Latest news with #AAdvantage
Forbes
16 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
Citi ThankYou Points Take Flight With American Airlines
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations. The world of travel rewards just opened up in a big way. Coinciding with the launch of the all-new Citi Strata Elite℠ Card, Citi ThankYou® Points can now be transferred to American Airlines AAdvantage miles at a 1:1 ratio. Citi is a Forbes Advisor partner. That's a major upgrade for select Citi cardholders, who now have access to powerhouse awards on American Airlines and its extensive network of partners. This also shifts the playing field for flexible points in general: As the exclusive transfer option to AAdvantage, this tips the scales toward Citi credit cards as a competitive player. Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed. Why American Miles Matter American Airlines AAdvantage miles are highly sought after for their global reach and fair pricing. It's not uncommon to find one-way flights in economy throughout North America for 10,000 miles or less, making free travel accessible even for someone with more modest point balances. But AAdvantage also opens doors to aspirational travel. As a member of the Oneworld alliance, customers can redeem miles for experiences such as Qatar Airways Q Suites business class, Japan Airlines' exceptional new first class or trips to destinations served by nonalliance partners like Air Tahuiti Nui. The breadth of options makes AAdvantage miles a powerful currency, and its new partnership with Citi ThankYou Points extends value to your credit card points, too. Earning Citi ThankYou Points American Airlines credit cards can be a fantastic way to access benefits during travel, but the earning rates are mostly underwhelming. Earning American miles indirectly via ThankYou Points is a strategic yet easy way to increase your earning potential from card spending. The Citi Strata Premier® Card offers strong multipliers on travel and everyday spending for a mere $95 annual fee: 10 points per dollar spent on hotels, car rentals and attractions booked on 3 points per dollar on restaurants, supermarkets, gas & EV stations, air travel and other hotel purchases 1 point per dollar on all other purchases The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card offers higher earning rates but in fewer, more niche categories: 12 points per dollar spent on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on 6 points per dollar spent on air travel booked on 6 points per dollar spent at restaurants, including restaurant delivery services on CitiNights℠ purchases, every Friday and Saturday from 6 PM to 6 AM ET; 3 points per dollar spent any other time 1.5 points per dollar spent on other purchases The annual fee on the Strata Elite is much higher ($595 per year), but comes with annual benefits that could be extremely valuable to American Airlines' flyers, including four Admirals Club day passes, up to $200 in Splurge Credit valid toward eligible American Airlines purchases and up to $300 in hotel credit when booking stays of two nights or more through Citi Travel. Transferring Citi ThankYou Points to American Airlines AAdvantage To transfer Citi ThankYou Points, you'll need a ThankYou card with full transfer capabilities, like the Strata Elite, Strata Premier or the Citi Prestige® Card (closed to new applicants). Requesting a transfer is a simple process: Log in to your Citi ThankYou account Navigate to the Points Transfer redemption section Select an American Airlines transfer and input your desired transfer amount (in increments of 1,000) and your AAdvantage member number Transfers may take up to five business days to process, though many are completed within seconds. Since transfer times are quick, you can wait to move points until you have a specific award you're ready to book. This allows you to retain maximum redemption flexibility. Here's the full list of Citi ThankYou Points transfer partners for premium cards: Airline Partners Hotel Partners Retail Partner Find the best travel credit card for your travel needs. This robust deepening of the Citi-AAdvantage partnership isn't news to sleep on. It's a major win for consumers who want to use their rewards toward global travel. If you've been sitting on a stash of Citi ThankYou Points, this could be your boarding call. With the ability to book anything from short hops and weekend getaways to once-in-a-lifetime luxury adventures, ThankYou Points just became a lot more versatile. Was this article helpful?
Economic Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Economic Times
Citi unveils Strata Elite credit card with $595 fee to challenge Amex and Chase in premium market
Citi unveils Strata Elite credit card Citigroup has launched its highly anticipated Strata Elite Credit Card, entering the ultra-premium credit card arena with a $595 annual fee. This new offering is positioned to directly compete with American Express's Platinum card and Chase's Sapphire Reserve, both dominant players in the luxury travel rewards market. The Strata Elite aims to attract affluent consumers by delivering significant value and exclusive perks at a lower fee point compared to its rivals. While Amex Platinum charges $695 annually and Chase Sapphire Reserve recently increased its fee to $795, Citi is marketing the Strata Elite as a cost-effective alternative potentially offering up to $1,500 in annual value for users who fully leverage its benefits. The Strata Elite card emphasizes rewards in key lifestyle categories. Cardholders can earn up to 12 points per dollar spent on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through Citi Travel, alongside elevated rewards for dining during peak weekend hours. The card's annual credits are substantial, including a $300 hotel credit valid on multi-night stays booked via Citi's travel platform, a $200 'Splurge' credit redeemable at select retailers such as Best Buy and Live Nation, and four American Airlines Admirals Club lounge passes per year—a unique benefit not offered by competing premium cards. Additional perks include lounge access, a biannual $100 Blacklane chauffeur credit totaling $200 annually, and a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fees every four years. The Strata Elite also waives foreign transaction fees and comes with comprehensive travel and purchase protections. Members enjoy exclusive offers at premium hotels, such as complimentary breakfast, late checkout privileges, and $100 experience credits at select locations. A key highlight setting the Strata Elite apart is its ability to transfer points at a 1:1 ratio to American Airlines AAdvantage miles. This feature marks the first time in the U.S. consumer credit market that Citi has enabled such a transfer, following American Airlines' recent partnership with Citi's ThankYou Rewards program. Points can be earned at competitive rates across multiple categories, with authorized users available for $75 each, granting nearly full card benefits including lounge access. This approach signals Citi's renewed focus on the high-end travel segment, reminiscent of its earlier Citi Prestige card, which was discontinued for new applicants in launch of the Strata Elite intensifies the competition among premium credit cards amid a highly active "perk war." Chase's recent increase of the Sapphire Reserve annual fee to $795 was paired with enhanced benefits, while American Express continues to evolve its Platinum card, maintaining its $695 fee but adding new credits and exclusive experiences to retain customers. Capital One, with its Venture X card priced at $395 annually, is also expanding its travel offerings to capture affluent consumers seeking premium perks at a lower cost. Despite rising fees in this segment, analysts note that the demand for luxury travel rewards remains strong, supported by Federal Reserve data indicating average U.S. credit card interest rates above 20%, which accentuates the value of rewards and benefits for head of U.S. cards and lending highlighted the design philosophy of the new card, stating, "The modern customer, who is affluent with a passion for travel and dining, told us they want to maximize the rewards they can earn in the categories they care about."
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Citi unveils Strata Elite credit card with $595 fee to challenge Amex and Chase in premium market
Citigroup has launched its highly anticipated Strata Elite Credit Card , entering the ultra-premium credit card arena with a $595 annual fee. This new offering is positioned to directly compete with American Express's Platinum card and Chase's Sapphire Reserve, both dominant players in the luxury travel rewards market. The Strata Elite aims to attract affluent consumers by delivering significant value and exclusive perks at a lower fee point compared to its rivals. While Amex Platinum charges $695 annually and Chase Sapphire Reserve recently increased its fee to $795, Citi is marketing the Strata Elite as a cost-effective alternative potentially offering up to $1,500 in annual value for users who fully leverage its benefits. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category PGDM Product Management Finance MBA Degree Technology Operations Management MCA healthcare Public Policy Healthcare others Artificial Intelligence Cybersecurity Digital Marketing Others Data Analytics Data Science Design Thinking Management Leadership Project Management CXO Data Science Skills you'll gain: Financial Analysis & Decision Making Quantitative & Analytical Skills Organizational Management & Leadership Innovation & Entrepreneurship Duration: 24 Months IMI Delhi Post Graduate Diploma in Management (Online) Starts on Sep 1, 2024 Get Details The Strata Elite card emphasizes rewards in key lifestyle categories. Cardholders can earn up to 12 points per dollar spent on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked through Citi Travel, alongside elevated rewards for dining during peak weekend hours. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Shooter Action MMO Crossout Play Now Undo The card's annual credits are substantial, including a $300 hotel credit valid on multi-night stays booked via Citi's travel platform, a $200 'Splurge' credit redeemable at select retailers such as Best Buy and Live Nation, and four American Airlines Admirals Club lounge passes per year—a unique benefit not offered by competing premium cards. Additional perks include lounge access, a biannual $100 Blacklane chauffeur credit totaling $200 annually, and a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fees every four years. The Strata Elite also waives foreign transaction fees and comes with comprehensive travel and purchase protections. Members enjoy exclusive offers at premium hotels, such as complimentary breakfast, late checkout privileges, and $100 experience credits at select locations. Live Events A key highlight setting the Strata Elite apart is its ability to transfer points at a 1:1 ratio to American Airlines AAdvantage miles. This feature marks the first time in the U.S. consumer credit market that Citi has enabled such a transfer, following American Airlines' recent partnership with Citi's ThankYou Rewards program. Points can be earned at competitive rates across multiple categories, with authorized users available for $75 each, granting nearly full card benefits including lounge access. This approach signals Citi's renewed focus on the high-end travel segment, reminiscent of its earlier Citi Prestige card, which was discontinued for new applicants in 2021. The launch of the Strata Elite intensifies the competition among premium credit cards amid a highly active "perk war." Chase's recent increase of the Sapphire Reserve annual fee to $795 was paired with enhanced benefits, while American Express continues to evolve its Platinum card, maintaining its $695 fee but adding new credits and exclusive experiences to retain customers. Capital One, with its Venture X card priced at $395 annually, is also expanding its travel offerings to capture affluent consumers seeking premium perks at a lower cost. Despite rising fees in this segment, analysts note that the demand for luxury travel rewards remains strong, supported by Federal Reserve data indicating average U.S. credit card interest rates above 20%, which accentuates the value of rewards and benefits for consumers. Citi's head of U.S. cards and lending highlighted the design philosophy of the new card, stating, "The modern customer, who is affluent with a passion for travel and dining, told us they want to maximize the rewards they can earn in the categories they care about."
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Citi launches Strata Elite premium travel credit card. Should you add it to your wallet?
Citi is launching a new premium rewards credit card: the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card. With a $595 annual fee, this card joins other luxury credit cards in catering to jetsetters looking to maximize travel savings and perks. But a unique bonus rewards structure and specific benefits for American Airlines — including the ability to transfer Citi ThankYou points to AAdvantage miles — helps the Citi Strata Elite Card stand out for some frequent flyers. Citi Strata Elite Card details The Citi Strata Elite has a $595 annual fee, which is steep for any cardholder. However, it is in line with other premium travel cards on the market today. It's also a step up from the issuer's former top-tier travel card, the $495 Citi Prestige Card. That card hasn't accepted new applications since 2021, but if you've been a longtime Citi cardholder, you may want to compare it to Citi's new premium option. Here are the details: Welcome bonus You can get a lot of value as a new cardholder with the Citi Strata Elite's welcome offer. But how much you earn depends on how you apply. When you apply online and get approved, you can earn 80,000 bonus ThankYou points after spending $4,000 within the first three months of account opening. If you decide to go in-branch to a Citi location and get approved, you can earn an even higher 100,000 bonus points after spending the same $4,000 within the first three 12x points on hotels, car rentals, and attractions booked on 6x points on air travel booked on 6x points at restaurants every Friday and Saturday night 3x points at restaurants any other time 1.5x points on all other purchases These rewards categories can help you rack up Citi ThankYou points toward future travel, but there are some restrictions. First, you'll only earn bonus points on travel booked through the Citi Travel portal — up to 12x points (or 6x for flights) is a solid multiplier, but if you prefer to book directly or through another third-party service, you'll only get the minimum 1.5x on your travel spending. Dining at restaurants is another common category you'll find among travel rewards cards, but the Strata Elite works a little differently. You'll get a standard 3x at restaurants, which increases to 6x every weekend between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. ET on both Friday and Saturday. If you eat out a lot on the weekends, this can be a great boost, but all other daytime and weeknight meals will only earn the regular 3x A common way to make up for a card's steep annual fee cost is through annual benefits, and the Citi Strata Elite is no exception. Here are a few benefits to expect with this card: Up to $300 annual hotel credit for stays of two nights or more booked through Citi Travel each calendar year Up to $200 annual Splurge Credit, which applies to purchases at your choice of up to two eligible brands each calendar year: American Airlines, Live Nation, Best Buy, 1stDibs, and Future Personal Training Up to $200 annual Blacklane credit for global chauffeur service (up to $100 from January through June and another $100 from July through December) Up to $120 credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry fee every four years Four American Airlines Admirals Club passes each calendar year Transfer Citi ThankYou points to American Airlines AAdvantage miles Complimentary Priority Pass Select airport lounge membership No foreign transaction fees These benefits may be especially lucrative for frequent American Airlines flyers. You'll get four passes per year to American Airlines Admirals Club lounges. American Airlines sells one-day passes to its lounges for $79, so if you fly the airline enough to use all four passes, that's already worth $316 each year. And with the ability to transfer the points you earn to American Airlines miles, you'll have extra flexibility when you're ready to book award flights. Annual credit card perks like this can add up to major savings each year, but only if you actually use them. It always pays to compare your spending and travel preferences to any card's benefits to make sure you can keep maximizing your value you get a Citi Strata Elite Card? If you're already a Citi cardholder, you may benefit from using this card in combination with other Citi points-earning cards. For example, you can use the Strata Elite to maximize travel spending through Citi Travel and at restaurants (especially on weekends) while using the Citi Strata Premier℠ Card to earn 3x points on everyday purchases at supermarkets and gas stations. Then, combine the points from both cards when you want to book a trip. In addition to redeeming ThankYou points for travel through the issuer, Citi has a number of airline and hotel partners you can transfer your points to, including Air France KLM Flying Blue, JetBlue TrueBlue, Avianca LifeMiles, Choice Privileges, Wyndham Rewards, and more. While the American Airlines AAdvantage program wasn't previously a Citi transfer partner, you can now transfer your Citi Strata Elite points to the airline. If you're a regular American Airlines flyer or already have elite status within the program, this can be a great way to make the most of your ThankYou points. However, there are some potential drawbacks to keep in mind. Like we mentioned above, you're limited to booking travel through Citi Travel if you want to earn the highest rewards rate offered. Other travel credit cards often have more flexibility to earn points and miles with other booking options. The value you'll gain from the card's benefits will also depend a lot on your spending. If you often fly with American Airlines, you can nearly recoup the annual fee cost just from the Admirals Club lounge passes and choosing American Airlines for your annual Splurge Credit. But other credits may be more difficult to maximize if the eligible brands aren't already in your regular budget, for example, or you already get airport lounge access with another premium cards to consider Today's credit card market has multiple great options for maximizing rewards on travel while getting great benefits. If you travel often and don't mind paying a steep annual fee for perks like lounge access, travel credits, status perks, and more, make sure to consider these cards as well: Why we like it: After its recent overhaul, the Chase Sapphire Reserve now carries the highest annual fee among the cards on this list. It also has one of the most flexible annual travel credits available today, offering up to $300 in statement credits for any travel purchases charged to your card. Like the Citi Strata Elite, this card also has airport lounge access perks, a fee credit for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, hotel credits, and more. While its highest 8x rewards category also requires booking travel through the issuer's Chase Travel portal, you can still earn 4x points with the Chase Sapphire Reserve when you book directly with hotels and we like it: The Platinum Card is also expected to undergo a refresh later this year, but current cardholders can get plenty of benefits while traveling for a $695 annual fee (see rates & fees). These include airport lounge access, up to $200 in airline fee credits for incidental charges with your choice airline, up to $200 in statement credits for select prepaid hotel bookings through Amex Travel, Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status and Hilton Honors Gold status, and many more. Like the Citi Strata Elite, you'll get the best Amex Platinum rewards when you book through the issuer — 5x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked through Amex Travel. But you can earn the same rate on flights booked directly with airlines, too (up to $500,000 spent on combined flight purchases each year).Why we like it: Among premium travel card options, the Capital One Venture X has the lowest annual fee — but that doesn't mean it's lacking in value. You can earn boosted rewards for booking travel through Capital One Travel on top of a flat 2x miles on every purchase. As for benefits, there's a $300 annual travel credit you can also use on Capital One Travel purchases, plus airport lounge access, a 10,000-mile bonus every year starting on your first anniversary, and article was edited by Alicia Hahn. Editorial Disclosure: The information in this article has not been reviewed or approved by any advertiser. All opinions belong solely to Yahoo Finance and are not those of any other entity. The details on financial products, including card rates and fees, are accurate as of the publish date. All products or services are presented without warranty. Check the bank's website for the most current information. This site doesn't include all currently available offers. Credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any financial product.
Forbes
6 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Unlock Enhanced Perks: American Airlines And Mastercard Extend Partnership
Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations. Your next flight might feel the same, but the partnership powering your travel perks just got a major renewal. American Airlines and Mastercard renewed their decades-long partnership on July 21, 2025, keeping Mastercard as the exclusive network for all AAdvantage co-branded credit cards . For loyal American Airlines customers, this renewal means continued access to familiar rewards and travel benefits, plus a few new upgrades. For a limited time, earn 80,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $3,500 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening. Credit Score ranges are based on FICO® credit scoring. This is just one scoring method and a credit card issuer may use another method when considering your application. These are provided as guidelines only and approval is not guaranteed. Both companies say this deal focuses on improving the travel experience with smarter technology, stronger security and perks tailored to cardholders. If you already have an AAdvantage card, nothing changes for now. Mastercard remains the exclusive network on these cards, so you'll continue enjoying perks like early boarding, free checked bags and bonus AAdvantage miles on qualifying purchases. Additionally, AAdvantage cardholders can still access Mastercard's Priceless Experiences platform, which is its collection of exclusive events and experiences. These range from cultural events and curated travel activities to behind-the-scenes access at major sporting events. While these perks may not be why most people choose a travel credit card , they're a bonus for frequent flyers who enjoy added value. The renewed deal isn't just about rewards—it's also about tech. Mastercard says it will continue working with American Airlines to enhance travelers' digital experience, offering stronger fraud protection, improving online and in-flight payments and using smarter data to personalize offers. Travelers could see more tailored promotions or upgrades, faster checkouts with mobile wallets or a more seamless booking process within the American Airlines app. Airline credit cards play a significant role in how U.S. carriers make money. For travelers, they're an easy way to rack up miles and enjoy travel perks for an annual fee. In a crowded travel credit card market, consistency is a relief. Some programs switch networks or shake up their terms without much notice, but this renewal means AAdvantage cardholders won't have to worry about sudden changes. This is especially important if you've built your travel plans around the American Airlines AAdvantage program and its associated credit cards. American Airlines and Mastercard are sticking together—and that's good news for frequent flyers. With your AAdvantage credit card, you'll still earn miles on everyday spending, board early, check a bag for free and maybe even score access to a few memorable events along the way. While the updates aren't sweeping for now, they hint at more digital improvements and personalized travel features. If you're considering becoming a cardholder, this long-standing partnership might offer you extra confidence in a card's long-term value in your wallet.
