ByCity’s New Strata Card, Marriott’s Costa Rica Expansion & Emirates First Class Booking Tricks [2025 Update]
Welcome back to our latest travel and points roundup. In this post, we’re covering Citi’s newest credit card launch, a luxury hotel addition in Costa Rica, and a clever way to still book Emirates First Class — even after their recent policy shift.
City launches the new Strata Card with solid rewards. Marriott adds luxury in Costa Rica. Emirates First Class remains bookable despite recent restrictions. Key updates in travel credit cards and points in July 2025.
Let’s jump right in.
Citi Strata Premier: A Rebrand or Something New?
Citi just launched the Strata Premier Card, which in many ways replaces the old Citi Rewards+ Card. If you had the Rewards+, your account is likely being automatically converted.
New Citi Strata Premier Benefits:
- 5x ThankYou Points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through CitiTravel.com
- 3x Points on supermarkets, select transit, gas stations, EV charging, and one customizable category (like gyms, streaming, live entertainment, pet supplies, barbers, salons)
- 2x Points at restaurants
- 1x Points on everything else
This is now a no-annual-fee card. Compared to the Rewards+ card, which used to give a quirky points rounding benefit and a 10% points rebate on the first 100K redeemed, this Strata feels much more straightforward — and arguably more competitive for modern spending habits.
The rebate feature on Rewards+ made it a niche favorite among points enthusiasts. Citi seems to be shifting toward simpler, multiplier-driven benefits aimed at average spenders.
Verdict:
If you’re new to Citi’s ecosystem and want a simple earner, Strata works. But for seasoned points maximizers, the loss of the 10% rebate might sting.
Marriott’s New St. Regis Heading to Costa Rica in 2027
Marriott announced plans for a St. Regis property in Costa Rica, scheduled to open in early 2027. This will add another layer of luxury to Costa Rica’s growing reputation as a high-end destination.
Key Highlights:
- Ocean views and extensive greenery
- High-end dining and wellness amenities
- Competing with destinations like Bora Bora, Maldives, Seychelles
- Strong points: redemption opportunities with Marriott Bonvoy
If you’re considering Costa Rica in the next few years, this adds another top-tier choice alongside properties like the Andaz (Hyatt), and Ritz-Carlton Reserve — all offering great value for points.
Emirates First Class Still Bookable — Here’s How
Earlier this year, Emirates restricted First Class redemptions to only those with Skywards Silver, Gold, or Platinum status. But there are still ways to book without this:
Workarounds:
- Barclays Emirates Credit Cards
- $99 annual fee card grants Silver Status for one year, unlocking First Class awards.
- Book through Qantas Frequent Flyer
- Qantas partners with Emirates, allowing award bookings without Emirates status.
Example Redemption:
- Tokyo to Dubai: ~129K Qantas miles + moderate fees
- Chicago to Dubai (Game Changer Suite): ~170K Qantas miles + higher fees
This method is especially valuable for securing Emirates’ Game Changer Suites on routes like Geneva, Chicago, Tokyo, and Melbourne.
If you prefer simpler routing or don’t care about trying the newest product, there’s still availability via hubs like Boston, New York, and Miami.
United Airlines Updates: Devaluation & Changes to Excursionist Perk
Starting August 21st, 2025, United will officially eliminate the Excursionist Perk — a longtime favorite for savvy award travelers who used it to build complex, value-packed itineraries.
Other Changes:
- Instant upgrades for elites are gone; now follow traditional timelines (Silver: day-of, Gold: 48 hrs, etc.)
- Moves toward fully dynamic pricing for upgrades (no more upgrade charts)
If you hold United status primarily for family or business convenience (Houston, for example), these are adjustments but not deal-breakers. For infrequent flyers or super-users, the Excursionist loss stings.
Lightning Round: Other Travel News
Lufthansa First Class Availability (Still Bookable via Partners)
- US-Europe routes remain accessible via partners like United (140K) or Aeroplan (90K)
- Frankfurt and Munich remain key gateways
MooMoo Brokerage Promotion (60 Free Stocks)
- Deposit tiers unlock up to 60 free stocks
- Partner perks include access to financial news platforms and free Mets baseball tickets
Promotion ends June 3rd, 2025.
Final Thoughts & Questions for You:
- What are your thoughts on Citi’s Strata Premier compared to Rewards+?
- Have you been to Costa Rica? Any travel tips to share?
- Have you flown Emirates First Class? Which do you prefer: Game Changer Suite or A380?
Thanks for reading. If you found this useful, consider sharing. For more tips on credit cards, points strategies, and luxury travel, check out our other articles.
