{"id":279017,"date":"2026-09-25T18:16:04","date_gmt":"2026-09-25T18:16:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/?p=279017\/"},"modified":"2026-09-25T18:16:04","modified_gmt":"2026-09-25T18:16:04","slug":"citi-introduces-once-per-lifetime-language-on-select-cards-what-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/credit-cards\/citi-thankyou-rewards\/once-per-lifetime-rule\/","title":{"rendered":"Citi Introduces Once-Per-Lifetime Language on Select Cards \u2014 What To Know"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>American Express set the trend for &#8220;lifetime rules&#8221; on credit card welcome offers, and Citi now seems to be following suit. As <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.doctorofcredit.com\/contact-us\/#comment-2417145\" rel=\"noopener\">first flagged on Doctor of Credit<\/a>, Citi has changed the eligibility rules on its Strata family of cards, moving from a 48-month policy to a once-per-lifetime policy.<\/p>\n<p>This means that if you have ever earned a welcome bonus on select cards, you can no longer get it again. Here's what to know.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Citi_Adds_Once-Per-Lifetime_Rule\">Citi Adds Once-Per-Lifetime Rule<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Citi's Strata-branded card offer language previously said you could be eligible for the welcome bonus once every 48 months. However, the terms and conditions on all three cards have changed.<\/p>\n<p>At the time of publishing, the offer terms on the Citi Strata Elite state:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em>&#8220;New account bonus offer is not available if you currently have or previously had a Citi Strata Elite<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> account. You also may not be eligible for the new account bonus offer based on a number of factors, such as your history of opening, closing and using credit cards.\u200b&#8221;<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>We are seeing this new language on all three\u00a0cards in the Citi Strata family &#8212; each of which offers a solid welcome bonus for new cardholders:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong><a data-ccid=\"241\" href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/credit-cards\/citi-thankyou-rewards\/citi-strata-card\/\">Citi Strata\u2120 Card<\/a>:<\/strong> Earn 20,000 bonus Points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.<\/li>\n<li><strong><a data-ccid=\"520083\" href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/credit-cards\/citi-thankyou-rewards\/citi-strata-premier\/\">Citi Strata Premier<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> Card<\/a>:<\/strong> Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.<\/li>\n<li><strong><a data-ccid=\"242\" href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/credit-cards\/citi-thankyou-rewards\/citi-strata-elite-offer\/\">Citi Strata Elite\u2120 Card<\/a>:<\/strong> Earn 75,000 bonus Points after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months of account opening. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"compare-cards-wrap compare-count-cards-3 compare-p-citi\"><div class=\"compare-card\"><div class=\"compare-pre\"><div class=\"compare-image\"><div><img data-aspectratio=\"150\/94\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/CardArt-CitiStrataCard.png\" width=\"150\" alt=\"Citi Strata\u2120 Card\" \/ class=\"lazyload\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"compare-name\">Citi Strata\u2120 Card<\/div><div class=\"compare-offer\"><strong>Welcome Bonus<\/strong> Earn 20,000 bonus Points after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months of account opening.<\/div><\/div><div class=\"compare-apply\"><a class=\"btn-use qs-apply-now\" title='Citi Strata\u2120 Card' data-ccid=\"241\" data-exit=\"ccw\" href=\"\/blog\/link\/CitiStrataCard\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow sponsored\">Apply Now<\/a><\/div><div class=\"compare-fee-score\"><div class=\"compare-fee\"><strong>Annual Fee<\/strong><p>$0<span class=\"compare-terms\"><a data-ccid=\"241\" href=\"https:\/\/click.linksynergy.com\/fs-bin\/click?id=a3pDkecFgAg&offerid=1960645.4297&type=3&subid=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Rates & Fees<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div class=\"compare-rating compare-rating--0\"><strong>Credit Score<\/strong><p>Excellent, Good Credit<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"compare-earning\"><ul>\r\n  <li>5X \u2013 Earn 5 ThankYou<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> Points for each $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals and Attractions booked on Citi Travel\u2120 via cititravel.com<\/li>\r\n  <li>3X \u2013 Earn 3 ThankYou<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> Points for each $1 spent in an eligible Self-Select Category of your choice (Fitness Clubs, Select Streaming Services, Live Entertainment, Cosmetic Stores\/Barber Shops\/Hair Salons, or Pet Supply Stores). Choose your eligible Self-Select Category on Citi Online or by calling customer service. The default Self-Select Category is Select Streaming Services.<\/li>\r\n  <li>3X \u2013 Earn 3 ThankYou<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> Points per $1 spent at Supermarkets<\/li>\r\n  <li>3X \u2013 Earn 3 ThankYou<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> Points per $1 spent on Select Transit purchases<\/li>\r\n  <li>3X \u2013 Earn 3 ThankYou<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> Points per $1 spent at Gas and EV Charging Stations<\/li>\r\n  <li>2X \u2013 Earn 2 ThankYou<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> Points per $1 spent at Restaurants<\/li>\r\n  <li>1X \u2013 Earn 1 ThankYou<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> Point per $1 spent on All Other Purchases<\/li>\r\n<\/ul><\/div><\/div><div class=\"compare-card\"><div class=\"compare-pre\"><div class=\"compare-image\"><div><img src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/cdn.nextinsure.com\/imaging\/opt\/11937075.png\" width=\"150\" alt=\"Citi Strata Premier\u00ae Card\" \/ class=\"lazyload\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"compare-name\">Citi Strata Premier<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> Card<\/div><div class=\"compare-offer\"><strong>Welcome Offer<\/strong>\r\nEarn 60,000 bonus ThankYou<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.<\/div><\/div><div class=\"compare-apply\"><a class=\"btn-use qs-apply-now\" title='Citi Strata Premier\u00ae Card' data-ccid=\"520083\" data-exit=\"ccw\" href=\"\/blog\/link\/CR-CitiPremierCard\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow sponsored\">Apply Now<\/a><\/div><div class=\"compare-fee-score\"><div class=\"compare-fee\"><strong>Annual Fee<\/strong><p>$95<span class=\"compare-terms\"><a data-ccid=\"520083\" href=\"https:\/\/click.linksynergy.com\/fs-bin\/click?id=a3pDkecFgAg&offerid=1978593.4328&type=3&subid=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Rates & Fees<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div class=\"compare-rating compare-rating--5\"><strong>Credit Score<\/strong><p>Excellent, Good<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"compare-earning\"><ul>\r\n<li>10X on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked through CitiTravel.com<\/li>\r\n<li>3X \u2013 Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases<\/li>\r\n<li>3X \u2013 Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Restaurants<\/li>\r\n<li>3X \u2013 Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Supermarkets<\/li>\r\n<li>3X \u2013 Earn 3 Points per $1 spent on Gas and EV Charging Stations <\/li>\r\n<li>1X \u2013 Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on All Other Purchases<\/li>\r\n<\/ul><\/div><\/div><div class=\"compare-card\"><div class=\"compare-pre\"><div class=\"compare-image\"><div><img data-aspectratio=\"150\/95\" src=\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/CardArt-CitiStrataEliteCard.png\" width=\"150\" alt=\"Citi Strata Elite\u2120 Card\" \/ class=\"lazyload\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"compare-name\">Citi Strata Elite\u2120 Card<\/div><div class=\"compare-offer\"><strong>Welcome Bonus<\/strong> Earn 75,000 bonus Points after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months of account opening. <\/div><\/div><div class=\"compare-apply\"><a class=\"btn-use qs-apply-now\" title='Citi Strata Elite\u2120 Card' data-ccid=\"242\" data-exit=\"ccw\" href=\"\/blog\/link\/CitiStrataElite?var2=ccid~242\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow sponsored\">Apply Now<\/a><\/div><div class=\"compare-fee-score\"><div class=\"compare-fee\"><strong>Annual Fee<\/strong><p>$595<span class=\"compare-terms\"><a data-ccid=\"242\" href=\"https:\/\/click.linksynergy.com\/fs-bin\/click?id=a3pDkecFgAg&offerid=1978593.4347&type=3&subid=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Rates & Fees<\/a><\/span><\/p><\/div><div class=\"compare-rating compare-rating--0\"><strong>Credit Score<\/strong><p>Excellent<\/p><\/div><\/div><div class=\"compare-earning\"><ul>\r\n<li>12X \u2013 Earn 12 Points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on cititravel.com.<\/li>\r\n<li>6X \u2013 Earn 6 Points per $1 spent on Air Travel booked on cititravel.com.<\/li>\r\n<li>6X \u2013 Earn 6 Points per $1 spent at Restaurants including Restaurant Delivery Services on CitiNights\u2120 purchases, every Friday and Saturday from 6 PM to 6 AM ET. Earn 3 Points per $1 spent any other time.<\/li>\r\n<li>1.5X \u2013 Earn 1.5 Points per $1 spent on All Other Purchases.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<p>Luckily, the restrictive language appears to apply to each Strata card independently. That means prospective cardholders can earn the bonus on all three Strata cards available \u2014 but only once each.<\/p>\n<p>This update seems to affect only the Strata family of cards. Other Citi cards, like the <a data-ccid=\"3002009\" href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/credit-cards\/citi-thankyou-rewards\/citi-double-cash-card\/\">Citi Double Cash<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> Card<\/a>, still show the following:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em>&#8220;Bonus ThankYou<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> Points are not available if you have received a new account bonus for a Citi Double Cash account in the past 48 months or if you converted another Citi credit card account on which you earned a new account bonus in the last 48 months into a Citi Double Cash account.&#8221;<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>This is somewhat of a silver lining, but it's unclear how long it will last.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"How_these_new_limitations_compare_to_other_card_issuers\">How these new limitations compare to other card issuers<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>American Express led the way on <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/news\/amex-membership-rewards\/amex-once-per-lifetime-rule-changes\/\" rel=\"noopener\">card bonus restrictions<\/a>. Many of its cards include similar language indicating you can earn the welcome bonus only once. However, reports suggest American Express considers a &#8220;lifetime&#8221; to be around seven years, so we aren't sure whether that will be the case for Citi as well.<\/p>\n<p>If so, Citi moving from a 4-year policy to a 7-year policy would sting. But if it's truly once per lifetime, that makes it much more challenging to <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/credit-cards\/citi-thankyou-rewards\/how-to-earn-citi-points\/\" rel=\"noopener\">earn Citi ThankYou<sup>\u00ae<\/sup> Points<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Chase has also added restrictive language to both the <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/credit-cards\/chase-ultimate-rewards\/application-rules-sapphire-cards\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Sapphire<\/a> and <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/news\/chase-ultimate-rewards\/ink-bonus-restrictions\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Ink<\/a> card families. This is an unfortunate trend for award travelers looking to earn and burn points as quickly as possible, and it's disappointing news for those planning to reapply for Strata cards 48 months after they last earned a welcome bonus.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Related<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/credit-cards\/rewards-card-application-rules\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Understanding Rewards Credit Card Application Rules and Restrictions<\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Bottom_Line\">Bottom Line<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>If you have gotten a welcome offer on one or more Citi Strata cards in the past, it appears you will no longer be able to get one again \u2014 even if you have since canceled the card. Citi is just the latest example of banks tightening their rules around earning points and miles, making award travel even more elusive.<\/p>\n<p>With these new restrictions, you might consider waiting to apply for one of these cards until there's a <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/credit-cards\/citi-credit-card-offer-history\/\" rel=\"noopener\">best-ever offer<\/a> on the table.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ftoc\"><div id=\"toc_container\" class=\"toc_light_blue no_bullets\"><p class=\"toc_title\">Page Contents<\/p><ul class=\"toc_list\"><li><a href=\"#Citi_Adds_Once-Per-Lifetime_Rule\">Citi Adds Once-Per-Lifetime Rule<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#How_these_new_limitations_compare_to_other_card_issuers\">How these new limitations compare to other card issuers<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#Bottom_Line\">Bottom Line<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Citi has added new language to the terms and conditions for earning a welcome offer on select cards. Instead of a 48-month policy, Citi is moving to once-per-lifetime policy. Here&#8217;s which cards are impacted.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":94,"featured_media":223132,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_wpscppro_dont_share_socialmedia":false,"_wpscppro_custom_social_share_image":0,"_facebook_share_type":"","_twitter_share_type":"","_linkedin_share_type":"","_pinterest_share_type":"","_linkedin_share_type_page":"","_instagram_share_type":"","_medium_share_type":"","_threads_share_type":"","_google_business_share_type":"","_bluesky_share_type":"","_mastodon_share_type":"","_selected_social_profile":[],"_wpsp_enable_custom_social_template":false,"_wpsp_social_scheduling":{"enabled":false,"datetime":null,"platforms":[],"status":"template_only","dateOption":"","timeOption":"","customDays":"","customHours":"","customDate":"","customTime":"","schedulingType":""},"_wpsp_active_default_template":true},"categories":[12069],"tags":[12707,12785],"coauthors":[36490],"class_list":["post-279017","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-citi-thankyou-rewards","tag-citibank"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/279017","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/94"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=279017"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/279017\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":279251,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/279017\/revisions\/279251"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/223132"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=279017"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=279017"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=279017"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=279017"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}