pointstopictures If you’re into earning credit card rewards, you should know about Citi’s 48-month rule. This rule affects how often you can get sign-up bonuses on Citi cards, especially those earning ThankYou points and American Airlines AAdvantage miles. Knowing how it works can help you plan your applications and maximize rewards.
What’s the Citi 48-Month Rule?
Basically, if you got a welcome bonus on a Citi card, you have to wait 48 months before you can get another bonus on that same card. The good news? Each card is counted separately. So, if you get a bonus on one Citi card, you can still qualify for a different Citi card’s bonus right away.
Unlike some banks, Citi doesn’t care if you open or close a card—only when you last received a bonus matters.
Which Citi cards are affected by the 48 months rule?
Some of the popular Citi cards that follow this rule include:
- Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
- Citi Rewards+® Card
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
- Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard®
Example of How This Works
Let’s say you got a sign-up bonus on the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card on August 30, 2020. That means you have to wait until August 31, 2024 or later to be eligible for another sign-up bonus on that same card. Even if you closed the card in 2022, the 48-month clock still goes by when you last got the bonus, not when you closed the account.
How to Figure Out If You’re Eligible
Not sure when you got your last Citi bonus? Here’s how you can check:
- Search your email – Citi usually sends an email like “Congrats on earning your bonus!” when your points or miles post. This is the easiest way to track it.
- Check your Citi account – Look at old statements to see when the bonus hit your account.
- Call Citi customer service – A rep might be able to tell you your bonus history.
- Use a spreadsheet – If you have multiple cards, keep track of when you applied, earned bonuses, and closed them. It’ll save you time later!
Does This Apply to Business Cards?
Yes! Citi’s 48-month rule applies to business credit cards too. However, if you own multiple businesses with different Employer Identification Numbers (EINs), you might be able to get bonuses for each business separately.
Key Takeaways
- The Citi 48-month rule applies to most Citi travel and rewards cards.
- The clock starts from when you got the last bonus, not when you opened or closed the card.
- You can still earn bonuses on different Citi cards even if you have one open.
- Business cards follow the same rule, but separate businesses might qualify individually.
Bottom Line
Citi’s 48-month rule is something to keep in mind if you love earning credit card rewards. While it means waiting a while before getting the same bonus again, it’s still simpler than some other bank rules. Keep track of your bonus history, and you’ll be able to plan your next Citi card strategy like a pro!
