What happened
Strata card applicants now get a pop-up from Citi stating pre-qualification status and welcome-bonus eligibility before the application is complete, AwardWallet Blog reports. Checking the offer through that screen does not affect the applicant's credit score. Applicants can walk away at that point or finish the application without the bonus.
The old 48-month waiting period on Strata welcome offers is gone, replaced by lifetime-style restrictions. Anyone who already held a particular Strata card is no longer eligible for that card's welcome offer. AwardWallet Blog found the pop-up on Strata cards only. Double Cash still displayed 48-month language. American Express and Chase already offer similar pre-application eligibility checks.
Open a Strata application far enough to read the pop-up, then stop if the bonus is unavailable and the card is not worth holding on its own.
- Numbers
- 48 months: previous welcome-offer waiting period Citi is moving away from on Strata cards
- Takeaway
- Start a Strata application to read the eligibility pop-up, and do not complete it if the bonus is off the table and the card is not otherwise worth opening.