Citibank is giving a credit of 50% of the annual fee to AAdvantage Executive cardmembers. This is the card that comes with American Airlines Admirals Club membership.
Given the impact of COVID-19 on travel and the temporary closure of Admirals Club lounges, we are notifying eligible Citi / AAdvantage Executive cardmembers who had an open account as of March 31, 2020 and prior that we will be issuing a one-time courtesy credit of $225 upon card renewal.
Cardmembers will see the credit within two billing statements after the annual fee bills to their account. Citi, alongside our partner American Airlines, are looking forward to welcoming our cardmembers back to the Admirals Club lounges soon.
American Airlines DFW ‘A’ Concourse Admirals Club
A 50% credit of the $450 annual fee, or $225, is reasonable since paid Admirals Club members received a six month extension of their annual membership. It had been an open question how cardmembers with premium airline cards would be treated as American, United, and Delta all extended elite status and club memberships but none had addressed members who obtained their club membership via credit card annual fee.
So far neither Chase nor American Express have spoken to how they’ll handle United Club and Delta Reserve accounts, though it seems that the Citi-American approach since simple and straightforward could be easily adopted by other issuers. And offering this to cardmembers whose accounts were open by March makes sense, presumably these customers anticipated using the benefits they were paying for through the card while this doesn’t make getting the card now less expensive.
Citi also announced that flight discount certificates earned via spend on their primary consumer AAdvantage card, and companion certificates earned via their AAdvantage business card are being extended as well.
In addition, we’re pleased to offer a 6-month extension to Flight Discount certificates with an expiration between March 31, 2020 and May 31, 2021 held by existing Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select cardmembers. Also, existing Citi / AAdvantage Business Platinum cardmembers who hold a companion certificate with an expiration date of December 31, 2020 will receive a 6-month extension, with these certificates expiring on June 30, 2021.
I’ve confirmed that Barclays co-brand card companion certificates are being extended as well although I am still awaiting details.
Great news and good move. I am so tired of these people freak’n out all the time if they don’t get immediate answers or gratification. AA, DL and other (not UA) have been working through a scenario they never would have dreamed about. Most airlines have done a good job making choses not because DL did it first or AA just did it, but what was right for their business, supply chain and most importantly their customers.
Maybe people who live beyond their means and expect the government to save them will wake up, save money, have the things they need and stop trying to Keep up the the Kardasians(sp?). The decisions AA and it’s partners (DL too) have made is making good sense and I for one appreciate all they are doing. We will get through this and come out stronger as a result.
So I assume applicable cardholders who renewed in/this March 2020 will see the credit this upcoming statement (May 2020 as that is the outside of the 2 month window mentioned in the article)?
If my renewal was this past March then, does that mean I will not get the credit until next April?
If my renewal was just this past March, does that mean I will not get the credit until next April?
American Express is offering $100-$125 statement credits to those with Delta Reserve renewal fees due in between May and December.
I don’t see it as generous or comparable as it requires the fee to be paid twice for someone whose anniversary was in 1Q.
wait, this sucks, what is this card w/o the club access?
where is the value in this card?
CANCEL
Since Citi cancelled virtually all of their Traveler Protection benefits last September, the Admirals Club membership and extra points on purchase of AA tickets is the only real benefit the card has. And those have evaporated for the foreseeable future. Even at $225, the card is overpriced.
Our renewal is in August. Considering that we will not be flying through the Fall and have no reason to travel in the winter. This does not really help us. Our next trip would not be until 2021 thus we can save $450 less the $225 by just canceling the card and getting the card again in Summer 2021. Why pay $225 when we will not use it for a year.
Wow, I just received my “Courtesy Credit for COVID-19 impact” and had to do a web search to figure out what this was?? Gotta say it’s appreciated and classy by AA and Citi. I’m surprised I didn’t get a mailer or some sort…need to check my personal email. I take advantage of the clubs every time I travel and my wife and kids enjoy them so this is a perk I will continue.