Citi targeted me for this particular offer because I'm a Platinum Select/AAdvantage World MasterCard cardmember. Sounds like they want their cardmembers to have both the Citi Amex and the Citi MasterCard in their wallets simultaneously.
Here are the salient details (expires December 15, 2007):
- 1.2 AA miles per dollar for one year, 1 AA mile per dollar after that
- 5,000 bonus miles after my first purchase
- No annual fee ever, so long as I keep my MasterCard and pay my $85 annual fee and share the 100,000 mile earning limit between the two cards (although I'm exempt from that because I'm AAdvantage PLT)
The only reason I can see for taking this offer over the non-target 20th anniversary offer available for the general public (see below) is if:
- You plan on spending more than $50,000 per year on your card for the next two years
- You plan on keeping the card after you get your bonus miles (that annual fee waiver would be quite nice in the long run)
- You want an Amex card that offers AAdvantage miles. (Of course, with *wood's built-in 5,000 bonus miles for every 20,000 points transferred, the *wood Amex card is a better deal in the long run, so long as you can continue to redeem Starpoints for miles in the future and you don't mind paying the $45 annual fee over this fee-free card.)
For comparison, here's the current 20th anniversary offer for the general public (expires November 30, 2007):
- 20,000 miles after spending $750 within four months
- 10,000 miles after spending $10,000 the first year as a cardmember
- 10,000 miles after spending $10,000 the second year as a cardmember
- No annual fee for 12 months
- Special benefits through the entré program for Amex cardmembers until December 31, 2007
Here's the letter they sent out to me:
Dear tshevlin,
You are a valued Citi® Platinum Select® / AAdvantage® World MasterCard® cardmember, and we would like to invite you to apply for the Citi SelectSM / AAdvantage® American Express® card. It's the only card that combines Citi's service and protection, American Airlines AAdvantage® miles and worldwide American Express acceptance.
Earn 5,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles. Apply today and earn 5,000 AAdvantage® bonus miles after your first purchase with your new Citi SelectSM / AAdvantage® American Express® card. With this special offer, you'll earn 1.2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 you spend on purchases for the first 12 months of cardmembership. That's 20% more AAdvantage® miles for you! Then, after the first year, you'll earn 1 AAdvantage mile for every $1 spent on purchases. Plus, AAdvantage® miles you earn from purchases with your Citi SelectSM / AAdvantage® American Express® card are combined with the AAdvantage® miles you earn from your purchases with your Citi® / AAdvantage® MasterCard® account, up to the maximum of 100,000 AAdvantage® miles per calendar year.
The Perfect Companion–with your annual fee waived. The new Citi SelectSM / AAdvantage® American Express® card is the perfect companion to your existing Citi® / AAdvantage® MasterCard® account. Enjoy no pre-set spending limit, plus, with the option to pay over time, you'll enjoy both ease and flexibility in managing your expenses. And the best part is, there's no annual fee for the Citi SelectSM / AAdvantage® American Express® card as long as your existing Citi® / AAdvantage MasterCard® account remains open and the mileage cap is shared. Otherwise, an $85 annual fee applies.
Convenience and worldwide benefits when you travel. You'll travel with confidence knowing you have the access and acceptance that comes with the American Express Network. And you'll get the security of Trip Cancellation/Trip Interruption Insurance. Plus, you'll never be far from one of the over 2,2000 American Express Travel Services locations worldwide, for assistance with travel arrangements, American Exprses® Travelers Cheques and foreign exchange sales.
Don't wait–apply today for your Citi SelectSM / AAdvantage® American Express® card and you'll start earning AAdvantage® miles faster!
Sincerely,
Kendall E. Stork
President and CEO
Citibank (South Dakota), N.A.
Kurt Stanche
President, AAdvantage® Marketing Programs
American Airlines, Inc.