I think it’s a rhetorical question

This card is already DOA, but I suspect Citi doesn’t really care

I suspect you are right about Citi NOT caring. Otherwise, knowing what the competitors (CSR, Amex Plat, etc.) already offer, how can they launch something like this to the pack? I wouldn't have minded a lower SUB if the benefits were worthwhile to keep (I am not a churner).

LAX

Corporations don't have feelings, but the product manager will care because her bonus and prospects will be affected. This product would have been designed some time before the Sapphire Reserve refresh was announced, and based on the amount of negative reaction to that, there may still be an opening for Citi. Some previous Citi product launches appear to have been subsidized by MasterCard, which could make a product profitable even if it is panned online.

To mia’s point, this card has been in the works for a bit, and I certainly understand Citi’s unwillingness to care. However, I’m curious how much and/or quickly a bank can pivot - whether it’s this particular example for Citibank or any other card launch for that matter. Meaning that if a card is rumored to come out with a certain set of benefits, and the general reaction of the rumored/anticipated release seems to be negative, can they adjust things before official launch? I assume the answer is no as websites, publications, training, etc. all need to be built and finalized, but I wonder if any room is left for that.

I realize a small subset of the population is on FlyerTalk so they may not care about our reactions (positive or negative), but part of that subset are bloggers who are needed to push and support their products.

Citi doesn’t need to worry about that- the bloggers who have affiliate links will push the new card regardless of how they feel about it

The PP landing page is up:

https://www.prioritypass.com/citistrataelite

Because it does not appear that physical PP cards will be sent out, I’m curious if AUs will be able to register for their own digital membership cards, since it appears the memberships are now tied to the credit card number (and Citi AUs do not have unique card numbers)

Typical churners will be able to justify the need of this card cause the opening sub still covers the annual fee beyond the annual benefits. It's those of us who don't churn as much or who want to keep a card for long duration of use instead of always playing the game that are the ones who are not impressed. As for bloggers, they need the $ so they will support it no matter what (plus the math still works with the opening sub, you just cancel it a year later).

Perhaps that will change for this card, as it reportedly has for Chase's Sapphire Reserve.

Unique AU Account Numbers

When compared to CSR before its recent refresh, this card would be even less appealing (I don't remember many of the "enhancements" on the CSR, but I think it's overall negative). Thus, there wasn't even an intent compete. I feel Chase closed the gap a bit with the refresh, which might give CSE an opening. Perhaps Citi saw the general trend of watered down benefits, more coupons, and higher fees, which then designed this card with those factors in mind.

LAX

Applications for the card are now open. https://www.citi.com/credit-cards/ci...te-credit-card

AA miles from Citi points listed under transfer partners.
However, I don't see it available under my Strata Premier currently and a comment mentioned not showing under Prestige either.
Could be "value add" to make this card more desirable

It might be best to wait a day or two to see if the partner list on thankyou.com simply hasn't been updated yet. It's probably also best to verify that transfers are indeed 1:1 and points earned on other cards can be pooled/transferred via holding the Strata Elite.

AA transfers live at 1:1. Also available to Strata Premier and Prestige.
BTW - any Citi banker want to send me a link for the 100K version of Strata Elite application?

Probably just Citi IT being idiosyncratic but on their app my combined Premier/DC TYP account shows 0 points to transfer despite a healthy balance to any transfer partner. The full website however allows me to transfer the full balance to any partner including AA so at least for now no gate-keeping on the source of the points (for better and worse).

In other news was putting some finishing touches on a trip to Greenland and another to New Zealand the last few days and I was reminded of just how great the Prestige is. I found a hotel in NZ that I wanted that was cheaper on the Citi portal than elsewhere (by a nominal amount) saving me about $250 with fourth night free (also 10x on portal) and all the activities I booked in Greenland were coding as travel agencies (pretty common in my experience) so earned 5x on them. Please, please Citi let me keep this card.

Good news is TPG is reporting no forced conversions for Prestige cardholders. I assume they are getting this info from Citi.