I would first want to know precisely why the card was sent, because no bank sends unsolicited cards. Is is possible that you have a dormant account which you thought had been cancelled?
I got it too. This one is associated with my original Citi/AAdvantage World Platinum M/C account. I don't believe it's a Gold Amex, it's a Citibank credit card with the Amex logo in blue in the lower right corner. It looks just like the Citi/AAdvantage M/C, except, of course, with an Amex number rather than a M/C number on it.
There's an insert with FAQs on the back.
Q: Why am I getting two cards?
A: We're sending you two cards so you can use your Citi/AAdvantage card in more places and earn American Airlines AAdvantage miles faster.
Q: Will activating both cards have an affect on my credit rating?
A: No. Your account is already established and your terms and credit line remain the same. Your account will still be reported as one account to credit bureaus.
Q: Why is my existing card being replaced when it hasn't expired yet?
A: We have replaced your old card so we can provide you with two cards to access your existing account, and for your convenience, both cards now have the same expiration date.
Q: Will my account terms or APR change in any way?
A: No. It's your same Citi/AAdvantage account - now with two cards to access your existing account.
Q: Will I pay an additional annual fee for my new Citi/AAdvantage American Express card?
A: No. There is no additional annual fee for the new Citi/AAdvantage American Express card when you activate both cards.
Q: Do I have a greater spending limit now with two cards?
A: No. Your credit line stays the same, and now you can access it with either card.
Q: What if I only want one of these Citi/AAdvantage cards?
A: Please call 1-800-444-1676 to speak with a Customer Service Representative who will be able to assist you.
Q: My health club charges my monthly fee to my existing Citi/AAdvantage card. Do I have to call them to update my credit card information?
A: No. There's no change to your existing card number. If you're using your existing Citi/AAdvantage card for recurring payments, your payments will continue uninterrupted, so there is nothing you need to do.
[I'm noting that the expiration date of the new card is later than my existing card, so this might actually require intervention depending on how Citi is handling that on their end.]
Q: I already have a card issued by American Express. How is this card different?
A: The Citi/AAdvantage American Express card is not issued by American Express. It is issued by Citibank and allows you to earn AAdvantage miles.
Q: Will I have to pay my balance in full every month like some American Express cards?
A: No. Your payment terms will not change.
Q: With two cards, will I have to make two payments each month?
A: No. Although you have two cards, you still have only one account and one total New Balance, and will only have to make one payment each month.
Q: Does this mean I'll now receive two statements?
A: No. You will still receive only one statement showing all of your transactions for both cards on your account.
Q: Which is I have additional questions?
A: Please call customer service at 1-800-444-1676 or visit
www.AAdvantagecards.citi.com
-----
So basically, it's just an Amex branded sub-card on your existing Citi/AAdvantage account, I guess. Maybe a plus for people that don't have an Amex card already, in case they need one, but it's just a Citi Card with an Amex logo and number on it, and Citibank phone number for service.
You get a 20% miles earning boost for 1 year if you activate both cards. (counts towards the annual earning cap, if that applies to you.)
It does look like you would be better off declining this if you get it, and accepting it via the LINK posted above. I'm calling about that now, and they said I'm getting 5k bonus for accepting the card (that was not in the offer, no spend required, I was told), and the offer mentions the 20% earning boost for 12 months, but the LINKs terms are better, with 20k miles bonus dependent on $500 spend in 4 months, and 20% earning bonus for 18 months. Let's see if I can squeeze the extra 15k out of this.
Update: I didn't try or push very hard, but the rep explained that the offer at the LINK is for a separate account, and theoretically, you can still get that, if they approve it. This one is same account, no additional credit line. Apparently, there is a a 5k enrollment bonus with no spend required for accepting the unsolicited one (or in my case, there was one), and it seems to be not listed in the material they sent me. I guess I will take the 5k miles and 20% bonus for a year for effectively doing nothing.
-David