Citi Introduces “Once Per Lifetime Language” for Strata Cards, Replaced 1/48 Rule

Citi has suddenly changed its welcome bonus eligibility terms, introducing AmEx-style “once-in-a-lifetime” language. Here’s an example from the Citi Strata Premier:

New account bonus offer is not available if you currently have or previously had a Citi Strata Premier® or a Citi Premier® 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.

This new “once-in-a-lifetime” restriction replaces the previous Citi 1/48 rule, which required you to wait 48 months after receiving a welcome bonus before earning another bonus on the same card.

For now, the new terms only affect the Strata lineup:

Other Citi cards are not affected at this time.

Currently, this once-in-a-lifetime restriction is card-specific: holding or having held one Strata card does not affect your welcome bonus eligibility for the other cards in the lineup.

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