Reviews

Citi AAdvantage MileUp Review: Essential for Casual Flyers

Earn AAdvantage miles effortlessly, with no annual fee.

Rickie C. Keys, Ph.D., MPH

23 Mar 2024 — 1 min read

Features

Annual Fee: $0, making it accessible to a wide audience.
APR: 21.24%-29.99% Variable APR, typical for rewards cards.
Sign-Up Bonus: 15,000 AAdvantage miles for $500 spent within the first 3 months, a good start for occasional travelers.
Earning Potential: 2 miles per dollar on grocery and American Airlines purchases; 1 mile per dollar on everything else, optimizing everyday spending.

Benefits

Grocery Rewards: Earns double miles on grocery purchases, including delivery services, blending daily spending with mile accumulation.
AAdvantage Elite Status: Earn 1 loyalty point per dollar, contributing to elite status, a unique feature for a no-annual-fee card.
In-flight Discounts: Enjoy 25% off on in-flight purchases, enhancing the travel experience with savings.

Drawbacks

Lacks Free Checked Bags: Unlike other airline cards, no complimentary checked baggage benefits.
Limited Perks: Few travel benefits compared to other airline credit cards, even with no annual fee.
Foreign Transaction Fees: Charges an extra 3% on international purchases, potentially offsetting rewards earned.

Product Summary

The Citi AAdvantage MileUp Card stands out for its zero annual fee and dual focus on earning miles for grocery shopping and American Airlines purchases. It's particularly appealing for those who prefer not to commit to high annual fees yet wish to accrue miles for occasional travel. While it may lack the extensive perks of higher-tier airline cards, such as free checked bags or priority boarding, its straightforward rewards system, combined with benefits like in-flight discounts and the unique opportunity to earn elite status through everyday spending, presents a valuable proposition. However, the card's foreign transaction fee and the limited flexibility in rewards redemption might prompt potential cardholders to weigh their options. For casual American Airlines flyers looking to earn miles without an annual fee effortlessly, the MileUp card offers a simple and effective solution.

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