Best time to apply for AAdvantage cards based on offer history
Editor's Note
American Airlines is one of the world's largest airlines, serving over 350 destinations and connecting essentially every corner of the globe. Its loyalty program, American Airlines AAdvantage, offers a suite of cobranded credit cards with Citi.
These credit cards offer generous welcome bonuses that come with thousands of valuable AAdvantage miles. American Airlines has numerous sweet spots where you can redeem your miles for maximum value.
However, before applying for one of these cards, you may be wondering when the best time to apply is so that you can earn the highest welcome bonus.
Welcome bonuses are subject to frequent changes, whether that be offering a lower or higher bonus. While there is no simple answer to when the best time to apply is, our historical data on welcome offers can give you some guidance.
Knowing the welcome offer a card has previously offered can also help you when analyzing the current offer.
We've collected the offer history for each of the most popular Citi / AAdvantage cards to help you decide when to apply.
Note: We will only discuss publicly available welcome offers. However, you might receive targeted offers with more bonus miles or cash back. Keep in mind that offers may change at any time, and some of the offers mentioned below may not be available at this time.
Best Citi / AAdvantage credit card welcome bonuses
| Card | Best welcome offer we've seen | When to apply |
|---|---|---|
Earn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $3,500 on purchases within the first four months of account opening. | When the bonus offer is higher than 50,000 miles | |
Earn 90,000 miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first four months of account opening. | When the bonus offer is higher than 60,000 miles | |
Earn 100,000 miles after spending $10,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. | When the bonus offer is higher than 80,000 miles | |
Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first five months of account opening. | When the bonus offer is higher than 50,000 miles |
The information for the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Related: Best welcome offers of the month
Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard
The Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select's perks include access to preferred boarding, no foreign transaction fees and a free checked bag on domestic flights, making it an excellent choice for anyone who flies American Airlines regularly.
Plus, you can earn a $125 flight discount after spending $20,000 or more per year on the card. The card has no introductory annual fee during the first year; the annual fee is $99 thereafter.
Here are the offers we've seen on the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard:
Welcome offer history
| Approximate date | Offer | Value* |
|---|---|---|
March 2026 to now | Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $2,500 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. | $850 |
January 2026 to March 2026 | Earn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $3,500 on purchases within the first four months of account opening. | $1,360 |
September 2025 to January 2026 | Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $2,500 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. | $850 |
July 2025 to September 2025 | Earn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $3,500 on purchases within the first four months of account opening. | $1,360 |
May 2025 to July 2025 | Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $2,500 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. | $850 |
February 2025 to May 2025 | Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $3,500 on purchases within the first four months of account opening. | $1,275 |
October 2024 to February 2025 | Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $2,500 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. | $850 |
August 2024 to October 2024 | Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $3,500 on purchases within the first four months of account opening. | $1,275 |
April 2024 to August 2024 | Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $2,500 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. | $850 |
March 2024 to April 2024 | Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $3,500 on purchases within the first four months of account opening. | $1,275 |
February 2024 to March 2024 | Earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. | $1,020 |
May 2023 to February 2024 | Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $2,500 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. | $850 |
April 2023 to May 2023 | Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $3,500 on purchases within the first four months of account opening. | $1,275 |
July 2022 to April 2023 | Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $2,500 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. | $850 |
June 2022 to July 2022 | Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $3,500 on purchases within the first four months of account opening. | $1,275 |
June 2019 to June 2022 | Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $2,500 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. | $850 |
April 2019 to June 2019 | Earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. | $1,020 |
March 2019 to April 2019 | Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $2,500 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. | $850 |
November 2018 to March 2019 | Earn up to 50,000 bonus miles: Earn 40,000 miles after spending $2,000 on purchases in the first three months of account opening and an extra 10,000 miles after spending a total of $6,000 in the first 12 months. | Up to $850 |
May 2018 to November 2018 | Earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. | $1,020 |
February 2018 to May 2018 | Earn 30,000 bonus miles after spending $1,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. | $510 |
November 2017 to February 2018 | Earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. | $1,020 |
*Bonus offer value is based on TPG's March 2026 valuations and not provided by the credit card issuer.
Highest welcome offer
The highest offer we've seen offered new cardholders 80,000 bonus miles after spending $3,500 on purchases within the first four months of account opening.
When to apply
If the offer is over 50,000 bonus miles, consider applying, but if you can wait for higher offers, this card typically has elevated welcome offers a few times a year.
To learn more, read our full review of the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard.
Related: 6 reasons to get the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard
Citi / AAdvantage Globe Mastercard
The Citi / AAdvantage Globe Mastercard is a mid-tier card option for American Airlines flyers. It offers perks frequently associated with a cobranded airline card, like a free checked bag and priority boarding, but it also offers more elevated perks, such as four annual Admirals Club passes, a statement credit for inflight purchases and a companion certificate.
Here are the offers we've seen on the Citi / AAdvantage Globe Mastercard:
Welcome offer history
| Approximate date | Offer | Value* |
|---|---|---|
May 2026 to now | For a limited time, earn 90,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first four months from account opening. | $1,440 (based on TPG's May 2026 valuations) |
March 2026 to May 2026 | Earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. | $1,020 |
October 2025 to March 2026 | Earn 90,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first four months from account opening. | $1,530 |
*Bonus offer value is based on TPG's valuations and not provided by the credit card issuer.
Highest welcome offer
The highest welcome offer we've seen on the Citi / AAdvantage Globe Mastercard gave new cardholders the opportunity to earn 90,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first four months of account opening.
When to apply
If the offer is over 60,000 bonus miles, it's an ideal time to apply.
Learn more: Citi / AAdvantage Globe Mastercard
Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard
The Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard is the premium card in the AAdvantage lineup.
Cardholders enjoy a complimentary Admirals Club membership — a value that alone more than makes up for the card's $595 annual fee. It also offers up to $240 in annual statement credits for Lyft (up to $120 annually, allotted up to $10 monthly; you must take three eligible rides each month to receive the credit) and eligible Grubhub purchases (up to $120 annually, allotted up to $10 monthly).
Here are the offers we've seen on the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard:
Welcome offer history
| Approximate date | Offer | Value* |
|---|---|---|
March 2026 to now | Earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $7,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. | $1,190 |
January 2026 to March 2026 | Earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $10,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. | $1,700 |
July 2025 to January 2026 | Earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $7,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. | $1,085 |
May 2025 to July 2025 | Earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $10,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. | $1,700 |
July 2024 to May 2025 | Earn 70,000 miles after spending $7,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. | $1,085 |
June 2024 to July 2024 | Earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $10,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. | $1,700 |
September 2023 to June 2024 | Earn 70,000 miles after spending $7,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. | $1,085 |
July to September 2023 | Earn 100,000 miles after spending $10,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. | $1,700 |
December 2022 to July 2023 | Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. | $850 |
October 2022 to December 2022 | Earn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $5,500 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. | $1,360 |
October 2021 to October 2022 | Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. | $850 |
August 2021 to October 2021 | Earn 50,000 bonus miles and 10,000 elite qualifying miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. | $850 |
July 2019 to August 2021 | Earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. | $850 |
*Bonus offer value is based on TPG's valuations and not provided by the credit card issuer.
Highest welcome offer
The highest welcome offer we've seen on the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard gave new cardholders a chance to earn 100,000 bonus miles after spending $10,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening.
When to apply
If the offer is over 80,000 bonus miles, it's an excellent time to apply.
Learn more: Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard
Related: Is the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard worth it?
Citi / AAdvantage Business World Elite Mastercard
The Citi / AAdvantage Business World Elite Mastercard is excellent for businesses with employees who frequently fly American Airlines. Its perks include a free checked bag on domestic flights, preferred boarding and the potential to earn a companion certificate. The card has no introductory annual fee during the first year; the annual fee is $99 thereafter.
Here are the offers we've seen on the Citi / AAdvantage Business World Elite Mastercard:
Welcome offer history
| Approximate date | Offer | Value* |
|---|---|---|
May 2026 to now | Earn 65,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first four months from account opening. | $1,040 (based on TPG's May 2026 valuations) |
March 2026 to May 2026 | Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first five months from account opening. | $1,275 |
December 2025 to March 2026 | Earn 65,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first four months from account opening. | $1,105 |
September 2025 to December 2025 | Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first five months of account opening. | $1,275 |
May 2025 to September 2025 | Earn 65,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first four months of account opening. | $1,105 |
April 2025 to May 2025 | Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first five months of account opening. | $1,275 |
January 2025 to April 2025 | Earn 65,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first four months of account opening. | $1,105 |
October 2024 to January 2025 | Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first five months of account opening. | $1,275 |
June 2024 to October 2024 | Earn 65,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first four months of account opening. | $1,105 |
April 2024 to June 2024 | Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first five months of account opening. | $1,275 |
August 2020 to April 2024 | Earn 65,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first four months of account opening. | $1,105 |
May 2020 to August 2020 | Earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first four months of account opening. | $1,085 |
March 2020 to May 2020 | Earn 65,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first four months of account opening. | $1,105 |
October 2019 to March 2020 | Earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first four months of account opening. | $1,085 |
July 2019 to October 2019 | Earn 60,000 bonus miles after spending $3,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. | $1,020 |
April 2019 to July 2019 | Earn 70,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first four months of account opening. | $1,085 |
*Bonus offer value is based on TPG's valuations and not provided by the credit card issuer.
Highest welcome offer
The highest welcome offer we've seen for the Citi / AAdvantage Business World Elite Mastercard was when it gave new cardholders the opportunity to earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first five months of account opening.
When to apply
If the offer is over 50,000 miles, you should consider applying.
Learn more: Citi / AAdvantage Business World Elite Mastercard
Related: Why you should have multiple credit cards
Application restrictions
Citi has some strict application restrictions. Citi doesn't limit the number of cards you can have, but it will limit your overall credit.
Citi is also sensitive to recent inquiries, so for the best results, wait a few months from your last card application before applying for a Citi card.
Additionally, Citi has the 8/65 rule, which means:
- You can only apply for one card (whether personal or business) every eight days and no more than two cards in a 65-day window.
- You can only apply for one business card every 90 days.
There are exceptions to this rule, but this is general guidance for optimal results.
You'll generally want a good credit score of at least 670 before applying for either card.
Additionally, if you have previously earned a welcome bonus on a Citi / AAdvantage card, it's possible to earn another.
According to the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard's terms, "New account bonus is not available if you have received a new account bonus for a Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive account in the past 48 months or if you converted another Citi credit card account on which you earned a new account bonus in the last 48 months into a Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive account."
These terms only apply to individual cards and not the whole family of cards. You can also hold multiple Citi / AAdvantage cards at the same time. You can even earn multiple welcome bonuses as long as they are different card products and it's outside the 48-month window.
It's important to note that the 48-month period starts when you receive the welcome bonus, not when you're approved for the card. For example, if you switch to the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard after earning the welcome bonus on the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard, you'd still have to wait 48 months from when you earned your welcome bonus on the Citi / AAdvantage Executive to earn another Citi / AAdvantage Executive welcome bonus.
Related: What you need to know about earning another American Airlines card welcome bonus
Bottom line
Before applying for a Citi / AAdvantage credit card, you want to make sure you're getting the best welcome bonus possible.
Our historical data on welcome offer history can provide you with a good reference point for guidance on the best time to apply for Citi / AAdvantage cards based on year-over-year trends.
Be sure to check our other offer history guides as a reference point when you're looking to apply for your next credit card.
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TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.