Citi Strata Premier approved after getting “application pending review” (Feb. 2026)

My experience applying for the Citi Strata Premier is very similar to what I shared when I applied for the Custom Cash (DP here).

Here's where my credit profile stood before applying for the card:

• Credit Score: 823 (VantageScore 3.0 using Equifax data)
• Credit limit: $71,010 on 5 accounts.
• Total Hard Inquiries: 1, December 29, 2025 for Custom Cash. (Citi only pulled transunion)
  • Currently standing at 1/6, 1/12, 1/24
• Recent Account: Citi Custom Cash
• Credit usage: 2% (Purposely set a cap of 1-2% across all 5 accounts)
• AAoA: 11 Years, 1 Months
• Age of Oldest Account: 22 Years, 5 Months (BoA account that was closed in good standing in 2022, still on report)
• Existing Citi Relationship: Yes, Citi Double Cashback (Age: 20yrs, 5mos) & Custom Cash (Age: 1 month)

Here's a timeline of the events from applying for the card and also getting a replacement card too:

• Feb. 10 – Applied online, instantly giving "application pending review"
• Feb. 17 – Letter comes in the mail. Use this information to confirm I actually applied for this card. Approved with a CL of $11000
• Feb. 25 – Get a text notification that the card is at my local post office. I anticipated it would arrive the same day, because I signed up for 'informed delivery' that scans mail going out the same day. Still, no card arrived.
• Mar. 02 – Still no card. I call CS and go through the voice automated prompts to request a replacement.
• Mar. 05 – I can no longer access my online account. I'm instantly met with a prompt to verify my new card. This is the card that never arrived. I decided to wait till i get my replacement card before calling CS.
• Mar. 09 – Replacement card arrives and I activate online. I still can't access my online account due to the prompt requesting I activate the old, never received card. I call CS and they were able to resolve the issue by removing the old card from my account.