Airlines

Citi / AAdvantage Globe Mastercard evaluate: Full particulars

Citi / AAdvantage Globe Mastercard overview

The Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard® (see charges and costs) is aimed toward vacationers who fly American Airways about as soon as per quarter. It is best suited to semi-frequent flyers who can maximize the companion certificates, checked bag profit and lounge passes. Nonetheless, it is much less compelling for vacationers in search of stronger incomes charges, limitless lounge entry or inflight reductions. Card Ranking*: ⭐⭐⭐ ½

*Card ranking is predicated on the opinion of TPG’s editors and isn’t influenced by the cardboard issuer.

Launched in mid-October, the Citi / AAdvantage Globe Mastercard card sits in the course of American Airways’ cobranded lineup, providing extra perks than an entry-level card however stopping wanting the premium tier.

The cardboard affords beneficial perks like an annual companion certificates, Admirals Membership lounge passes, most well-liked boarding and a free checked bag, which may greater than offset the $350 annual price if used strategically.

Whereas not as beneficial as a top-tier journey rewards card, it affords a strong center floor between entry-level airline playing cards and premium choices.

A great to wonderful credit score rating (670 or above) is really helpful for a profitable software.

Citi / AAdvantage Globe professionals and cons

Professionals Cons
  • Helps attain elite standing extra shortly
  • Annual companion certificates
  • Admirals Membership lounge passes
  • No overseas transaction charges
  • Under-average incomes charges
  • Steep annual price for semi-frequent flyers
  • Companion certificates not legitimate on primary economic system fares
  • Restricted worth from automotive rental credit score

Citi / AAdvantage Globe welcome supply

New Citi / AA Globe Mastercard candidates can earn a limited-time welcome bonus of 90,000 miles after spending $5,000 within the first 4 months of account opening.

These miles are value $1,395 based mostly on TPG’s October 2025 valuations.

THE POINTS GUY

In case your main objective is to earn a big chunk of AA miles for a decrease annual price, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Choose® World Elite Mastercard® could also be a greater match. Alternatively, the Citi Strata Premier® Card (see charges and costs) earns transferable ThankYou factors that may be transformed to AAdvantage miles, providing extra flexibility.

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The knowledge for the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Choose has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.

You may apply even when you already maintain different Citi or Barclays AAdvantage playing cards. Citi permits one new card each eight days and not more than two in a 65-day interval. Whereas there is not any cap on the variety of playing cards you’ll be able to maintain, your whole credit score line is restricted.

In case your software is pending, you’ll be able to name Citi to shift credit score from one other account, and since Citi is inquiry-sensitive, spacing out purposes might enhance approval odds.

Associated: The final word information to bank card software restrictions

Citi / AAdvantage Globe advantages

The Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard® card’s energy lies in its journey perks, which may ship greater than the worth of the annual price over time — however provided that you fly American Airways a number of occasions a 12 months and make full use of the advantages.

Most well-liked boarding and free checked bag

The cardboard supplies most well-liked boarding on all American Airways flights and one free checked bag on home itineraries.

The profit applies to the cardholder and as much as eight companions on the identical reservation, and also you need not use the cardboard to pay for the flight.

This may end up in significant financial savings. Checked luggage usually value $35 per individual every method. Two round-trip tickets for 2 individuals would in any other case value $280 in baggage charges, masking 80% of the annual price.

Companion certificates

Cardholders obtain an annual companion certificates that may ship outsize worth if used strategically. Versus the Citi® / AAdvantage Enterprise™ World Elite Mastercard® (see charges and costs), you need not meet a spending threshold to obtain the certificates every year.

Exit row seating on an American Airlines Boeing 737
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

The certificates prices $99 (plus taxes and costs from $11.20) and is legitimate for journey throughout the contiguous 48 states. Residents of Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands can use it for spherical journeys to the mainland.

It can’t be used on primary economic system fares, and it is best reserved for higher-fare routes like cross-country or peak-season journey.

Associated: 2 for 1: How airline companion tickets can prevent critical cash in your subsequent journey

Lounge passes

The cardboard consists of 4 Admirals Membership lounge passes every year. One move is required per grownup (18 years or older), and as much as three youngsters below 18 can accompany an grownup on the identical move. Passes can be utilized at a number of lounges inside 24 hours when flying American or any Oneworld accomplice.

American Airlines Admirals Club at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL).
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY

This supplies a contact of airport consolation for semi-frequent vacationers. For limitless entry, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Government World Elite Mastercard® (see charges and costs) is a greater match, whereas the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card (see charges and costs) additionally affords 4 passes with extra versatile incomes. Each carry a $595 annual price.

Associated: 3 the explanation why that is the most effective card for Admirals Membership lounge entry

Standing increase

For each 4 eligible American Airways flights, you will obtain a 5,000 “Flight Streak” Loyalty Level increase (as much as thrice per 12 months for a complete of 15,000 factors), plus 1 Loyalty Level per mile earned on the cardboard.

An “eligible flight” is any phase flown with or marketed by American (excluding award flights), that means a spherical journey with a cease every method may set off the bonus.

For AAdvantage standing seekers, this can be a helpful option to bridge the hole with out further flights, and no different Citi / AAdvantage card at present affords this perk.

Inflight purchases

Earn as much as $100 in assertion credit each calendar 12 months on inflight purchases when utilizing your card on American Airways flights. (This profit applies to home flights and isn’t out there on codeshare flights operated by one other airline.)

coffee
CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

As a result of it is issued on a calendar-year foundation, you’ll be able to double dip your first 12 months through the use of it shortly after approval and once more after Jan. 1 for as much as $200 in worth.

Splurge Credit score

The cardboard affords an as much as $100 annual “Splurge Credit score,” with the choice to decide on two retailers from 1stDibs, AAdvantage Accommodations, Future Private Coaching or Reside Nation.

Just like the inflight assertion credit score, it is issued on a calendar-year foundation, so you may also double-dip right here to stand up to $200 in worth throughout your first cardholder 12 months.

Turo credit score

The cardboard features a Turo credit score of as much as $30 per rental, as much as eight occasions per 12 months (as much as $240 yearly).

Nonetheless, Turo leases typically lack bank card insurance coverage protection, leaving main safety gaps. So, this isn’t a powerful cause to get the cardboard.

Different perks

The cardboard affords a World Entry/TSA PreCheck credit score of as much as $120 each 4 years.

It additionally comes with commonplace journey and purchasing protections like baggage, automotive rental and journey delay protection, in addition to prolonged guarantee and buy safety.

Incomes miles with the Citi / AAdvantage Globe

The incomes construction is easy:

  • 6 AAdvantage miles per greenback spent on eligible AAdvantage Accommodations bookings
  • 3 miles per greenback spent on eligible American Airways purchases (together with flights)
  • 2 miles per greenback spent at eating places, together with takeout and supply
  • 2 miles per greenback spent on eligible “Rides and Rails” purchases, together with taxis, ride-hailing companies and public transit
  • 1 mile per greenback spent on all different purchases

Whereas the Globe has strong incomes on AA purchases, common journey rewards playing cards supply stronger returns and extra versatile redemptions.

Young man looking at a credit card while using a laptop
DRAZEN_/GETTY IMAGES

My suggestion is to solely spend on this card if you wish to earn Loyalty Factors to succeed in AAdvantage elite standing.

Redeeming miles with the Citi / AAdvantage Globe

Miles earned are deposited straight into your AAdvantage account, unlocking award journey on American and Oneworld companions. You may redeem for home flights, upgrades or worldwide awards.

A standout redemption I typically use is 57,500 miles plus about $130 in taxes for a lie-flat business-class seat to Europe on AA, Finnair or Iberia.

Finnair A350 business class seat
Finnair’s “AirLounge” enterprise class seat. BEN SMITHSON/THE POINTS GUY

When used strategically, AAdvantage miles can typically ship stronger worth in contrast with Delta SkyMiles or United MileagePlus miles.

Associated: The way to redeem American Airways AAdvantage miles for max worth

Which playing cards compete with the Citi / AAdvantage Globe?

If the Globe is not the appropriate match, these Citi choices might higher match your journey objectives:

For extra choices, take a look at our full record of the most effective playing cards for American Airways flyers.

Is the Citi / AAdvantage Globe value it?

The Citi / AA Globe is greatest for semifrequent flyers who will actively use its advantages. The companion certificates might help cowl the $350 annual price when used on the appropriate itinerary, whereas most well-liked boarding, the inflight credit score, baggage advantages and lounge passes add further worth. For these seeking to fast-track to standing, the Globe may assist with that.

Nonetheless, the cardboard’s comparatively weak incomes construction could also be a deal-breaker for some. In comparison with common journey playing cards, you will earn fewer miles on on a regular basis purchases, and the companion certificates cannot be used on primary economic system fares, which limits its worth. It shines most within the first 12 months, when you’ll be able to mix the welcome bonus with double-dipping on the Splurge Credit score and inflight purchases credit score, however whether or not it is value conserving depends upon your journey patterns.

Backside line

The Citi / AAdvantage Globe Mastercard delivers sturdy first-year worth and significant journey perks for semi-frequent American Airways flyers. When you can make the most of the companion certificates, lounge passes and checked bag advantages, you’ll be able to simply offset the $350 annual price.

Vacationers in search of richer ongoing rewards or premium advantages will doubtless be higher served by different playing cards. However for these between occasional and frequent flyers, this card affords a balanced set of perks at a cheaper price than a top-tier premium card.


Apply right here: Citi / AAdvantage Globe Mastercard



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