Citi and American are raising the Platinum and Business AAdvantage cards' annual fees from $99 to $150, while adding an inflight credit, Global Entry credit, and travel protections.
A list of benefits worth exactly zero. Time to just ditch everything except a CSP, an AMEX Blue Biz and an AMEX Plat for 5x airfare unless a card is getting you some benefit that is not available elsewhere. All the overlapping benefits form every card just make them good for one thing -- churning. Credit cards have become a ripoff. As banks continue to limit churning, we will hold fewer and fewer cards.
I have wayyyyy too many Global Entry credits and Priority Pass.
This is how modern banks scam you with increasing fees at no extra cost.
Any updates to the Citi Globe? Citi just cut all the old Aviator Silver benefits. 🙁
I agree with the others. Card benefits overlap so much, there's less unique added value. I must have three or four TSA/Global Entry credits, but only two accounts, one each for my wife and I.
I despise when snotty commenters say they only fly first class, but in this case it's a relevant fact. Between that and status, the AA purchase benefits are useless to me.
Inflight purchase credit should be useful. Sandwich or wrap for purchase is usually really good, no tax or tip unlike the expensive airport food. Looks like we can pre order them too. To burn the left-over credit before Dec 31, buy drink for everyone in your row, front and back.
Can the included Walmart+ membership be upgraded for $22/year to add Sam's Club?
So do we current cardholders have the opportunity to "double dip" on the $100 in flight cash back? That is to say, if I have a flight tomorrow, can I use this benefit? And then it starts over again January 1?
When Chase or Amex roll out new benefits, at least the existing cardholders can take advantage of them immediately even as the annual fee is increasing later. With Citi, existing cardholders seem to wait until January 24th next year. I will not be able to take advantage of these "enhancements" on an end of the year trip with American Airlines. That's not a very customer centric move.
There was a time a new card refreshed were exciting events. Lots of discussions about the new features, benefits, the benefits that were taken away and how the new increase annual fee was justified.
Now it's just an annual fee increase and a middle finger from the issuers.
I wish they expand the free bag benefit to international flights too.
Wow. That sucks. I vote with my wallet. I will be canceling my AA platinum world legendary global elite select or whatever the card’s stupid name is.
Does shitibank issue the worst cards in the industry? I think so. Strata Elite made sure to get your attention.