The best time to apply for these popular Citi credit cards, based on offer history
If you're considering applying for a credit card, you're probably wondering whether the current sign-up bonus is worth it.
Welcome offers can change frequently, and it can be hard to know whether the current offer on a card provides the value you're looking for. There's no easy answer to precisely when is the best time to apply for a card, but it does help to know what a card has offered in the past when evaluating the current offer.
We've rounded up the offer history on the most popular cards from Citi to help you find the best time to apply for each card.
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Best Citi credit card sign-up bonuses
| Card | Best welcome offer we've seen | When to apply |
|---|---|---|
| Citi Premier® Card | Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases with your card within the first three months of account opening. | When the bonus offer is 80,000 points or higher. |
| Citi Custom Cash℠ Card | Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first six months of account opening. | When the bonus offer is $200 cash back or higher. |
| Citi® Double Cash Card | Earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first six months. | If there is any cash-back welcome offer. |
| Citi Rewards+® Card | Earn 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,500 on purchases with your card within the first three months of account opening, plus earn 5 points per dollar (either on travel or at restaurants) on $6,000 of spending in the first year. | When the bonus offer is 20,000 points or higher. |
| Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® | Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $3,500 within the first four months of account opening. | When the bonus offer is higher than 50,000 miles. |
| Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® | Earn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $5,500 within the first three months of account opening. | When the bonus offer is higher than 50,000 miles. |
| CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® | Earn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $5,500 within the first three months of account opening. | When the bonus offer is higher than 50,000 miles. |
Citi Premier® Card
The Citi Premier card earns 3 points per dollar on gas purchases, dining, groceries, and air and hotel travel. With its simplified model and array of airline transfer partners, the Citi Premier makes earning points for travel hassle-free.
| Approximate date | Offer | Value* |
|---|---|---|
| January 2023. | Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases with your card within the first three months of account opening. | $1,020. |
| July 2022 to January 2023. | Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases with your card within the first three months of account opening. | $1,360. |
| December 2021 to July 2022. | Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases with your card within the first three months of account opening. | $1,020. |
| October 2021 to December 2021. | Earn 80,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases with your card within the first three months of account opening. | $1,440. |
| March 2021 to October 2021. | Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases with your card within the first three months of account opening. | $1,020. |
*Bonus offer value is based on TPG's valuations and not provided by the credit card issuer.
When to apply for this card: When the bonus offer is 80,000 points or higher.
Learn more: Citi Premier credit card
Citi Custom Cash℠ Card
With the Citi Custom Cash, you'll earn 5% cash back on purchases in your top eligible spending category each billing cycle, on up to the first $500 spent, and 1% cash back thereafter. You'll also earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases. This card launched in mid-2021.
| Approximate date | Offer | Value* |
|---|---|---|
| June 2021 to January 2023. | Earn $200 cash back after you spend $1,500 on purchases in the first six months of account opening. | $200. |
*Bonus offer value is based on TPG's valuations and not provided by the credit card issuer.
When to apply for this card: When the bonus offer is $200 cash back or higher.
Learn more: Citi Custom Cash credit card
Citi® Double Cash Card
The Citi Double Cash Card takes all of the stress and complication out of credit card rewards with a simple (yet lucrative) 2% earning scheme and straightforward cash-back redemption options.
| Approximate date | Offer | Value* |
|---|---|---|
| November 2022 to January 2023. | No welcome offer. | N/A. |
| August 2022 to November 2022. | Earn $200 cash back after spending $1,500 on purchases in the first six months. | $200. |
| 2014 to August 2022. | No welcome offer. | N/A. |
*Bonus offer value is based on TPG's valuations and not provided by the credit card issuer.
When to apply for this card: If there is any cash-back welcome offer.
Learn more: Citi Double Cash credit card
Citi Rewards+® Card
Every purchase on the Citi Rewards+ Card rounds up to the nearest 10 points. Even a $2 coffee will earn 10 points, which can really stack up over time.
| Approximate date | Offer | Value* |
|---|---|---|
| October 2022 to January 2023. | Earn 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,500 on purchases with your card within the first three months of account opening. | $340. |
| April 2022 to September 2022 | Earn 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,500 on purchases with your card within the first three months of account opening, plus 5 points per dollar on a bonus category (travel or restaurants) for $6,000 of spending in the first year. | $442. |
| July 2021 to April 2022 | Earn 20,000 bonus points after spending $1,500 on purchases with your card within the first three months of account opening. | $340. |
| May 2021 to July 2021. | Earn 15,000 bonus points after spending $1,500 on purchases with your card within the first three months of account opening, redeemable for $150 in gift cards. | $150. |
*Bonus offer value is based on TPG's valuations and not provided by the credit card issuer.
When to apply for this card: When the bonus offer is 20,000 points or higher.
Learn more: Citi Rewards+ credit card
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
The Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select's perks include access to preferred boarding, no foreign transaction fees and a free checked bag on domestic flights, making it an excellent choice for anyone who flies American Airlines regularly.
| Approximate date | Offer | Value* |
|---|---|---|
| July 2022 to January 2023. | Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $2,500 within the first three months of account opening. | $885. |
| June 2022 to July 2022. | Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $3,500 within the first four months of account opening. | $1,328. |
| June 2019 to June 2022. | Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $2,500 within the first three months of account opening. | $885. |
| April 2019 to June 2019. | Earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 within the first three months of account opening. | $1,062. |
| March 2019 to April 2019. | Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $2,500 within the first three months of account opening. | $885. |
| November 2018 to March 2019. | Earn up to 50,000 bonus miles: Earn 40,000 miles after spending $2,000 in the first three months and an extra 10,000 miles after spending a total of $6,000 in the first 12 months. | $885. |
| May 2018 to November 2018. | Earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 within the first three months of account opening. | $1,062. |
| February 2018 to May 2018. | Earn 30,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 within the first three months of account opening. | $531. |
| November 2017 to February 2018. | Earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 within the first three months of account opening. | $1,062. |
*Bonus offer value is based on TPG's valuations and not provided by the credit card issuer.
When to apply for this card: When the bonus offer is higher than 50,000 miles.
Learn more: Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select credit card
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
The Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard is the elite card in the AAdvantage lineup. Cardholders enjoy a complimentary American Airlines Admirals Club membership, a value that more than makes up for the card's $450 annual fee.
| Approximate date | Offer | Value* |
|---|---|---|
| December 2022 to January 2023. | Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 within the first three months of account opening. | $885. |
| October 2022 to December 2022. | Earn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $5,500 within the first three months of account opening. | $1,416. |
| October 2021 to October 2022. | Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 within the first three months of account opening. | $885. |
| August 2021 to October 2021. | Earn 50,000 bonus miles and 10,000 elite qualifying miles after spending $5,000 within the first three months of account opening. | $885. |
| July 2019 to August 2021. | Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 within the first three months of account opening. | $885. |
*Bonus offer value is based on TPG's valuations and not provided by the credit card issuer.
When to apply for this card: When the bonus offer is higher than 50,000 miles.
Learn more: Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard
CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®
The CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard is an excellent card for businesses with employees that frequently fly American Airlines. Its perks include a free checked bag on domestic flights, preferred boarding and the potential to earn a companion certificate.
| Approximate date | Offer | Value* |
|---|---|---|
| August 2020 to January 2023. | Earn 65,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 within the first four months of account opening. | $1,151. |
| May 2020 to August 2020. | Earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 within the first four months of account opening. | $1,239. |
| March 2020 to May 2020. | Earn 65,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 within the first four months of account opening. | $1,151. |
| October 2019 to March 2020. | Earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 within the first four months of account opening. | $1,239. |
| July 2019 to October 2019. | Earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 within the first three months of account opening. | $1,062. |
| April 2019 to July 2019. | Earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 within the first four months of account opening. | $1,239. |
*Bonus offer value is based on TPG's valuations and not provided by the credit card issuer.
When to apply for this card: When the bonus offer is higher than 50,000 miles.
The information for the CitiBusiness AAdavantage Platinum Select Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Learn more: Citi/Business AAdvantage Platinum Select credit card.
Bottom line
When you're considering applying for a Citi card — or any card — you'll want to determine whether its sign-up bonus provides substantial value.
Use our other offer history guides as a reference point as you evaluate the pros and cons of signing up for cards from the major issuers:
Top offers from our partners
How we chose these cards
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Rewards Rate
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles50,000 Bonus MilesAnnual Fee
$250Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees