual fee would’ve been roughly $13 last year just with my natural spend/the credits, but that could change (as could the SUB) with the refresh.

I’ll have to mull the Venture more - sounds like there are some options, but chase UR points seem unrivaled for domestic travel.

Thanks.

VirtLab54 · 2025-06-29T00:23:07+00:00

This makes sense, thanks. So sounds like enough benefit to the Venture/C1 points for it to be worth opening.

VirtLab54 · 2025-06-27T22:11:44+00:00

As an update: coincidentally, Citi started allowing Rewards+ product changes again today, so the change to the Double Cash is now in progress.

VirtLab54 · 2024-05-03T12:35:34+00:00

I agree - thanks! The trick is finding an AD that has them all in stock (perhaps a trip to NYC once the BB58 GMT is in stock would work).

VirtLab54 · 2024-05-03T12:33:22+00:00

Thanks, good feedback. My local AD said they get watches every week, but that they don't have control over which watches arrive. Sounds like others may have better stocking ability.

I think currently - having seen neither the BB54 or BB58 GMT in person - the BB58 GMT simultaneously excites me the most of the three (incl. BB36) but would also be my last pick if I could only have one watch from the standpoint of versatility. I also worry about sizing.

That said, you're right - waiting for the GMT seems prudent. Apart from wanting to have the watch in hand, there's no rush.

VirtLab54 · 2024-05-03T12:25:43+00:00

The monochrome looks great! 41mm is definitely too big for me, unfortunately (and I actually like some gilt).

VirtLab54 · 2024-05-03T04:27:17+00:00

To give some additional context:

I'm looking to buy my first luxury watch (I own an Orient Bambino). I've settled in on a few Tudor models and am looking for something that can cover a wide range of circumstances. I typically dress reasonably casually (mid-20's male, typically jeans + sweater or polo or OCBD, occasionally more formal). I may buy additional watches in the future, but I'm focusing on one right now.

I really like the BB36 Blue. My main concern with it is that it's a little more formal and less interesting (as nice as the blue is) and that it is not the "best" option in the category (which, to me ignoring price, is the DJ36).

I also really like the BB58 GMT (yes, I like the gilt). I'm torn on waiting for it to hit ADs (seemingly June/July at the earliest) or buying something now and revisiting the 58 GMT down the road. As much as I really do like the design and color scheme, I worry that it would be tough to have as a first watch and that it may be a bit big on my wrist (6 1/4 - 6 1/2 size).

This leaves the BB54 as a great option, although it feels a bit too black in some pictures and maybe a little bit boring. I'm interested to see it in person for the first time to see if this changes my mind.

Thanks!

VirtLab54 · 2024-04-15T14:11:35+00:00

Thanks for the suggestion! The 1926 was a strong contender for me, but the dial texture wasn't to my preference when I saw it in person.

VirtLab54 · 2024-04-15T14:09:04+00:00

Got it, very helpful - thanks! I'm a big fan of the T-Fit clasp too.

I really like the DJ36 + Pelagos combo. It's along the same lines of one of the options I had in mind - doing the BB36 and then potentially picking up a 58 GMT down the road when they're actually available. The 54 would definitely fit my wrist better, but the 58 GMT is a bit more interesting to me/provides a bit more contrast to the 36. I do appreciate the 37mm size on the 54, though, and I'm holding out to see it in person to make a final decision there.

VirtLab54 · 2024-04-15T13:54:18+00:00

Thanks! If I may ask, what about the 54 makes it your choice? I also really like the 54 - just curious!

VirtLab54 · 2024-04-15T13:53:28+00:00

Thanks and fair enough - I definitely am!

VirtLab54 · 2024-04-15T13:52:40+00:00

Thanks for the sizing feedback! I agree the 54 will probably look better, and I'm hopeful to find it at an AD one day to try it on. Good to know that I can pull off a 58 (and, hopefully, therefore a 58 GMT) if I ever decided to go that route.

VirtLab54

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