Citi Nights: What It Is and How It Works

If you’re a foodie who loves dining out on weekends, Citi Nights might just be your new favorite credit card perk. Available exclusively to Citi Strata Elite℠ Card holders, this benefit lets you earn 6x points on restaurant spendingduring specific weekend hours.

Let’s break down what Citi Nights is, how it works, and whether it’s worth the premium annual fee.

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🍽️ What Is Citi Nights?

Citi Nights is a special dining rewards benefit offered by the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card. During weekend evening hours, cardholders earn 6 ThankYou® Points per $1 spent at restaurants — including dine-in, takeout, and delivery services.

⏰ Eligible Time Windows (Eastern Time):

• Fridays: 6:00 p.m. to Saturday 6:00 a.m.

• Saturdays: 6:00 p.m. to Sunday 6:00 a.m.

Any qualifying restaurant purchase made during these timeframes is eligible for 6x points, provided you use your Citi Strata Elite℠ Card and the transaction is authorized within the eligible window (even if it posts later).

⚠️ Important: Transactions authorized outside of these Citi Nights hours won’t qualify for 6x — even if they post during the Citi Nights timeframe.

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💡 How It Works

• No activation required — Citi Nights is automatically applied for eligible cardholders.

• Applies to restaurants and food delivery services.

• Outside the Citi Nights window, the card earns 3x points on dining.

💳 Example:

Pay for dinner at a restaurant at 7:00 p.m. on Friday → You earn 6x
Pay for lunch at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday → You earn 3x

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💰 What Are Citi ThankYou® Points Worth?

Citi ThankYou® Points offer flexible redemption options:

Citi has a strong list of airline and hotel partners, making point transfers an appealing strategy for travel-savvy cardholders.

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💳 Is the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card Worth It?

The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card carries a $595 annual fee, so it’s important to evaluate the full benefits package — not just Citi Nights. While 6x on dining is among the highest earning rates in the industry, it’s limited to just two nights per week.

✅ Pros of Citi Nights:

• Elevated 6x dining rewards during weekend evenings

• Points can be transferred to airline and hotel partners

• No activation or opt-in required

• Includes delivery services

❌ Considerations:

• Dining outside Citi Nights = just 3x

• Points are devalued for cash back (0.75¢ per point)

• Requires high spend or strategic travel redemptions to offset $595 fee

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🔁 How Does It Compare?

While Citi Nights offers a strong return during the weekend window, other premium cards provide consistent rewards all week long — and often at a lower annual fee.

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📌 Final Thoughts: Who Should Consider Citi Nights?

The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card — and its Citi Nights perk — is best for:

• Weekend diners who regularly eat out on Friday and Saturday nights

• High spenders who can take full advantage of the card’s broader benefits

• Travel hackers who maximize Citi’s point transfer program

If your lifestyle already includes weekend dinners and travel rewards redemption, Citi Nights could deliver exceptional value. Otherwise, a card with consistent all-week dining rewards may be a better fit.

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Explore more on Creditvana:

• Best Dining Credit Cards of 2025

• How to Redeem Citi ThankYou® Points for Maximum Value

• Amex Gold vs. Citi Strata Elite: Which Card Wins on Dining?

Let me know if you’d like a side-by-side dining card comparison table added to this article!