Should you’re a frequent American Airways flyer, it’s possible you’ll assume that an AAdvantage cobranded card is the most suitable choice to your pockets. Whereas AAdvantage bank cards definitely present helpful advantages, they’re far out of your solely possibility.
Now that Citi ThankYou Rewards factors switch at a 1:1 ratio to AAdvantage from sure premium Citi playing cards, there is a suite of transferable rewards playing cards that would make sense for some American Airways-focused setups.
Which route must you take?
On this article, I am going to examine one possibility from every camp: the Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard® (see charges and charges), the newest Citi / AAdvantage cobranded card which got here out earlier this 12 months, and the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card (see charges and charges), a premium journey card.
These playing cards maintain extra similarities than you’d determine on first look, however a number of key distinctions differentiate the 2. This is what you must know.
AAdvantage Globe vs. Strata Elite comparability
For a restricted time, new candidates can earn 90,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 throughout the first 4 months from account opening.
For a restricted time, new candidates can earn 100,000 bonus factors after spending $6,000 throughout the first three months from account opening.
AAdvantage miles
ThankYou Rewards factors
1.65 cents per mile
1.9 cents per level
6 miles per greenback spent on eligible AAdvantage Lodges bookings
3 miles per greenback spent on eligible American Airways purchases (together with flights)
2 miles per greenback spent on eligible “Rides and Rails” purchases (together with public transit, ride-hailing providers and taxis) and eating places (together with takeout and supply)
1 mile per greenback spent on all different purchases
12 factors per greenback spent on sights, automotive leases and resorts booked by means of Citi Journey
6 factors per greenback spent on airfare booked by means of Citi Journey and eating places (together with restaurant supply providers) on CitiNights℠ purchases, each Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m. to six a.m. Japanese time
3 factors per greenback spent on restaurant purchases outdoors of CitiNights
1.5 factors per greenback spent on all different purchases
$350
$595
4 Admirals Membership Globe lounge passes every calendar 12 months
4 Admirals Membership Citi Strata Elite passes every calendar 12 months
Complimentary Precedence Go Choose membership for main cardmembers and licensed customers; as much as two complimentary company
American Airways companion certificates earned annually after card renewal
Earn 1 Loyalty Level towards standing per mile earned on the cardboard
First checked bag free (on qualifying home American Airways itineraries) for the first cardmember and as much as eight companions on the identical reservation
No international transaction charges
Most well-liked boarding on all American Airways flights
Obtain a 5,000 “Flight Streak” Loyalty Level enhance (as much as 3 times per 12 months, for a complete of 15,000 Loyalty Factors)
As much as $240 in annual Turo credit (as much as $30 per rental, as much as eight instances per 12 months)
As much as $120 in International Entry or TSA PreCheck charge credit each 4 years
As much as $100 in assertion credit each calendar 12 months on inflight purchases when utilizing your card on American Airways flights
As much as a $100 Splurge credit score every calendar 12 months (alternative of two eligible classes; exclusions apply for Reside Nation)
Mastercard World Legend advantages
No international transaction charges
Entry to The Reserve by Citi Journey
As much as $300 off a pay as you go, minimal two-night lodge keep when booked by means of Citi Journey
As much as $200 in semiannual assertion credit for Blacklane chauffeur bookings
As much as a $200 Splurge credit score every calendar 12 months (alternative of two eligible classes, together with American Airways; exclusions apply for Reside Nation)
As much as $120 in International Entry or TSA PreCheck charge credit each 4 years
$0
$75
AAdvantage Globe vs. Strata Elite welcome bonus
For a restricted time, new AAdvantage Globe cardholders can earn 90,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases throughout the first 4 months from account opening.
Primarily based on TPG’s valuations, this bonus is value $1,485.
For a restricted time, new Strata Elite cardholders can earn 100,000 bonus factors after spending $6,000 within the first three months from account opening.
This bonus is value $1,900, in accordance with TPG’s valuations.
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In relation to eligibility, Citi’s software guidelines permit one new card each eight days and not more than two in a 65-day interval. There is no cap on the variety of Citi playing cards you may maintain, however your complete credit score line is restricted.
With American Airways cobranded playing cards, you need to wait 48 months after incomes a welcome bonus on the identical card to earn the bonus once more. For the reason that Globe is a brand new product, this should not trigger issues.
Winner: Strata Elite. Its bonus is value about $400 greater than the Globe’s.
Associated: The most effective bank card welcome bonuses at the moment obtainable
AAdvantage Globe vs. Strata Elite advantages
The playing cards share a main profit: 4 Admirals Membership lounge passes every calendar 12 months. Each playing cards additionally present as much as $120 in International Entry or TSA PreCheck charge credit each 4 years. Neither card prices international transaction charges.
After that, they differ considerably.
For a $350 annual charge, the AAdvantage Globe options perks primarily oriented towards touring on American Airways. These embody:
American Airways companion certificates earned annually after card renewalEarn 1 Loyalty Level towards standing per mile earned on the cardReceive a 5,000 “Flight Streak” Loyalty Level enhance (as much as 3 times per 12 months for a complete of 15,000 Loyalty Factors)First checked bag free (on qualifying home American Airways itineraries) for the first cardmember and as much as eight companions on the identical reservationPreferred boarding on all American Airways flights
The annual companion certificates is a improbable profit right here, particularly contemplating you do not have to fulfill a spending threshold to obtain it yearly. The certificates prices $99 (plus taxes and charges from $11.20) and can’t be used on primary financial system fares.
You should utilize it for journey throughout the contiguous 48 states, whereas residents of Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands can use it for round-trip flights to the mainland.
If incomes American Airways elite standing is vital to you, the cardboard’s 5,000 “Flight Streak” Loyalty Level enhance for each 4 eligible American Airways flights is one other strong perk. American Airways defines an “eligible flight” as any section flown with or marketed by American Airways, excluding award flights.
The Globe additionally offers as much as $100 in assertion credit each calendar 12 months on inflight purchases when utilizing your card on American Airways flights.
The Globe comes with a “Splurge Credit score” that gives assertion credit of as much as $100 in your alternative of two retailers from the next record:
1stDibsAAdvantage HotelsFuture Private TrainingLive Nation (exclusions apply)
The Strata Elite offers broader airport lounge entry than the Globe, offering a complimentary Precedence Go Choose membership for main cardmembers and licensed customers. As much as two complimentary company can enter a Precedence Go lounge with a main or licensed cardholder. Precedence Go provides entry to over 1,800 lounges worldwide.
The assertion credit on the Strata Elite assist offset its $595 annual charge. These embody a lodge assertion credit score of $300 off a pay as you go Citi Journey keep (minimal two nights) and a $200 Blacklane credit score, earned as two biannual $100 assertion credit for Blacklane chauffeur bookings.
The Splurge credit score on the Strata Elite offers as much as $200 in assertion credit (double that on the Globe) in your alternative of as much as two of the next manufacturers:
1stDibsAmerican AirlinesBest BuyFuture Private TrainingLive Nation (exclusions apply)
The Globe doesn’t embody American Airways in its Splurge credit score, however it does present a $100 inflight buy credit score for AA.
Plus, Strata Elite cardholders can entry The Reserve by Citi Journey, a group of luxurious resorts curated by Citi. When booked, cardholders obtain a number of advantages, together with a $100 expertise credit score (varies by property), every day complimentary breakfast for 2, early check-in, free Wi-Fi, late checkout and room upgrades (topic to availability).
Lastly, the Strata Elite confers Mastercard World Legend advantages, which embody precedence reservations at high-demand eating places and entry to occasion tickets worldwide.
Winner: Tie. In order for you particular, AA-related perks, the Globe takes the cake. Nevertheless, in order for you wider lounge entry and extra assertion credit to maximise, the Strata Elite is the higher alternative for you.
Associated: 5 the explanation why I consider American Airways miles are value greater than United Airways and Delta Air Traces miles
Incomes rewards with the AAdvantage Globe vs. Strata Elite
These two playing cards earn completely different currencies. The AAdvantage Globe earns AAdvantage miles, whereas the Strata Elite earns Citi ThankYou factors (which may be transferred to AAdvantage, however extra on that later).
With the Globe, you may earn:
6 miles per greenback spent on eligible AAdvantage Lodges bookings3 miles per greenback spent on eligible American Airways purchases (together with flights)2 miles per greenback spent on eligible “Rides and Rails” purchases (together with public transit, ride-hailing providers and taxis) and eating places (together with takeout and supply)1 mile per greenback spent on all different purchases
Primarily based on TPG’s valuations, you may obtain a 4.95% return on spending with American Airways. Except you often spend on AAdvantage Lodges, this bonus class does not make a major distinction. The opposite classes present low returns in comparison with different journey rewards playing cards available on the market.
On the Strata Elite, you may earn:
12 factors per greenback spent on sights, automotive leases and resorts booked by means of Citi Travel6 factors per greenback spent on airfare booked by means of Citi Journey and eating places (together with restaurant supply providers) on CitiNights purchases, each Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m. to six a.m. Japanese time3 factors per greenback spent on restaurant purchases outdoors of CitiNights1.5 factors per greenback spent on all different purchases
You will obtain an distinctive 22.8% return on Citi Journey purchases (excluding airfare), per TPG’s valuations, in addition to an 11.4% return on airfare booked by means of Citi Journey, which is considerably higher than that on the Globe.
Winner: Strata Elite. This card offers exceptionally excessive incomes charges, particularly when in comparison with the Globe.
Associated: 10 of one of the best methods to redeem 100,000 Citi ThankYou Rewards factors
Redeeming rewards with the AAdvantage Globe vs. Strata Elite
AAdvantage miles earned on the AAdvantage Globe are finest redeemed for flights on American Airways and its Oneworld alliance companions. It’s also possible to redeem your miles for upgrades and worldwide awards.
One in every of my favourite methods to make use of AAdvantage miles is for short-haul home flights throughout the U.S., which begin at simply 5,000 miles one-way.
For a extra luxurious flight expertise, you may fly in a lie-flat business-class seat to Europe on American, Finnair or Iberia for 57,500 miles plus about $130 in taxes and charges.
You possibly can redeem the ThankYou factors earned on the Strata Elite for money again, reward playing cards, assertion credit or journey booked by means of Citi Journey.
Nevertheless, these choices unlock 1 cent per level or much less in worth, so we typically suggest transferring ThankYou factors to a associate, corresponding to American Airways, to obtain higher worth.
Winner: Strata Elite. Since ThankYou factors are extra versatile than AAdvantage miles, you may obtain extra choices to redeem with this card.
Associated: The 8 finest methods to redeem as much as 100,000 American Airways AAdvantage miles
Transferring rewards with the AAdvantage Globe vs. Strata Elite
ThankYou factors you may earn on the Strata Elite may be transferred to one among Citi’s 22 switch companions, together with AAdvantage. Flexibility with the rewards on the Strata Elite is without doubt one of the card’s highlights, since you are not restricted to solely American Airways redemptions with this card.
For example, TPG lead factors and miles author Katie Genter just lately transferred Citi ThankYou factors to Virgin Atlantic to guide two tickets on a nonstop KLM flight from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) to Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) in financial system for 12,000 factors and about $300 in taxes and charges per individual.
You will not be capable to switch the miles you earn on the AAdvantage Globe.
Winner: Strata Elite. You unlock many extra redemption choices throughout a number of different packages with its transferable rewards.
Associated: Bank card switch companions: Information to transferring factors and miles to airways and resorts
Ought to I get the AAdvantage Globe or the Strata Elite?
Should you do not have already got an American Airways card, often fly with the airline and would discover a variety of use in AA-specific perks corresponding to free checked baggage and precedence boarding, the AAdvantage Globe will match properly into your technique. The Globe can also be a wonderful alternative if incomes Loyalty Factors towards standing issues to you.
Nevertheless, should you worth flexibility, have already got an AAdvantage card and would maximize its further assertion credit, the Strata Elite is your best option for you.
Different components value contemplating: TPG values ThankYou factors larger than AAdvantage miles, and the present bonus on the Strata Elite is larger than the one on the Globe. Plus, the Globe’s incomes charges aren’t as spectacular as these on the Strata Elite. If gathering as many rewards as potential is your high precedence, the Strata Elite will come out on high for many.
Associated: Finest time to use for AAdvantage playing cards primarily based on supply historical past
Backside line
Should you’re deciding between the AAdvantage Globe and the Strata Elite, I like to recommend you are taking stock of the playing cards in your pockets and the advantages you may use most.
Should you fly American usually and like decrease charges, I see the Globe as an incredible match. But when flexibility and premium perks matter most, I recommend the Strata Elite as a stronger all-around card.
To study extra, learn our full opinions of the AAdvantage Globe Mastercard and the Strata Elite.
Apply right here: Citi / AAdvantage Globe Mastercard
Apply right here: Citi Strata Elite Card
