Why Citi’s newest transfer partner has changed my credit card and points and miles strategies
Editor's Note
Earlier this year, I wrote about why the list of transfer partners for Citi's ThankYou Rewards program was less than ideal.
Citi just didn't have strong enough partners to compete with similar credit card programs, such as Chase Ultimate Rewards and American Express Membership Rewards. For instance, if I wanted to book a great award flight redemption or luxury hotel stay, I found myself utilizing Chase Ultimate Rewards and Amex Membership Rewards instead of Citi's program. However, this has now changed.
I was more than ecstatic to hear that Citi ThankYou Rewards added American Airlines AAdvantage as its latest 1:1 transfer partner.
Overnight, it forced me to rethink both how to use my rewards-earning credit cards and my points and miles earn‑and‑burn plan.
Coinciding with the launch of the new Citi Strata Elite℠ Card (see rates and fees), ThankYou Rewards points have gone from a secondary consideration in my wallet to the primary currency I earn.
Here's why that matters — and how I'm adapting.
Why AAdvantage miles are so valuable
I believe AAdvantage miles are more valuable than Delta SkyMiles or United MileagePlus miles, and I'm not the only one.
In TPG's August 2025 valuations, American AAdvantage miles are worth 1.55 cents each, versus United MileagePlus miles at 1.3 cents and Delta SkyMiles at 1.2 cents. These figures aren't guesses; they are calculated using TPG's data-driven method, analyzing thousands of individual data points on round-trip itineraries across the U.S. and around the world.
On American-operated flights, the lowest‑level awards routinely cost less through AAdvantage, especially across the Atlantic to Europe — business-class flights start at 65,000 AAdvantage miles. This is cheaper than booking through MileagePlus (from 80,000 miles) and SkyMiles (from 145,000 miles).
The bigger edge lies in partner awards booked with AAdvantage miles.
The premium‑leaning Oneworld alliance gives AAdvantage members access to aspirational carriers like Qatar Airways, Cathay Pacific and Japan Airlines, while many of United Airlines' and Delta Air Lines' alliance partners are, in my eyes, less desirable. AAdvantage's published, region‑based partner chart preserves astonishingly good value despite industry shifts to dynamic pricing even for partner-operated flights.
Some of the best AAdvantage partner sweet spots include:
- Japan Airlines' new Airbus A350-1000 first class to Tokyo for 80,000 miles
- Qantas business class to Australia for 80,000 miles
- Qatar Airways' Qsuite business class to India, the Maldives or Nepal via Doha's Hamad International Airport (DOH) for 70,000 miles
- Finnair's "no recline" business class to Europe for 57,500 miles
- Alaska Airlines or Hawaiian Airlines to Hawaii in economy for only 20,000 miles
In short, I would much rather transfer my credit card points and miles to AAdvantage than MileagePlus or SkyMiles.
How I'm changing my credit card strategy
I have several credit cards that earn Chase Ultimate Rewards points, Capital One miles and Citi ThankYou Rewards points, as well as some cobranded cards.
Due to the slightly differing nature of the transfer partners for Chase, Capital One and Citi, I've been spreading my spending across the three credit card loyalty programs in order to maximize my transfer options. I was recently approved for the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees), and that card has been my default, as I've just reached the minimum spending required to earn the welcome offer. I'll probably transfer those Ultimate Rewards points to World of Hyatt, as I believe that to be the single best Chase transfer partner.
Since I value American miles so highly, I've now switched virtually all of my credit card spending to ThankYou Rewards points-earning cards, purely so I can transfer the points to AAdvantage.
I already hold the Citi Strata Premier® Card (see rates and fees), which earns 3 points per dollar spent at supermarkets, gas stations, EV charging stations and restaurants, and on air travel and other hotels.
To supercharge my AAdvantage mileage earning, I'm considering applying for the Citi Strata Elite Card. For new Citi Strata Elite cardholders can earn 75,000 bonus points after spending $6,000 within the first three months from account opening.
Additional benefits include Admirals Club lounge passes and some pretty incredible earning rates for travel booked through Citi Travel and the intriguing new CitiNights℠ promotion.
In short, the Strata Premier Card has now become my everyday credit card, and the Strata Elite is on my radar to add to my wallet.
Related: First look: American's new Flagship Lounge and Admirals Club in Philly shine in big debut
How I'm changing my points and miles strategy
While the new Citi transfer option to AAdvantage is currently available, I worry the surge in transfers could bring two consequences:
- Fewer award seats available to AAdvantage members
- A devaluation of the fantastic AAdvantage partner award chart if it suddenly becomes too popular
So, I'm planning to transfer my Citi ThankYou Rewards points to AAdvantage at a 1:1 ratio and then redeem those miles as quickly as possible, both to grab any available seats and protect myself from devaluations. This flexibility is the same reason I'm choosing to focus on earning Citi points rather than just earning AAdvantage miles directly on cobranded American Airlines credit cards.
I'm based in London and regularly travel across the Atlantic. I've been consistently impressed recently with the rates and availability of American Airlines-operated business-class flights to and from London. This includes American's fancy new Flagship Suites, which I'm keen to try out soon.
I also use the fantastic Seats.aero award search tool to find partner award availability. I want to try Japan Airlines' new A350 in business or first class and have another go at Finnair's no-recline business-class product. Plus, Qatar Airways' award-winning Qsuite business-class product is never a bad idea.
I certainly hope the partner award chart keeps the great rates it currently has, as AAdvantage is one of the most generous airline loyalty programs. However, I'm also realistic that in the points and miles industry, devaluations (often without notice) are an unfortunate reality.
So, I'm booking sooner rather than later.
Related: Air France-KLM Flying Blue program increases award prices but promises better availability
Bottom line
Citi's introduction of direct AAdvantage transfers has swiftly transformed the ThankYou Rewards loyalty program into one of the best credit card programs in the market.
I'll keep the Strata Premier Card as my go-to card for everyday purchases and may add the Strata Elite for its generous welcome bonus, lounge access and superior Citi Travel earning rates.
If your goal is long‑haul, premium-cabin award flights, and you don't already earn AAdvantage miles, pairing an eligible Citi ThankYou Rewards points-earning credit card with AAdvantage transfers is now one of the smartest ways to get there.
Related reading:
- The 8 best ways to redeem 80,000 American Airlines AAdvantage miles
- Why you should master a few credit card transfer partners, and (most likely) leave the rest behind
- Credit card transfer partners: Guide to transferring points and miles to airlines and hotels
- Why transferable points and miles are worth more than other rewards
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.