Update 8/7/25: Reports that the 100K in-branch offer for the Citi Strata Elite was going on July 31st turned out to be false. However, it appears that links generated in July HAVE expired.
So, if you had a banker send you an application link before August 1st, you will most likely need to reach out for a new one. Also, if you had a link and got an expired message, it was almost certainly that link only. Don’t be discouraged and have the same banker send you another one.
~~~original post follows~~~
There have been some reports that you need to have a checking or savings account with Citi in order to be eligible for the 100K welcome offer (please let us know in the comments if that’s not been the case for you).
Others have mentioned that the link they were sent by a banker is valid for 10 days. Another person, meanwhile, was advised that the offer is expected to last another few weeks, while Doctor of Credit has heard from someone at Citi who stated the 100K bonus will be available through the end of August.
All that to say – things are just the teensiest bit unclear. If you’re interested in this welcome offer, it still seems prudent to pop into a branch or obtain a link from a banker ASAP, just in case it does indeed end on July 31.
~
Well, that didn’t (or won’t) last long.
When Citi launched the new Strata Elite card, you could earn one of two welcome offers. If applying online directly on Citi’s website, you could earn 80,000 ThankYou points after spending $4,000 in three months.
However, there is also a 100,000-point offer available in a branch or online if requesting a link from a Citi banker. Those extra 20,000 bonus points for minimal effort are therefore tempting, but it turns out that there might not be long left to take advantage of that boosted offer.
There have been some reports that you need to have a checking or savings account with Citi in order to be eligible for the 100K welcome offer (please let us know in the comments if that’s not been the case for you).
Doctor of Credit posted an update showing an image listing the 100K bonus offer, which displays a note stating ‘Valid through 07/31/2025’.
We then got a reader report last night that appears to confirm this. They’d called two different Citi bankers in their area, who both independently of each other shared that the increased offer was only available until July 31.
When new cards get launched, we’ll often see increased welcome offers, so the fact that 100K bonus points won’t be available endlessly isn’t a surprise whatsoever. What is surprising is that this higher offer will have been barely available for a week before being pulled, especially considering Citi doesn’t seem to have done much of a marketing push compared to when other ultra premium cards were launched and/or revamped, like the Capital One Venture X and Chase Sapphire Reserve cards.
If you’ve been procrastinating on contacting a Citi banker or going into a branch in order to obtain the 100K offer, you’ll need to strut-a along pretty quickly.
Want to learn more about miles and points? Subscribe to email updates or check out our podcast on your favorite podcast platform.
I just spoke to 2 branches in Miami and they insist you need to go into the branch. They said they lost the ability to send the link for this card specifically. So annoying.
Can I apply for this with the strata premier?
Just spoke to someone at a New York branch (I live in a state without a physical Citi branch). He told me that last week, a Citi employee posted a 100k sign up link on Reddit, so as a result, Citi disabled the ability for branch employees to email credit card application links. He did also mention that having a checking or savings account may be a requirement, though he hinted that if you have had one in the past, you might be OK if they turn back on remote application functionality.
I live in a state without a Citibank branch but was able to find a banker that helped me apply for the 100K offer via the phone instead of using the circulating 100K link that may have some risk associated with it. I had to call a few branches but was eventually able to find a banker to help, despite some initial concern that phone applications would only work if I lived in a state with a branch.
The representative sent along a Docusign link for me to sign on my computer, confirmed my income and other information, and submitted the application for me. The Docusign link provided a document showing the 100K offer and I was approved instantly. I am an existing Citi checking and savings customer, which according to a commenter below might be required to apply like this.
I used the Doctor of Credit link. The Citi tracker shows the 100k bonus earned & to post at the end of my billing cycle
Banker link that was sent in July expired, as reported. I emailed for a new one and they said you have to come in to the branch now.
so annoying
Spoke to Kerri in DC branch today. No longer able to email the link. Have to go into branch.
I got approved recently for the 100k offer using a link I found in a travel blogger’s website just by googleling. I do not have any bank accounts with Citi and in my online account there is a ticker showing 100k countdown.
Care to shar
Found an updated link to 100k offer in the DOC comments and was instantly approved on 8/7. Previous interactions include unanswered calls to 8 branches, a suggestion from a banker to ‘just use the website,’ and a mention that I don’t have a Citi card (I only had Citibiz) so I was ineligible.
Can you please share the link here Amanda ?
just found that link as well, applied while logged in (i have citi costco/aadvantage platinum) and got instant approval.
I used the USCF 100k link from Reddit.
Instant approval with 25k limit.
Current Citi cards but no other relationship.
please send the link thanks
I’ve chatted with three different bankers- one from California and two from Illinois. They all said that I needed to come in-branch because I don’t currently have a Citi checking or savings account. I have active personal and business Citi cards. The nearest branch is three hours away. The last rep I talked to was strangely eager, and said she’d call me back in two weeks when the links update. Not sure what that means.
No Citi branches in DFW so I searched and found a link on Reddit for the 100k offer. Application showed offer was for 100k so I applied on Saturday 8/2, minute later was approved with a $19k limit. Delivery within 3 business days, hope that’s true since I have a car bill to pay tomorrow or Wednesday that will cover almost half of the spend.
DP: I just got the card in person at a branch in San Francisco. Making conversation, the banker said that they had a lot of calls from people wanting the 100k link to be emailed to them. He said that link is now not available to bankers, and that they’re being told to tell people they need to come in person. The printout of the 100k offer he gave me says the offer is valid through 08/07/2025, but the banker said he’s sure that will be extended (he didn’t have an exact end date but implied at least a few weeks) and that Citi just wants to make sure they’re printing the most current flyers regularly “in case anything changes.”
DP: Called a banker in Northern California, he was eager to get the sign-up but oddly he said he would email me the link tomorrow (August 1) and then call me to make sure I got the link and was able to sign up. He also said that if I have friends or family who are interested in the new product, they should do it soon because the 100k promo bonus would expire September 1. The banker I talked to somehow came across like he’d be getting credit for the sign-up also. Based on the other DPS, I’d guess these are being extended in one-month windows with no actual known end date.
I walked into a Citi branch in NYC and was approved for the 100k offer. I have other Citi cards, but no bank accounts. Banker also emailed my P2 a link to apply for 100k, said she has 10 days to do so.
I just spoke to Kerri in the Washington DC branch and her direct line is 202-857-8874. Link came right away. She said the 100K offer is new so it will be around for a while.
I did the same – she’s fantastic
Thanks for sharing! Both P2 and I got an application link!
She was great! Answered immediately and took 5 minutes to get the link emailed to me.
Just called Kerri…she’s very nice. She said the link they have is expired and I need to go into a branch. She said just having a citi card is enough…don’t need checking or savings. Good luck, everyone!