For years, Citi’s lineup of American Airlines credit cards had a gap: you could either go big with the $595 Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Card and get full Admirals Club access … or stick to the entry-level options with far fewer perks. Now there’s finally something in between.
American Airlines and Citi just unveiled the new Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard®, a mid-tier card designed for travelers who fall somewhere between the casual vacationer and the frequent flyer. With an annual fee of $350, the new card launches with a limited-time offer to earn 90,000 AAdvantage miles after spending $5,000 in the first four months – plus more than $750 in yearly value through travel perks, statement credits, and elite status boosts.
“It’s built for travelers who want more from every mile — with elevated benefits, a faster path to status, and powerful earning potential,” said Scott Long, American’s Senior Vice President of AAdvantage, in the announcement.
Learn more about the Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard® (for full disclosure, this is not an affiliate link).
A New Middle Ground for AAdvantage Flyers
The new Globe Mastercard rounds out Citi’s AAdvantage card portfolio, finally giving American Airlines loyalists a mid-range option to compete directly with The New United Quest℠ Card and Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card – both of which also carry annual fees of $350.
Globe cardholders will get four Admirals Club passes per year, each valid for 24 hours, plus other AAdvantage travel perks like:
- A free checked bag for you and up to eight companions on the same reservation
- Preferred boarding on American flights
- An annual $99 + taxes companion certificate good for a round-trip domestic flight in Main Cabin
- Up to $100 in inflight purchase credits per year
- A Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit every four years
Beyond travel perks, the Globe Card includes a few lifestyle credits that can also help soften that $350 annual fee:
- Up to $100 “Splurge Credit” each year to use across select merchants like AAdvantage Hotels, 1stDibs, Future Personal Training, and Live Nation
- Up to $240 in Turo credits per year ($30 per trip, up to eight trips)
- Access to Citi Entertainment presales, Mastercard Priceless Experiences, and Mastercard’s new World Legend tier of premium dining and event benefits
- No foreign transaction fees
Add it all up, and the Globe Card packs a surprising punch for a mid-tier travel card — especially if you can put those lounge passes and credits to use.
Earn Miles & Loyalty Points Faster
Citi and American are also touting the card’s Flight Streak™ bonus, a new feature that rewards consistency: you’ll earn 5,000 Loyalty Points after every four qualifying American Airlines flights, up to 15,000 Loyalty Points each status year.
That’s on top of the card’s earning structure:
- 6x miles per dollar spent on on AAdvantage Hotels bookings
- 3x miles per dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases
- 2x miles per dollar spent on dining, takeout, and delivery
- 2x miles per dollar spent on rideshares, taxis, and public transit
- 1x miles per dollar spent on everything else
Each dollar you spend also counts as one Loyalty Point, helping cardholders climb toward AAdvantage elite status faster.
Related Reading: How to Quickly Earn American Airlines Loyalty Points
Bottom Line
Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard® fills a long-standing hole in American’s co-branded credit card lineup. It’s not cheap, but it’s aimed squarely at travelers who fly American a handful of times a year and want real travel perks — without paying nearly $600 for the Executive card.
With its 90,000-mile limited-time welcome bonus offer after spending $5,000 in the first four months, four lounge passes, and an annual companion certificate, this new card could quickly become a sweet spot for AAdvantage loyalists who want status and benefits without going all-in.
Learn more about the Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard® (for full disclosure, this is not an affiliate link).
Lead photo courtesy of Citi
