Originally Posted by njvandy

What exactly are you trying to maximize? If the answer is purely AA redeemable miles, the Citi card is a fine choice. I personally use Amex Platinum to purchase flights directly from the airline, as it gives me 5x points that I can transfer to a variety of airlines. It also gives me travel insurance/protections that you don't get with Citi. If your biggest concern is AA loyalty points to achieve status, you could explore the gift card route, but you will lose a lot in terms of protections and I imagine payment will be complicated, as each card holds a maximum of $250.