QueenOfCoach

?

They brought out the new, expensive, card about the same time they announced that only BIS miles would count towards MM status. They wanted to move as many people into the new card as quickly as possible, so they used "Buy Or Die" marketing to set a deadline for a specific benefit.

Thus, many who would have otherwise procrastinated got the card so as to get MM-counting miles next year in addition to BIS miles.

The promo worked exactly as they intended.

josephstern

I hear you, and I made sure I got mine in time for the cutoff.

But I'd really like confirmation that approvals after that date specifically don't qualify. Now that we're past 12/1, they certainly have an incentive to change the rules.

MsEverywhere

I really like my card and the bennies and service. So I've used it for everything except Marriott since I got it.

The downside to using it for everything, is that last week there was fraud. Citi tried calling then texted me right away so we were able to nip it in the bud. However, now I'll have to go thru the hassle of resetting all the automatic payments that go to the card. I've had about 5 other Citi cards closed, but they were all for breaches. I think this was the first actual fraud.

<sigh>

AA4LIFE

Converted before the 12/1 deadline. Received the card after 12/1. Charges posted as Million Miler Miles. 52,000 miles left to 2 million

Ritz

Same here. I'm wondering if there's a distinction between those of us upgraded an existing card and those who simply applied for the card after 12/1.

JDiver

For those of you who are Admirals Club® members, I have verified some details with Admirals Club® (they returned my e-mail with a telephone call today), as follows (and paraphrased, not verbatim):

1) The Admirals Club® logo on the back of the card is your proof of membership; you have all the normal AC member privileges. (As TheDudeAbides says below, the card is linked to your AAdvantage number - a quick lookup of that will show your status.)

2) The Club membership validity is the same as the card validity (shown on the front).

3) Access as permitted at clubs with reciprocity agreements, such as the JL Sakura Lounge at Frankfurt, AS Board Rooms in Seattle, Portland and Anchorage, AY Finnair Lounge in Helsinki, MA Malév and Millennium Lounges in Budapest, IT Kingfisher Lounge in Delhi, KA Dragonair / Cathay Lounges at Beijing and Shanghai - as long as you are flying on AA the same day. See here for details. Also admission to International Qantas Clubs - "30 international lounges operated by oneworld partner, Qantas (must be traveling on Qantas operated flight for access to Qantas lounges); see here for details.

I have been assured all corresponding / reciprocal lounges have been given the information - there should be an illustrated guide that includes the Citi ExecutiveSM / AAdvantage® World EliteTM MasterCard® so you show it and required documents; if you have trouble and meet all the requirements listed here and in the referred pages, ask to speak with a supervisor.

And Pucnit below also says they will reissue cards - perhaps the Club logo will be more visible.

TheDudeAbides

Thanks for these details JDiver. I'll just add that they now have the Citi Executive/World Elite MasterCard AC membership information linked to one's AAdvantage number. At this point, I only provide my EXP card for admittance, which works every time. I asked one of the LAX AAngels about it last week and she confirmed that my EXP card brought up info on her computer verifying that I was an AC member via "premium credit card".

So, for practical purposes, when traveling domestically, membership via the Black Card is just like it always used to be: present your ID and AAdvantage card for admittance to the club.

Pucnit

I spoke with a WE MC supervisor this weekend and they are working on another card design that has the AC logo and the chip on it and will re-issue cards to us again.

JDiver

Good deal - if it's on the front. But for those of us who do not look carefully at both sides, the cards already have the logo on the reverse . The chip will be of use in Europe and other places with chip-and-pin cards, and I am looking forward to getting the new card. Thanks for passing this on!

JDiver

You're quite welcome. I hate carrying gobs of cards, so I am like you.

Some of the questions I think I have seen here are more about reciprocity agreements (e.g. Qantas Club - we must be flying Qantas to take advantage), but a Qantas Club or Sakura Lounge employee (the one at FRA last week was kind of dour) might chose to deny us, and we can turn the card over and show them the logo.

All privileges, including guesting, are indeed included; it's a regular membership bundled with the credit card, unlike say an AMEX Platinum card. (I know, it is repetitive of me - but I want to make sure other members reading here get the full impact.)

Cheers!

teemuflyer

The card had to be converted by 12/1 and be in good standing for the purchases to count against the MM program. You didn't have to have the card in your physical possession though, it could have been in transit..

josephstern

My chip cards (they sent me two) have no AC logo, front or back. Could it be because I'm not the primary?

bassque

I'm primary on mine and my chipped cards (they sent me two, too) do not have the logo. However, they did call me last Friday night to tell me that I'll be getting replacements containing the AC logo on or about January 23.

Oh, and I did get verbal confirmation that the replacement cards will be chipped as well.

ma91pmh

that would be my guess. only primary has ac access as i understand

Ritz

You missed my point. Some folks didn't upgrade, they simply applied and got the card without having any prior history with the CitiAdvantage program. And those folks seem to reporting some differences than those that have upgraded an existing account.

BTW, my account wasn't "converted" until 12/10 - and all miles have counted toward MM status since.