Citi Nights is a unique weekend dining perk exclusive to the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card. If you’re a food lover who enjoys going out on the weekends, this benefit could help you rack up points faster on restaurant spending.
Here’s how Citi Nights works — and whether it’s worth it for you.
What Is Citi Nights?
Citi Nights is a feature that rewards Citi Strata Elite℠ cardholders with 6 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent at restaurants during specific weekend hours. These bonus earnings apply whether you’re dining in or ordering delivery.
Eligible Citi Nights hours (Eastern Time):
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Fridays: 6:00 PM to Saturday 6:00 AM
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Saturdays: 6:00 PM to Sunday 6:00 AM
Any restaurant purchase authorized during these hours earns the 6X rate. Outside of Citi Nights, restaurant spending earns the card’s standard rate of 3X points per $1.
💡 No activation is required. Simply use your Citi Strata Elite℠ Card at restaurants during the eligible time windows to earn the elevated rewards.
Timing Matters
One important note: Citi determines your eligibility based on authorization time, not the posting date.
For example:
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If you pay your restaurant bill at 7:30 PM on Friday, the transaction qualifies for 6X points, even if it doesn’t post until Monday.
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But if you pay at 5:45 PM on Friday, you’ll only earn 3X, even if it posts during Citi Nights.
Point Value and Redemption
ThankYou® Points earned through the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card can be redeemed in a variety of ways:
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Travel: 1 cent per point when redeemed through Citi’s travel portal
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Cash back: 0.75 cents per point
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Gift cards & shopping: Value varies
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Point transfers: Most hotel and airline partners offer 1:1 transfer ratios, giving your points more flexibility and potential value.
Citi ThankYou® Transfer Partners Include:
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JetBlue TrueBlue
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Air France/KLM Flying Blue
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Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
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Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles
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Virgin Atlantic Flying Club
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And many more…
How It Compares
While earning 6X on dining is impressive, remember that it’s only available for a limited weekend window. Other cards offer high rates on restaurant spending all week long.
For example:
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American Express® Gold Card
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4X points on restaurants, up to $50,000 per year
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Up to $120/year in dining credits at select partners
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Up to $100 in annual Resy credit
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Annual fee: $325
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In contrast, the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card carries a $595 annual fee, making it better suited for high spenders who can take full advantage of its weekend and travel perks.
Bottom Line: Is Citi Nights Worth It?
If your weekend plans consistently include dining out or ordering in, the Citi Nights benefit can help you maximize your rewards — especially if you pair it with travel redemptions or transfer partners. But if most of your restaurant spending happens during the week, or you prefer flat-rate rewards, other dining cards may offer more all-around value.
Need help choosing the right dining card?
Check out our Best Credit Cards for Restaurants for a full comparison of top options.
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