Citi® / AAdvantage® Gold World Elite™ Mastercard
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- Annual Fee:
- $50, waived for first 12 months*
- Purchase Intro APR:
- N/A
- Regular APR:
- See Terms
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If you want to earn American Airlines miles without paying a big annual fee, then the Citi / AAdvantage Gold World Elite Mastercard will do the job. This isn’t a powerhouse airline card; there are no luxury perks like lounge access or complimentary upgrades — but there are a couple sign-up bonuses that might make this card worth your while.
Review
For the casual domestic traveler, the Citi / AAdvantage Gold World Elite Mastercard offers a way to earn modest miles on purchases, just 1 mile per dollar, and save some money on in-flight food and beverages.
The annual fee is $50 per year, but it’s waived the first year. In fact, this card’s most attractive features happen in the first year. Along with the waived annual fee, there’s also a 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months; after that it’s between 16.99% and 24.99% based on your creditworthiness.
New cardholders also are eligible for 25,000 American Airlines AAdvantage bonus miles after spending $750 within the first three months, which is enough for a round-trip domestic flight. There are no blackout dates on American Airlines and American Eagle carriers, so you can fly anytime.
The downside is that, over the long term, this card doesn’t measure up to other travel cards.
Another drawback is the point expiration system. If you don’t earn or redeem points through American Airlines, an affiliated carrier, or with an American Airlines AAdvantage participant within 18 months, then you lose them. This can be challenging as it can take time to earn enough to buy a ticket, especially since you’re only getting 1 mile per dollar.
Who should get this card
With the 0% intro APR and balance transfer for the first 15 months, this card is a terrific option for people who want to pay off a loan or finance a big purchase while eschewing interest. After the introductory period, the APR is between 16.99% and 24.99% based on your creditworthiness
For those who want a great travel rewards card, there are certainly better options out there — especially if you’re not tied to one airline or Citi. Both the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card and the Chase Sapphire Reserve are superior in almost every way, from the rewards system to the annual bonuses.
Advantages
- You don’t have to pay an annual fee for the first year.
- There’s an intro 0% APR for purchases and balance transfers within the first 15 months.
- New cardholders can earn enough miles in three months for one round-trip ticket if they spend $750 on their card.
Disadvantages
- The 1 mile-per-dollar rewards system is below average.
- You must earn or use your points on American Airlines travel within 18 months or you will lose them.
- After one year, you must pay a $50 annual fee.
Fees and APR
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- This card charges a $50 annual fee, but it’s waived the first year.
- For the first year, there is a 0% intro APR; after that it’s between 16.99% and 24.99% based on your creditworthiness.
- There is a balance transfer fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
- You will have to pay a foreign transaction fee of 3% if you use this card outside of the U.S.
- Both the late and returned payment fee is $35.
Extras, perks and using rewards
Cardholders will earn 1 mile per dollar spent.
This card comes with a 25% discount on eligible in-flight food and beverage purchases.
This card also offers Citi Price Rewind, which automatically searches for a lower price on the registered items you pay for with your card at hundreds of online merchants. If Citi finds a cheaper price online within 60 days of purchase, you may receive the difference.
Complimentary travel protection is included with this card, including insurance, emergency assistance and lost baggage protection.
How this card compares
The Citi Prestige Card gives air travel rewards at a rate of 3x points to The Platinum Card® from American Express’ s 5x points (Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year). But, it comes with one perk that could make it worth more to you: on hotel stays of four or more nights booked through the Citi concierge, get the fourth night free. For some, this benefit could exceed the cost of card ownership.
The Barclaycard Arrival Plus® World Elite MasterCard® will likely appeal to those who want the most flexible redemption options for their miles. You can use your earnings to book travel, get a statement credit for travel purchases, or for gift cards and select merchandise. This may be of greater value to you depending on your spending habits.