When you consider using a new credit card, you need to consider the value of its welcome bonus. That’s because many welcome offers a large portion of the number of first-year value offered.
Most credit cards sometimes offer high bonuses for new cardholders, which means the number of points you collect beforehand will vary. Using Citi cards is no exception.
We have used TPG’s August 2025 valuation to determine the value of all welcome bonuses in this article. Our valuation will be worth 1.9 cents for Citi Thanks Rewards Points.
Therefore, you need to make sure you get it to the maximum extent with your new card. If you want to time your application to earn a reliable welcome bonus, you will want to know the current quote compared to the card’s history.
That’s where we came in. We have collected all the information about Citi’s most profitable bonuses to help you choose the best time to apply.
Best Citi credit card welcome offer
Below, we list the most popular Citi cards and provide the best welcome quotes and suggestions on when we apply.
All of these offers are available publicly. Individually, targeted quotes may be higher than those compiled by us. Moreover, these offers may change at any time, so some of these offers may no longer be available.
Finally, you need to consider Citi’s 48-month rule to get a welcome bonus. If you have previously received a welcome bonus on most cards, you have to wait 48 months to get a welcome bonus again.
With that in mind, this is the best Citi card welcome offer.
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| card | Best welcome quotes we’ve seen | When to apply |
|---|---|---|
| Citigroup Elite Card | Earn 100,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of the account opening (must apply in person at the Citi branch). | Now is the best time to apply as the card has improved offers. |
| Citi Layer Premier® Card | In the first three months of opening an account, $4,000 was spent and 80,000 bonus points were earned. | When the bonus discount is 70,000 points or more. |
| Citi tier ℠ card | In the first three months of opening an account, $1,000 was spent and 30,000 bonus points were earned. | Now is the best time to apply as the card has improved offers. |
| Citi Customized Cash Card | Spend $1,500 in the first six months of opening and earn $200 in cash back. | When the bonus offer is $200 cash back or higher. |
| Citi double cash card | Spend $1,500 in the first six months of opening and earn $200 in cash back. | If there is any cash back offer. |
Citi Custom Cash information has been collected independently by Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Citigroup Elite Card
Citi Level Elite is Citi’s latest entry into the premium travel card market. At $595 a year, it offers high income rates, valuable lifestyle credits and top travel allowances, which is ideal for luxury travelers interested in earning Citi Thank You points.
We have seen two public offers since the card was launched in July 2025. However, one offer is unique in applications received by the Citi branch in person, while another is available online.
- In person at the Citi branch: Spend $4,000 in the first three months of opening an account and earn 100,000 bonus points. This offer is worth $1,900.
- Online: Spend $4,000 in the first three months of opening an account and earn 80,000 bonus points. This offer is worth $1,520.
The most popular quote
After the branch spends $4,000 in the first three months of opening an account, earning 100,000 points is the highest point we see on this card.
When to apply
With the recent launch of Class Elite, we recommend applying now as it has an increased offer. Even if you can’t apply in person at the Citi branch, the 80,000 land footprint offer for this card is a great offer.
Learn more: Citi Class Elite Card
Citi strata Prime Minister’s Card
The Citi-class Prime Minister is a solid travel card with excellent money-making rates and good privileges at a reasonable price of $95 annual fee.
| Approximate date | supply | value |
|---|---|---|
| April 2025 to now | Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of opening an account. | $1,140 |
| December 2024 to April 2025 | In the first three months of opening an account, $4,000 was spent and 75,000 bonus points were earned. | $1,425 |
| April 2023 to November 2024 | Earn 70,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 in the first three months of opening an account.
Citi.com can offer higher quotes. |
$1,330 |
| January 2023 to April 2023 | Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of opening an account. | $1,140 |
| July 2022 to January 2023 | In the first three months of opening an account, $4,000 was spent and 80,000 bonus points were earned. | $1,520 |
| December 2021 to July 2022 | Earn 60,000 bonus points after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first three months of opening an account. | $1,140 |
The most popular quote
We have seen this card offer up to 80,000 bonus points, spending $4,000 in purchases in the first three months of opening.
When to apply
The best time to apply for a Citi-class prime minister is when the card offers 70,000 points or higher.
Learn more: Citi Strata Prime Minister Card
Citigroup Card
The new Citi Class Card has won bonuses in various categories Citi Thanks for Rewards points without an annual fee. This is a reliable, simple reward card, perfect for beginners or those seeking flexibility in their wallet.
This card was recently launched, so we haven’t seen multiple reward quotes yet. The current offer costs $1,000 in the first three months of opening, providing new cardholders with 30,000 bonus points.
This welcome offers a value of $570.
The most popular quote
The highest welcome quote is the only bonus we see: earn 30,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 in the first three months of purchasing.
When to apply
We recommend applying now as the card is new and has improved offers.
Learn more: Citi Strata Card
Citi Customized Cash Card
With Citi Custom Cash, you will receive a 5% cashback from the purchase of the highest qualified expenditure category for each billing cycle, up to $500, followed by 1% cashback. You will also earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases, all without an annual fee.
Since its release, we have only seen one offer on this card, which is the current bonus. New applicants for Citi Custom Cash can earn $200 in cash after spending $1,500 in purchases within the first six months of opening.
The most popular quote
The bonuses for Citi Custom Cash have remained stable since its inception, so its highest offer is the current offer.
When to apply
If you provide a limited-time, high-priced quote, we recommend applying for this card. However, we have never seen it before, so if you are interested in cards, keep moving forward.
Citi double cash card
Citi double cash brings all the stress and complications, disappearing from credit card rewards. Each time you purchase it offers a simple (but profitable) 2% cashback (1% when you purchase, 1% payment) and a direct cash redemption option. There is no annual fee for this card.
| Approximate date | supply | value |
|---|---|---|
| November 2023 to now | Spend $1,500 in the first six months of opening and earn $200 in cash back. | $200 |
| November 2022 to November 2023 | There are currently no welcome quotes. | N/A. |
| August 2022 to November 2022 | Spend $1,500 in the first six months of opening and earn $200 in cash back. | $200 |
The most popular quote
The most popular quote we’ve seen is the current bonus for the card. New cardholders can earn $200 in cash back after spending $1,500 in purchases within the first six months of opening.
When to apply
Since this card previously lacks its historically welcome offer, we recommend applying whenever a cash bonus is offered.
Learn more: Citi Dual Cash Card
American Airlines Aadvantage Citi Card
Citi also issued a common set of cards with American Airlines Aadvantage. These cards include options for brand loyalists, small business owners and semi-frequency American air travelers.
If you are interested in one of Citi’s Aadvantage cards, please refer to our Citi American Airlines Card Guide to provide a history of deciding when to apply.
Bottom line
Whenever you consider using a new credit card, you want to ensure a welcome bonus worth applying. You don’t want to miss any opportunities to get more Citi Thanks for your reward points.
Be sure to refer to this reward history guide before selecting a new card.
Also, check out our guide history with other issuers:
