10xTravel is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. This site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. All values of Membership Rewards are assigned based on the assumption, experience and opinions of the 10xTravel team and represent an estimate and not an actual value of points. Estimated value is not a fixed value and may not be the typical value enjoyed by card members.
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All information about the Citi Double Cash® Card has been collected independently by 10xTravel.
Citi has quietly added lifetime language to its Citi Strata Premier® Card and Citi Strata Elite℠ Card. This means that if you have ever received a welcome bonus on either of these cards before, you are no longer eligible to earn the bonus again. The rule applies even if you no longer hold the card. This is a big deal for points and miles collectors who were planning to reapply for one of these cards to grab a new welcome bonus.
The exact language now states that you cannot earn a new welcome bonus on the Strata Premier or Strata Elite if you have received a bonus on either card in the past. Citi has used lifetime language on other cards before, like the Citi Double Cash® Card, but this is the first time it has applied to these travel-focused cards. If you were thinking about applying, check your records first to see if you ever earned a bonus on a Strata card.
There is no word yet on what lifetime may mean for Citi either. It is generally considered to be 7 years for Amex so it is reasonable to expect it will be similar here but we will have to wait for more information and data points.
Earn 60,000
bonus ThankYou® 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.
Annual Fee: $95
Earn 75,000
bonus Points
after spending $6,000 in the first 3 months of account opening
Annual Fee: $595
Our Take
This move by Citi is frustrating for anyone who collects points and miles. Lifetime language is one of the harshest restrictions a card issuer can put in place because it permanently locks you out of future bonuses. Unlike Chase’s 48-month rule or Amex’s once-per-lifetime rule that has some workarounds, Citi’s policy here leaves very little room to work with.
If you have never held a Strata Premier or Strata Elite before, now is the time to seriously consider applying before terms get even stricter. The welcome bonuses on these cards can be worth hundreds of dollars in travel. Do not wait. Citi ThankYou points are valuable, and locking in a bonus now is the smart move for anyone building a points and miles strategy in 2026.
New to the world of points and miles? The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is the best card to start with.
With a bonus of Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. , 5x points on travel booked through the Chase TravelSM Portal and 3x points on restaurants, streaming services, and online groceries (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs), this card truly cannot be beat for getting started!
Editors Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
10xTravel is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. This site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. All values of Membership Rewards are assigned based on the assumption, experience and opinions of the 10xTravel team and represent an estimate and not an actual value of points. Estimated value is not a fixed value and may not be the typical value enjoyed by card members.
Editors Note: Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
bonus cash back
after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
earn 75K bonus miles miles
once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening.
bonus points
after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
Membership Rewards® Points
after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
