Tried the Citi strata elite card for lounge access, here's the quirky perk I didn't expect.

I just got the Citi Strata Elite card and was curious about its Priority Pass lounge access. Turns out, there’s a pretty cool twist, you don’t actually need the physical Priority Pass card to get in. You can just flash the Strata Elite card itself at most lounges. That felt super convenient, especially when I forgot to pack my digital PP card before heading overseas.

But here’s the catch: outside the U.S., not all lounge staff recognize this perk. I ended up downloading the Priority Pass QR code to my phone just in case. Still, for a card that already includes a $300 hotel credit and four Admirals Club passes, the included lounge access feels like a solid bonus.