We’ve known that American Airlines and Citi are expanding their partnership. The two companies are now entering an exclusive credit card agreement, and AAdvantage has been added as a Citi ThankYou transfer partner.
We’re now seeing the partnership expanded even further, with the introduction of a new premium co-branded credit card, as the details have just been announced. The intent is that this card is between the mid-range and uber-premium card. Is it worth it? Well, let’s take a look…
In this post:
Details of the new Citi AAdvantage Globe Card
The Citi AAdvantage Globe Card has a $350 annual fee, and it’s marketed as unlocking over $750 in value. As it’s described, this card is intended for those who fall between the occasional vacationer and the frequent flyer. So, what does the Citi AAdvantage Globe Card offer, exactly?
- Four Admirals Club Globe passes — each calendar year, receive four Admirals Club Globe passes, each valid for multiple clubs across 24 hours
- American Airlines $99 Companion Certificate — redeemable for $99 plus taxes and fees, this is eligible for a single roundtrip qualifying domestic flight in economy each year after card renewal
- Up to $100 inflight purchase credit — each calendar year, earn up to $100 in statement credits on inflight purchases when using the card on qualifying American flights
- A first checked bag free — the first checked bag is free on domestic American itineraries for the primary cardmember and up to eight companions on the same reservation
- Preferred boarding — enjoy Group 5 boarding on American flights for the primary cardmember and up to eight companions on the same reservation
- Up to $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit — receive a statement credit as reimbursement for the application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck
- 6x AAdvantage miles on AAdvantage Hotels bookings, 3x AAdvantage miles on eligible American purchases, 2x AAdvantage miles on restaurants (including takeout and delivery), and 1x AAdvantage miles on all other purchases; on top of that, earn 1x AAdvantage Loyalty Points per dollar spent, which can help you earn status
- Up to $100 annual Splurge Credit — every calendar year, earn up to $100 in statement credits with a choice of AAdvantage Hotels bookings, 1stDibs, Future Personal Training, and Live Nation (you can choose up to two)
- Up to $240 annual Turo credit — earn up to $30 in statement credits for each eligible completed trip on Turo, for a total of up to $240 in statement credits annually
- Up to 15,000 additional AAdvantage Loyalty Points per year — with the Flight Streak bonus, earn 5,000 bonus Loyalty Points after every four qualifying American flights, for up to 15,000 bonus Loyalty Points each status qualification year (so you’d unlock that after taking 12 flights)
The card has a launch welcome bonus of 90,000 AAdvantage bonus miles after spending $5,000 within the first four months of account opening. If you’d like to support OMAAT, I’ll have links to the cards in the next couple of days, and I of course appreciate your support. But of course I wanted to report on this new card as soon as possible, and no worries either way.
My take on the new Citi AAdvantage Globe Card
With American and Citi now having an exclusive credit card agreement (after Barclays got the boot), it’s logical to see a card like this introduced, with an annual fee between $99 and $595. This is essentially intended to be a more affordable version of the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (review), and it also has some elements of the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card (review), from the Admirals Club passes, to the Splurge Credit.
I don’t think this card is some incredible slam dunk that’s going to appeal to everyone, but I think it’s a logical addition to the card product line, and I think it will appeal to many:
- For someone who flies American with some frequency, there’s value to the basic perks (preferred boarding, a free checked bag, Admirals Club passes, etc.), and then hopefully most people can recoup some of the annual fee with the Splurge Credit and the inflight spending credit
- For someone who flies American frequently, the ability to pick up an extra 15,000 Loyalty Points will prove handy, especially since you can take advantage of this and the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (review) 20,000 bonus Loyalty Points opportunity for passing certain thresholds
- The $99 companion certificate can help with recouping the annual fee, though it’s not valid on basic economy fares, or on first or business class fares, so there are definitely some restrictions to be aware of
I absolutely think this card is worth giving a try, given the huge bonus, and then you can see how the perks work out for you.
Bottom line
American is launching the new Citi AAdvantage Globe Mastercard, which has a $350 annual fee, putting it between the annual fees of the existing products. It’s an interesting new card, as it offers the basic perks you’d expect for travel on American, plus a $100 inflight credit, a $99 companion certificate, the ability to earn 15,000 bonus Loyalty Points, and more.
I think this card will have appeal for many American flyers. Though as is standard with airline credit cards, it’s not going to be for everyone.
What do you make of the new Citi AAdvantage Globe Card?
I’ll be getting this card next year and canceling my Exec (only waiting because I’ve opened too many cards this year). Only use an Admirals Club maybe 2-3x a year and Alaska Lounges about the same amount, so it’s an easy call to save myself a bit of money when combined with having the Summit card. My AUs are probably going to be mad when I tell them they’re on their own. :)
I am guessing this new card is what Aviator Silvers will transfer to. The inflight credit and the 15K loyalty points are all benefits of the Silver, just earned differently.
Considering both the 350 and 595 credit card. I also have gold status and if I can’t use the Admiral passes, that would be a major disappointment.
I'm at a united hub and there are some features here I wish the middle level united card offered
This explains why Citi was so generous with its Strata screw ups.
I’d be mildly interested but for the fact the last several admirals clubs I walked past at dfw, aus, and clt all had signs out front saying they’re not accepting passes. So that benefit is useless. Group 5 is such a joke, I’m already group 4 with gold status!
I read on Upgraded Points these passes (the “Globe” pass) will not be restricted when a standard day pass will be, so it seems it’ll be more useful. Wait and see how it works in practice of course.