Citi Strata Elite vs. AAdvantage Globe Mastercard showdown

When you’re a frequent American Airlines flyer, it’s possible you’ll assume that an AAdvantage cobranded card is the best choice to your pockets. Whereas AAdvantage bank cards definitely present helpful advantages, they’re far out of your solely choice.

Now that Citi ThankYou Rewards factors transfer at a 1:1 ratio to AAdvantage from sure premium Citi playing cards, there is a suite of transferable rewards cards that might make sense for some American Airways-focused setups.

Which route do you have to take?

On this article, I will evaluate one choice from every camp: the Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard® (see rates and fees), the newest Citi / AAdvantage cobranded card which got here out earlier this yr, and the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card (see rates and fees), a premium journey card.

These playing cards maintain extra similarities than you’d determine on first look, however a couple of key distinctions differentiate the 2. Here is what it’s best to know.

AAdvantage Globe vs. Strata Elite comparability

AAdvantage Globe vs. Strata Elite welcome bonus

For a restricted time, new AAdvantage Globe cardholders can earn 90,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 on purchases inside the first 4 months from account opening.

Primarily based on TPG’s valuations, this bonus is price $1,485.

For a restricted time, new Strata Elite cardholders can earn 100,000 bonus factors after spending $6,000 within the first three months from account opening.

This bonus is price $1,900, in line with TPG’s valuations.

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On the subject of eligibility, Citi’s application rules permit one new card each eight days and not more than two in a 65-day interval. There isn’t any cap on the variety of Citi playing cards you’ll be able to maintain, however your complete credit score line is proscribed.

With American Airways cobranded playing cards, it’s important to wait 48 months after incomes a welcome bonus on the identical card to earn the bonus once more. For the reason that Globe is a brand new product, this should not trigger issues.

Winner: Strata Elite. Its bonus is price about $400 greater than the Globe’s.

Associated: The best credit card welcome bonuses currently available

AAdvantage Globe vs. Strata Elite advantages

The playing cards share a main profit: 4 Admirals Club lounge passes every calendar yr. Each playing cards additionally present as much as $120 in Global Entry or TSA PreCheck price credit each 4 years. Neither card expenses foreign transaction fees.

After that, they differ considerably.

For a $350 annual price, the AAdvantage Globe options perks primarily oriented towards touring on American Airways. These embrace:

• American Airways companion certificates earned annually after card renewal
• Earn 1 Loyalty Point towards standing per mile earned on the cardboard
• Obtain a 5,000 “Flight Streak” Loyalty Level increase (as much as 3 times per yr for a complete of 15,000 Loyalty Factors)
• First checked bag free (on qualifying home American Airways itineraries) for the first cardmember and as much as eight companions on the identical reservation
• Most popular boarding on all American Airways flights

The annual companion certificate is a unbelievable profit right here, particularly contemplating you do not have to satisfy a spending threshold to obtain it yearly. The certificates prices $99 (plus taxes and costs from $11.20) and can’t be used on primary financial system fares.

You should utilize it for journey inside the contiguous 48 states, whereas residents of Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands can use it for round-trip flights to the mainland.

If incomes American Airlines elite status is vital to you, the cardboard’s 5,000 “Flight Streak” Loyalty Level increase for each 4 eligible American Airways flights is one other strong perk. American Airways defines an “eligible flight” as any phase flown with or marketed by American Airways, excluding award flights.

The Globe additionally offers as much as $100 in assertion credit each calendar yr on inflight purchases when utilizing your card on American Airways flights.

The Globe comes with a “Splurge Credit” that gives assertion credit of as much as $100 in your selection of two retailers from the next checklist:

• 1stDibs
• AAdvantage Resorts
• Future Private Coaching
• Stay Nation (exclusions apply)

The Strata Elite offers broader airport lounge entry than the Globe, offering a complimentary Precedence Move Choose membership for main cardmembers and approved customers. As much as two complimentary friends can enter a Precedence Move lounge with a main or approved cardholder. Precedence Move presents entry to over 1,800 lounges worldwide.

The assertion credit on the Strata Elite assist offset its $595 annual price. These embrace a lodge assertion credit score of $300 off a pay as you go Citi Journey keep (minimal two nights) and a $200 Blacklane credit score, earned as two biannual $100 assertion credit for Blacklane chauffeur bookings.

The Splurge credit score on the Strata Elite offers as much as $200 in assertion credit (double that on the Globe) in your selection of as much as two of the next manufacturers:

• 1stDibs
• American Airways
• Finest Purchase
• Future Private Coaching
• Stay Nation (exclusions apply)

The Globe doesn’t embrace American Airways in its Splurge credit score, nevertheless it does present a $100 inflight buy credit score for AA.

Plus, Strata Elite cardholders can entry The Reserve by Citi Travel, a group of luxurious resorts curated by Citi. When booked, cardholders obtain a number of advantages, together with a $100 expertise credit score (varies by property), every day complimentary breakfast for 2, early check-in, free Wi-Fi, late checkout and room upgrades (topic to availability).

Lastly, the Strata Elite confers Mastercard World Legend benefits, which embrace precedence reservations at high-demand eating places and entry to occasion tickets worldwide.

Winner: Tie. If you would like particular, AA-related perks, the Globe takes the cake. Nevertheless, in order for you wider lounge entry and extra assertion credit to maximise, the Strata Elite is the higher selection for you.

Associated: 5 reasons why I believe American Airlines miles are worth more than United Airlines and Delta Air Lines miles

Incomes rewards with the AAdvantage Globe vs. Strata Elite

These two playing cards earn completely different currencies. The AAdvantage Globe earns AAdvantage miles, whereas the Strata Elite earns Citi ThankYou points (which will be transferred to AAdvantage, however extra on that later).

With the Globe, you will earn:

• 6 miles per greenback spent on eligible AAdvantage Resorts bookings
• 3 miles per greenback spent on eligible American Airways purchases (together with flights)
• 2 miles per greenback spent on eligible “Rides and Rails” purchases (together with public transit, ride-hailing providers and taxis) and eating places (together with takeout and supply)
• 1 mile per greenback spent on all different purchases

Primarily based on TPG’s valuations, you will obtain a 4.95% return on spending with American Airways. Except you incessantly spend on AAdvantage Resorts, this bonus class does not make a major distinction. The opposite classes present low returns in comparison with different journey rewards playing cards in the marketplace.

On the Strata Elite, you will earn:

• 12 factors per greenback spent on sights, automobile leases and resorts booked by way of Citi Journey
• 6 factors per greenback spent on airfare booked by way of Citi Journey and eating places (together with restaurant supply providers) on CitiNights purchases, each Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m. to six a.m. Japanese time
• 3 factors per greenback spent on restaurant purchases exterior of CitiNights
• 1.5 factors per greenback spent on all different purchases

You will obtain an distinctive 22.8% return on Citi Travel purchases (excluding airfare), per TPG’s valuations, in addition to an 11.4% return on airfare booked by way of Citi Journey, which is considerably higher than that on the Globe.

Winner: Strata Elite. This card offers exceptionally excessive incomes charges, particularly when in comparison with the Globe.

Associated: 10 of the best ways to redeem 100,000 Citi ThankYou Rewards points

Redeeming rewards with the AAdvantage Globe vs. Strata Elite

AAdvantage miles earned on the AAdvantage Globe are finest redeemed for flights on American Airways and its Oneworld alliance partners. You can too redeem your miles for upgrades and worldwide awards.

One in all my favourite methods to use AAdvantage miles is for short-haul home flights inside the U.S., which begin at simply 5,000 miles one-way.

For a extra luxurious flight expertise, you’ll be able to fly in a lie-flat business-class seat to Europe on American, Finnair or Iberia for 57,500 miles plus about $130 in taxes and costs.

You’ll be able to redeem the ThankYou factors earned on the Strata Elite for money again, reward playing cards, assertion credit or journey booked by way of Citi Journey.

Nevertheless, these choices unlock 1 cent per level or much less in worth, so we typically advocate transferring ThankYou factors to a accomplice, reminiscent of American Airways, to obtain higher worth.

Winner: Strata Elite. Since ThankYou factors are extra versatile than AAdvantage miles, you will obtain extra choices to redeem with this card.

Associated: The 8 best ways to redeem up to 100,000 American Airlines AAdvantage miles

Transferring rewards with the AAdvantage Globe vs. Strata Elite

ThankYou factors you will earn on the Strata Elite will be transferred to one in every of Citi’s 22 transfer partners, together with AAdvantage. Flexibility with the rewards on the Strata Elite is among the card’s highlights, since you are not restricted to solely American Airways redemptions with this card.

As an illustration, TPG lead factors and miles author Katie Genter just lately transferred Citi ThankYou factors to Virgin Atlantic to ebook two tickets on a nonstop KLM flight from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) to Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) in financial system for 12,000 factors and about $300 in taxes and costs per individual.

You will not be capable to switch the miles you earn on the AAdvantage Globe.

Winner: Strata Elite. You unlock many extra redemption choices throughout a number of different packages with its transferable rewards.

Associated: Credit card transfer partners: Guide to transferring points and miles to airlines and hotels

Ought to I get the AAdvantage Globe or the Strata Elite?

When you do not have already got an American Airways card, incessantly fly with the airline and would discover a number of use in AA-specific perks reminiscent of free checked luggage and precedence boarding, the AAdvantage Globe will match nicely into your technique. The Globe can be a superb selection if incomes Loyalty Factors towards standing issues to you.

Nevertheless, for those who worth flexibility, have already got an AAdvantage card and would maximize its extra assertion credit, the Strata Elite is the only option for you.

Different elements price contemplating: TPG values ThankYou factors larger than AAdvantage miles, and the present bonus on the Strata Elite is larger than the one on the Globe. Plus, the Globe’s incomes charges aren’t as spectacular as these on the Strata Elite. If amassing as many rewards as attainable is your high precedence, the Strata Elite will come out on high for many.

Associated: Best time to apply for AAdvantage cards based on offer history

Backside line

When you’re deciding between the AAdvantage Globe and the Strata Elite, I like to recommend you are taking stock of the playing cards in your pockets and the advantages you will use most.

When you fly American typically and like decrease charges, I see the Globe as an excellent match. But when flexibility and premium perks matter most, I counsel the Strata Elite as a stronger all-around card.

To study extra, learn our full evaluations of the AAdvantage Globe Mastercard and the Strata Elite.

Apply right here: Citi / AAdvantage Globe Mastercard

Apply right here: Citi Strata Elite Card