Is obtaining status in AAdvantage a worthwhile pursuit? We're going to either get a Citi AAdvantage card or a Capital One Venture card. Obviously the Venture would give us more points, but based on how much we put on the card I think we'd easily qualify for the Gold status and some years might get to Platinum on the AAdvantage. Other main perk would be the free checked bags which would be worth a couple hundred dollars per year.

Does anyone who has experience with the AAdvantage elite status have an opinion on whether it's worth taking it over double points on the Venture card?

this thread is relevant to my interests

Calling 05....

Redemption values tend to be better using AAdvantage miles than with Capital One points, meaning I can get an outrageous value for my AAdvantage miles depending on the flight I book with them. Capital One points have a set redemption value and it's tied to how much the ticket you want to buy costs. It's great because you don't need the flexibility you'd otherwise need with AAdvantage miles.

That said, the miles you'd earn from spending money on the American card won't get you any closer to status. Status is earned by flying and earning Elite Qualifying Miles, whereas the miles you'd earn from the Citi card are Redeemable miles. You can redeem for travel, but they won't count towards status.

I posted a blog on American status with a hopefully good explanation here:
Beginner: http://andystravelblog.com/2012/12/13/american-airlines-aadvantage-status-explained-the-basics/

AAdvanced: http://andystravelblog.com/2012/12/28/american-airlines-aadvantage-status-explained-aadvanced/

[This message has been edited by bthotugigem05 (edited 2/11/2013 11:07a).]

That said, if you're going to be flying on American a lot anyway, go ahead and get the Citi card, because of the benefits you mentioned. The minimum spending requirement to get the bonus is really low right now for a good sized bonus.

I say get both if you want, it'll give you a little flexibility.

yeah, the mileage cards that aren't airline cards or don't have transfer ability to transfer to mileage partners aren't really mileage cards. They are all based on a price the ticket cost. If you fly AA a lot, the Citi card is the better bet.

I have had the citi card for many years & the annual fee is $50. On my card I am not aware of free baggage. Is that something they are offering on some kind of "new" plan? A few years ago I got the venture card because a) there is no fee b) you do at least earn pts which is better than nothing, & c) they don't charge a foreign transaction fee which is valuable to me because I travel to Mexico. As for cashing in pts: Getting harder & about to get even harder to get flights on AA. I feel you really have to be flexible or be willing to fork over a lot of pts & sometimes you just simply can't get what you want/need. The venture card has more flexibility but it takes longer to save up enough pts to cash in. For example- I bought an airline ticket w/my venture card & then waited about 60 days till I had earned enough pts to apply it to my purchase. That was very easy. Just go online & request a credit for your travel expense.

Read it wrong.

[This message has been edited by Jag1075 (edited 2/12/2013 9:24p).]