---
title: "What is Once-per-lifetime rule? | Benefit Systems"
description: "A once-per-lifetime rule is a condition stating that a given card's welcome bonus can be earned only a single time per person."
source: "aus dem gebauten HTML abgeleitet"
---
# What is Once-per-lifetime rule?

A once-per-lifetime rule is a condition stating that a given card’s welcome bonus can be earned only a single time per person.

Also called: Lifetime language.

## How it works #

The wording lives in the offer terms rather than the card agreement, so it can differ between two offers for the same card. Some issuers limit by time instead, allowing one bonus per period. An applicant who has forgotten an old account still gets approved, just without the bonus, the application succeeds and the points never arrive.

## Not to be confused with #

A once-per-lifetime rule is not the same as a decline: the application can be approved, only the bonus is withheld.

## In German #

The German term is Einmal-pro-Leben-Regel. [German version of this term](/de/glossar/einmal-pro-leben-regel)

## Related terms #

- [5/24 rule](/en/glossary/5-24-rule): The 5/24 rule is a US issuer policy: an applicant who has opened five or more card accounts in the past 24 months is declined for certain cards.
- [Welcome bonus](/en/glossary/welcome-bonus): A welcome bonus is a one-off points credit for opening a new card and meeting a minimum spending requirement within a set period.
- [Churning](/en/glossary/churning): Churning is the repeated opening and closing of card accounts with the aim of collecting welcome bonuses more than once.

## Articles that use this term #

- [How much is a welcome bonus actually worth?](/en/knowledge/welcome-bonus-value)
- [Does applying for a credit card hurt your credit score?](/en/knowledge/credit-card-application-score)