Citi American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp Credit Card Review
Key Takeaways
This entry-level, co-branded American Airlines card is generally not recommended because it offers only a small welcome bonus and few notable perks. Although there is no annual fee, the 15,000-mile bonus (earned after spending just $500) is minimal, equating to about one round-trip flight since reward flights start at 7,500 miles each way. American Airlines is not a transfer partner of any major credit card issuer, so having a co-branded card can be beneficial during your points and miles journey — but this particular card isn’t the strongest option.
Why This Card Could Be Right For You
As an introductory card in the American Airlines family offered by CitiBank, it has a few appealing points:
- No annual fee
- 15,000-mile welcome offer after spending $500 in the first three months
- 2x miles at grocery stores and on eligible American Airlines purchases
- 25% savings on in-flight food and drinks on American Airlines flights
American Airlines is part of the Oneworld Alliance, so you can use AAdvantage miles on partner airlines for added flexibility. While it is possible to book American Airlines flights with points from certain partners (e.g., using Chase points via British Airways), a co-branded card such as the MileUp is the only way to book directly with AA miles on American Airlines itself.
When The Usual Advice Doesn't Apply
Reasons you might avoid this card include:
- The welcome offer is very small, even for a no-annual-fee card.
- You can get a larger sign-up bonus and additional perks from other American Airlines cards, such as the Citi AAdvantage Platinum, which waives its $99 annual fee for the first year.
What to Know About American Airlines Miles
American Airlines is a great utility point system.
- Points are relatively easy to collect, though we don’t love the bank partners or transfer options as much.
- We love direct flights, and American can be a good option for finding those with points.
- Rewards flights start at 7500 miles each way.
- You can use AA miles to travel with eligible Oneworld partner airlines worldwide.
How The Citi American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp Credit Card Fits In The American Airlines Miles Ecosystem
The MileUp card is the beginner option among Citi’s American Airlines cards. If you’re seeking a larger sign-up bonus or more benefits, you’ll need to explore their other cards, all of which have annual fees. For instance:
- Citi AAdvantage Platinum: Has a $99 annual fee (waived the first year) and offers 50,000 miles after $2,500 in purchases within the first three months.
- Citi AAdvantage Executive: Comes with a $595 annual fee but offers the highest sign-up bonus of 70,000 miles after $7,000 in purchases within three months. Despite the high fee, it provides significantly more benefits than the Platinum Select.
- Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Red: Has a $99 annual fee and a 60,000-mile sign-up bonus after making just one purchase and paying the annual fee. It offers benefits similar to the Citi card with the same annual fee.
Card Information
| Bonus Points | Minimum Spend | Point Value | Annual Value | Annual Fee |
1st Year Value
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15,000 | $500 | 1.4 ¢ | $0 | $0 |
$217
|
Spend Categories
2X points
2.8¢ Per Dollar Spent
1X points
1.4¢ Per Dollar Spent
2X points
2.8¢ Per Dollar Spent
Card Benefits
25% savings on American Airlines inflight food, beverage and Wi-Fi
Point Transfer Options
Transfer To Spouse/Partner Yes - $$
Transfer To Friends Yes - $$
Travel Partner Transfers
Outside Point System American Airlines Miles
Transfers In From
5:1 47% value retained
3:1 67% value retained
5:2.5 44% value retained
Citi American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp Application Rules
Card approval not subject to 5-personal-cards-in-24-months rule
You'll be declined if you apply for a second Citi business card within 95 days
You'll be declined if you apply for a third Citi card within 65 days
You'll be declined if you apply for a second Citi card (business and/or personal) within 8 days
You'll be declined if there are 6 or more hard inquiries on your credit report the past 6 months
