Citi adds American Airlines as a 1:1 transfer partner, offers Admirals Club passes on brand-new card
Editor's Note
- American Airlines is Citi's newest transfer partner.
- Three Citi cards will allow 1:1 transfers to American's AAdvantage program.
- New Admirals Club perks are now available for some cardholders.
A major credit card issuer has just added American Airlines as a transfer partner.
Citi on Sunday announced the launch of 1:1 transfers from its ThankYou Rewards program to American's AAdvantage loyalty program for three of the rewards cards in its lineup.
The move has made Citi the only card issuer with direct transfers to American, one of the three largest U.S. airlines.
Points transfers are expected to go live right away, on Sunday.
Citi revealed the news as part of the unveiling of the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card (see rates and fees), its brand-new premium-tier credit card that comes with additional American Airlines benefits in the form of annual day passes to the airline's Admirals Club network.
Those lounge passes will be specific to the new Strate Elite Card, but existing cardholders with two other cards, the Citi Strata Premier® Card (see rates and fees) and the Citi Prestige® Card (no longer available), will be able to transfer their ThankYou Rewards points to American going forward.
The information for the Citi Prestige Card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Citi and American get closer
Citi and American partnering on a credit card is nothing new. The airline and the issuer first joined forces decades ago and already jointly offer American's suite of airline-specific cards, like the one that's been a workhorse of my wallet for the better part of a decade.
But a new agreement between the two sides, unveiled late last year, set the stage for deeper ties between the companies.
And on Sunday, those ties led to Citi becoming the only major card issuer to allow consumers with transferable rewards to move those points directly to American.
"I think that we have always desired a major airline point transfer partner, and of course it would only be with American, so we're delighted that we've come to the conclusion that customers will value this," Pam Habner, Citi's head of U.S. branded cards and lending, told TPG.
Here's what to know about the new transfer options and new American Airlines perks for Citi cardholders.
Can you transfer Citi ThankYou Rewards points to American Airlines?
Yes, depending on the card. As of Sunday, July 27, cardholders with the following Citi cards can transfer their ThankYou Rewards points directly to American's AAdvantage program:
- Citi Strata Elite (brand-new card with a $595 annual fee)
- Citi Strata Premier ($95 annual fee)
- Citi Prestige ($495 annual fee, no longer available to new applicants)
Points will transfer at a 1:1 ratio, so 1,000 Citi ThankYou Rewards points will become 1,000 AAdvantage miles.
How to transfer Citi points to American Airlines
If you're hoping to jump right into Citi-American transfers, you should be able to log right into your ThankYou Rewards account, pull up the transfers page and move your points over to the airline.
Once they hit your AAdvantage account, you'll be able to book an award flight on American, whether you're hoping to book the airline's brand-new Flagship Suites on a flight to Europe or snag a coach deal on a short domestic flight.
Read more: How to redeem miles with the American Airlines AAdvantage program
New Admirals Club benefits for cardholders
Among the headlining features of the new Citi Strata Elite Card unveiled on Sunday is access to American's network of Admirals Clubs.
Specifically, Strata Elite Card holders will get four annual passes to American's clubs.
Those can each be redeemed for one-time use; think of them like a day pass.
First look: American's new Flagship Lounge and Admirals Club in Philly shine in big debut
Can you bring a guest?
Yes, but there's a catch.
Strata Elite Card holders can choose to redeem their annual Admirals Club passes for adult guests age 18 and over. However, should you bring three adults into a lounge with you on one visit, know that that would exhaust your annual allotment of four club passes.
A cardholder is allowed to bring in up to three children (under the age of 18) on a visit without using up all their annual passes, though.
If you're a traveler who wants frequent access to the Admirals Club — and with a more lenient guest policy — you might instead consider the full-fledged club access you get via the cobranded Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees).
Not quite a 'first,' but a major moment for Citi and American
It's not technically the first time Citi has offered cardholders a chance to transfer points to American. Several years ago, during the coronavirus pandemic, the issuer offered American transfers on a temporary basis.
But now, these transfers seem far more permanent, making Citi's growing suite of Strata cards a more intriguing option for travelers who like to fly American.
Previously, JetBlue was Citi's only U.S. airline transfer partner. That meant Citi cardholders hoping to redeem points for a flight on American had to go through its Oneworld alliance partners like Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways and Qantas.
Per TPG's July 2025 valuations, American's miles are the most valuable of any U.S. carrier.
American gains a transfer partner
Up until this announcement, American had been the largest U.S. airline without a credit card transfer partner.
The airline briefly allowed direct transfers from Bilt Rewards, but that tie-up ended a little over a year ago.
Meanwhile, American's top airline competitors have both allowed points transfers from their top banking partners for years: Delta Air Lines partners with American Express, while United Airlines has a partnership with Chase.
Scott Long, American's senior vice president of AAdvantage, told TPG that there's more to come on its Citi ties, which customers will see in the future.
"This is a rethinking of what we can do as partners, and a new partnership to go broader and deeper than we have before," Long said. "We think there's more that we can do, but this is an exciting first step."
Related reading:
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
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 $6,000 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.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits.Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
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 $6,000 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.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.