Applied for the card on the 15th, no instant approval, called on the 18th and was approved (agent never asked me any questions). Received the card on the 21st via Fedex, however, I had already left for a week-long vacation. When I got back I activated the card and went to my existing citicard account online, where I saw I have a payment due date of 12/13 (Haven't charged anything on the card yet). Does this mean I missed my chance to receive the $250 airline credit this year?
Payment due date of 12/13 shows that your dec statement will be around 12/19. Make your airline purchases before that, you will get your $250 credit for this year.