Citi is out with a new mid-tier card called the AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard® with a $350 annual fee. We expected a lot from this card, but found it ultimately disappointing.
AA’s disappointing $350 Globe card
Watch here:
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(00:39) – Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard® basics
(01:53) – Perks, coupons, and elite boost
(04:33) – Is this the replacement for Barclays $195 Aviator Silver card?
(06:20) – Hear our discussion about the Barclays Aviator Silver card here
(14:04) – Which card is better? (Or which card is for which kind of motivation?)
(17:55) – There are folks earning status through AA hotels – could the Globe card be exciting for those people?
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It’s still a net $550 in value at break-even for a year (fine a 1/24 slot, 1 hard pull, minimal opportunity cost, if Citi will approve you). My simple math is $900 SUB (90K points) and $350 AF. Sure, I preferred churning the Barclays cards ($1 spend, $99 AF, for +60K points), but they’re toast. Folks in this community should embrace new products, not scoff at them.
Yes, the new Globe card is disappointing. However, I’m considering a different angle for next year.
I just recently finished the spend requirement for the AAdvantage® Platinum Select card ($99 AF) that I got for simplymiles offers, better AAdvantage hotels multiplier, etc. If I replace it with the Globe card, I’ll effectively pay $251 AF by canceling the $99 AA card. Considering the new benefits (club passes, loyalty points opportunities, more bonus categories, etc.) I think the Globe card is not as bad, with this plan.
There’s no requirement (that I could find) for the tickets to be paid with card in order to get the Flight Streak bonus loyalty points. I may end up taking more AA flights because of the new card.
The point about AA Hotels is really important–they’re an essential part of my status journey each year, and I am constantly debating the Executive card in order to earn the 10x multiplier. I probably won’t get this card because the math isn’t there, but it is a consideration.
For another couple hundred bucks in annual fee, the Executive seems to be the better choice. But, if If you ever come to a point where tier status isn’t worth it (and don’t need lounge access), consider the Citi Strata Premier. Better overall multipliers and points transfer to AA.
Without a doubt, AA Exec is the keeper card if you care about status (20K bonus LPs at 50K and 90K), or if you partake in AA lounges more than just a few times a year.
I’d add that the Citi Strata Premier’s value is set to increase as the CSR’s generous 3x travel category is ending soon (October 26, 2025), so some will migrate to Strata Premier for that purpose; or, if your ‘travel’ spend is ‘international,’ perhaps, onto that new Alaska Atmos (3x all foreign transactions… wonder how long that’ll last…)