The welcome bonus is a crucial factor to consider when choosing a new credit card. For many cards, the initial offer accounts for a significant portion of the first-year value, making it essential to time your application strategically.
Most credit cards, including those from Citi, offer varying welcome bonuses for new cardholders. To help you make an informed decision, we have compiled a list of the most popular Citi ThankYou points-earning cards and their corresponding welcome offers.
When considering a Citi card, it's essential to factor in the 48-month rule for earning welcome bonuses. If you've previously earned a welcome bonus on most of its cards, you'll have to wait 48 months to earn a welcome bonus again.
Below, we've listed the best Citi card welcome offers, along with our recommendations for when to apply.
<strong>Citi Strata Elite Card</strong>
Best welcome offer we've seen: Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening (must apply in person at a Citi branch).
When to apply: The best time to apply for the Citi Strata Elite is when the card is offering 100,000 points or more.
<strong>Citi Strata Premier Card</strong>
Best welcome offer we've seen: Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
When to apply: The best time to apply for the Citi Strata Premier is when the card is offering 70,000 points or more.
<strong>Citi Strata Card</strong>
Best welcome offer we've seen: Earn 30,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
When to apply: When the bonus offer is 30,000 points or higher.
<strong>Citi Double Cash Card</strong>
Best welcome offer we've seen: Earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first six months of account opening.
When to apply: Since this card has previously lacked a welcome offer, we recommend applying whenever it's offering a cash-back bonus.
When considering a new credit card, it's essential to ensure the welcome bonus is worth the application. By timing your application strategically and considering the 48-month rule, you can maximize your return and earn more Citi ThankYou Rewards points.
Be sure to reference this bonus history guide before choosing a new card.
