topic Re: Discover It Miles vs Citi AAdvantage in Credit Cards

Discover It Miles vs Citi AAdvantage

Anonymous — Thu, 10 Nov 2016 23:50:41 GMT

Hello everyone, I was hoping you could give me some feedback as to which card is better, and which one I am more likely to be approved for.

Citi AAdvantage currently has sign up bonus of 50,000 miles when you spend $3000 in purchases in the first 3 months, so that sounds pretty good to me. The card also gives you benefits with AA, but it costs $95 a year (waived the first year).

The Discover It Miles doubles your miles after the first year (have to wait a year), but it has no goodies with any airline. There's no annual fee though, and I've heard their service is the best.

Another thing to consider is that I'm being transferred to Mexico soon, and Citi bank has a huge presence in Mexico as Citibanamex, is that a plus?

As for my credit:

Experian Score = 723

Inquiries = 3 (one "fake" inquiry from Chase, already disputed and in the process of being deleted)

Oldest CC = 2 years

Late payments = never

Utilization = 10-20% (depending on when they pull it)

Combined CL = $2,300

No loans, mortgage or car loan.

No accounts closed

Re: Discover It Miles vs Citi AAdvantage

Anonymous — Fri, 11 Nov 2016 00:28:44 GMT

I think the distinction here is that AAdvantage is airline-specific and an opportunity to develop that relationship with Citi, whereas Discover it Miles allows more flexibility for general travel that is not tied to a specific airline.

Since Discover it Miles also allows an option of cash back instead of miles, it's not as travel-specific as AAdvantage.

Consider carefully whether you will be utilizing American Airlines often enough to make the AAdvantage card and concomitant miles worthwhile.

Discover generally likes thin, clean profiles and since you mentioned your total overall CL is $2,300, it sounds as if you have only a few cards and a thin profile.

I have both the AAdvantage and the Discover it Miles cards, and have very specific purposes for both, so having one does not necessarily preclude the other. My Discover it Miles is new and I should be receiving it very soon.

A few questions that may help us to help you:

1) What is your AAoA? Are there any negatives at all on your reports?

2) Do you have at least one major credit card (not store card) that is over one year old? Is it a major card from a prime lender (i.e., ideally not a CreditOne card)

And a few suggestions:

1) Get utilization down to 10% or below for optimal result

2) Consider obtaining an installment loan (even a small one) to broaden and diversify your profile prior to applying.

And two comments:

1) With your overall total credit limits being $2,300, I would say to expect a small starting CL on one or both of these cards. If it's possible to obtain a CLI on a current card to boost your overall limits prior to applying, that would be helpful.

2) Your score of 723 is good and I would also say to obtain your TU and EQ scores before applying. DIscover has pulled both TU and EQ for people in the past, so it helps to know what you're working with.

Good luck! I love my AAdvantage card and have some great upcoming usage lined up for my Miles card.

Re: Discover It Miles vs Citi AAdvantage

Anonymous — Fri, 11 Nov 2016 00:35:15 GMT

One final question as well: Is there any specific reason you have singled out these two cards vs. the myriad of other travel cards available?

Consider your upcoming travel needs in the next 12-24 months, and carefully evaluate the full range of travel and cash back credit cards before deciding which is best for you based on your spend and travel patterns.

Two cards are possible as long as you have a specific purpose for each, and a rationale that helps them fit into your overall plans.

Best of luck.

Re: Discover It Miles vs Citi AAdvantage

Anonymous — Fri, 11 Nov 2016 01:09:04 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
One final question as well: Is there any specific reason you have singled out these two cards vs. the myriad of other travel cards available?

Consider your upcoming travel needs in the next 12-24 months, and carefully evaluate the full range of travel and cash back credit cards before deciding which is best for you based on your spend and travel patterns.

Two cards are possible as long as you have a specific purpose for each, and a rationale that helps them fit into your overall plans.

Best of luck.

That was my question: the cards are SO different it suggests a possible lack of knowledge of the space. But basically:

If you can travel on AA (or its partners),, especially premium cabin international, AND you can spend enough to get a decent amount of AA miles, then at least in theory, you can get some great value, getting several cents per mile, more than making up for the 1 mile per $ on general earning. If you can't, the card is pretty useless, earning 1 mile per $ that you cannot really use

Whereas Discover IT Miles gives 3% the first year (at the end of the year) and 1.5% after. This is really a cashback card, of which there are lots and lots, some giving 2% overall, others 5% on certain categories. For the first year though, the cashback on this card is very good. Then not so much.

And there are a set of cards with points that transfer to a variety of partners, and again, if redeemed correctly, these can be really good value. But generally have an annual fee and require quite a lot of spend to get the desierable awards.

Re: Discover It Miles vs Citi AAdvantage

Anonymous — Fri, 11 Nov 2016 05:48:41 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:

1) What is your AAoA? Are there any negatives at all on your reports?
2) Do you have at least one major credit card (not store card) that is over one year old? Is it a major card from a prime lender (i.e., ideally not a CreditOne card)

And a few suggestions:

1) Get utilization down to 10% or below for optimal result
2) Consider obtaining an installment loan (even a small one) to broaden and diversify your profile prior to applying.

And two comments:

1) With your overall total credit limits being $2,300, I would say to expect a small starting CL on one or both of these cards. If it's possible to obtain a CLI on a current card to boost your overall limits prior to applying, that would be helpful.

2) Your score of 723 is good and I would also say to obtain your TU and EQ scores before applying. DIscover has pulled both TU and EQ for people in the past, so it helps to know what you're working with.

Good luck! I love my AAdvantage card and have some great upcoming usage lined up for my Miles card.

Thanks for your comments!
1) Average age is 1 year, since I just got a CapitalOne Quicksilver One ($2000 CL). No negatives at all.

2) I have a secured Visa with Wells Fargo, 2 years old, but Wells Fargo still hasn't graduated me for whatever reason.

Re: Discover It Miles vs Citi AAdvantage

Anonymous — Fri, 11 Nov 2016 05:57:15 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
One final question as well: Is there any specific reason you have singled out these two cards vs. the myriad of other travel cards available?

Consider your upcoming travel needs in the next 12-24 months, and carefully evaluate the full range of travel and cash back credit cards before deciding which is best for you based on your spend and travel patterns.

Two cards are possible as long as you have a specific purpose for each, and a rationale that helps them fit into your overall plans.

Best of luck.

I have ruled out all of Chase cards due to the horrible service I've been receiving during my application process for the Hyatt card, I'm not even counting on ever getting it. Every rep I talk to (even in the Fruad department or Lending) gives me a different answer for whatever question I have. Then bankers at branches haven't been very helpful, they also give me wrong answers. Their system is pre-internet era, a fax takes 2 weeks to be uploaded, and to makes matters worse they mistakenly made 2 hard pulls on my Experian report. I already called about that and they will remove one inquiry but it'll take 2 months. All they say is sorry, but they never have a solution for anything. Horrible Horrible service. That's too bad because I thought they had good cards...

As for Capital One, well since I have only 2 months with my QSOne I can't apply for a Venture.

Re: Discover It Miles vs Citi AAdvantage

NRB525 — Fri, 11 Nov 2016 05:59:19 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Hello everyone, I was hoping you could give me some feedback as to which card is better, and which one I am more likely to be approved for.
Citi AAdvantage currently has sign up bonus of 50,000 miles when you spend $3000 in purchases in the first 3 months, so that sounds pretty good to me. The card also gives you benefits with AA, but it costs $95 a year (waived the first year).

If you go to the Citi website, and try their "See if you are prequalified" link, you check how you rate with Citi. If the result comes back with a single APR number, and a "you are prequalified to apply for the following credit card offers" then you have an excellent chance to get it. If they don't say "you are prequalified" then your chances are reduced. As with any app, you have to apply to find out for reals, but with the "you are prequalfied" I have not been disappointed on three separate Citi apps in 2015 and 2016.

Re: Discover It Miles vs Citi AAdvantage

Anonymous — Fri, 11 Nov 2016 06:05:07 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:

That was my question: the cards are SO different it suggests a possible lack of knowledge of the space. But basically:
If you can travel on AA (or its partners),, especially premium cabin international, AND you can spend enough to get a decent amount of AA miles, then at least in theory, you can get some great value, getting several cents per mile, more than making up for the 1 mile per $ on general earning. If you can't, the card is pretty useless, earning 1 mile per $ that you cannot really use
Whereas Discover IT Miles gives 3% the first year (at the end of the year) and 1.5% after. This is really a cashback card, of which there are lots and lots, some giving 2% overall, others 5% on certain categories. For the first year though, the cashback on this card is very good. Then not so much.
And there are a set of cards with points that transfer to a variety of partners, and again, if redeemed correctly, these can be really good value. But generally have an annual fee and require quite a lot of spend to get the desierable awards.

Thanks for your comments, I know they are very different but the bonus with AA is enticing. I travel a lot for business, so I'll be putting $2000 a month in the card, if not more, and all that money is refunded by the company, so the points are basically free. I prefer a miles or points card over cashback because I'll be using the rewards for my personal vacations.

Re: Discover It Miles vs Citi AAdvantage

wasCB14 — Fri, 11 Nov 2016 06:33:46 GMT

I'm not sure of your approval odds, but since you travel a lot for business, maybe even consider AA Executive?

Any chance your employer might cover the AF, since it could reduce your dining costs a bit? For the AA Platinum, at least, your employer would presumably be saving a checked bag fee.

And lounge access can make both business and personal travel less stressful. That said, some Admirals lounges are a lot nicer than others.

Re: Discover It Miles vs Citi AAdvantage

Anonymous — Fri, 11 Nov 2016 07:08:35 GMT

Get both

Re: Discover It Miles vs Citi AAdvantage

Anonymous — Fri, 11 Nov 2016 13:15:32 GMT

I would jump on the Citi card now since the 50K bonus miles offer is limited time. Much of the year they only offer 30K miles. They also have no FTF which is good for Mexico (not sure if this applies to Discover also), and acceptance should be wider for Mastercard than for Discover.

Re: Discover It Miles vs Citi AAdvantage

Anonymous — Fri, 11 Nov 2016 13:55:08 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I would jump on the Citi card now since the 50K bonus miles offer is limited time. Much of the year they only offer 30K miles. They also have no FTF which is good for Mexico (not sure if this applies to Discover also), and acceptance should be wider for Mastercard than for Discover.

Well they pretty much offer the 50K offer all year long. You just need to know where to look for it. The offer they show on the Citi site or on your AA account isn't always the best.

Re: Discover It Miles vs Citi AAdvantage

Anonymous — Fri, 11 Nov 2016 13:55:22 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
That was my question: the cards are SO different it suggests a possible lack of knowledge of the space. But basically:
If you can travel on AA (or its partners),, especially premium cabin international, AND you can spend enough to get a decent amount of AA miles, then at least in theory, you can get some great value, getting several cents per mile, more than making up for the 1 mile per $ on general earning. If you can't, the card is pretty useless, earning 1 mile per $ that you cannot really use
Whereas Discover IT Miles gives 3% the first year (at the end of the year) and 1.5% after. This is really a cashback card, of which there are lots and lots, some giving 2% overall, others 5% on certain categories. For the first year though, the cashback on this card is very good. Then not so much.
And there are a set of cards with points that transfer to a variety of partners, and again, if redeemed correctly, these can be really good value. But generally have an annual fee and require quite a lot of spend to get the desierable awards.
Thanks for your comments, I know they are very different but the bonus with AA is enticing. I travel a lot for business, so I'll be putting $2000 a month in the card, if not more, and all that money is refunded by the company, so the points are basically free. I prefer a miles or points card over cashback because I'll be using the rewards for my personal vacations.

OK, then that should rule out Discover IT Miles which is just a cashback card! Unless it is clear that your major travel will be on AA and partners, also consider something like the Chase Sapphire Preferred, which has a good bonus, fee waived the first year, and the points can be used on a variety of airlines, as well as for discounted travel.

Re: Discover It Miles vs Citi AAdvantage

Anonymous — Fri, 11 Nov 2016 15:27:35 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
I would jump on the Citi card now since the 50K bonus miles offer is limited time. Much of the year they only offer 30K miles. They also have no FTF which is good for Mexico (not sure if this applies to Discover also), and acceptance should be wider for Mastercard than for Discover.
Well they pretty much offer the 50K offer all year long. You just need to know where to look for it. The offer they show on the Citi site or on your AA account isn't always the best.

+1. Thanks to Irish I was able to get the 50k offer on my AAdvantage once he showed me where to look.

Re: Discover It Miles vs Citi AAdvantage

Anonymous — Fri, 11 Nov 2016 19:22:15 GMT

Good to know. I actually just canceled mine so not eligible for another two years but where do you look if you want to get the higher offer?

Re: Discover It Miles vs Citi AAdvantage

Anonymous — Fri, 11 Nov 2016 19:42:16 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Good to know. I actually just canceled mine so not eligible for another two years but where do you look if you want to get the higher offer?

You'll typically find the best offers on travel sites like FlyerTalk

Re: Discover It Miles vs Citi AAdvantage

NRB525 — Fri, 11 Nov 2016 20:10:22 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
Good to know. I actually just canceled mine so not eligible for another two years but where do you look if you want to get the higher offer?

Did they upgrade your WMC version of the AAdvantage card to WEMC? If so, then you really did not have the WMC version at all and can app for another. Now.

As to where to find the 50,000 miles AA offer, I get that on my Citi prequalification results, even when the standard AA offer is 30,000 miles. And I have two open AAdvantage Platinum Citi WEMC cards.

Re: Discover It Miles vs Citi AAdvantage

Anonymous — Fri, 11 Nov 2016 21:27:30 GMT

@NRB525 wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Good to know. I actually just canceled mine so not eligible for another two years but where do you look if you want to get the higher offer?
Did they upgrade your WMC version of the AAdvantage card to WEMC? If so, then you really did not have the WMC version at all and can app for another. Now.

As to where to find the 50,000 miles AA offer, I get that on my Citi prequalification results, even when the standard AA offer is 30,000 miles. And I have two open AAdvantage Platinum Citi WEMC cards.

NRB, this is the 2nd time that I've seen you mention this and you might have missed my response before but that is not something that you can do any longer. Citi closed this 'loophole' on August 11th. You can only apply for one AA bonus every 24 months regardless of the type of card. You can't even get a bonus from the Executive card if you have received any AA bonus within the last 24 months. This rule applies to all of their cards.

Re: Discover It Miles vs Citi AAdvantage

Anonymous — Sat, 12 Nov 2016 18:05:47 GMT

@wasCB14 wrote:
I'm not sure of your approval odds, but since you travel a lot for business, maybe even consider AA Executive?

Any chance your employer might cover the AF, since it could reduce your dining costs a bit? For the AA Platinum, at least, your employer would presumably be saving a checked bag fee.

And lounge access can make both business and personal travel less stressful. That said, some Admirals lounges are a lot nicer than others.

Banks probably should take into consideration your position, especially if it's a hotel or airline card. If you travel a lot for business then it would make sense if they were more inclined to approve you for the card, and plus the company reimburses the money so there's not much risk.

I will be saving the company good money with that free checked bag. Also, I like the group 1 boarding benefit because many times their flights are full and there's not enough space overhead for all the carry ons, so some people are asked to check in the bag at the gate. However, i hate waiting for my bag if I'm only traveling for like 2 days and didn't need to check in anything!

Re: Discover It Miles vs Citi AAdvantage

Anonymous — Sat, 12 Nov 2016 18:10:49 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
That was my question: the cards are SO different it suggests a possible lack of knowledge of the space. But basically:
If you can travel on AA (or its partners),, especially premium cabin international, AND you can spend enough to get a decent amount of AA miles, then at least in theory, you can get some great value, getting several cents per mile, more than making up for the 1 mile per $ on general earning. If you can't, the card is pretty useless, earning 1 mile per $ that you cannot really use
Whereas Discover IT Miles gives 3% the first year (at the end of the year) and 1.5% after. This is really a cashback card, of which there are lots and lots, some giving 2% overall, others 5% on certain categories. For the first year though, the cashback on this card is very good. Then not so much.
And there are a set of cards with points that transfer to a variety of partners, and again, if redeemed correctly, these can be really good value. But generally have an annual fee and require quite a lot of spend to get the desierable awards.
Thanks for your comments, I know they are very different but the bonus with AA is enticing. I travel a lot for business, so I'll be putting $2000 a month in the card, if not more, and all that money is refunded by the company, so the points are basically free. I prefer a miles or points card over cashback because I'll be using the rewards for my personal vacations.
OK, then that should rule out Discover IT Miles which is just a cashback card! Unless it is clear that your major travel will be on AA and partners, also consider something like the Chase Sapphire Preferred, which has a good bonus, fee waived the first year, and the points can be used on a variety of airlines, as well as for discounted travel.

Like I mentioned before, I'm in the process of applying for the Chase Hyatt but the whole thing has been a nightmare. They pulled Experian twice by mistake, and their service has been awful... I'm not counting on ever getting the card, and after the experience I've had I'm not sure I want to deal with Chase anymore. Bummer because the CSP sounds like a good card, but Chase clearly doesn't want my business.