What the American Airlines Citibank Credit Card offers
The American Airlines Citibank credit card is a co-branded card issued by Citi that earns rewards in the form of American Airlines miles. When you use the card for purchases, you accumulate miles that you can redeem for flights, seat upgrades, and other travel benefits through American Airlines' loyalty program, AAdvantage.
The card comes in two main versions: the personal card and the business card. Both earn miles on everyday purchases, but they differ in annual fees, sign-up bonuses, and some benefits. The card is designed for people who fly American Airlines regularly or want to build up miles for future travel.
Unlike some rewards cards that give you cash back or points you can use anywhere, this card's rewards are specific to American Airlines. That means the value of your miles depends on how you use them and which flights you book.
Key Takeaways
- The American Airlines Citibank card earns miles on purchases that you redeem through American Airlines, not cash back or flexible points.
- The card charges an annual fee, which varies by card version, and Citi may waive it for the first year.
- A sign-up bonus offers a large number of miles if you spend a certain amount within the first few months of opening the account.
- You can use miles for flights, seat upgrades, baggage fees, and other travel-related purchases within the AAdvantage program.
- The card's value depends on how often you fly American Airlines and whether you can use your miles before they expire.
How to open an American Airlines Citibank credit card account
You can open an account online through Citi's website or the American Airlines website. The process takes about 10 to 15 minutes and asks for your personal information, income, employment status, and Social Security number. Citi will pull your credit report as part of the process.
You will need to provide your name, address, date of birth, and contact information. Have your Social Security number ready. If you have recently moved, make sure your address is current, because Citi will mail your card to the address on file.
After you submit the process, you will usually get a decision within minutes. If Citi approves you, your card will arrive in the mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can set up it through the Citi website or by calling the number on the back of the card when it arrives.
Understanding the annual fee and sign-up bonus
The American Airlines Citibank card charges an annual fee. The amount depends on which version of the card you hold — the personal card and business card have different fees. Citi sometimes waives the annual fee for the first year, but you will owe it in year two and every year after that unless you close the account.
Most versions of the card offer a sign-up bonus: a large number of miles if you spend a certain amount on the card within the first three months. For example, you might earn 50,000 miles if you spend $2,500 in the first three months. The exact bonus changes throughout the year depending on Citi's current offers.
To decide whether the card makes sense for you, compare the annual fee against the value of the miles you expect to earn. If you fly American Airlines several times a year and can use your miles, the card may pay for itself. If you rarely fly or let miles expire, the annual fee becomes a cost with little benefit.
How miles are earned and used
You earn one mile for every dollar you spend on most purchases. Some categories, like dining or gas, may earn bonus miles — for example, two or three miles per dollar — but the specific categories vary by card version. Check your card's terms to see which purchases earn extra miles.
Miles do not expire as long as your account remains open and you have account activity at least once every 24 months. Account activity includes earning miles, redeeming miles, or even just making a purchase on the card. If your account goes inactive for more than 24 months, your miles may be forfeited.
You redeem miles through the AAdvantage program for flights, seat upgrades, baggage fees, and other travel purchases. The number of miles needed for a flight varies based on the route, how far in advance you book, and demand. A short domestic flight might cost 7,500 miles, while a long international flight could cost 50,000 or more.
What happens after your card arrives
Once your card arrives, set up it by logging into your Citi account online or calling the number on the back of the card. You will then be able to use it for purchases when ready. Your miles will start posting to your AAdvantage account within a few days of each purchase.
Set up online access to your Citi account so you can track your balance, make payments, and monitor your miles. You can also link your card to your AAdvantage account to see your miles balance in one place. This makes it easier to track how close you are to redeeming a flight.
Make at least one purchase on the card within the first three months to meet the sign-up bonus spending requirement. After that, use the card for purchases you would make anyway — groceries, gas, utilities — to earn miles without changing your spending habits.
Comparing the personal and business versions
The personal American Airlines Citibank card and the business version have different annual fees, sign-up bonuses, and some benefits. The business card may offer higher bonus categories or additional perks for business travelers, while the personal card is designed for individual consumers.
If you own a business or are self-employed, the business card may make more sense because you can earn miles on business expenses. If you fly for personal travel, the personal card is the right choice. You cannot hold both versions at the same time, so choose the one that matches how you travel.
Review the current terms for both versions on the Citi website before you open an account. The offers, annual fees, and bonus categories change periodically, so what was true last month may not be true today.
What to do if your process is denied
If Citi denies your process, you will receive a letter in the mail explaining the reason. Common reasons include a low credit score, too many recent credit inquiries, or insufficient income. The letter will also tell you that you have the right to request a free copy of your credit report from the credit bureau Citi used.
You can contact Citi to ask for more details about the denial. Sometimes a representative can explain what factor caused the decision. If you believe the denial was based on incorrect information, you can dispute it with Citi or with the credit bureau.
If you were denied, wait at least three to six months before explore again. Use that time to improve your credit score by paying down balances, making on-time payments, and reducing the number of credit inquiries on your report. When you explore again, your profile may be stronger.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer my miles to another airline?
American Airlines miles can be transferred to partner airlines through the AAdvantage program, but the process is limited. You can transfer miles to certain airline partners, but the transfer rate is usually unfavorable — you may lose 25 to 50 percent of your miles in the transfer. Most people find it better to use miles for American Airlines flights directly.
What happens to my miles if I close the card?
Your miles do not disappear when you close the card. They remain in your AAdvantage account as long as you have account activity within 24 months. However, closing the card means you stop earning miles on new purchases, so you will need to use your miles or find another way to keep your account active.
Do I have to pay the annual fee every year?
Yes, the annual fee posts to your account every year on the anniversary of when you opened the card. If Citi waived the fee for the first year, you will owe it starting in year two. You can close the card before the annual fee posts if you decide the card is no longer worth it.
How long does it take to earn enough miles for a free flight?
This depends on how much you spend and which flights you want to book. If you spend $2,500 per month on the card, you earn about 30,000 miles per year. A domestic flight might cost 7,500 to 25,000 miles, so you could earn enough for one or two flights annually. International flights cost significantly more miles.
Can I use my miles for someone else's ticket?
Yes, you can book award flights for family members or friends using your miles. The person flying does not need to be the cardholder. However, most airlines require that you book the ticket yourself and that the passenger's name match the reservation exactly.