Citi® and American Airlines today announced that following the integration of the American Airlines AAdvantage® and US Airways Dividend Miles® frequent flyer loyalty programs, Citi will exclusively issue new credit card accounts in support of the combined American Airlines AAdvantage frequent flyer program. The combination of the two frequent flyer programs is expected to occur in 2015.

Long-standing partners since 1987, Citi and American have together provided Citi® / AAdvantage® credit cardmembers with valuable travel benefits, access and memorable experiences. Through this exclusive agreement, Citi and American have significant opportunity to grow their credit card portfolio and deliver enhanced value to Citi / AAdvantage cardmembers.

“American Airlines is celebrating a number of key milestones as we work through our merger integration and look towards building the leading global carrier,” said Suzanne Rubin, President - AAdvantage Loyalty Program for American Airlines. “Citi has been a valued partner for more than two decades. As we work to integrate the two frequent flyer programs, we are eager to introduce new opportunities for Citi / AAdvantage customers across the expanded network.”

American has previously announced plans to combine the US Airways Dividend Miles and American Airlines AAdvantage programs to create the world’s premier airline loyalty program. The combination of US Airways and American Airlines will serve nearly 100 million loyalty members, 6,700 daily flights and 339 locations in 54 countries worldwide. Current Citi / AAdvantage credit cardmembers continue to enjoy all their card benefits throughout the travel experience. Effective this month, Citi / AAdvantage Platinum and Executive cardmembers will begin to enjoy select benefits on US Airways codeshare flights booked on AA.com. For example, Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select cardmembers can earn double miles on eligible American Airlines purchases, flight discounts and 10 percent miles back on AAdvantage miles redeemed for US Airways codeshare flights booked on AA.com.

“Citi’s long-term collaboration with American has created some of our most successful products, substantial business and loyalty,” said Ralph Andretta, Head of Product Management, Citi Cards. “This is a terrific time of opportunity for both Citi and American, and we are excited to extend our relationship and offer our shared customers more opportunities to earn and redeem AAdvantage miles around the world.”

In December, Citi and American Airlines announced that beginning in March 2014, the Citi Executive / AAdvantage World Elite MasterCard® will be the only U.S. credit card offering full membership benefits at the American Airlines Admirals Club airport lounges. Citi Executive / AAdvantage cardmembers enjoy membership privileges to nearly 40 Admirals Club locations in major airports worldwide, and now they will also be able to access all 19 US Airways Club locations, 10 of which are located in airports where there are no Admirals Club lounges today.