Citi Updates Eligibility On Citi Strata Cards (Once Per Life, Was 48 Months)

Citi has changed the eligibility language on the Citi Strata cards. The below examples are for the Citi Strata Premier card but also apply to the basic Strata card and Citi Strata Elite. They used to say (emphasis ours):

This offer may not be available if you leave this page. Offers may vary and this offer may not be available in other places where the card is offered. Bonus ThankYou® Points are not available if you received a new account bonus for a Citi Premier® or Citi Strata Premier® account in the past 48 months or if you converted another Citi credit card account on which you earned a new account bonus in the last 48 months into a Citi Premier® or Citi Strata Premier® account.

The language now states (emphasis ours):

New account bonus offer is not available if you currently have or previously had a Citi Strata Premier^® or a Citi Premier^® account. You also may not be eligible for the new account bonus offer based on a number of factors, such as your history of opening, closing and using credit cards.​

From what I can tell this only applies to the Citi Strata lineup of cards currently, for example Citi American Airlines cards still state:

New account bonus is not available if you have received a new account bonus for a Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® account in the past 48 months or if you converted another Citi credit card account on which you earned a new account bonus in the last 48 months into a Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® account.

Looks like Citi is moving to a once per lifetime rule on the Strata cards, rather than once every 48 months.

F.A.Q’s

Can I get the bonus on Citi Strata Premier & Citi Strata Elite?

Yes, the terms say that you’re eligible for the bonus on each card. So you could get the bonus on Citi Strata, Citi Strata Premier & Citi Strata Eite. 

Is the new language enforced?

It was only just added so it’s unclear but I’d be extremely surprised if it wasn’t enforced. 

What does Citi count as a lifetime?

We don’t know yet but Chase datapoints here, American Express is 5-6 years.

Hat tip to reader Raymond