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American Airlines Transfer Partners | AAdvantage Points Guide

Which credit cards transfer to American Airlines AAdvantage?

Looking to transfer points to American Airlines?

For years, AAdvantage stood out as the only major US airline program without a transferable currency partner.

That changed on July 27, 2025, when Citi introduced 1:1 transfers to AAdvantage, making it significantly easier to earn and use miles through flexible credit card points.

This guide explains American Airlines transfer partners, transfer rules, eligible cards, and the best ways to maximize your miles.

Updated May 19, 2026 · 6 min read

American Airlines Transfer Partners

Key facts

Primary partner
Citi ThankYou Points
Transfer Partners

Credit Cards That Transfer to American Airlines AAdvantage

Citi ThankYou Points

Transfer ratio1:1

Citi is now the primary transferable currency partner for AAdvantage, allowing direct 1:1 transfers from ThankYou Points.

This makes transferring points to American Airlines significantly more accessible compared to previous years.

Eligible Citi Cards (1:1 Transfers)

  • Citi Strata Premier℠ Card
  • Citi Prestige® Card (legacy, no longer open to new applicants)
  • Citi Strata Elite℠ Card

Only full ThankYou Points–earning cards support airline transfers.

Transfer Details

Minimum Transfer1,000 Citi points
Transfer SpeedTypically instant or near-instant

This allows you to quickly move points and book award flights as soon as availability appears.

View Citi Transfer Partners
Limited Use

Secondary Transfer Option (Limited Use)

Marriott Bonvoy

Transfer ratio3:1

(with 5,000-mile bonus per 60,000 points transferred)

Marriott Bonvoy offers a secondary path into AAdvantage, but the lower ratio makes it best reserved for specific situations rather than everyday transfers.

Transfer Details

Minimum Transfer3,000 Bonvoy points
Transfer TimeTypically 1–7 days

Best used for:

  • Topping up miles
  • Completing a redemption
Not Supported

Programs That Do NOT Transfer to AAdvantage

Several major rewards programs still do not partner with American Airlines:

  • Chase Ultimate Rewards
  • American Express Membership Rewards
  • Capital One Miles

If you're researching which cards transfer to American Airlines, Citi is currently the only major transferable option.

Why It Matters

Strategic Context (Why This Matters)

  • In December 2024, Citi and American announced the extension of their more than 37-year co-branded partnership for the next decade, with Citi becoming the exclusive issuer of the AAdvantage co-branded card portfolio in the U.S. in 2026.
  • Citi is set to become the exclusive AAdvantage credit card issuer in 2026
  • Existing Barclays-issued AA cards are expected to transition over time

This positions Citi as the long-term financial ecosystem behind AAdvantage.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Start Using Your Points Smarter

Understanding American Airlines transfer partners is just the first step.

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