Do Citi rules apply to business cards?

Citi's rules vary by card type. See the rules above for which cards each restriction covers.

Will Citi do a hard pull when I apply?

Citi typically performs a single hard inquiry when you apply for a credit card. The bureau pulled varies by region and applicant.

All issuers

Citi Credit Card Rules

Citi's 48-month rule governs welcome bonus eligibility within the same card family. Citi also has strict velocity limits — only 1 new card per 8 days, and 2 per 65 days.

Application Rules

48-Month Rule (48 months)

Official

You cannot receive a welcome bonus on a Citi card if you have opened or closed a card in the same family within the past 48 months.

Affected cards: Citi Strata Premier, Citi Double Cash, Citi Custom Cash, and all other Citi card families
Workaround: The clock starts from the date you opened OR closed a card in that family, whichever is more recent. This means closing a card resets the 48-month window.

1/8 Rule (8 days)

Widely reported

Citi will not approve more than 1 new card in any 8-day period.

Affected cards: All Citi personal cards
Workaround: Always wait at least 8 days between Citi card applications.

2/65 Rule (65 days)

Widely reported

Citi will not approve more than 2 new cards in any 65-day period.

Affected cards: All Citi personal cards
Workaround: Space Citi applications at least 65 days apart if you want more than 1 card from them.

Citi Cards We Track

AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard

$595/yr 100,000 pts bonus

Citi Strata Elite

$595/yr 100,000 pts bonus

Aadvantage Globe Mastercard

$350/yr 90,000 pts bonus

AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard

$99/yr 80,000 pts bonus

AAdvantage Business World Elite Mastercard

$99/yr 65,000 pts bonus

Citi Strata Premier

$95/yr 60,000 pts bonus

Citi Custom Cash

No annual fee $200 bonus

My Best Buy Visa Card

No annual fee

My Best Buy Credit Card

No annual fee

AT&T Points Plus Card

No annual fee $250 bonus

Citi Thank You

No annual fee

Citi Simplicity

No annual fee

Citi Diamond Preferred

No annual fee

Citi Double Cash

No annual fee $200 bonus

Costco Anywhere Visa

No annual fee

Citi Strata

No annual fee 30,000 pts bonus

Costco Anywhere Visa Business Card

No annual fee

Aadvantage MileUp Card

No annual fee 15,000 pts bonus

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Citi 48-month rule?: You cannot receive a welcome bonus on a Citi card if you have opened or closed a card in the same family within the past 48 months.
How many Citi credit cards can I have at once?: Citi does not publish a hard limit on the number of cards you can hold, but Citi's 48-month rule governs welcome bonus eligibility within the same card family. Citi also has strict velocity limits — only 1 new card per 8 days, and 2 per 65 days.
Do Citi rules apply to business cards?: Citi's rules vary by card type. See the rules above for which cards each restriction covers.
Will Citi do a hard pull when I apply?: Citi typically performs a single hard inquiry when you apply for a credit card. The bureau pulled varies by region and applicant.

Note: Application rules are based on reported cardholder data points and official card terms where available. Rules can change without notice — always verify current terms before applying.

All issuers