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Bank card welcome bonuses are one of many quickest methods to earn precious journey rewards. You possibly can typically decide up 100,000 factors or extra in a single bonus, which could be value 1000’s of {dollars} in journey.
Proper now, American Airways’ top-tier card is providing its best-ever welcome bonus, value $1,650 (based on our Might 2025 valuations). For a restricted time, those that apply for the Citi® / AAdvantage® Govt World Elite Mastercard® (see charges and charges) can earn 100,000 bonus AAdvantage miles after spending $10,000 in three months of account opening.
However what if you have already got the cardboard or have held it previously? Are you able to earn the welcome bonus on it once more?
To reply this query, it is vital to grasp Citi’s software guidelines and establish the precise date while you final earned the welcome bonus on this card. Let me stroll you thru it.
Associated: Is the Citi / AAdvantage Govt World Elite Mastercard value it?
Understanding Citi’s software guidelines
On most of its cobranded playing cards, Citi restricts incomes the welcome bonus to as soon as each 48 months. This rule applies to the Citi / AAdvantage Govt World Elite Mastercard.
So, for instance, for those who needed to use for this card in Might 2025 and earn the welcome bonus, you’d solely be eligible for those who obtained your final welcome bonus on the cardboard earlier than Might 2021.
One of the simplest ways to search out out this date is to name Citi at 888-766-2484. Alternatively, you would additionally name AAdvantage at 800-882-8880. (You possibly can solely see your account exercise by means of your AAdvantage on-line account for the previous two years.)
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Associated: Who’s eligible for the 100K-mile Citi / AAdvantage Govt World Elite Mastercard bonus?
Timing is vital
The 48-month interval begins from the date the earlier bonus was obtained, not when the account was opened or closed.
That is vital as a result of just a few months will in all probability have handed between while you had been accredited for the cardboard and while you met the minimal spending requirement and, thus, obtained the welcome bonus.
Product modifications
You possibly can earn the welcome bonus on every of Citi’s AAdvantage playing cards as soon as each 48 months — every product is handled individually.
Up to now two years, I’ve utilized for the next three Citi / AAdvantage playing cards and earned the welcome bonus on every:
Nevertheless, suppose I had earned the bonus on my Platinum Choose after which the product modified (or upgraded) it to the Govt. In that case, I would wish to attend 48 months from after I obtained the Platinum Choose welcome bonus to earn the welcome bonus on the Govt.
Methods to maximise bonus alternatives
Listed here are a few of my high tricks to shortly earn a whole lot of AAdvantage miles by making use of for cobranded American Airways bank cards.
Work out your software technique
If you’re assured that you simply obtained the welcome bonus in your Govt card greater than 4 years in the past and do not presently maintain the cardboard, you are good to apply for it once more.
In case you do presently have the cardboard, first, you may wish to downgrade or cancel your card.
My suggestion can be to downgrade it to the no-annual-fee American Airways AAdvantage® MileUp® card by calling Citi on the quantity on the again of your card. Nevertheless, observe that by downgrading, you’ll not be eligible for the welcome bonus on this card. The upside is that you’ll shield your credit score rating as there will probably be no change to your credit score report.
The data for the AAdvantage MileUp card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
Alternatively, you possibly can cancel your Govt card. Whereas this will likely briefly damage your credit score rating attributable to a rise in your credit score utilization ratio, it’s possible you’ll be eligible to earn the welcome bonus on the MileUp do you have to select to use for it sooner or later.
After downgrading or canceling your card, wait every week or so after which apply for the Govt card once more.
Monitor bonus timelines
You will have obtained your welcome bonus in your Govt card extra lately. In that case, discover out the precise date you obtained your bonus. Then, use a bonus monitoring spreadsheet or set a reminder to notice when you may be eligible once more.
I utilized for this card in July 2023, within the first week after the card was refreshed. In accordance with my account exercise in my on-line AAdvantage account, I obtained the welcome bonus in November 2023. So, I’ve put a observe in my Google Calendar that I am eligible to use for this card once more from December 2027.
Discover different AAdvantage playing cards
If you wish to decide up extra bonus AAdvantage miles, take into account making use of for one of many service’s different playing cards.
My high suggestion can be to select up the AAdvantage Aviator Crimson World Elite Mastercard. It is the solely AAdvantage card that Barclays continues to be issuing, forward of Citi changing into the service’s sole bank card accomplice subsequent 12 months. Functions for this card may shut any day now (and virtually undoubtedly earlier than the tip of the 12 months).
You’re eligible to use for it if you have not had it previously six months. Here’s a hyperlink to earn 10,000 further miles on high of the cardboard’s customary supply.
The data for the Aviator Crimson World Elite Mastercard has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.
If you have not earned the bonus on one in all Citi’s different two private playing cards or the enterprise model previously 48 months, then they’re good choices too.
Backside line
Citi’s 48-month rule makes timing crucial when making use of for its AAdvantage bank cards. By monitoring while you final earned a welcome bonus and understanding how product modifications have an effect on eligibility, you possibly can make sure you maximize your approval probabilities.
With the 100,000-bonus-mile supply presently accessible on the Govt card, now could be the time to judge your timeline and take full AAdvantage for those who’re eligible.
To study extra concerning the card, learn our full evaluate of the Citi / AAdvantage Govt World Elite Mastercard.
Apply right here: Citi / AAdvantage Govt World Elite Mastercard
