Citi Removes the 48 Month Bonus Reset From Strata Premier and Elite Terms

If you have been waiting for the old Citi Strata Premier or Strata Elite bonus clock to reset, check the fine print before applying. Citi changed the terms on both cards.

The new account bonus is now listed as unavailable if you currently have or previously had that card. The Strata Premier terms also include the card's former name, Citi Premier. The previous language allowed bonus eligibility to reset after 48 months. That window is no longer included.

This restriction is card specific. The Strata Premier terms name only the Premier, while the Strata Elite terms name only the Elite. Having one card does not appear to block the welcome bonus on the other.

The wording resembles a once per lifetime restriction because it includes no reset period. Citi does not use the word lifetime, though, and we do not yet know how far back it will check an applicant's history.

Amex has sometimes allowed applicants to qualify again after roughly seven years despite similar language. Citi may enforce its restriction differently, so do not assume seven years is the new reset.

Only the Strata Premier and Strata Elite changes are officially confirmed. Reports suggest other Citi cards are unaffected, but their individual terms still control.

If you previously held one of these cards, do not assume waiting 48 months will make you eligible again. Check the exact offer terms before applying because Citi can use different language on different offers.