The Doctor of Credit scored an instant approval for the Citi Strata Elite card, highlighting some serious potential for reward maximization. This is great news for us travel enthusiasts because the card currently boasts a 100,000 ThankYou points sign-up bonus after spending $6,000, and comes with an instant-issue card number. The real kicker? The card offers a $200 "Splurge" credit annually (activation required) usable at places like Best Buy and even American Airlines.

Here's where the strategy comes in. Citi charges the annual fee ($595) at the end of the first statement, giving you about a month to decide if you want to keep the card and pay the fee or cancel for a full refund. The author plans to strategically use the card to snag three $200 Splurge credits, a $300 hotel credit, Admiral Club passes, and a $100 Backlane limo service credit multiple times before deciding whether to keep the card long-term. The annual fee can essentially be offset by the splurge credit and the massive 100,000 points signup bonus, making the card worth the spend. If you're looking for a new card with a solid bonus and valuable perks, the Citi Strata Elite might be worth considering – just be sure to map out how you'll use those credits!