Which card for purchasing AA air ticket?
 

Hi there,

I have 4 cadidates: UnitedMP, Citi AAdvantage, Sapphire and Ink Bold, and I am about to purchase 2 international roundtrip tickets flying AA. Which card would give the most benefit among the four?

Thanks.

I'd go with the Sapphire or the Citi AA...

I am not familiar with all of these cards, but I believe that you will receive double miles on your purchase of an AA ticket from Citi AAdvantage.

Depends what you want to do with the miles, IE where to redeem them later.

Rule out the United as the Ink and Sapphire (preferred version) both transfer to United and you get 2x miles on travel with them, vs 1x on UnitedMP.

2x on Citi with AA purchase so its between them.

Your citi might come with a statement credit for AA purchase depending on when you got the card and what version it is. Could add upto $150 back on the right deal I believe (100 is common).

Personally I don't buy international rt anymore, it is so Passe... business/first on miles for me all the way.

How many points/miles would you get compared to the other two?

I collect miles on both UA and AA so maximum number of miles is the main goal but the AA cash back is also tempting. I got AA last year and has just past the aniversary but they waived the annual fee for the 2nd year so that's why I am still keeping it. How do I find out about the cash back?

Also if you wanna get fruity, check evreward for the website you are buying the tickets through... eg if it is travelocity you could get a bonus 4.2% cashback from BigCrumbs or 2pts per dollar with Ultimate rewards (txf to UA) or Citi TYP.

So if that was your portal then I would pick the CSP or IB and buy through that.

2000 worth of flights would net you 4000 UA miles plus $84 cashback.

Hotels.com is also a good choice for such portals if you pay for hotels.

CitiAA, definitely. In addition to double miles, you get free checked baggage, as do your co-travelers, if I'm not mistaken.

Probably best to call and ask. I know that cards I got this year from Citi had the $150, not sure about last year (or if it is only good in your first year of membership).

Have a rep from citi check for you is best. If its no Cashback then do the portal thingy with your CSP (if it is the preferred version, not sure if the standard version gives double miles) or Ink Bold and transfer them to UA.

Wow, I am surprised there is even a discussion.

Chase Sapphire is a clear winner for total of 4.28x points.

1) Go through Ultimate Rewards Mall to Travelocity for 2x bonus
2) Get 2x bonus for Travel
3) Get 7% dividend on 4x points at year end

Isn't international checked free still?

You're correct and is what I would do

I like miles, but I think 4.2 Cashback is worth more than 2 miles.

And the bonus is on the CSP not CS - not sure what the OP has...

And... depending on cost of flight, $150 statement credit plus 2x AA miles is worth more than the above.

I think I'd go with the CSP, esp. if you can buy via another mall for bonus points.

However, are the protections the cards provide something you want to consider? I don't know the ranges for each of those cards, but that could be useful for a personal international trip in case anything funny arises.

I don't have the benefits guide with me, but I believe the Chase Sapphire Preferred has one of the best built in travel insurance benefits including lost luggage, injury, death, baggage delay, flight cancellation, etc.