Programs: EXP AA 3.1MM, Diamond HHonors, a bit of Starwood, a bit of Continental, a bit of this and that
Posts: 536
As a follow up to my post above: I called CitiBank customer service and was offered, in compensation to losing the double points for AA purchases, the following: Spend $5,000 over the next 6 months and receive a one-time bonus of 10,000 miles. That won't make up for the end of the 2-for-1 in the long run, but I'll deal with CS once again once this bonus has been earned and see what else they may be willing to do.
Programs: EXP AA 3.1MM, Diamond HHonors, a bit of Starwood, a bit of Continental, a bit of this and that
Posts: 536
Quote:
Originally Posted by tanzaniancane
Hmm, is that for all AA citicards? I had no idea of this change. In that case, might as well buy AA gift certificates from giftcertificates.com through AAdvantage Shopping and still get the 2 miles/$.
To buy $1,000 worth of AA gift cards, giftcertificates.com charges $1 in handling per card ($4 for four $250 cards, for example, $2 for two @ $500) plus a whopping $14.50 for the cheapest shipping. So, the lowest cost per mile is $0.0155 for one $1,000 card (which currently have a waiting time of two weeks before they are in stock), plus a lot of hassle. I don't think that's worth it to me, especially since this method would also void out certain insurance protection that I have if I pay for my ticket directly with my CC (not that I've ever used this insurance/protection, but who knows when one needs it?).
Is there an electronic version without these fees for gift cards (earning the bonus miles)?
Have you guys come to a consensus on the best credit card for earning AA miles? Most miles per dollar spent? No annual fee?
Did you look in the Credit Cards section of our Forum Unofficial User's Guide? That's where we put the answers to frequently asked questions. Sure enough, there is a lot of discussion there comparing/contrasting these cards.
__________________
Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level, then they beat you with experience.
To buy $1,000 worth of AA gift cards, giftcertificates.com charges $1 in handling per card ($4 for four $250 cards, for example, $2 for two @ $500) plus a whopping $14.50 for the cheapest shipping. So, the lowest cost per mile is $0.0155 for one $1,000 card (which currently have a waiting time of two weeks before they are in stock), plus a lot of hassle. I don't think that's worth it to me, especially since this method would also void out certain insurance protection that I have if I pay for my ticket directly with my CC (not that I've ever used this insurance/protection, but who knows when one needs it?).
Is there an electronic version without these fees for gift cards (earning the bonus miles)?
can't you just buy these at your local supermarket in the gift card section??????
Programs: AA Gold, BA Silver, *wood Gold, Marriott Silver, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 393
Quote:
Originally Posted by AAbuzzard
As a follow up to my post above: I called CitiBank customer service and was offered, in compensation to losing the double points for AA purchases, the following: Spend $5,000 over the next 6 months and receive a one-time bonus of 10,000 miles. That won't make up for the end of the 2-for-1 in the long run, but I'll deal with CS once again once this bonus has been earned and see what else they may be willing to do.
Location: California; DO-RAGS: Old Gold tagged, PIP, LatPass 1/2, AA 3MM, HH Diamond, *Wood Gold, Omni
Posts: 4,302
Quote:
Originally Posted by jbalmuth
I accepted the same consolation offer today.
When I called to check, I was told that I had already been automatically enrolled in this spend $5K for 10k miles, as was, according to the CSR, anyone who held a CitiBusiness M/C.
But, while the Starwood Amex continues to blow this CitiBusiness card away, I’m not seeing anything better for accumulating AA miles in those many instances when Amex isn’t accepted.
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Never used an emoticon, never will.
Programs: EXP AA 3.1MM, Diamond HHonors, a bit of Starwood, a bit of Continental, a bit of this and that
Posts: 536
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jailer
When I called to check, I was told that I had already been automatically enrolled in this spend $5K for 10k miles, as was, according to the CSR, anyone who held a CitiBusiness M/C.
But, while the Starwood Amex continues to blow this CitiBusiness card away, I’m not seeing anything better for accumulating AA miles in those many instances when Amex isn’t accepted.
That's interesting. My "account specialist" to whom I was referred after entertaining the idea of maybe canceling the card made it sound as if this offer was a special favor. Hmmm. Maybe I'll call back and see what I can squeeze.
On another note: One benefit that was brought up for sticking with the card is the possibility to book "reduced mileage awards." I've done that only once, but that, indeed, is a benefit if you're into cashing in miles instead of having to pay for flights to re-qualify for EXP.
Location: California; DO-RAGS: Old Gold tagged, PIP, LatPass 1/2, AA 3MM, HH Diamond, *Wood Gold, Omni
Posts: 4,302
Quote:
Originally Posted by gemac
Did you look in the Credit Cards section of our Forum Unofficial User's Guide? That's where we put the answers to frequently asked questions. Sure enough, there is a lot of discussion there comparing/contrasting these cards.
I'm pleased that the OP posted this in the AA forum, as I have no reason to skip over to the credit cards' section, and am learning some interesting stuff here. Indeed, I decided to try the 10k trick with my personal AA M/C, and was told that I was already signed up for a 20k mile bonus if I spend $5,000 between Feb 2nd – July 31st '09 (miles to post after 7/31). I swear I have absolutely no memory of signing up for this bonus…sadly that is no proof that I did not, however. What is interesting is that I spend 5+ times on my Citibusiness compared to what I spend on my personal M/C, and the personal bonus is twice as good.
So, it looks like I'm going to get 30,000 AA miles that I did not expect; not a bad haul for one day, and given that I’ve already cashed 485,000 AA miles this year, I am happy to bulk up my account a bit.
__________________
Never used an emoticon, never will.
Called Citi for my personal AA MasterCard and the rep didn't know of any such promotion. I rarely use the card, so perhaps it's for people who spend more.
Location: hopefully somewhere interesting, currently CMB
Programs: AAdvantage, Etihad Guest, Qatar Privilege Club
Posts: 37
options for non-US residents?
Are there any options for getting a credit card that'll earn Aadvantage miles if I don't live in the US? Obviously in the UK I can get an AMEX card tied to BA, but I'd rather one like you folks have... any options?
Diners Club with the annual 150% BA bonus, gets you whatever you want on AA.
Unless what you want is miles toward lifetime status, or upgrade awards, or AC membership, or anything else other than simple award tickets.
(And I don't know because I've never tried to do it, but does one have to pay the crazy BA taxes and surcharges when redeeming BA miles for tix on AA?)
Programs: AA (EXP, 2MM), Starwood (Gold), Hilton (Diamond)
Posts: 1,729
Quote:
Originally Posted by AAbuzzard
To buy $1,000 worth of AA gift cards, giftcertificates.com charges $1 in handling per card ($4 for four $250 cards, for example, $2 for two @ $500) plus a whopping $14.50 for the cheapest shipping. So, the lowest cost per mile is $0.0155 for one $1,000 card (which currently have a waiting time of two weeks before they are in stock), plus a lot of hassle. I don't think that's worth it to me, especially since this method would also void out certain insurance protection that I have if I pay for my ticket directly with my CC (not that I've ever used this insurance/protection, but who knows when one needs it?).
Is there an electronic version without these fees for gift cards (earning the bonus miles)?
According to aa.com:
American Airlines Gift Cards are available for purchase and redemption at AA.com in any denomination between $50 and $1500. You can buy either a plastic card and have it mailed or a virtual card delivered via email.
Of course, you won't get the AA EShopping bonus, but you'll get the the Citi 2x bonus, and not have to deal with giftcertificates.com.
Quote:
Originally Posted by AAbuzzard
That's interesting. My "account specialist" to whom I was referred after entertaining the idea of maybe canceling the card made it sound as if this offer was a special favor.
I called a couple of weeks ago, and the "account specialist" told me "we'll have to play Let's Make a Deal." She said if I could spend $5k within the next six months, I'd get a 10k miles bonus, and read the terms to me, which included "...within six months of acceptance of this offer...." so it sounds like an offer that must be individually extended and accepted.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jailer
I decided to try the 10k trick with my personal AA M/C, and was told that I was already signed up for a 20k mile bonus if I spend $5,000 between Feb 2nd – July 31st '09 (miles to post after 7/31). I swear I have absolutely no memory of signing up for this bonus.
Wow. 20k bonus for $5k spend? That's double what I was offered!
There is a way to get a fee free AA Citi MC . . . it is through CitiBank's CitiGold account. The account carries an $80/yr charge and if you don't meet certain account minimums (assets and liabilities are counted toward minimums) then there is also a $25/mo charge.
