Citi 48-Month Rule Explained

For years, Citi had the most confusing application rules in the industry. They used to group cards into “families” (like the ThankYou family) and ban you from a bonus if you had opened or closed any card in that group recently. Those days are largely behind us.

In 2026, Citi has standardized around a stricter time limit but a looser product grouping: the 48-Month Rule. While waiting four years for a bonus sounds painful, the new rules actually open up more opportunities for “churners” to hold multiple Citi cards simultaneously, provided you understand the fine print.

This guide explains exactly how the rule works, how to calculate your eligibility date, and how to navigate the new Citi Strata ecosystem.

What Is the Citi 48-Month Rule?

The Citi 48-Month Rule states that you are not eligible for a signup bonus if you have received a new account bonus for that specific card in the past 48 months. This is a critical distinction from other banks like American Express (which uses a “lifetime” rule) or Chase (which uses a 24-month rule based on bonus receipt).

The Golden Rule of Calculation:
Your 48-month clock does NOT start when you submit your application. It does NOT start when you cancel the card. It starts on the exact date the bonus points landed in your ThankYou or AAdvantage account.

“Family” vs. “Specific Card” Rules

The biggest positive change for 2026 is that Citi has largely abandoned the “Family Rule” for its premium cards. Previously, getting a bonus on a Citi Premier would disqualify you from the Citi Prestige (now replaced by the Strata Elite) for 24 months. Now, the terms typically target the specific card product.

1. The Citi Strata Family

With the rebranding of the Premier to the Citi Strata Premier and the introduction of the Citi Strata Elite, the rules have separated. Current application terms generally state:

“Bonus ThankYou Points are not available if you have received a new account bonus for a Citi Strata Premier account in the past 48 months.”

Unlike the AAdvantage cards, the Strata suite (Elite, Premier, and the no-fee Strata) currently employs Family Rule language. This means that receiving a bonus on a Strata Elite will generally disqualify you from a Strata Premier bonus for the next 48 months. Always verify the “Offer Details,” as Citi specifically groups these ‘ThankYou-earning’ Strata products together in their 48-month exclusion clause.

2. The AAdvantage Portfolio

The American Airlines cards have been on the 48-month specific rule the longest. Each of these operates on its own independent clock:

• Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select: 48-month rule applies to this card only.
• Citi / AAdvantage Executive (Admirals Club): 48-month rule applies to this card only.
• Citi / AAdvantage MileUp: 48-month rule applies to this card only.
• CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select: 48-month rule applies to this card only.

This means you can technically earn a bonus on the Platinum Select, and then immediately apply for the Executive card (assuming you can handle the spend and annual fees). For strategies on maximizing these miles for family trips, see our guide on Family Travel Points Strategy.

The Speed Limit: Citi’s 8/65 Rule

Even if you are eligible for a bonus under the 48-Month Rule, you will be automatically rejected if you violate Citi’s application velocity rules. These are hard-coded into their system.

Pro Tip: The 65-day rolling window is notoriously glitchy. We recommend waiting 70 days just to be safe. If you apply on day 66 and the system thinks it’s day 64, you will be denied and trigger a hard inquiry for nothing.

Does Product Changing Reset the Clock?

This is the most common question we get. The answer is generally No, but with a caveat.

If you downgrade a Citi Strata Premier to a Citi Double Cash or Custom Cash, it does not reset your 48-month clock for the Premier, because the clock is tied to the bonus receipt, not the account history.

However, product changing CAN affect the “Family Rule” if one is in effect. For example, in the past, closing or changing a card in the ThankYou family paused your eligibility for 24 months. With the shift to the 48-month specific rule, this is less of a concern, but it is safer to keep a card open if you are nearing your 48-month eligibility date for a re-application.

How to Check Your Eligibility Date

Citi does not have a “tracker” in their app. You have to do the legwork yourself. Here is the reliable method:

1. Log in to your Citi account on a desktop.
2. Go to the Points Summary page (ThankYou.com or AAdvantage.com).
3. Filter your activity by “Earned” or “Bonus”.
4. Scroll back roughly 4 years. Find the large lump sum entry (e.g., “60,000 Bonus Points”).
5. Note the exact date that transaction posted.
6. Add 48 months + 1 day to that date. That is your green light.

If you cannot find the date, you can call the number on the back of your card. Ask the rep: “On what date did the signup bonus for this account post?” Do not ask them if you are eligible for a new card—they often don’t know the complex rules. Just ask for the data point.

Conclusion

The Citi 48-Month Rule is strict, but it is fair. By shifting away from complex family exclusions to a simple “4 years per card” policy, Citi has made it easier to map out a long-term strategy. You can now hold a Strata Premier, a Custom Cash, and an AAdvantage Platinum Select simultaneously, collecting bonuses on each as long as you space your applications by 65 days.

Just remember: The clock starts when the points hit your account. If you are aiming for a new bonus in 2026, check your statements from 2021 and mark your calendar.