Capital One Adds Language Limiting Welcome Offers to Every 48 Months

Updated: March 11, 2025, 4:45am CDT

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There’s a vast array of rules to navigate when it comes to credit card applications. Now, Capital One is the latest issuer to explicitly state how often you can earn a welcome bonus offer on a specific card product.

Here’s everything you need to know about this change from Capital One.

Capital One’s 48-Month Welcome Offer Rule

As first reported by Danny the Deal Guru, Capital One has modified the terms and conditions when a customer applies for a card. In the “View Important Rates and Disclosures” section of Capital One credit card applications, the language has been altered to state the following:

“Existing or previous cardmembers are not eligible for this product if they have received a new cardmember bonus for this product in the past 48 months.”

It’s important to note that this restriction appears to not apply to card families but rather is applicable only to individual cards. For instance, if you received a welcome offer on the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, you likely would not have to wait the full 48 months to receive one on the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card. This is good news for potential cardholders and anyone looking to maximize the number of Capital One miles they’ll earn.

Capital One Venture One Upgraded Points 1c 1 — New verbiage in Capital One’s terms and conditions gives cardholders some more clarity when it comes to applications. Image Credit: Upgraded Points

Hot Tip:

For some of the best Capital One card options — including the most generous welcome offers right now — check out our guide to the best Capital One credit cards.

It’s also important to note that this concept isn’t unique to Capital One. Chase, for example, has an unofficial 5/24 rule that limits applications before one can be approved for a Chase card. American Express, in theory, has even stricter rules with “lifetime” language on many of its products, though research has shown that there are ways around this with many Amex cards.

Final Thoughts

This new verbiage in Capital One’s terms and conditions gives cardholders some more clarity when it comes to applications. Previously, Capital One tended to keep would-be applicants somewhat in the dark. However, note that receiving a welcome offer is not the same as being approved for a card. There still may be instances when Capital One will approve you — but you won’t get the welcome bonus offer.