Citi AAdvantage Business Promo
Time flies when you’re having fun. American Airlines’ Loyalty Points version of their AAdvantage program has been around for over three and a half years. In each of the elite qualification years since, I’ve reached Executive Platinum status. Indeed, this ingenious AAdvantage refresh convinced me and many others to suddenly care more about the program. AAdvantage sucked me in, and I still consider it a win/win. AAdvantage has continued to find innovative methods to engage travelers. One angle is via the Citi AAdvantage Business card, and to my surprise, a related promo is returning for 2026. I’m describing that development today, how it matters for many, and why now’s a great time to get in on the action.
Citi AAdvantage Business Promo Details
For the past couple years, “select” primary Citi AAdvantage Business Mastercard holders have earned one Loyalty Point for every one Loyalty Point earned by any authorized users on eligible card purchases. This started in 2024, and the offer was subsequently extended to all of 2025, as well. This promo has now been extended a second time to include all of 2026. This promotion now ends on 31 December 2026 at 11:59 pm ET. (Shout-out to MtM Diamond Member Brian M. for flagging this recent development.)
While the offer continues to mention its availability to “select” Citi AAdvantage Business cardholders, it’s been widely available to the cardholders I know. Cardholders must first register for the program (here’s a guide).
The Greatness of this Offer
AAdvantage has diabolically created a world where those seeking AA’s top perks should always be earning LP’s. In a sense, AA’s traditional elite levels are somewhat obsolete, as members’ rolling 12-month LP earning totals comes more into play for benefits like complimentary upgrades. This total is now a tiebreaker for such upgrades when members hold a common status. One’s ability to earn more LP’s matters more here. Via this offer, Citi AAdvantage Business cardholders have a unique advantage to earn more LP’s across multiple individuals on the same spend.
Card Newbs Are Especially Welcome Now
Of course, this is great news for existing Citi AAdvantage Business cardholders already leveraging this promotion. But outsiders are currently enticed to pick up the card right now. New cardholders can pick up an elevated signup bonus of 75k American Airline miles after spending $5k within five months of card opening. As if that wasn’t enough, Citi waives the $99 annual fee for the first cardmember year. Those interested may want to apply sooner rather than later. Citi hasn’t shared an expiration date, but the offer’s been around for a couple months.
Additionally, remember that business owners can easily add individuals to their AAdvantage Business accounts, effectively making miles earned with this card more transferrable.
Conclusion
I didn’t expect this promo to last for a third year. The second year seemed generous enough. I thought the AAdvantage Loyalty Points scheme had captivated enough people by now, and a third year wouldn’t be necessary for member engagement. But I’m happy to be wrong on this one. I’d be happy to get this next thing wrong, too.
I feel the Loyalty Point Rewards scheme is (over)due for a refresh and accompanying devaluation. Since inception, AAdvantage has either improved particular aspects here or kept existing ones the same. AAdvantage removed the initial flight requirements for such rewards, changing them from Loyalty Choice Rewards to Loyalty Point Rewards. Plus, the vast majority of thresholds and rewards have remained unchanged for the past few years. I won’t be surprised to see higher thresholds and/or smaller rewards sooner than later. We shall see.
How are you feeling about the AAdvantage Loyalty Points program these days?
Ummm……. interesting if “diabolically” convoluted, less than clear essay, though you lose me at several spots. (and I’m hardly a “newbie” to AA) First, what do you mean the “LP” has been around for 3 and a half years….. I’ve been racking up AA miles since deep into last century…. and in my family alone we’ve earned and burned over a million AA miles earned from cc promos…. Ah, but mere commoners we must be, as we’ve never comprehended all these other status whatever. (barriers indeed) Your essay never defines anything, though I see the links do — albeit in long-winded, less than obvious renditions….. (Your first link though eventually gets to the basics, sort of….) I’m still not sure just what promo you’re so excited/impressed to see return…. (Guess I’ll have to read elsewhere… ) Or how about a second post, with the essentials, the key points UP FRONT, not parsed our here and there along the way?
Most curious doozy at the end, “I feel the Loyalty Point Rewards scheme is (over)due for a refresh and accompanying devaluation.” (puuhlease don’t be giving them such a terrible idea….. !! You trying to get them to hire you?) Unlike so many other programs, I’ve been repeatedly surprised at how well we’ve been able to do with AA miles…. even on close in reservations. (unlike United, Delta, and esp. Southwest), AA often will deploy serious discounts on close-in reservations with points — to fill remaining seats — even while cash prices can do their usual doubling/tripling for last seats for reservations the last week before a flight….)
Still, much appreciate the essay, and apologies for returning your ironic knowing spots with some of my own…. will need to check into this more seriously.
Its like chat gpt had a stroke half way through translation an article originally written in Kurdish.
I think the play he is trying to make is using the AA business card rewards program to generate status for multiple people on the same spend. P1 gets AA biz card, adds P2 as AU. P2 does all the spending, gets their own LPs for the spend and P1 also gets LPs for being the business owner. Essentially double dipping LP. Which works if you are trying to spend big money on an otherwise low ROI card. PHL is an AA hub and my home airport and there is still no way I would try to spend towards status on any of AAs cards.
I honestly don’t know what to make of your comment. Anyone who is familiar with AA’s loyalty program and tier status would know what Benjy is talking about.
How the Citi AA business card earns miles and Loyalty Points is quirky. The business itself earns and the cardholder (even an employee cardholder) also earns. It’s not some hacker being clever. It’s how the card is intentionally designed by Citi and AA. And, Benjy is noting how to take advantage of.it.
[…] Another Go! This Lucrative Citi AAdvantage Business Promo Returns for 2026 by MtM. […]