{"id":224182,"date":"2025-08-29T14:00:15","date_gmt":"2025-08-29T14:00:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/?p=224182\/"},"modified":"2026-04-08T14:21:49","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T14:21:49","slug":"no-annual-fee-cards-transfer-american-airlines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/news\/citi-thankyou-rewards\/no-annual-fee-cards-transfer-american-airlines\/","title":{"rendered":"American Airlines AAdvantage Added as Transfer Partner on No-Annual-Fee Citi Cards \u2014 With a Catch"},"content":{"rendered":"

In late July, Citi added American Airlines as a transfer partner<\/a> in conjunction with a launch of a new elite credit card \u2014 the Citi Strata Elite\u2120 Card<\/a> (Rates & Fees<\/a>). At the time, only three cards could transfer to the AAdvantage program: the Citi Strata Elite, the Citi Strata Premier\u00ae<\/sup> Card<\/a> (Rates & Fees<\/a>), and the Citi Prestige\u00ae<\/sup> Card<\/strong> (no longer open to new applicants).<\/p>\n

Luckily, this is no longer the case. Citi has expanded the cards that can transfer to American Airlines AAdvantage, but not all transfer ratios are created equal. Here's what you need to know.<\/p>\n

Citi Expands American Airlines Transfer Access to Additional Cards<\/span><\/h2>\n

For the first time, cardholders of the Citi Strata\u2120 Card<\/a> (Rates & Fees<\/a>), Citi Double Cash\u00ae<\/sup> Card<\/a> (Rates & Fees<\/a>), Citi Custom Cash\u00ae<\/sup> Card<\/a>, and Citi ThankYou\u00ae<\/sup> Preferred Card<\/strong> (no longer open to new applicants) can transfer points to American Airlines AAdvantage. These cards will transfer at a 10:7 ratio, so 1,000 ThankYou\u00ae<\/sup> Rewards Points equals 700 AAdvantage miles.<\/p>\n

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Credit: Citi<\/em><\/enter><\/figure>\n

This is significantly lower than the 1:1 ratio offered on the Citi Strata Elite, the Citi Strata Premier, and the Citi Prestige\u00ae<\/sup> Card. However, the opportunity to transfer points from a no-annual-fee credit card to American Airlines is worth celebrating, no matter the transfer ratio.<\/p>\n

You can justify an annual fee by transferring points<\/span><\/h3>\n

The lower transfer ratio does beg the question, though \u2014 how many points would you need to transfer to justify the upgrade to a credit card with an annual fee?<\/p>\n

Let's say you transfer 30,000 ThankYou Points to AAdvantage every year.\u00a0If you are a cardholder of a no-annual-fee card, you'd receive 21,000 miles from this transfer. If you have a card like the Citi Strata Premier, you'd receive the full 30,000 miles.<\/p>\n

I personally value American Airlines miles around 1.5 cents per mile. On a 30,000-point transfer, you'd receive 9,000 fewer AAdvantage miles if you transfer from a no-annual-fee card. Given my valuation, those miles are worth around $135, which is more than enough to cover the $95 annual fee on the Citi Strata Premier.<\/p>\n

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Citi Strata Premier\u00ae<\/sup> Card<\/div>\n
\"Citi<\/div>\n
Apply Now<\/a><\/div>\n
Rates & Fees<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n
Welcome Offer<\/strong>\r\nEarn 60,000 bonus ThankYou\u00ae<\/sup> Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.<\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n Citi Strata Premier\u00ae<\/sup> Card<\/strong>\n
Welcome Offer<\/strong>\r\nEarn 60,000 bonus ThankYou\u00ae<\/sup> Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.<\/div>\n
Annual Fee:<\/strong>$95<\/b><\/div>\n
Show more<\/a>Why We Like It<\/a>Highlights<\/a>Earning Rates<\/a>
The Citi Strata Premier\u00ae<\/sup> Card offers some of the best earning rates of any rewards card with an annual fee under $100. This card offers excellent rewards on an unusually generous list of earning categories, including air travel, hotels, car rentals, groceries, and dining\u2014and it tops our list of the best cards for gas & fuel purchases<\/a>. <\/div>