Targeted Citi cardholders would be enjoying an excellent chance to get much higher rewards on their daily spending. Citi has started introducing a new set of targeted and limited-time spending discounts, which are capable of delivering up to 9x ThankYou® Points per dollar on purchases within specified categories until the first quarter of 2026.

Due to the fact that these promotions are not publicly displayed, it will only be possible to take advantage of those qualified cardholders who receive an offer and activate them. In case you have a Citi credit card, you should check your inbox (as well as your real mailbox) now to get to know whether you qualify.

What Are Citi Targeted Spending Offers?

Citi targeted spending offers are offerings that are temporary and sent straight to the chosen cardholders. These offers are activated and give a bonus point in addition to the standard earning rate of a card when the purchases are made under certain category.

These offers differ by card and by person unlike welcome bonuses or publicly-promotion. Two Citi cardholders of the same product might get totally different offers- or no offers whatsoever.

These promotions are however highly profitable, particularly when they are added to the existing rewards program on the card.

How to Know If You’re Eligible

These offers are not publicly listed in Citi because they are aimed at particular people. Rather, the cardholders can be notified in the form of:

• Email
• Physical mail
• Citi internet account dashboard
• Citi mobile application alerts

All of these channels have previously been used by Citi to promote similar offers, and thus it is worth reviewing each of them.
In the case of an offer, there is need to activate before any bonus points can be earned.
Advert: 5x Points Earned on Selected Retail Purchases

A Citi Strata Premier ⁻ cardholder received one of the examples of a new promotion that was issued not long ago. The offer enabled the cardholder to receive 5 ThankYou Points per dollar on eligible purchases following the activation.

Key Details of the Offer:

Earnings rate: 5 points per dollar spent.
Activation deadline: 15 February 2026
Promotion end date: March 31, 2026
Bonus cap: 2,500 bonus points

Qualified Categories Eligible:

• Electronics stores that target consumers.
• Department stores
• Home improvement retailers
• Home furnishing stores

This offer was successful in enabling cardholders to gain faster rewards on shopping that many individuals undertake at the start of the year.

Other Shops that are being offered

Other than the 5x promotion, cardholders reported of several other Citi spending offers. These offers vary in their earnings rate and coverage of category but all have the same kind of structure.

Other Targeted Bonuses:

• 1 point per dollar in gas stations and grocery stores, restaurants and retail outlets (maximum of 2,500 bonus points)
   
• Bonus points on purchases with online retailers +4 per dollar (capped at 2,500 bonus points)
  
  
• The rating will be +9 points per dollar at gas stations, grocery stores, restaurants, and shopping centers where they can have grocery shopping (up to 2,500 bonus points).

All these promotions must be activated and are legitimate until March 31, 2026.

Understanding the Bonus Cap

Another fact that should be mentioned is that Citi does not allow to earn as many bonus points as you can with a single offer. The majority of the existing promotions will limit the earning of bonuses to 2,500 points.

Although that might not present itself as a big contribution initially, there is also an opportunity to create a strong value it can add, particularly to cardholders who are already spending their Citi cards on all their daily purchases.

As an example, receiving 9x points, as opposed to 1x points on groceries or gas can greatly speed up the receipt of rewards in the short term.

When Will Bonus Points Post?

In case you manage to hit an offer and do qualifying purchases, Citi says that bonus points will be added to your ThankYou Rewards account within a one to two billing periods after the qualifying purchases have been posted.

The cardholders are advised to maintain a record of purchases and confirmation of activation in the event they want to make any follow-up.

What Citi Cards are the most likely to get such offers?

According to the past trends and recent news, the targeted promotions are usually expected on personal Citi credit cards and not on small business cards.

Other cards that have been widely offered comparable deals are:

• Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
• Citi Strata℠ Card
• Citi Strata Elite℠ Card
• Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard
• Costco Anywhere Visa Card by Citi

Moreover, certain products which were previously abandoned like Citi Prestige-Card and Citi ThankYou-Preferred Card have also been reported to be receiving targeted spending bonuses.
It should be remembered that different offers of the same product of the same cards cannot be assured to be identical even when the product is the same.

Are These Promotions Combinable With Other Promotions?

Yes, in most cases, Citi does not prevent such targeted offers to combine with other valid 

promotions related to the card. That is an amount you might actually make:

• Card base earning rate
• Category bonus from the card
• Targeted promotional bonus

Nevertheless, different rules can be applied to stacking merchandise with respect to the offer, and in that regard it is always prudent to look into the terms and conditions. 

Strategy Advice: The Reason You Can and Must Always Activate

Although you may not have a reason to maximize the bonus, it will have no negative effect, as a rule, to have such offers activated.

After activation, you will automatically earn bonus points in case of making qualifying purchases. A smart strategy is to:

• Accept the offer on the spot
• Slide your qualified Citi card to the front of your wallet
• Intentionally use it in the promotional period

Minor changes in the way people spend their money can be significant rewards in the long run.

Final Takeaway

Citi’s latest round of targeted spending offers presents an excellent opportunity for eligible cardholders to earn up to 9x ThankYou Points on everyday purchases like groceries, gas, dining, retail shopping, and online spending.

Because these promotions are targeted, not everyone will receive oneand offers may differ widely. If you do receive an offer, remember that activation is required, and bonus points are capped.

Checking your email, Citi account, and physical mail could uncover a valuable bonus that boosts your rewards earnings through March 31, 2026. For Citi cardholders, staying alert to these offers can make a meaningful difference in how quickly rewards add up.