Overview
The discussion analyzes American Airlines’ co-branded credit cards, their benefits for earning miles and status, and strategies to maximize points and perks. Personal experiences, upcoming changes, and recommendations for optimizing travel redemptions are also shared.
American Airlines Co-Branded Card Landscape
- American Airlines offers multiple co-branded credit cards through Citi and Barclays.
- Citi will become the exclusive issuer of American Airlines cards in 2026, absorbing the Barclays portfolio.
- The Aviator Red and Silver cards from Barclays are notable, with the Red’s valuable welcome bonus and the Silver requiring a year of Red ownership.
- Citi has been partnered with American Airlines for over 37 years, having issued their first co-branded airline card.
Card Benefits and Strategies
- All co-branded cards earn one loyalty point per eligible mile earned, with additional multipliers for specific categories.
- Welcome offers fluctuate and can reach up to 75,000 miles on cards like the Platinum Select.
- The City Executive World Elite card provides premium perks such as Admiral's Club access, priority check-in, group 4 boarding, and several statement credits.
- Monthly statement credits include $10 for GrubHub and Lyft (with ride requirements), and $120 per year for Avis/Budget rentals.
- Achieving milestones (50k and 90k loyalty points) earns extra 10,000 loyalty point bonuses.
- Admiral’s Club access is highlighted as especially valuable during busy travel times.
Personal Experiences
- The speaker has held multiple American Airlines cards and status levels, sharing success with point stacking and redemption strategies.
- Emphasizes the importance of combining card perks to further offset annual fees and achieve elite status faster.
Emerging Trends and Future Opportunities
- Anticipates Citi adding American Airlines as a ThankYou points transfer partner, potentially enhancing value of Citi’s broader card lineup.
- Discusses value of using Citi Double Cash and Custom Cash for everyday spending, paired with a Strata Premier card for travel redemptions.
- Points redemptions can reach 4 cents per point, offering significant value for premium cabin awards.
Recommendations / Advice
- Apply for Aviator Red to capture the lucrative welcome bonus.
- Utilize higher-tier cards only for meeting bonus requirements or earning status—not for ongoing general spend.
- Use all available statement credits to offset annual fees, especially on premium cards.
- Consider combining Citi cards to maximize ThankYou point earning and redemption, particularly if American becomes a transfer partner.
Questions / Follow-Ups
- Monitor updates regarding the Citi and Barclays transition in 2025 and beyond.
- Stay alert for new Citi-American Airlines mid-tier card announcements.
- Check for evolving welcome offers and bonus categories regularly.