Citi Partners with American Airlines for Direct Points Transfers

Citi has officially made waves in the travel rewards landscape by adding American Airlines as a 1:1 transfer partner for its ThankYou Rewards program. This exciting development allows cardholders to transfer their points directly to American’s AAdvantage loyalty program, making Citi the only major credit card issuer with this unique feature.

Starting immediately, eligible cardholders can convert their ThankYou Rewards points into AAdvantage miles at a one-to-one ratio. For example, transferring 1,000 Citi points will yield 1,000 AAdvantage miles, providing a seamless way to earn rewards for future travel with American Airlines, one of the largest carriers in the United States.

This announcement coincided with the launch of the new Citi Strata Elite® Card, a premium-tier credit card designed specifically for frequent travelers. Among its many benefits, the Strata Elite Card offers four annual passes to American Airlines’ Admirals Club lounges, enhancing the travel experience for its users.

While the Admirals Club passes are exclusive to the Strata Elite Card, cardholders of the Citi Strata Premier® Card and the now-unavailable Citi Prestige® Card can also take advantage of the new transfer option to American Airlines. This partnership marks a significant milestone for Citi, which has long sought a major airline transfer partner.

Pam Habner, Citi’s head of U.S. branded cards and lending, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “We have always desired a major airline point transfer partner, and of course, it would only be with American, so we’re delighted that we’ve come to the conclusion that customers will value this.”

For those eager to utilize this new transfer feature, cardholders can easily log into their ThankYou Rewards account, navigate to the transfers page, and move their points to the AAdvantage program. Once the points are transferred, they can be used to book a variety of flights, from American’s new Flagship Suites to domestic routes.

The Citi Strata Elite Card, unveiled alongside this partnership, boasts several attractive features, including access to American’s Admirals Club network. Cardholders will receive four annual passes, which can each be redeemed for one-time use. However, it’s important to note that if three adult guests are brought into the lounge during a single visit, all four passes will be consumed. Children under 18 can accompany cardholders without using up passes, making it a family-friendly option.

For travelers who seek more frequent lounge access, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® may be a better fit, offering full-fledged Admirals Club membership with a more flexible guest policy.

While this isn’t the first time Citi has enabled point transfers to American Airlines—temporary transfers were offered during the pandemic—this new arrangement appears to be a permanent fixture. Previously, JetBlue was Citi’s sole U.S. airline transfer partner, limiting options for those looking to fly American. With this partnership, Citi cardholders can now redeem points directly for flights on American Airlines, enhancing the value of their rewards.

American Airlines has historically been the largest U.S. airline without a direct credit card transfer partner, making this collaboration particularly noteworthy. Competitors Delta Air Lines and United Airlines have enjoyed similar partnerships with American Express and Chase, respectively, for years.

Scott Long, American’s senior vice president of AAdvantage, hinted at further developments in the partnership, stating, “This is a rethinking of what we can do as partners, and a new partnership to go broader and deeper than we have before. We think there’s more that we can do, but this is an exciting first step.”

For travelers looking to maximize their rewards and travel experiences, the new Citi Strata Elite Card and its partnership with American Airlines offer an enticing opportunity. With the ability to transfer points directly and access to exclusive lounge benefits, Citi is positioning itself as a significant player in the travel rewards space.

As you consider your options, remember that credit cards can be powerful tools for transforming everyday spending into memorable travel experiences. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or just starting to explore the world, leveraging rewards programs can help you achieve your travel goals more effectively.

For those interested in applying for the new Citi cards, be sure to review the terms and conditions. While our content aims to provide comprehensive insights into credit card offerings, the final decision should always be based on your individual financial situation and travel aspirations.

In conclusion, Citi’s partnership with American Airlines marks a significant advancement for travelers seeking to maximize their rewards. With direct transfers to AAdvantage miles and the added benefit of Admirals Club access, this collaboration is sure to enhance the travel experience for many.