You can now transfer Citi ThankYou points from no-annual-fee cards to AAdvantage
Editor's Note
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.
Plus, you can continue to transfer points to AAdvantage at a 1:1 ratio with the:
- Citi Prestige® (no longer available to new applicants)
- Citi Strata Elite
- Citi Strata Premier
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 75,000 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.
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
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees