Citi and American Airlines have officially launched a new co-branded credit card, the Citi / AAdvantage Globe Mastercard, aimed at travelers seeking premium benefits without committing to a top-tier annual fee. The card carries a $350 annual fee and includes a suite of perks designed to enhance the travel experience, from lounge access to a unique path for earning elite status.
The new card is positioned to fill a gap in the AAdvantage credit card portfolio, sitting between the introductory-level Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select card and the premium Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard. It combines familiar airline benefits with new credits and earning structures.
Key Takeaways
- Citi and American Airlines have released the new AAdvantage Globe Mastercard with a $350 annual fee.
- The card offers a welcome bonus of 90,000 AAdvantage miles after meeting spending requirements.
- Key benefits include four annual Admirals Club passes, a companion certificate, and up to $240 in annual Turo credits.
- A new "Flight Streak" feature provides a way to earn up to 15,000 bonus Loyalty Points per year.
New Welcome Offer for Inaugural Cardholders
To mark the launch, the AAdvantage Globe card features a substantial introductory offer. New applicants can earn 90,000 AAdvantage bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases within the first four months of opening the account. Based on typical airline mile valuations, this bonus could represent a significant value for award travel.
This welcome bonus is designed to attract frequent travelers who can meet the spending threshold and want to quickly increase their AAdvantage mileage balance for future flights or upgrades.
Detailed Breakdown of Cardholder Benefits
The $350 annual fee is supported by a comprehensive list of benefits and statement credits intended to provide value that exceeds the yearly cost for regular American Airlines flyers.
Travel and Lounge Access Perks
A major feature of the AAdvantage Globe card is its travel-centric benefits. Cardholders receive four Admirals Club Globe lounge passes each year. These passes are valid for 24 hours each and are designated as "Globe" passes, which allows access even on days when operational capacity might otherwise restrict entry for other pass holders. Each pass admits one adult, and the primary cardholder must be present.
Additionally, the card includes a companion certificate each year after account renewal. This certificate is redeemable for one round-trip domestic flight in the Main Cabin for a companion, costing $99 plus applicable taxes and fees.
Core Airline Benefits
Cardholders receive a complimentary first checked bag on domestic American Airlines itineraries for themselves and up to eight companions on the same reservation. They also get Group 5 preferred boarding, providing earlier access to overhead bin space.
Annual Statement Credits
The card offers several statement credits that can help offset the annual fee:
- Up to $100 AA Inflight Credit: Receive statement credits for purchases of food, beverages, and Wi-Fi on American Airlines flights.
- Up to $240 Turo Credit: A unique benefit offering up to $30 in credit per eligible Turo car rental trip, with a maximum of $240 in credits per calendar year and a limit of one $30 credit per billing period.
- Up to $100 Splurge Credit: An annual credit valid toward a maximum of two purchases from a select list of partners, including AAdvantage Hotels, 1stDibs, Future Personal Training, and Live Nation.
- Up to $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Credit: A statement credit to cover the application fee for either program, available once every four years.
These credits are structured to reward spending across different travel and lifestyle categories, making the card more versatile for a wider range of consumers.
Earning Miles and Loyalty Points
The AAdvantage Globe card introduces a tiered earning structure for accumulating miles, which also directly translates into Loyalty Points for elite status qualification.
Mileage Earning Rates
Cardholders will earn AAdvantage miles at the following rates:
- 6 miles per dollar on eligible AAdvantage Hotels bookings.
- 3 miles per dollar on eligible American Airlines purchases.
- 2 miles per dollar at restaurants, including takeout and delivery services.
- 2 miles per dollar on "Rides and Rails," which covers taxis, ride-sharing services, and public transit.
- 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases.
Crucially, for every eligible AAdvantage mile earned from these purchases, the cardholder also earns one Loyalty Point. This system integrates everyday spending directly into the path toward achieving AAdvantage elite status.
What Are Loyalty Points?
American Airlines' AAdvantage program uses Loyalty Points as the sole metric for earning elite status. Members earn status by accumulating a set number of Loyalty Points within a qualification year, which runs from March 1 through the end of February of the following year. AAdvantage Gold, the first tier, requires 40,000 Loyalty Points.
Accelerating Elite Status with Flight Streak
Beyond earning Loyalty Points through spending, the AAdvantage Globe card introduces an innovative feature called Flight Streak. This benefit provides a direct boost of Loyalty Points based on actual flying activity with American Airlines.
Cardholders can earn 5,000 bonus Loyalty Points after taking four qualifying American Airlines flights within a status qualification year. This bonus can be achieved up to three times per year, allowing a cardholder to earn a total of 15,000 bonus Loyalty Points after completing 12 qualifying flights.
"The Flight Streak benefit provides a unique way for frequent flyers to accelerate their progress toward elite status, rewarding them for their loyalty in the air in addition to their spending on the ground."
This 15,000 Loyalty Point bonus represents a significant portion of the 40,000 points needed for AAdvantage Gold status. For a traveler who already flies frequently, this feature can make achieving or maintaining elite status much easier.
Market Positioning and Strategic Context
The launch of the AAdvantage Globe card is a strategic move by Citi and American Airlines. It fills a noticeable gap in their product lineup, offering a middle ground for customers who want more than a basic airline card but do not need the comprehensive lounge access and higher fee of the AAdvantage Executive card.
The card's introduction also follows a recent extension of the partnership between the two companies. As part of this renewed agreement, co-branded AAdvantage cards from Barclays have stopped accepting new applications, consolidating Citi's position as the primary issuer for the airline.
With its blend of statement credits, lounge passes, a companion certificate, and the unique Flight Streak feature, the AAdvantage Globe card is positioned to be a competitive option for loyal American Airlines customers. Its value will ultimately depend on how effectively a cardholder can utilize its various benefits to offset the $350 annual fee.
