A major door just opened in the world of travel rewards – and it is going to make premium flights much more accessible for Citi cardholders.

As of July 27, 2025, Citi ThankYou Rewards points are officially transferable to American Airlines AAdvantage miles at a 1:1 ratio.

This means you can now send your ThankYou points directly to American Airlines, giving you access to one of the most powerful frequent flyer programs for premium cabin travel, partner redemptions, and domestic upgrades.

For travelers who already earn Citi ThankYou points, this is a big deal. And for those who do not, this update makes the Citi travel credit cards much more competitive.

Let’s walk through what this means, how the transfer works, and how you can use it to book better flights for fewer points.

Why This Matters: Citi Just Got Way More Powerful

Until now, American Airlines was missing from the list of Citi airline transfer partners. That gap made it harder to book American flights using points unless you had miles already saved in your AAdvantage account. 

In contrast, Amex cardholders could transfer to Delta SkyMiles, Bilt could transfer to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan, and Chase users had United MileagePlus. Now, Citi users finally have a direct path to American AAdvantage.

This update puts Citi on equal footing with its major rivals – and that matters a lot for anyone chasing premium travel.

With this new partnership, you can turn your ThankYou points into AAdvantage miles and book award flights on American Airlines or one of its many Oneworld partners like Qantas, Japan Airlines, Qatar Airways, or British Airways.

Want to fly business class to London, Tokyo, Doha, or Sydney? This transfer makes that goal a lot more attainable.

Who Can Transfer Citi ThankYou Points To American Airlines

This is where the fine print matters. You can only transfer points to American Airlines if you hold one of these eligible Citi cards:

• Citi Strata Elite℠ Card ($595 annual fee) – new Premium Citi credit card
• Citi Strata Premier® Card ($95 annual fee)
• Citi Prestige® Card (no longer available for new applications)

These cards earn fully transferable ThankYou points. 

If you have a no-annual-fee Citi card like the Citi Rewards+® Card or the Citi Double Cash® Card, you will not be able to transfer points unless you also have one of the three premium cards above linked to your account.

For many travelers, the Citi Strata Premier® Card will be the sweet spot. It has a lower annual fee, strong bonus categories like travel and dining, and now – access to American Airlines AAdvantrage transfers.

How To Transfer Citi ThankYou Points To AAdvantage

Here is how to make the transfer:

1. Log in to your Citi ThankYou Rewards account.
2. Select the “Transfer Points” option.
3. Choose American Airlines AAdvantage from the list of airline partners.
4. Enter the number of points you want to transfer (must be in 1,000-point chunks).
5. Confirm the transfer. Your miles should post within minutes, although Citi says it may take up to 24 hours.

TPA Pro Tip: Always double-check award space on American Airlines before you transfer. Transfers are final and cannot be reversed.

How To Maximize The New Citi To American Airlines Transfer

The best use of AAdvantage miles is for international premium cabin redemptions, especially on partner airlines. Here are a few examples that Emma might love:

• Japan Airlines Business Class to Tokyo – 60,000 miles one-way
• Qantas Business Class to Australia – 80,000 miles one-way
• Iberia Business Class to Madrid – 57,500 miles one-way

These flights can easily cost $3,000 – $6,000 when booked with cash. Booking with AAdvantage miles, especially when earned through Citi, can bring luxury travel within reach for a fraction of the cost.

Another great use? Web Special Awards on American. These are discounted award flights that can be booked with fewer miles – sometimes under 5,000 for one-way domestic flights.

Final Thoughts

This change is a major upgrade to the Citi ThankYou Rewards ecosystem. It fills a critical gap in the Citi transfer partner options and puts the program on equal footing with American Express and Chase.

Some context helps show just how important this move is. 

Citi had briefly offered temporary transfers to American Airlines AAdvantage during the early 2020s, most notably around 2021. But that option disappeared after a short time, leaving many travelers uncertain if it would ever return. 

Now, Citi has brought that partnership back – and this time, it is here to stay. The transfer relationship is now permanent, giving cardholders consistent access to AAdvantage miles going forward.

This also comes at an important moment in the points world. 

Another popular program, Bilt Rewards, had previously allowed 1:1 transfers to American Airlines. But that partnership ended on June 24, 2024. 

With Bilt now out of the picture, Citi stands alone as the only major flexible points program offering a direct path to American Airlines miles.

If you already earn ThankYou points, this is the perfect time to explore the AAdvantage sweet spots. And if you are thinking about picking up a new travel card, the Citi credit card options just became much more valuable. 

The Citi Strata Premier® Card, in particular, offers strong everyday value with bonus categories and a manageable annual fee – plus now, the ability to book premium flights with American and its partners.

This update puts premium cabins, international adventures, and upgraded travel experiences within reach. 

It is a clear win for Citi users – and a great reminder that in the world of points, timing and flexibility can open up powerful new ways to see the world.

Kevin Zanes