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You can now transfer Citi ThankYou points from no-annual-fee cards to AAdvantage

Aug. 25, 2025
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4 min read
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Editor's Note

Citi is a TPG advertising partner.

If you hold select no-annual-fee Citi cards that earn ThankYou Rewards points, your points are now more valuable.

Just a few weeks ago, Citi announced it was adding American Airlines as a transfer partner. Before this announcement, American Airlines AAdvantage was the only major domestic airline program that wasn't a loyalty partner of a major credit card issuer.

Initially, transferring points to American Airlines was only available on Citi cards that have an annual fee, such as the Citi Strata Premier® Card (see rates and fees) and Citi Strata Elite℠ Card (see rates and fees).

Now, Citi has added American Airlines as a transfer partner on its no-annual-fee cards, albeit at a reduced transfer ratio.

Here's what you need to know.

What Citi cards can transfer points to AAdvantage

You can now transfer ThankYou points to AAdvantage at a 1:0.7 ratio if you hold one of the following no-annual-fee cards:

This means for every 1,000 Citi points you transfer, you'll receive 700 American AAdvantage miles.

The information for the Citi Custom Cash has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

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CITI

Plus, you can continue to transfer points to AAdvantage at a 1:1 ratio with the:

The information for the Citi Prestige 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: Earn up to 100,000 bonus Citi ThankYou points with these Strata card offers

My take

I am delighted by Citi's announcement of adding American Airlines as a transfer partner to its no-annual-fee cards. This is a great deal for cardholders who may not be ready to pay an annual fee yet but want access to a valuable transfer partner that has numerous sweet spot redemptions.

I don't mind the reduced transfer ratio either, as it seems quite reasonable to lock the 1:1 ratio behind an annual fee. This aligns with the typical 1:0.7 transfer ratio of most partners, like JetBlue TrueBlue, on Citi’s no-annual-fee cards.

Woman writing notes at computer
HALFPOINT IMAGES/GETTY IMAGES

You can also create a valuable rewards-earning Citi Duo by pairing a card that has an annual fee (and the 1:1 to ratio) with a no-annual fee card to double down on earning transferable points.

If you'd prefer to only carry one card, for maximum value, I would still recommend the Citi Strata Premier or Citi Strata Elite to access all of Citi's transfer partners at the full ratios.

Related: How to redeem American Airlines AAdvantage miles for maximum value

Bottom line

Citi has opened the ability to transfer points to American Airlines on select no-annual-fee cards. This is a welcomed addition, as it gives cardholders who don't want to pay an annual fee more flexibility with how they redeem their hard-earned Citi points.

Despite this addition, the transfer ratio is reduced, and if you want the full 1:1 ratio, you may want to consider a Citi card with an annual fee.

Related: Why Citi’s newest transfer partner has changed my credit card and points and miles strategies

Featured image by ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    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. (Partner offer)

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.