Citibank’s Christmas Present to Me

I just received an email from American AADvantage,

Happy Holidays! Our bonus miles gift to you!

I almost deleted it because, well, that’s what I do when I’m busy. But I also know I need to read this things on the rare off-change that they’re useful, because.. well.. blog.

And it’s free miles for the holidays for being a Citi Executive Card cardholder.

No word yet on whether folks who still have more than one Exective card are getting more than one mileage deposit or not.

The miles are already in my account:

Interestingly another account I manage that also has a Citi Executive card attached does not have the bonus miles deposited, and has not received this email. Both cards have similar spending profiles and both accounts have the same status level.

Presumably Citi thinks the goodwill generated will boost retention, and that 2000 miles now for lots of customers are worth more than a retention bonus when an individual decides to cancel. Although that presupposes a great deal of rationality and calculation on Citi’s part that may not be warranted.

Interesting nonetheless.


About Gary Leff

Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel - a topic he has covered since 2002. Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »

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Comments

  1. I have this card and didn’t receive the miles. I hardly ever use the card, maybe that’s why? Or because I am a lowly Gold? Dunno. I think I’m going to switch to the Citi Prestige in any case.

  2. I got nothing. Just one Executive card, opened in April. No AA status, roughly $15K spend including the $10K to get the signup bonus. Bummer!

  3. EXP, have this card. Received no email, no bonus miles.
    Whatever the magic algorithm is, they apparently aren’t “delighted” to have me as a cardmember.

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