There are still so many good ways to use American Airlines AAdvantage Miles. Unless you’re a frequent flyer, the issue has been earning them.
Pretty much forever, the only significant way to earn these miles through spending or non flying methods was via an American Airlines AAdvantage credit card. The program was never a transfer partner of any of the major banking programs, but at least for a limited time – that’s changed!
It’s either a trial run, a limited time offer, or a new long term twist – but if you have Citi Thank You Points, they can now be transferred to American Airlines, opening up lots of fun ways to fly in style using miles!
American AAdvantage Becomes Citi Thank You Partner
At least until November 23rd, 2021, American Airlines AAdvantage has become a Citi Thank You Points transfer partner. This means cardholders of the Citi Rewards+, Citi Preferred, Citi Premier and recently discontinued Citi Prestige can transfer their credit card points into American Airlines AAdvantage Miles.
Points from the Citi Chairman, Premier and Prestige transfer to American 1:1, while the rest transfer 2:1.
Could American remain a Citi Thank You Points transfer partner forever? Sure, but for now it’s only guaranteed through November.
Why the switch up? The GSTP take is that this is a move from American to shore up weak balance sheets, by selling a bunch of points to Citi ASAP. It will also stimulate new enthusiasm from cardholders, during a rocky time for Citi’s premium cards, with the closing of Prestige.
Long term, American may prefer to keep their own cards as the only funnel for earning major AAdvantage Miles, rather than open up the floodgates to all Citi cardmembers.
What It Means For Citi Thank You Points
Citi adding American as a transfer partner is huge! American remains one of the best values across the Atlantic and Pacific for premium cabin travel, even after a few years of devaluation.
With no surcharges charged for flights on American metal (planes), it can cost as little as 57,00 miles and $5.60 to fly to stunning destinations across Europe in business class and just 70,000 to the Middle East. Asia remains a great option too, at 60,000 to 70,000 miles one way in business class.
American Airlines also opens up opportunity to fly Oneworld airline partners like Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific, JAL, Finnair and more.
There were already plenty of fantastic ways to fly in style using Citi Thank You Points, but being able to access the American Airlines AAdvantage Program is huge. Here’s a great guide to all the sweet spots for Citi Points.
Stock Up With 80,000 Points
The Citi Premier Card offers very solid earning across multiple categories, like 3X on air travel and hotels, 3X on restaurants and 3X on gas.
The card currently offers an 80,000 point bonus, which would magically create up to 80,000 American AAdvantage Miles. If some luxury travel on American or its partners is on the table, it’s not a bad way to get the miles needed. Feel free to post your links for this card to help refer people!
