Citi Adds American Airlines as a Transfer Partner — What This Means for Your Points Strategy

Big news in the points and miles world: Citi has officially added American Airlines AAdvantage® as a transfer partner — a long-awaited move that significantly boosts the value of Citi’s ThankYou Rewards program.

With the launch of the new Citi Strata Elite credit card, Citi also announced that eligible ThankYou Points can now be transferred to American Airlines at a 1:1 ratio. This applies to cardholders of the:

• Citi Strata Premier
• Citi Strata Elite
• Citi Prestige® (discontinued for new applicants but still active for some)

This is a huge win for travelers looking to book premium cabins or unlock great value on domestic flights. American Airlines has long been a gap in Citi’s transfer ecosystem — especially for those who want flexibility without being locked into a single airline program.

Which Cards Are Eligible?

Only premium Citi ThankYou-earning cards have access to this new 1:1 transfer option. That means:

✅ Yes: Citi Strata Elite, Strata Premier, Prestige
🚫 No: Citi Custom Cash, Double Cash, Rewards+, etc.

If you currently use a no-annual-fee card like the Citi Double Cash® or Citi Custom Cash℠, you won’t have access to AAdvantage transfers — unless you also hold an eligible premium card.

The no-annual fee cards cannot access the full range of transfer partners, leaving out several useful programs. That makes a strong case for adding the new Strata Premier or Elite card to your wallet to unlock full transfer capabilities.

Why This Matters: The Power of AAdvantage Miles

American Airlines miles are incredibly valuable, not just for flying AA, but for accessing top-tier partner redemptions across the Oneworld alliance and beyond. Some of the best ways to use AAdvantage miles include:

✈️ Etihad First Class Apartment – a luxury experience on a fixed award chart
✈️ Japan Airlines Business Class – great availability and a low mileage cost
✈️ Qatar Qsuites – one of the best business class products in the world
✈️ Domestic AA flights – even with dynamic pricing, you can often find good value, especially on short-haul or off-peak routes

Unlike programs like Delta or United, AAdvantage still uses region-based partner award charts, which opens the door for outsized value — particularly for international travel in premium cabins.

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A Strategic Shift for Citi and American Airlines

This partnership is more than just a nice perk — it signals a larger shift in Citi and American Airlines’ credit card strategy. Citi is now set to become the exclusive issuer of AAdvantage® credit cards, replacing the longtime co-branded relationship with Barclays.

While this means we’ll likely see fewer welcome bonus opportunities for AA miles (as Barclays exits), it also means:

• More cohesive earning opportunities through Citi’s ThankYou ecosystem
• More ways to earn American miles via everyday spending
• The end of a two-issuer AA card strategy that often led to limited-time bonuses from both banks

For points enthusiasts, the ability to now transfer flexible ThankYou Points directly to AA makes Citi a much stronger competitor to Amex Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards — especially for international award travel.

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Final Thoughts

If you’re sitting on ThankYou Points or considering a Citi card, this is a game-changing update. American Airlines is one of the most sought-after transfer partners, and its addition to Citi’s lineup makes the ThankYou program more flexible, valuable, and competitive than ever before.

And if you’re currently earning points with a Citi Double Cash or Custom Cash? Now may be the perfect time to pair it with a premium ThankYou card — especially if American Airlines is part of your travel plans.