Citi Will Become Exclusive Issuer of AAdvantage Cards
American Airlines and Citi today announced the extension of their more than 37-year co-branded partnership for the next decade.
Additionally, Citi will become the exclusive issuer of the AAdvantage® co-branded card portfolio in the U.S. in 2026., something that was already rumored in recent months.
“American is proud to have launched the first airline loyalty program, and with Citi, the travel industry’s first co-branded credit card,” said Robert Isom, American Airlines CEO. “The strength of our relationship with Citi has enabled us to deliver first-class products and customer service to millions of AAdvantage cardmembers. This expanded partnership will unlock even more value and exciting new benefits for all of our customers in the future.”
The new agreement reveals that Citi will acquire the Barclays American Airlines Co-branded Card portfolio and will begin transitioning cardmembers to the Citi portfolio in 2026.
The companies say that Barclays cardmembers will continue to experience the same benefits they do today, but more information about the transition will be made available in the coming months.
The announcement also hints at the American Airlines AAdvantage loyalty program becoming a transfer partner for Citi ThankYou points. American Airlines says that “the agreement creates an innovative alignment between the Citi ThankYou and AAdvantage® card programs”.
This was already been offered as a limited time promotion a few years back, but it would be a big addition if it comes back in permanent basis.
The Citi®/AAdvantage® card portfolio currently offers the following credit cards:
- American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card
- Citi®/AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
- Citi®/AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
- Citi®/AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard®.
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I have had a Barclays Aviator Red for about a year. If I cancel it, when would I be eligible again for the SUB? Would like to do it before I can’t anymore.