From Citi Streets to AA Seats - Citi's New Transfer Partner, American Airlines
Big news for Citi points holders: Citi has just added American Airlines as a transfer partner, opening up exciting new redemption opportunities. American Airlines AAdvantage miles are among the most valuable in the travel rewards space, particularly for premium international travel, with redemptions such as 60,000 AA points for business class to Tokyo, and many more. Let’s dive into why AA miles are so powerful and how you can make the most of them.
Why American Airlines Miles Are So Valuable
American Airlines AAdvantage miles stand out for several key reasons:
- Sweet spot redemptions: AA's award chart has incredible value, especially for business and first class to Asia, Europe, and the Middle East
- Generous stopover rules: You can add free stopovers on one-way awards, effectively getting two vacations for the price of one
- No fuel surcharges: Unlike some programs, AA doesn't pass on massive carrier-imposed fees
- Oneworld alliance: Access to premium partners like Qatar Airways Qsuites, Cathay Pacific, and Japan Airlines
- The best value comes from using AA miles for international business/first class.
- Domestic flights can be good value too when saver awards are available.
Best Ways to Use American Airlines Miles
1. Premium Cabin International Awards
AA miles shine brightest for long-haul premium cabins. Some standout redemptions:
| Route | Class | Miles Required | Cash Value | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA to Japan (JAL) | Business | 60,000 | $4,500+ | 7.5¢+ |
| USA to Middle East (Qatar) | Qsuites | 70,000 | $6,000+ | 8.5¢+ |
| USA to Europe (AA) | Business | 57,500 | $3,000+ | 5.2¢+ |
2. Domestic Flights (When Priced Right)
While not always the best value, AA miles can work well for domestic flights when:
- Saver awards are available (7,500 - 12,500 miles on average one-way)
- Flying to Hawaii (22,500 miles each way in economy)
- During peak travel periods when cash prices are high
American Airlines' Best International Partners
AA's Oneworld and other partners provide access to some of the world's best airlines:
Top AA Partners for Premium Travel
- Qatar Airways: Legendary Qsuites business class
- Japan Airlines: Excellent first and business class products
- Cathay Pacific: Great premium cabins to Asia
- Etihad: "The Residence:" amazing first-class room
- Finnair: Good Europe options with reasonable fees
How to Earn AA Miles with Citi
With AA now a Citi transfer partner, you can convert ThankYou® Points to AAdvantage miles at a 1:1 ratio. This opens up new earning potential through cards like:
- Citi Strata® Card
- Citi Strata Premier® Card
- Citi Strata Elite® Card
- Citi Double Cash Card*
- Citi Custom Cash Card*
*The Citi Double Cash and Custom Cash cards will only earn points if you have a ThankYou® Points earning card, such as any within the Strata® ecosystem.
- Transfers from Citi to AA are instant, but always confirm availability before transferring.
- Award space can be limited, especially on premium partners.
Bottom Line
American Airlines miles are now more accessible than ever thanks to Citi's new transfer partnership. With excellent sweet spots for premium international travel and access to world-class partners, AA miles deserve a place in every points enthusiast's strategy. Start planning those Qsuites flights to the Middle East or JAL first class to Tokyo!
Thank you again for joining us through another post, we look forward to continuing to help you be where you wannabe. If you wish to support this blog or are a big fan of the Oneworld Alliance, then check out our article on Alaska Airlines miles, where we explain the power of Alaska Airlines Miles and redemption options through them. Otherwise, if you're interested in Citi credit cards, please follow the link here.
Happy Travels!
The Jet Set Wannabes Team
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