The best time to apply for these popular Citi credit cards based on offer history
Editor's Note
When you're considering a new credit card, you'll want to factor in the value of its welcome bonus. That's because many welcome offers account for a sizable portion of a card's first-year value.
Most credit cards will occasionally offer elevated bonuses for new cardholders, which means the number of points you collect upfront will vary. With Citi cards, this is no exception.
We've used TPG's July 2026 valuations to determine the value of all welcome bonuses in this article. Our valuations place Citi ThankYou Rewards points at 1.9 cents apiece.
To maximize your return, it's worth timing your application around the strongest available welcome offer. Knowing how today's offer compares to historical bonuses can help.
That's where we come in. We've collected all the information on Citi's most lucrative bonuses to help you pick the best time to apply.
Best Citi credit card welcome offers
Below, we've listed the most popular Citi ThankYou points-earning cards, their best welcome offers and our recommendations for when to apply.
All these offers are publicly available. Individual, targeted offers may be higher than what we've compiled. And these offers may change at any time, so some may no longer be available.
Finally, you'll want to consider Citi's 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.
With that in mind, here are the best Citi card welcome offers.
| Card | Best welcome offer we've seen | When to apply |
|---|---|---|
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 the bonus offer is 100,000 points or higher. | |
Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. | When the bonus offer is 70,000 points or higher. | |
Earn 30,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. | When the bonus offer is 30,000 points or higher. | |
Earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first six months of account opening. | When there is any cash-back welcome offer. |
Citi Strata Elite
The Citi Strata Elite is Citi's latest entry into the premium travel card market. For a $595 annual fee, it offers high-earning rates, valuable lifestyle credits and top-tier travel perks, making it a good choice for luxury travelers interested in earning Citi ThankYou Rewards points.
| Approximate date | Offer | Value |
|---|---|---|
February 2026 to now | Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. | $1,425 |
October 2025 to February 2026 | Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. | $1,900 |
July to October 2025 |
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Highest welcome offer
The in-branch offer to earn 100,000 points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening was the highest we've seen on this card.
When to apply
The best time to apply for the Citi Strata Elite is when the card is offering 100,000 points or more.
Learn more: Citi Strata Elite Card
Citi Strata Premier
The Citi Strata Premier is a solid travel card featuring excellent earning rates and good perks for a reasonable $95 annual fee.
| Approximate date | Offer | Value |
|---|---|---|
April 2025 to now | Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. | $1,140 |
December 2024 to April 2025 | Earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. | $1,425 |
April 2023 to November 2024 | Earn 70,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
A higher offer may be available at Citi.com. | $1,330 |
Highest welcome offer
We've seen this card offer as high as 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.
Learn more: Citi Strata Premier Card
Citi Strata
The Citi Strata Card earns bonus Citi ThankYou Rewards points in a variety of categories while charging no annual fee. It's a solid, simple rewards card perfect for beginners or those looking for flexibility in their wallets.
| Approximate date | Offer | Value |
|---|---|---|
January 2026 to now | Earn 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. | $380 |
July 2025 to January 2026 | Earn 30,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening. | $570 |
Highest welcome offer
The highest welcome offer allowed new cardholders to 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.
Learn more: Citi Strata Card
Citi Double Cash
The Citi Double Cash takes all the stress and complication out of credit card rewards. It offers a simple (yet lucrative) 2% cash back on every purchase (1% when you buy and 1% as you pay your bill), along with straightforward cash-back redemption options. This card also charges no annual fee.
| Approximate date | Offer | Value |
|---|---|---|
November 2023 to now | Earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first six months of account opening. | $200 |
Highest welcome offer
The highest welcome offer we've seen is the card's current bonus. New cardholders can 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.
Learn more: Citi Double Cash Card
American Airlines AAdvantage Citi cards
Citi also issues a suite of cobranded cards with American Airlines AAdvantage. These cards include options for brand loyalists, small-business owners and semi-frequent American Airlines travelers.
If you're interested in one of Citi's AAdvantage cards, see our guide to the Citi American Airlines cards' offer histories to decide when to apply.
Bottom line
Any time you're considering a new credit card, you want to ensure the welcome bonus is worth the application. You don't want to miss out on your chance for more Citi ThankYou Rewards points with an ill-timed application.
Be sure to reference this bonus history guide before you choose a new card.
Related reading:
- The best time to apply for these popular American Express credit cards based on offer history
- The best time to apply for these popular Capital One credit cards based on offer history
- The best time to apply for these popular Chase credit cards based on offer history
- The best credit card welcome bonuses available now