Citi / AAdvantage Globe Mastercard overview
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard® (see rates and fees) is aimed at travelers who fly American Airlines about once per quarter. It's best suited to semi-frequent flyers who can maximize the companion certificate, checked bag benefit and lounge passes. However, it's less compelling for travelers seeking stronger earning rates, unlimited lounge access or inflight discounts. Card Rating*: ⭐⭐⭐ ½
*Card rating is based on the opinion of TPG's editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Launched in mid-October, the Citi / AAdvantage Globe Mastercard card sits in the middle of American Airlines' cobranded lineup, offering more perks than an entry-level card but stopping short of the premium tier.
The card offers valuable perks like an annual companion certificate, Admirals Club lounge passes, preferred boarding and a free checked bag, which can more than offset the $350 annual fee if used strategically.
While not as valuable as a top-tier travel rewards card, it offers a solid middle ground between entry-level airline cards and premium options.
A good to excellent credit score (670 or above) is recommended for a successful application.
Citi / AAdvantage Globe pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Helps reach elite status more quickly</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Annual companion certificate</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Admirals Club lounge passes</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">No foreign transaction fees</span></li> </ul> | <ul> <li aria-level="1">Below-average earning rates</li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Steep annual fee for semi-frequent flyers</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Companion certificate not valid on basic economy fares</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Limited value from car rental credit</span></li> </ul> |
Citi / AAdvantage Globe welcome offer
New Citi / AA Globe Mastercard applicants can earn a limited-time welcome bonus of 90,000 miles after spending $5,000 in the first four months of account opening.
Those miles are worth $1,395 based on TPG's October 2025 valuations.
If your primary goal is to earn a large chunk of AA miles for a lower annual fee, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® may be a better fit. Alternatively, the Citi Strata Premier® Card (see rates and fees) earns transferable ThankYou points that can be converted to AAdvantage miles, offering more flexibility.
The information for the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select has been collected independently 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 other Citi or Barclays AAdvantage cards. Citi allows one new card every eight days and no more than two in a 65-day period. While there's no cap on the number of cards you can hold, your total credit line is limited.
If your application is pending, you can call Citi to shift credit from another account, and since Citi is inquiry-sensitive, spacing out applications may improve approval odds.
Related: The ultimate guide to credit card application restrictions
Citi / AAdvantage Globe benefits
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard® card's strength lies in its travel perks, which can deliver more than the value of the annual fee over time — but only if you fly American Airlines several times a year and make full use of the benefits.
Preferred boarding and free checked bag
The card provides preferred boarding on all American Airlines flights and one free checked bag on domestic itineraries.
The benefit applies to the cardholder and up to eight companions on the same reservation, and you don't need to use the card to pay for the flight.
This can result in meaningful savings. Checked bags typically cost $35 per person each way. Two round-trip tickets for two people would otherwise cost $280 in baggage fees, covering 80% of the annual fee.
Companion certificate
Cardholders receive an annual companion certificate that can deliver outsize value if used strategically. As opposed to the Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees), you don't need to meet a spending threshold to receive the certificate each year.
The certificate costs $99 (plus taxes and fees from $11.20) and is valid for travel within the contiguous 48 states. Residents of Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands can use it for round trips to the mainland.
It cannot be used on basic economy fares, and it's best reserved for higher-fare routes like cross-country or peak-season travel.
Related: 2 for 1: How airline companion tickets can save you serious money on your next trip
Lounge passes
The card includes four Admirals Club lounge passes each year. One pass is required per adult (18 years or older), and up to three children under 18 can accompany an adult on the same pass. Passes can be used at multiple lounges within 24 hours when flying American or any Oneworld partner.
This provides a touch of airport comfort for semi-frequent travelers. For unlimited access, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees) is a better fit, while the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card (see rates and fees) also offers four passes with more flexible earning. Both carry a $595 annual fee.
Related: 3 reasons why this is the best card for Admirals Club lounge access
Status boost
For every four eligible American Airlines flights, you'll receive a 5,000 "Flight Streak" Loyalty Point boost (up to three times per year for a total of 15,000 points), plus 1 Loyalty Point per mile earned on the card.
An "eligible flight" is any segment flown with or marketed by American (excluding award flights), meaning a round trip with a stop each way could trigger the bonus.
For AAdvantage status seekers, this is a useful way to bridge the gap without extra flights, and no other Citi / AAdvantage card currently offers this perk.
Inflight purchases
Earn up to $100 in statement credits every calendar year on inflight purchases when using your card on American Airlines flights. (This benefit applies to domestic flights and is not available on codeshare flights operated by another airline.)
Because it's issued on a calendar-year basis, you can double dip your first year by using it shortly after approval and again after Jan. 1 for up to $200 in value.
Splurge Credit
The card offers an up to $100 annual "Splurge Credit," with the option to choose two merchants from 1stDibs, AAdvantage Hotels, Future Personal Training or Live Nation.
Like the inflight statement credit, it's issued on a calendar-year basis, so you can also double-dip here to get up to $200 in value during your first cardholder year.
Turo credit
The card includes a Turo credit of up to $30 per rental, up to eight times per year (up to $240 annually).
However, Turo rentals generally lack credit card insurance coverage, leaving major protection gaps. So, this is not a strong reason to get the card.
Other perks
The card offers a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck credit of up to $120 every four years.
It also comes with standard travel and shopping protections like baggage, car rental and trip delay coverage, as well as extended warranty and purchase protection.
Earning miles with the Citi / AAdvantage Globe
The earning structure is straightforward:
- 6 AAdvantage miles per dollar spent on eligible AAdvantage Hotels bookings
- 3 miles per dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases (including flights)
- 2 miles per dollar spent at restaurants, including takeout and delivery
- 2 miles per dollar spent on eligible "Rides and Rails" purchases, including taxis, ride-hailing services and public transit
- 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases
While the Globe has solid earning on AA purchases, general travel rewards cards offer stronger returns and more flexible redemptions.
My recommendation is to only spend on this card if you want to earn Loyalty Points to reach AAdvantage elite status.
Redeeming miles with the Citi / AAdvantage Globe
Miles earned are deposited directly into your AAdvantage account, unlocking award travel on American and Oneworld partners. You can redeem for domestic flights, upgrades or international awards.
A standout redemption I often use is 57,500 miles plus about $130 in taxes for a lie-flat business-class seat to Europe on AA, Finnair or Iberia.
When used strategically, AAdvantage miles can often deliver stronger value compared with Delta SkyMiles or United MileagePlus miles.
Related: How to redeem American Airlines AAdvantage miles for maximum value
Which cards compete with the Citi / AAdvantage Globe?
If the Globe isn't the right fit, these Citi options may better match your travel goals:
- If you want a lower annual fee: The Citi / AA Platinum Select is a strong pick for travelers who fly American occasionally and want core perks like a free checked bag and preferred boarding without paying for premium benefits. To learn more, read our full review of the Citi / AA Platinum Select card.
- If you want unlimited lounge access: The Citi / AA Executive delivers the richest AA benefits, including Admirals Club membership and priority airport perks. To learn more, read our full review of the Citi / AA Executive card.
- If you want more transferable rewards: The Citi Strata Premier ($95 annual fee) and Strata Elite ($595) earn Citi ThankYou points that can be converted to AAdvantage miles or 21 other partners. To learn more, read about the Strata cards.
For additional options, check out our full list of the best cards for American Airlines flyers.
Is the Citi / AAdvantage Globe worth it?
The Citi / AA Globe is best for semifrequent flyers who will actively use its benefits. The companion certificate can help cover the $350 annual fee when used on the right itinerary, while preferred boarding, the inflight credit, baggage benefits and lounge passes add extra value. For those looking to fast-track to status, the Globe can also help with that.
However, the card's relatively weak earning structure may be a deal-breaker for some. Compared to general travel cards, you'll earn fewer miles on everyday purchases, and the companion certificate can't be used on basic economy fares, which limits its value. It shines most in the first year, when you can combine the welcome bonus with double-dipping on the Splurge Credit and inflight purchases credit, but whether it's worth keeping depends on your travel patterns.
Bottom line
The Citi / AAdvantage Globe Mastercard delivers strong first-year value and meaningful travel perks for semi-frequent American Airlines flyers. If you can take advantage of the companion certificate, lounge passes and checked bag benefits, you can easily offset the $350 annual fee.
Travelers seeking richer ongoing rewards or premium benefits will likely be better served by other cards. But for those between occasional and frequent flyers, this card offers a balanced set of perks at a lower price than a top-tier premium card.
Apply here: Citi / AAdvantage Globe Mastercard
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
