Know if you qualify: An easy guide to Citi American Airlines card application rules

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We’ll be the first to admit, there are quite a few sets of rules to follow when you’re applying for the best travel credit cards. Policies like the Amex once per lifetime per card welcome bonus restriction, the Chase 5/24 rule, and the Citi 48-month American Airlines card rules can be confusing.

Sometimes, even when a rule seems clear cut, there are exceptions. Fortunately, Citi has simplified their application rules for American Airlines credit cards. Let’s tackle the Citi American Airlines 48-month rules to fully understand which cards are affected, what the terms are, and what you can do to set yourself up for long-term success.

Citi American Airlines personal and business card application rules

Citi’s American Airlines card application rules have changed. Once upon a time, you weren’t able to receive more than one personal credit card welcome bonus in a 24-month period. Here’s how it went:

• If you opened a Citi American Airlines personal card, you’d again become eligible for another personal card bonus after 24 months
• If you canceled a Citi American Airlines personal card, you’d have to wait another 24 months before becoming eligible once again

A little confusing, yeah? Now the rules are simpler: If you’ve received the welcome bonus on that card in the past 48 months, you’re not eligible for that bonus again. For example, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite™ Mastercard® currently comes with 50,000 miles after you spend $2,500 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. It has a $99 annual fee that’s waived for the first 12 months. The card’s terms say:

 American Airlines AAdvantage^® bonus miles are not available if you have received a new account bonus for a Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Platinum Select^® account in the past 48 months.

In other words, you’re not eligible for another bonus on this card for 48 months — but you’re still eligible for the bonus on all other Citi cards, such as the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®, Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ Mastercard® or American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card in the same time frame.

Bottom line

Citi has established clear cut rules for applying and receiving bonuses on their American Airlines credit cards. To put it simply, you can qualify for a Citi American Airlines card bonus (personal or business) as long as you’ve not received a new account bonus for the same card in the past 48 months.

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Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

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Intro APR on purchases

N/A

Regular APR

15.99%-22.99% Variable

Annual Fee

$95

Balance Transfer Fee

Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.

Rates & Fees

Annual Fee $95

Other

Credit Needed Excellent / Good

Issuer Chase

Card Type Visa

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