Overview

• An analysis highlights that many Strata Elite benefits reset by calendar year rather than cardmember year, a structure that differs from typical premium cards.
• The card’s perks include a $300 hotel credit and a $200 “Splurge Credit” each calendar year, a $200 Blacklane credit split into two $100 semiannual windows, and four Admirals Club day passes per calendar year.
• Timing an approval to span two calendar years can deliver up to $600 in hotel credits, up to $400 in Splurge credits, up to $300 in Blacklane credits, and up to eight Admirals Club passes for one first-year fee.
• Lounge access also includes a Priority Pass membership, complementing the Admirals Club day passes deposited on a calendar-year basis.
• ThankYou points earned on the card can transfer to American AAdvantage, and the analysis argues the stacked first-year perks will likely offset the $595 annual fee.