Citi/AAdvantage Globe Mastercard Overview
this Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard® (See Rates and Fees) For travelers who fly American Airlines once per quarter. It’s best suited for semi-frequent travelers who can maximize access to companion certificates, checked bag benefits, and lounge passes. However, it is less attractive to travelers looking for higher income, unlimited lounge access or in-flight discounts. Card Rating*: ⭐⭐⭐ ½
*Card ratings are based on the opinions of TPG editors and are not influenced by card issuers.
Launched in mid-October, Citi/AAdvantage Globe Mastercard The card sits in the middle of the American Airlines co-branded card lineup, offering more benefits than the entry-level card but not as much as the premium card.
The card offers great benefits like annual companion certificates, Admirals Club lounge passes, priority boarding and free checked bags, which can offset the $350 annual fee if used strategically.
While not as valuable as the top travel rewards cards, it provides a solid middle ground between entry-level airline cards and premium options.
It is recommended to have a good to excellent credit score (670 or above) to successfully apply.
Citi/AAdvantage Globe Pros and Cons
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Citi/AAdvantage Globe Welcome Offer
new Citi/AA Globe Mastercard Applicants can receive a limited-time welcome bonus of 90,000 miles after spending $5,000 within the first four months of account opening.
According to TPG’s October 2025 valuation, those miles are worth $1,395.
If your main goal is to earn a lot of AA miles at a low annual fee, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® may be a better fit. or, Citi Strata Premier® Card (See Rates & Fees) Earn transferable ThankYou points that can be converted into AAdvantage miles, providing greater flexibility.
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Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select information is independently collected by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
You can apply even if you already hold another Citi or Barclays AAdvantage card. Citi allows one new card every eight days, with no more than two in a 65-day period. While there is no limit to the number of cards you can hold, your total credit limit is limited.
If your application is pending, you can call Citi to transfer credit from another account, and because Citi is sensitive to inquiries, spacing out applications may improve your odds of approval.
Related: The Ultimate Guide to Credit Card Application Limits
Citi/AAdvantage Globe Benefits
this Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard® The strength of this card is its travel benefits, which can add more value over time than the annual fee—but only if you fly American a few times a year and take advantage of them.
Priority boarding and free checked baggage
The card offers priority boarding on all American Airlines flights and one free checked bag on domestic itineraries.
The offer is available to the cardholder and up to eight companions on the same booking, and you don’t have to use the card to pay for your flight.
This can result in meaningful savings. The fee for checked baggage is usually USD 35 per person, one way. The baggage fee for two round-trip tickets for two people is $280, equivalent to 80% of the annual fee.
Companion Certificate
Cardholders will receive an annual companion certificate, which can provide tremendous value if used strategically. and Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard® (see Rates and Fees), you do not need to meet spending thresholds each year to earn a certificate.
The certificate costs $99 (starting at $11.20 plus tax) and is valid for travel to the contiguous 48 states. Residents of Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands can use it to travel to and from the mainland.
It cannot be used on basic economy fares and is best reserved for higher-fare routes such as cross-country or peak season travel.
RELATED: Two-for-one: How airline companion tickets can save you big bucks on your next trip
lounge pass
The card includes four Admirals Club Lounge passes per year. Each adult (18 years or older) needs to have one pass, and the same pass can accompany one adult and up to 3 children under 18 years old. The pass is valid for 24 hours in multiple lounges when flying with American Airlines or any Oneworld partner.
This provides semi-frequent travelers with airport-like comfort. For unrestricted access, Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see Rates and Fees) is more appropriate, whereas Citi Strata Elite℠ Card (See Rates and Fees) Four passes are also available for more flexible income. Both come with an annual fee of $595.
RELATED: 3 Reasons Why These Are the Best Cards to Use the Admirals Club Lounge
status improvement
You’ll earn a 5,000 Flight Log loyalty point boost for every four qualifying American Airlines flights you take (up to three times per year, for a total of 15,000 points), plus 1 loyalty point for every mile earned with the card.
An “eligible flight” is any segment operated or marketed by American Airlines (excluding award flights), meaning a round trip with a one-way stop can trigger an award.
This is a useful way for AAdvantage status seekers to bridge the gap without requiring additional flights, and no other Citi/AAdvantage card currently offers this benefit.
Shopping on board
Earn up to $100 in statement points each calendar year when you use your card to make in-flight purchases on American Airlines flights. (This offer applies to domestic flights and does not apply to codeshare flights operated by other airlines.)
Since it’s issued on a calendar year basis, you can use it shortly after approval and again after January 1st to earn double the first year, worth up to $200.
Squandering credit
The card offers up to $100 in annual “Splurge Credit” at your choice of two merchants from 1stDibs, AAdvantage Hotels, Future Personal Training or Live Nation.
Like the Inflight Bill Credit, it’s issued on a calendar year basis, so you can also earn up to $200 in value during your first year as a cardholder.
Touro Credit
The card includes up to $30 in Turo points per rental, up to 8 times per year (up to $240 per year).
However, Turo rental companies generally lack credit card insurance, creating a significant protection gap. So that’s not a good enough reason to get the card.
Other benefits
The card offers up to $120 in Global Entry/TSA PreCheck points every four years.
It also offers standard travel and shopping protection such as luggage, car rental and travel delay coverage, as well as extended warranty and purchase protection.
Earn miles with Citi / AAdvantage Globe
The income structure is simple:
- Earn 6 AAdvantage miles for every $1 spent on qualifying AAdvantage hotel bookings
- Earn 3 miles per dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases, including flights
- Earn 2 miles for every $1 spent at restaurants (including takeout and delivery)
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent on eligible Ride & Rail purchases, including taxis, ride-hailing services and public transportation
- Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
Although Earth AA purchase income is stable, and ordinary travel reward cards have stronger returns and more flexible redemptions.
My advice is to only spend on this card if you want to earn loyalty points toward AAdvantage elite status.
Redeem miles with Citi / AAdvantage Globe
Miles earned are deposited directly into your AAdvantage account, unlocking award travel with American Airlines and Oneworld partners. You can redeem domestic flights, upgrades or international awards.
One standout redemption I use often is for 57,500 miles plus about $130 in taxes and fees to buy a lie-flat business class seat on AA, Finnair or Iberia to Europe.
When used strategically, AAdvantage miles often provide greater value than Delta SkyMiles or United MileagePlus miles.
Related: How to Redeem American Airlines AAdvantage Miles for Maximum Value
Which cards compete with Citi/AAdvantage Globe?
if Earth Not a good fit, these Citi options may better suit your travel goals:
For other options, check out our full list of the best cards for American Airlines passengers.
Is Citi/AAdvantage Globe a buy?
this Citi/AA Global Best for semi-frequent travelers who are willing to actively take advantage of it. When used on the right itinerary, companion certificates can help cover the $350 annual fee, while preferred boarding, in-flight points, baggage benefits and lounge passes add additional value. For those looking to gain status quickly, The Globe can help, too.
However, the card’s relatively weak revenue structure may be a deterrent for some people. You earn fewer miles on everyday purchases than a regular travel card, and companion certificates can’t be used on basic economy fares, which limits their value. It shines brightest in the first year, when you can combine the welcome bonus with double splurge points and points on in-flight purchases, but whether it’s worth keeping depends on your travel patterns.
bottom line
this Citi/AAdvantage Globe Mastercard Offers generous first-year value and meaningful travel benefits to frequent American Airlines fliers. If you can take advantage of companion certificates, lounge passes, and checked bag benefits, you can easily offset the $350 annual fee.
Travelers looking for richer ongoing rewards or premium benefits may be better served with other cards. But for those who fly occasionally and those who fly frequently, this card offers a balanced set of benefits at a lower price than the top premium cards.
Apply here: Citi/AAdvantage Globe Mastercard
