Citi AAdvantage Credit Cards: Which? What? How? etc. (consolidated)
Dec 8, 2014, 7:24 pm
#32
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: BOS, BWI, DCA, IAD
Programs: American, Delta, JetBlue, United
Posts: 2,049
Hi all,
Apologies if this is in the wrong forum... couldn't figure out a better place!
So I currently hold the US Airways Barclaycard Mastercard and am quite happy with it. I am planning to redeem my miles for a roundtrip to the Caribbean next October. As of now, I have just under 75,000 miles and will likely have just shy of 85,000 by the time I book (likely in March or April).
I am considering picking up the AA Citi credit card and getting the 50,000 bonus after 3 months / $3k in spending. With all that in mind, here are my questions...
Thanks!
Apologies if this is in the wrong forum... couldn't figure out a better place!
So I currently hold the US Airways Barclaycard Mastercard and am quite happy with it. I am planning to redeem my miles for a roundtrip to the Caribbean next October. As of now, I have just under 75,000 miles and will likely have just shy of 85,000 by the time I book (likely in March or April).
I am considering picking up the AA Citi credit card and getting the 50,000 bonus after 3 months / $3k in spending. With all that in mind, here are my questions...
- What is going to happen to my US Airways Mastercard once the programs merge? Will it get converted to a Citi AAdvantage card?
- If I wait until I get the additional 50,000 miles AND for the programs to combine, I should be able to get first class roundtrip tickets (looks like for first class, it's 30k per ticket, so with 135k miles, that should cover two first class roundtrips). Is there much risk to that strategy? Namely, is it likely that award trips will be all but gone by the time those miles get credited to me?
- Ultimately, do you think it's worthwhile to apply for the Citi AAdvantage card? I will probably take advantage of the first year without a fee and then cancel.
Thanks!
3) Yes. I did the same in response to a similar offer with the same intention two years ago. When I phoned to cancel after a year, I was offered the option of renewing for a further year, paying the fee but receiving a credit for the same amount toward future purchases and double mileage credit if I spent a certain amount ($750, I think) each month of the next year. I've accepted that offer, but plan to cancel unless I receive a similar offer next year. Nothing to lose.
Dec 9, 2014, 10:57 pm
#33
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 6
That said, assuming it's a good deal, you still have to have to factor in the risk. You're giving AA a bunch of non-refundable money now, and they are not promising you anything. Other airlines have been devaluing their miles lately and there is a chance that AA will follow suit. You also may want to consider the possibility that prices could drop since rapidly falling fuel prices could trigger a fare war.
Dec 9, 2014, 11:54 pm
#34
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 46
Since I'm not sure where to post this I will try in here and if need be make my own thread.
I have the Citi AAdvantage World MC Platinum Level which looks like this
http://img2.findthebest.com/sites/de...ard_901030.jpg
Stupid question, but how do I get free checked bags with this? Can I get 1 for me and 1 for a traveler to Cancun from Chicago? Do I just show my credit card at the airport? I know this is pretty dumb, but I usually get free checked bags internationally without any credit cards.
I have the Citi AAdvantage World MC Platinum Level which looks like this
http://img2.findthebest.com/sites/de...ard_901030.jpg
Stupid question, but how do I get free checked bags with this? Can I get 1 for me and 1 for a traveler to Cancun from Chicago? Do I just show my credit card at the airport? I know this is pretty dumb, but I usually get free checked bags internationally without any credit cards.
Dec 10, 2014, 5:27 am
#35
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2004
Location: DFW/DAL
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, AS MVPG, HH Diamond, NCL Platinum Plus, MSC Diamond
Posts: 21,422
Seeing this offer: https://buymiles.aa.com/en/buygift/info
If I were to open a new AA Advantage Card ($95 fee version) I would get 50k miles upon meeting the minimum spend of $3k.
If I bought the max miles, 80k + 45k bonus for $2360 using this new card, then spent the additional $640, I would end with ~175k miles for $3000 These miles represent 5 first class lower 48 MilesSaaver tickets, which seem to have a normal cost of about $4600 for the flight I'm taking next year with the family.
What am I missing here? It seems like a simple way to 'pre-pay' for travel I know I'll be buying anyway and save about $1500. I am new at this so I am seeking your feedback.
If I were to open a new AA Advantage Card ($95 fee version) I would get 50k miles upon meeting the minimum spend of $3k.
If I bought the max miles, 80k + 45k bonus for $2360 using this new card, then spent the additional $640, I would end with ~175k miles for $3000 These miles represent 5 first class lower 48 MilesSaaver tickets, which seem to have a normal cost of about $4600 for the flight I'm taking next year with the family.
What am I missing here? It seems like a simple way to 'pre-pay' for travel I know I'll be buying anyway and save about $1500. I am new at this so I am seeking your feedback.
2. When you fly on award, you are not earning credit toward status, or credit toward 500 mile upgrades, or redeemable miles. For example, I can get a round trip to Europe for 40K miles.
3. I would consider each deal separately.
The 50K from the card comes no matter what you spend the $3k on.
You have noted you would get 175K miles for $3000. You would actually get the miles for $2360, The other $640 could have been spent on stuff you would normally buy. You are actually getting 125000 miles for about $2360
The other 50k are basically free.
Dec 10, 2014, 6:48 am
#36
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: PHL and LAS
Programs: AA PLT Pro, Marriott Lifetime PLT
Posts: 144
Since I'm not sure where to post this I will try in here and if need be make my own thread.
I have the Citi AAdvantage World MC Platinum Level which looks like this
http://img2.findthebest.com/sites/de...ard_901030.jpg
Stupid question, but how do I get free checked bags with this? Can I get 1 for me and 1 for a traveler to Cancun from Chicago? Do I just show my credit card at the airport? I know this is pretty dumb, but I usually get free checked bags internationally without any credit cards.
I have the Citi AAdvantage World MC Platinum Level which looks like this
http://img2.findthebest.com/sites/de...ard_901030.jpg
Stupid question, but how do I get free checked bags with this? Can I get 1 for me and 1 for a traveler to Cancun from Chicago? Do I just show my credit card at the airport? I know this is pretty dumb, but I usually get free checked bags internationally without any credit cards.
May 19, 2015, 10:57 pm
#37
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 10,970
How do I tell my AAdvantage Account has a Credit Card with Benefits?
I applied for the USDM Barclay Card last minute and received the bonus and transaction miles on my merged AAdvantage account.
However, I can't figure out how to tell on aa.com if my account is linked to the card and I will get the benefits why I fly. How do I do that?
Thanks.
However, I can't figure out how to tell on aa.com if my account is linked to the card and I will get the benefits why I fly. How do I do that?
Thanks.
May 20, 2015, 9:48 am
#38
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Empire State
Programs: AAdvantage Executive Platinum; Marriott Platinum
Posts: 461
After you login to aa.com, the home page should include a link for Reduced Mileage Awards (one of your Aviator card benefits), about halfway down the page.
Thanks.
May 21, 2015, 2:39 am
#40
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Signatures
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: London, England
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador, National Exec, AA EXP Emeritus
Posts: 9,765
How to tell whether you have a Card with Benefits? After you take it out to dinner, see whether it invites you home or gets in a cab. Ahahaha sorry I couldn't resist. 
May 26, 2015, 7:38 pm
#41
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 10,970
Now the next step...I booked an Avios reservation for a US operated flight with BA. I then replaced the BAEC# with my AAdvantage number. The reservation shows up fine on my aa.com under my AAdvantage number.
The e-mail I got from the US Website lists the baggage fees. It does not say free. Does it not consider the cardholder status? (I would not be surprised if it does not.)
On the http://www.usairways.com/en-US/trave...aggagePolicies page, it lists the credit cards with the baggage benefit. My card show US Airways on it, it is a Premier World Mastercard (the $89/year one) from Barclay. It is not listed. On the Barclay website, it does say 1st bag free and the rep confirmed my AAdvantage number is linked.
Does anyone see any problem when I check in? How can I confirm in advance that I will get the benefits?
Thanks.
The e-mail I got from the US Website lists the baggage fees. It does not say free. Does it not consider the cardholder status? (I would not be surprised if it does not.)
On the http://www.usairways.com/en-US/trave...aggagePolicies page, it lists the credit cards with the baggage benefit. My card show US Airways on it, it is a Premier World Mastercard (the $89/year one) from Barclay. It is not listed. On the Barclay website, it does say 1st bag free and the rep confirmed my AAdvantage number is linked.
Does anyone see any problem when I check in? How can I confirm in advance that I will get the benefits?
Thanks.
Last edited by username; May 26, 2015 at 7:59 pm
May 26, 2015, 10:28 pm
#42
Join Date: Dec 2014
Programs: Marriott Gold, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold, Best Western Diamond
Posts: 364
Now the next step...I booked an Avios reservation for a US operated flight with BA. I then replaced the BAEC# with my AAdvantage number. The reservation shows up fine on my aa.com under my AAdvantage number.
The e-mail I got from the US Website lists the baggage fees. It does not say free. Does it not consider the cardholder status? (I would not be surprised if it does not.)
On the http://www.usairways.com/en-US/trave...aggagePolicies page, it lists the credit cards with the baggage benefit. My card show US Airways on it, it is a Premier World Mastercard (the $89/year one) from Barclay. It is not listed. On the Barclay website, it does say 1st bag free and the rep confirmed my AAdvantage number is linked.
Does anyone see any problem when I check in? How can I confirm in advance that I will get the benefits?
Thanks.
The e-mail I got from the US Website lists the baggage fees. It does not say free. Does it not consider the cardholder status? (I would not be surprised if it does not.)
On the http://www.usairways.com/en-US/trave...aggagePolicies page, it lists the credit cards with the baggage benefit. My card show US Airways on it, it is a Premier World Mastercard (the $89/year one) from Barclay. It is not listed. On the Barclay website, it does say 1st bag free and the rep confirmed my AAdvantage number is linked.
Does anyone see any problem when I check in? How can I confirm in advance that I will get the benefits?
Thanks.
If they try to charge you for baggage, take the card out and say "nope." If they insist on charging you, ask for a supervisor, or call AA customer service right there in front of them.
May 30, 2015, 2:54 pm
#43
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 10,970
Did OLCI and it worked - it asked how many bags and the price attached to 1 bag was $0.
TSA PreCheck number had to be manually entered. I guess this is because I manually switched the FFP# on the FinnAir site and the KTN is only populated at PNR creation when it is attached to the FFP#?
Thanks.
TSA PreCheck number had to be manually entered. I guess this is because I manually switched the FFP# on the FinnAir site and the KTN is only populated at PNR creation when it is attached to the FFP#?
Thanks.
Jun 2, 2015, 11:22 pm
#44
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: US
Programs: AAdvantage
Posts: 1,753
The credit card is tied to your AAdvantage number. As long as your AAdvantage number is in the reservation at least 7 days before departure, the benefits should be automatic.
Nope. If the frequent flier account doesn't reflect the credit card status, the charge is not waived regardless of who you call.
Nope. If the frequent flier account doesn't reflect the credit card status, the charge is not waived regardless of who you call.
Jun 5, 2015, 9:56 pm
#45
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Posts: 10,970
Where does the 7 day come from? In my case, I booked the reservation 4 days before departure, started with a BAEC # and then changed it to my AAdvantage number. It worked fine.