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Citi, a Forbes Advisor partner, is expanding its co-branded American Airlines credit card portfolio with the launch of the new Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard®*.
At a $350 annual fee, the card offers the standard perks of a mid-tier airline credit card. These include one free checked bag and preferred boarding for the cardholder and companions on the same reservation, as well as statement credits for in-flight purchases and for the application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
But further perks are of note for American Airlines loyalists. Along with a sizeable welcome bonus and decent ongoing rewards, cardholders receive lounge access through Admirals Club Globe passes and an annual Companion Certificate.
A Welcome Bonus Marks the Launch
New Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard®* cardholders can earn 90,000 American Airlines AAdvantage bonus miles after spending $5,000 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening, a limited-time offer.
Welcome bonus eligibility is limited to new applicants or those who haven’t received a sign-up bonus for an AAdvantage Globe account, or converted another Citi card into one, within the past 48 months.
Mid-Tier Fee, Robust Travel Benefits
With a $350 annual fee, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard®* is a middle-of-the-road option among Citi’s suite of American Airlines credit cards.
It sits between the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®*, which carries a heftier $595 annual fee, and the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®, which carries a lower annual fee of $99, waived for first 12 months.
Although the annual fee may seem significant to some, the card offers several statement credits and airline-specific perks that, when used strategically, can provide more value than the cost of carrying the card.
- Four Admirals Club Globe passes per year. Each calendar year, cardholders receive four Admirals Club Globe passes. These are valid for 24 hours and provide access to nearly 50 Admirals Club lounges worldwide.
- American Airlines Companion Certificate. Each year after card renewal, cardholders receive a Companion Certificate, redeemable for $99 plus taxes and fees. The certificate can be applied to a single qualifying round-trip domestic flight in Main Cabin.
- First checked bag free. The first checked bag is free for the cardholder and up to eight companions on the same reservation on qualifying domestic American Airlines bookings.
- Preferred boarding. The cardholders and up to eight companions on the same reservation receive Preferred Group 5 boarding on American Airlines flights.
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit. Cardholders get up to $120 in statement credits every four years to reimburse the application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
- $100 in-flight purchases credit. When cardholders use their card to make in-flight purchases on qualifying American Airlines flights, they’ll earn $100 back in statement credits.
On top of its perks specific to American Airlines and air travel, the card offers a few extras to round out your travel experience.
- $100 Annual Splurge Credit. Each calendar year, cardholders earn up to $100 in statement credits on purchases at their choice of up to two of the following: AAdvantage Hotels bookings, 1stDibs, Future Personal Training and Live Nation.
- $240 annual Turo credit. Cardholders earn up to $30 in statement credits for each completed trip on Turo, the car rental company. The maximum benefit is up to $240 in credits annually.
- No foreign transaction fees. The card is a cost-saving choice when making transactions abroad, as it does not incur foreign transaction fees.
- Travel protections. The card includes travel insurance for trip cancellations, interruptions and delays, and lost or damaged luggage, as well as MasterRental® insurance for car rentals.
Whether these perks offer enough long-term value to justify the annual fee depends on your personal travel habits. But these benefits can do some heavy lifting even for those who fly American Airlines once a year.
For example, the $99 Companion Certificate and free checked bag benefit—valued at $40 per person each way based on American Airlines’ current baggage fees—can offset a significant portion of the card’s cost after just one round-trip.
Rewards and Loyalty Points Geared Toward American Airlines Flyers
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard®* earns 6 AAdvantage® miles per dollar spent on eligible AAdvantage Hotels™ bookings, 3 miles per dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases, 2 miles per dollar spent at restaurants, including takeout and delivery and on eligible Rides and Rails™ purchases, including taxis, rideshares and public transit and 1 mile per dollar on other purchases. Cardholders can redeem AAdvantage miles for flights, seat upgrades, vacation packages and other eligible travel purchases.
Unlike general travel credit cards that earn flexible points transferable to multiple airlines and hotels, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard®* is designed specifically for American Airlines customers who prioritize earning and redeeming with the airline.
If you’re not loyal to American or would prefer the flexibility to use rewards across various travel partners, a more general travel card may be a better fit.
Those who are brand loyal will be pleased with the card’s Flight Streak bonus. This offering awards cardholders 5,000 Loyalty Points after every four qualifying American Airlines flights. Cardholders can earn a maximum of 15,000 Loyalty Points through this method each qualification year, helping them move closer to elite status in the AAdvantage program for additional perks like seat upgrades.
Bottom Line
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard®* is a new option for travelers seeking airline perks without paying top-tier card prices. The welcome bonus is on the higher end for airline cards, and perks like lounge passes and preferred boarding can enhance your regular travel.
While the card is likely to appeal most to regular American Airlines flyers, it may also suit travelers who want solid benefits at a mid-range price point and a faster way to build their AAdvantage mileage balance.