Citigroup has launched the Strata Elite credit card, positioned as a premium travel rewards card for frequent travelers with a $595 annual fee. It sits strategically between the more expensive American Express Platinum and Chase Sapphire Reserve cards, offering high-end perks at a lower cost than its direct competitors.
This card is specifically designed for affluent customers—a group with high spending power and strong credit profiles whom Citi aims to attract with hopes of cross-selling wealth management and other financial services.
Rather than overwhelming users with many niche benefits, Citi advocates for a streamlined rewards package. The offering delivers core high-value perks instead of what executives describe as “a coupon book” of benefits, a shift aligned with growing consumer preference for clarity
When cardholders book through the Citi Travel portal, they earn elevated multipliers—12× ThankYou points on hotels, car rentals and attractions; 6× points on airfare and CitiNights weekend dining; 3× points on other dining; and 1.5× points on all other spend.
If fully utilized, the card can deliver nearly $1,500 in annual value through statement credits and premium benefits. Highlights include a $300 annual hotel credit for qualifying stays, a $200 “splurge” credit redeemable with partners such as American Airlines, Best Buy, or Live Nation, $200 in Blacklane chauffeur credits, and a $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit every four years.
Additional perks include four Admirals Club lounge passes annually, complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, no foreign transaction fees, and extensive travel insurance coverage—including trip delay, baggage loss and rental car protection.
Citi extends fee relief to Citigold clients: Citigold Private Clients receive a full rebate the first year and pay $145 per year subsequently, while standard Citigold members get a $145 annual credit toward the fee.
Even at $595 per year, analysts consider the Strata Elite competitively priced compared with the Sapphire Reserve’s $795 fee and AmEx Platinum’s $695. MarketWatch reports that as premium card fees climb, Citi’s simpler value proposition aligns with customer bluntness toward overcomplicated perks.
WASHINGTON — Venus Williams made headlines for becoming the second-oldest woman to ever win a tour-level singles match this week in Washington, a story we’ve already covered here at Bounces this week.
But in the days since Venus’ win, I was fascinated to see an unlikely sector where her post-victory remarks made prominent waves and headlines: healthcare and health insurance.
Near the end of her on-court interview with Rennae Stubbs on Tuesday night, Venus brought up her health insurance status nearly unprompted.
“I came back—I had to come back for the insurance, because they informed me earlier this year I’m on COBRA,” Venus said, making a shocked face and laughing as Stubbs ducked out of frame to laugh. “So I was like, I got to get my benefits on! Started training.”
(COBRA, which stands for Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, is a temporary insurance program for people who are no longer on their recent employer’s health program, which has higher costs than what the person would have paid while a current employee.)
“She’s actually not lying about that,” Stubbs, herself a former player, confirmed on court. “Because we talked about that about six years ago, so you’re actually telling the truth—insurance is hard.”
“I’m on COBRA,” Venus reiterated. “You guys know what it’s like. And let me tell you: I’m always at the doctor, so I need this insurance.”
Venus brought the topic up again in her post-match press conference when asked how far she thought she could advance in the tournament.
“Well, I’m just trying to figure out how many wins will it take before I’m off COBRA,” Venus said, smiling. “I haven’t asked the WTA yet, but I gotta just keep winning until finally my insurance kicks back in, so.”
The American model of tethering healthcare access and affordability to employment status is rare (and bad!), and that even a multi-millionaire like Venus Williams was framing her return to work around a need for healthcare coverage was striking for many.
Venus Williams on court Thursday in Washington. ((Wick Photography / Mubadala Citi DC Open)
Venus’ comments were used to spark conversations on all sorts of American news media outlets—ABC, NPR, People, The Washington Post and more.
Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, classified as “left-wing” for stances that would be seen as centrist abroad, used Venus’s comments as further evidence in his crusade for greater healthcare access and affordability.
“If a wealthy professional athlete needs to come out of retirement to afford to see a doctor, how is our health care system impacting millions of working-class Americans?” Sanders’ account tweeted.
To be clear, Venus Williams can probably afford nearly any bill she’s facing, even with COBRA: with earnings of $42,648,578, Venus is second all-time on the WTA Prize Money leaderboard, behind only her sister Serena’s $94,816,730. Venus has probably earned even more than that eight-digit prize money total through endorsements and other business ventures over her long career.
But still, high medical bills can be shocking for anyone, and Venus’s medical issues over the years have been well-documented, including her struggles in recent years with the uterine fibroids she had surgically removed last year.
I had two questions I wanted to answer as the talk about Venus’s health insurance status grew in volume: how tongue-in-cheek was she being about her comments suggesting health insurance was a primary motivator for her return to tennis? And how does health insurance work for active and retired tennis players?
After her second-round loss on Thursday, I asked Venus to clarify and for her thoughts on the wider topic and conversation which she had joined.
Venus laughed and smiled when I asked her if healthcare really had been a “main motivating factor” in her comeback to the tour, and later said it was “a fun and funny moment,” which I think confirms her statement should be taken with a grain of salt for context. But even though Venus is generally loathe to discuss any overtly political topic, she reiterated that the broader issue of affordable medical care is a serious one.
Ben Rothenberg, Bounces: Your comments after your first singles win about the healthcare stuff generated a bunch of coverage of that and people talking about that. Could you clarify how serious or tongue-in-cheek that was about that being a main motivating factor for you coming back to tennis?
Venus Williams: Oh! (laughs)
Ben Rothenberg, Bounces: Because some people took it literally. And I wonder if you appreciate from this new experience like the importance of healthcare in people’s lives? A lot of people really do have to rely on work to get the healthcare they need.
Venus Williams: Yeah. I mean, nobody wants to be on COBRA, right? That remains an issue in my life.
But obviously healthcare is so important and access to healthcare and being able to see the right and the best doctors for whatever you’re going through. I have had that opportunity. I had that opportunity last year to see, in my opinion, the best doctor ever. That was all possible because, you know, I had insurance. Without that, the bills are quite hefty.
So it is a serious issue. Obviously it’s a fun and funny moment, but it’s an issue that people are dealing with, so it is serious.
I reached out to both the WTA and ATP to find out more about how health insurance works for their players. Tennis players are often talked about as “independent contractors,” and independent contractors rarely receive healthcare coverage from their employers, but both tours do provide health care for the players who qualify as being “members” of the WTA or ATP.
Here’s what the WTA responded with:
All player members have the opportunity to enroll in a best-in-class global medical, dental and vision insurance plan
Player members are notified of their eligibility status following the year-end ranking release in order to enroll for the following year
The insurance plan is provided on an annual basis – Jan 1 – Dec 31
Players who are no longer eligible for membership (based on ranking) but were previously on the plan have access to the health insurance plan under COBRA (Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act) for up to 18 months
According to its rulebook, the WTA healthcare provider is Aetna Global PPO. The WTA further clarified when I followed up about requirements to be a “player member”:
If a player falls out of the current rankings of Top 150 Singles or Top 50 Doubles for Full Membership, they drop down to Associate Membership.
If they fall out of Associate Membership that means that they have not played at least 3 WTA 250 level event or higher (including GS) in the last 12 months and are not ranked inside top 500 singles or 175 doubles.
Though only the WTA coverage would be relevant to Venus, I was curious how the ATP side compared.
Here’s what the ATP provided when I inquired:
ATP player members are grouped as follows: Group 1 (Top 250 Singles, Top 50 Doubles) and Group 2 (all other players with a ranking point).
Group 1 membership includes:
Basic health insurance (with the option to purchase enhanced coverage). Includes limited coverage on dental and prescriptions.
Life insurance (automatically included within health insurance package)
Travel insurance (for travel to and from activities related to professional tennis)
Group 2 players are eligible to purchase health insurance (basic or enhanced) through ATP’s insurance provider.
When I asked about how it works for retired players, the ATP responded that “Currently alumni members can continue their coverage for up to 3 years (paid by the player through COBRA).”
According to one recently retired American ATP player I chatted about this topic with, the ATP uses Cigna as its health insurance provider, and the coverage is pretty robust, including for a player’s dependents.
Admittedly, the particulars of employer-provided healthcare was a pretty foreign topic to me as I set out writing this piece, since I have been freelance/self-employed for my entire journalistic career, and have just been on Obamacare. So if you’re ever inclined to help defray those or other bills—and keep the work I’m doing here at Bounces going strong—I appreciate you subscribing!
In this commentary: Should I cancel my summer vacation?
in this commentary
Summer vacation plans are in jeopardy as travelers grapple with sticker shock, overwhelming crowds, and safety worries.
Are your reasons for canceling valid, or just excuses? This commentary separates the legitimate concerns from the lame ones.
Before you pull the plug on your trip, you need to know about the potential fallout—from disappointed family to steep financial penalties.
Is the thought of going on summer vacation too much for you? Too much money, too much hassle, too much everything?
Well, you’ve got company.
Americans are having second thoughts about their summer vacations, according to Stephen Day, director of Virginia Commonwealth University Center for Economic Education.
“People think their vacation dollars won’t take them very far,” he says.
A new survey finds that more than half of Americans are cutting back their summer travel plans, spurred by economic worries and price increases.
Should they? The answer is yes — and no. There’s no requirement to take a summer vacation. But there are also good — and not so good — reasons to cancel this year’s summer vacation.
You don’t have to take a vacation this summer
You may feel some pressure to go somewhere this summer, but experts say that’s nonsense.
“There’s nothing wrong with staying home,” says Susan Sherren, who runs Couture Trips. “I respect a client who says, ‘We just can’t afford a trip this year.’ I appreciate that kind of honesty. Financial stress can spoil a vacation.”
The best reason to postpone or cancel a summer vacation is your personal circumstances — health issues, job loss, or personal crises. Friends and family can put a lot of pressure on you to go somewhere. Maybe there’s that moment next to the water cooler after Labor Day where you’re comparing your vacation stories with your colleagues, and maybe it fills you with dread.
So I’ll let you off the hook. If someone gives you an eye-roll when you admit you stayed home this summer, show them this column. Read Sherren’s quote. Hold your head high, my friend.
Summer vacation is not mandatory.
Here’s why you should cancel your summer vacation
There are legitimate reasons to call off your summer vacation.
It’s too expensive
Face it, traveling this summer is far from affordable. Airfares and hotel rates are trending higher in many popular places. “It’s massively expensive,” says Sarah Davies, who works for a nonprofit organization in Washington, D.C. She’s thinking of canceling her summer trip to Italy. “Is it a wise use of our finances?” she wonders. (Typically, if you have to ask that question, you already know the answer, which is to cancel.)
It’s too crowded
Crowds will probably be a serious problem this summer. Maria Szandrach has already canceled her summer vacation in Portugal. “I had everything planned — days wandering through Lisbon’s historic streets, exploring the stunning cliffs in the Algarve, and indulging in way too many pastéis de nata,” says Szandrach, who runs a technology company in San Francisco. “But after reading about how crowded things were going to be, I decided to cancel.” She says she didn’t want to spend her entire vacation “packed like a sardine at every major site.” And that’s a legitimate concern.
It’s too dangerous
Sebastian Garrido, a marketing manager for a tour operator based in Mexico City, says he’s canceled his summer vacation to visit his family in northern Mexico because he’s worried about security. “Northern Mexico is not the safest place,” he says. That may be an understatement. The U.S. State Department has warned of gun battles, murder, armed robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, forced disappearances, extortion, and sexual assault along parts of the border with the U.S.. Better choose a safer summer vacation destination.
Bad reasons to cancel your summer vacation
But there are also reasons people are calling off their summer vacation that don’t really hold up. Those include:
“I can’t leave my pet alone”
Oh, for heaven’s sake! Get a friend to stop by your place to feed or walk your dog, or to house sit while you’re away, and enjoy a little time off. If you can’t bear to part with your furry friend, then find a pet-friendly summer vacation.
“I’m too busy for a vacation”
What nonsense! If you don’t take a little time off, you’re going to burn out. Everyone needs a little downtime away from the phone and laptop and spent with friends or family. You have to make the time.
“I’m not a good traveler”
Guess what? No one is a good traveler. Travel is uncomfortable, expensive and inconvenient — but once you get to your destination, it’s usually worth it. So don’t give me any excuses about being a bad traveler, please.
Your voice matters
🖐️ Your voice matters
Are you having second thoughts about your summer vacation this year? What are your biggest concerns—cost, crowds, or something else?
And what do you think is the best reason to cancel a trip?
Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Warning: If you cancel your vacation, you will have to deal with this
If you decide to cancel your summer vacation plans, be prepared for a few things. First, there will be fallout from the rest of your family or travel companions, who were really looking forward to seeing Rome or Lisbon this summer. You may have to promise them a do-over during the fall, when travel will be less expensive and crowded, so that’s a real win-win.
But second, and equally important, is that you could face some steep cancellation penalties. If you’ve already prepaid for airfare and hotels, you may lose some money. (That’s one reason I sometimes recommend travel insurance, especially “cancel for any reason” travel insurance. Because stuff happens.)
I’m having second thoughts about my summer travels, too. I’m currently in Germany and headed to Greece next week. I’m trying to avoid the popular places, and I’m staying flexible just in case things take a turn for the worse.
You never know.
The smart traveler’s guide to canceling a vacation
1
Review your policies first
Before you do anything, read the cancellation policies for your flights, hotels, and tours. Pay close attention to deadlines and non-refundable clauses.
2
Contact vendors immediately
The sooner you notify companies of your cancellation, the better your chances of a refund. Use email to create a written record of your request.
3
Understand your refund options
Companies may offer a cash refund, a future travel credit, or a voucher. Know the difference and the expiration dates for any credits offered.
4
File a travel insurance claim
If you have travel insurance and are canceling for a covered reason (like a medical issue), start the claims process right away. Be prepared to provide documentation.
There’s a moment just before every journey begins that feels suspended in time. You close the suitcase. You glance at your boarding pass. The world feels wide open—inviting, electric, full of possibility.
For many travelers, the promise of summer is just that: the sea’s shimmer, the deep blue stretch of sky, stars twinkling above a quiet beach, or the crisp air at the summit of a long-awaited mountain climb. This is the season for new landscapes, new languages, and unforgettable stories.
And yet, seasoned travelers know that while spontaneity adds magic to any adventure, preparation adds freedom. That’s where travel health insurance—and more specifically, Dunav Insurance Company’s policy—comes in.
“Travel health insurance provides protection against unforeseen medical expenses due to injury or health problems that may occur during a trip or stay abroad,” explains Ljubomir Zec, Director of Internal and External Sales at Dunav Insurance Company. “Our travel health insurance policy covers the costs of sudden and urgent medical interventions, outpatient and inpatient treatment, necessary medication, and transportation to the nearest medical facility.”
It’s a practical consideration, certainly. But it’s also a mindset. A traveler who is covered travels differently—more boldly, more fully. There’s a confidence in knowing you’re not navigating the unexpected alone.
Travel insurance. Photo credit: Shutterstock
What sets Dunav’s travel policy apart is its combination of ease, speed, and digital accessibility. In a few taps, on a smartphone or computer, the entire process is complete—no lines, no delays.
“Purchasing a travel health insurance policy online is quick and easy,” says Zec. “No matter where you are—at home on your computer, out on the street, or even in your car—you can complete this important policy in just a few minutes. Simply enter the details from your travel documents, along with your destination and trip duration, and you’ll not only be covered but also enjoy a 10% discount on your premium.”
For those who have experienced a sudden illness or injury while abroad, the importance of 24/7 access to reliable support cannot be overstated. Dunav’s dedicated Contact Center—reachable at +381 11 36 36 940—offers real-time assistance, day or night.
“Our friendly operators will provide all the necessary information and guidance to help ease your situation,” Zec says. He notes that coverage can reach up to €35,000 for a modest premium. “If you’re unable to get in touch with our center at a critical moment, be sure to keep all medical records and receipts. This way, upon your return, you can claim reimbursement for expenses covered under your travel health insurance policy.”
That blend of accessibility, financial protection, and customer care is the reason more and more travelers are making room in their itinerary for one essential extra: a Dunav travel health insurance policy.
Because while it can’t predict the unexpected, it ensures that when it happens—you’re ready.
To learn more or secure your policy before you travel, visit Dunav Insurance online or contact their dedicated team at +381 800 386 286 (toll-free in Serbia).
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