Citi Launches Strata Elite Card to Redefine Premium Experience for Rewards Cardmembers
Citi has unveiled its new flagship offering, the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card, a premium credit card designed for frequent travelers and dining enthusiasts, with perks built in for American Airlines’ travelers. This new card joins the Citi Strata Card and Citi Strata Premier Card to complete Citi’s curated family of rewards cards. The Strata Elite stands out by offering 12x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions, 6x points on air travel through Citi Travel, and bonus rewards for dining in the evenings on Fridays and Saturdays. Cardmembers can unlock up to $1,500 in annual value through a variety of high-end travel, dining, and lifestyle perks.
Citi Head of U.S. Branded Cards & Lending Pam Habner said, “The new Citi Strata Elite Card is the smart choice for savvy premium cardmembers who want to earn high rewards on travel and dining while still earning generously on every dollar spent. You shouldn’t need a math degree and a spreadsheet to track your credit card benefits! We have curated flexible lifestyle benefits that we know our customers will want to use—because we asked them what they value. And, this is the only branded credit card that has American Airlines benefits built right into the card.”
Recognizing the growing demand for customizable benefits, Citi built the Strata Elite Card with flexibility in mind. Cardholders receive up to $300 off hotel bookings each year, $200 in Splurge Credits with brands like Best Buy and Live Nation, $200 in Blacklane chauffeur credits, and up to $120 reimbursement for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry. For American Airlines travelers, the card includes four Admirals Club passes and points transfer to AAdvantage miles, bringing enhanced value and convenience to the airline’s loyal flyers. Citi’s research shows premium users highly value personalization, which is why these features are structured to match a variety of lifestyles. With a $595 annual fee, the Citi Strata Elite Card also includes Priority Pass Select membership, exclusive hotel perks via The Reserve by Citi Travel, and Mastercard’s new World Legend benefits.
Learn more here.
Guthrie’s Celebrates 60 Years With $6 Box Combo
Guthrie’s is celebrating its 60th anniversary on July 31st, 2025. To commemorate six decades of serving up its signature Southern-style chicken, Guthrie’s is offering its iconic Original Box Combo for just $6 (tax included) for one day only. The offer is available in-store at participating locations nationwide and serves as a thank-you to the brand’s loyal fans who have supported it over the years. Founded in 1965 in Haleyville, Alabama, by Hal Guthrie, the restaurant pioneered the concept of a chicken finger–focused eatery. In 1968, Guthrie perfected his golden fried chicken recipe, and by 1978, introduced the Original Box, a now-famous combination of chicken fingers, crinkle-cut fries, coleslaw, Texas toast, and the brand’s signature sauce. After expanding to college towns like Auburn and Athens, Guthrie’s became the first official chicken finger restaurant. Today, the brand operates over 70 locations in 11 states, with plans to grow in 2025 and beyond.
Guthrie’s CEO Joe Kelly said, “My family and I are honored and blessed to have been bestowed with this incredible brand and concept. We are so thankful for our fans that have supported us over the last 60 years!”
As part of its anniversary celebration, Guthrie’s has launched a new creative campaign titled “The Original Obsession,” developed in partnership with Nashville agency GS&F. The campaign features Guthrie’s “Super Fan,” highlighting the mutual obsession between the brand and its customers. Through modern marketing channels like programmatic ads and social media, the campaign was designed to bring Guthrie’s timeless appeal to a new generation of chicken lovers.
Watch this engaging FB video to get a glimpse of The Original Obsession campaign.
White Castle Partners With Coco Robotics and Uber Eats to Enhance the Customer Experience With Robotic Deliveries
White Castle has teamed up with Coco Robotics and Uber Eats to introduce robotic food delivery in Chicago, marking the fast-food chain’s first venture into autonomous delivery. This partnership reflects White Castle’s continued focus on innovation and efficient service. The initiative leverages Coco’s zero-emission robots within the Uber Eats platform to reduce parking lot congestion and accelerate order fulfillment without compromising the customer experience. The effort also signals Coco’s growing influence in urban areas, as the company expands its presence across major U.S. cities.
White Castle VP of Operations Chris Shaffery said, “This partnership is about driving smarter operations where it matters most. By testing Coco’s robots at a high-traffic location, we’re seeking to ease congestion, speed up service, and allow our team to stay focused on quality – helping us serve more customers, more efficiently.”
Coco’s delivery robots, which have already completed more than 500,000 emissions-free trips in cities like Los Angeles, Miami, and Helsinki, are designed specifically for navigating dense urban terrain. The compact, AI-driven bots are already operational in Chicago and have proven reliable across challenging weather conditions. By introducing them to a high-volume location, the brand hopes to streamline operations and allow staff to remain focused on food quality. The technical integration supporting this initiative is powered by Checkmate, which connects White Castle’s menu, in-store POS, and Uber Eats in real time. This ensures smooth order management and provides visibility into each delivery via the Checkmate portal. Uber Eats, with its expanding focus on autonomous delivery, emphasizes that the process is simple for both customers and restaurants. Customers will receive alerts when a Coco robot arrives, unlock the delivery container via the app, and retrieve their food, without added steps, tips, or fees.
Original Article Links:
Citi Launches the Citi Strata Elite Credit Card
Guthrie's Celebrates 60th Anniversary on July 31st with $6 Original Box Combo
White Castle Partners with Coco Robotics to Launch Autonomous Deliveries