Citi bank cards: Greatest time to use primarily based on supply historical past

Metro Loud
13 Min Read


While you’re contemplating a brand new bank card, you will wish to issue within the worth of its welcome bonus. That is as a result of many welcome provides present a large chunk of a card’s first-year worth.

Most bank cards will sometimes supply elevated bonuses for brand new cardholders, which suggests the variety of factors you acquire upfront will differ. With Citi playing cards, that is no exception.

We have used TPG’s August 2025 valuations to find out the worth of all welcome bonuses on this article. Our valuations place Citi ThankYou Rewards factors at a price of 1.9 cents apiece.

So, you will wish to ensure you are getting probably the most you may along with your new card. If you wish to time your utility to safe a strong welcome bonus, you will wish to know the way the present supply compares to the cardboard’s historical past.

That is the place we are available in. We have collected all the data on Citi’s most profitable bonuses that can assist you choose the very best time to use.

Greatest Citi bank card welcome provides

Under, we have listed the preferred Citi playing cards with their finest welcome supply and our advice for when to use.

All these provides are publicly out there. Particular person, focused provides could also be greater than what we have compiled. And, these provides might change at any time, so a few of them might not be out there.

Lastly, you will wish to take into account Citi’s 48-month rule for incomes welcome bonuses. Should you’ve beforehand earned a welcome bonus on most of its playing cards, you will need to wait 48 months to earn a welcome bonus once more.

With that in thoughts, listed here are the very best Citi card welcome provides.

Reward your inbox with the TPG Day by day e-newsletter

Be a part of over 700,000 readers for breaking information, in-depth guides and unique offers from TPG’s consultants

Card Greatest welcome supply we have seen When to use
Citi Strata Elite℠ Card Earn 100,000 bonus factors after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening (should apply in particular person at a Citi department). Now’s the very best time to use for the reason that card options an elevated supply.
Citi Strata Premier® Card Earn 80,000 bonus factors after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. When the bonus supply is 70,000 factors or greater.
Citi Strata℠ Card Earn 30,000 bonus factors after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. Now’s the very best time to use for the reason that card options an elevated supply.
Citi Customized Money® Card Earn $200 money again after spending $1,500 on purchases within the first six months of account opening. When the bonus supply is $200 money again or greater.
Citi Double Money® Card Earn $200 money again after spending $1,500 on purchases within the first six months of account opening. If there may be any cash-back welcome supply.

The data for the Citi Customized Money has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.

Citi Strata Elite Card

The Citi Strata Elite is Citi’s newest entry into the premium journey card market. For a $595 annual price, it gives excessive incomes charges, helpful way of life credit and top-tier journey perks, making it a good selection for luxurious vacationers thinking about incomes Citi ThankYou Rewards factors.

Citi Strata Elite Credit Card art
THE POINTS GUY

For the reason that card was launched in July 2025, we have now seen two publicly out there provides. Nevertheless, one supply is unique to purposes acquired in particular person at a Citi department, whereas the opposite supply is on the market on-line.

  • In particular person at a Citi department: Earn 100,000 bonus factors after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. This supply is value $1,900.
  • On-line: Earn 80,000 bonus factors after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. This supply is value $1,520.

Highest welcome supply

The in-branch supply to earn 100,000 factors after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening is the very best we have seen on this card.

When to use

For the reason that Strata Elite was just lately launched, we advocate making use of now as a result of it options an elevated supply. Even if you cannot apply in particular person at a Citi department, the cardboard’s 80,000-bonus-point supply is an efficient one.


Be taught extra: Citi Strata Elite Card


Citi Strata Premier Card

The Citi Strata Premier is a strong journey card that includes glorious incomes charges and good perks for an inexpensive $95 annual price.

Citi Strata Premier card art
THE POINTS GUY
Approximate date Supply Worth
April 2025 to now Earn 60,000 bonus factors after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. $1,140
December 2024 to April 2025 Earn 75,000 bonus factors after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. $1,425
April 2023 to November 2024 Earn 70,000 bonus factors after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.

The next supply could also be out there at Citi.com.

$1,330
January 2023 to April 2023 Earn 60,000 bonus factors after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. $1,140
July 2022 to January 2023 Earn 80,000 bonus factors after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. $1,520
December 2021 to July 2022 Earn 60,000 bonus factors after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. $1,140

Highest welcome supply

We have seen this card supply as excessive as 80,000 bonus factors after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.

When to use

The most effective time to use for the Citi Strata Premier is any time the cardboard is providing 70,000 factors or greater.


Be taught extra: Citi Strata Premier Card


Citi Strata Card

The brand new Citi Strata Card earns bonus Citi ThankYou Rewards factors in quite a lot of classes for no annual price. It is a strong, easy rewards card good for freshmen or these searching for flexibility of their wallets.

Citi Strata Card card art
THE POINTS GUY

This card was launched just lately, so we have not seen a couple of bonus supply. The present supply gives new cardholders with 30,000 bonus factors after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.

This welcome supply is value $570.

Highest welcome supply

The very best welcome supply is the one bonus we have seen: Earn 30,000 bonus factors after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.

When to use

We advocate making use of now for the reason that card is new and options an elevated supply.


Be taught extra: Citi Strata Card


Citi Customized Money Card

With the Citi Customized Money, you will earn 5% money again on purchases in your high eligible spending class every billing cycle, as much as the primary $500 spent, and 1% money again after that. You may additionally earn limitless 1% money again on all different purchases, all for no annual price.

a hand holds a Citi Custom Cash card
THE POINTS GUY

We have solely seen one supply on this card since its launch, and it is the present bonus. New candidates to the Citi Customized Money can earn $200 money again after spending $1,500 on purchases within the first six months of account opening.

Highest welcome supply

The Citi Customized Money’s bonus has remained regular since its inception, so its highest supply is the present supply.

When to use

We advocate making use of for this card if it provides a limited-time, elevated supply. Nevertheless, we have by no means seen that earlier than, so for those who’re within the card, go for it.

Citi Double Money Card

The Citi Double Money takes all of the stress and complication out of bank card rewards. It provides a easy (but profitable) 2% money again on each buy (1% once you purchase and 1% as you pay your invoice) and easy cash-back redemption choices. This card additionally would not cost an annual price.

Citi Double Cash card art
THE POINTS GUY
Approximate date Supply Worth
November 2023 to now Earn $200 money again after spending $1,500 on purchases within the first six months of account opening. $200
November 2022 to November 2023 No welcome supply was out there right now. N/A
August 2022 to November 2022 Earn $200 money again after spending $1,500 on purchases within the first six months of account opening. $200

Highest welcome supply

The very best welcome supply we have seen is the cardboard’s present bonus. New cardholders can earn $200 money again after spending $1,500 on purchases within the first six months of account opening.

When to use

Since this card beforehand lacked a welcome supply in its historical past, we advocate making use of at any time when it is providing a cash-back bonus.


Be taught extra: Citi Double Money Card


American Airways AAdvantage Citi playing cards

Citi additionally points a collection of cobranded playing cards with American Airways AAdvantage. These playing cards embrace choices for model loyalists, small-business homeowners and semifrequent American Airways vacationers.

Should you’re thinking about one among Citi’s AAdvantage playing cards, see our information to the Citi American Airways playing cards’ supply histories to determine when to use.

Backside line

Any time you are contemplating a brand new bank card, you wish to make sure the welcome bonus is well worth the utility. You do not wish to miss out in your probability for extra Citi ThankYou Rewards factors with an ill-timed utility.

You should definitely reference this bonus historical past information earlier than you select a brand new card.

Additionally, take a look at our guides to the supply histories with different issuers:

Share This Article