Bye Bye Citi AAdvantage Two Browser Trick?

While updating my Citi AAdvantage links on the Best Travel Credit Cards page, I revisited the FlyerTalk thread and found that starting Sunday January 27, there have been some reports of the two browser trick not working when applying for two Citi AAdvantage cards.

For some time, it's been the case that you could apply for both the Citi AAdvantage Visa and the Citi AAdvantage AMEX in two different browsers, submit them at the same time (or seconds apart) and get both approved. This was especially lucrative before the Citi 75,000 AAdvantage Bonus died back in 2011, but even since then, with 50,000 AAdvantage miles per card, it made it possible to earn 100,000 AAdvantage miles from the two Visa and AMEX AAdvantage cards, and then wait for at least 2 months before applying for the Citi Business AAdvantage card, for a total of 150,000 AAdvantage miles.

But now, here's what FT member bsotak writes (emphasis in bold is mine):

“Looks like things might be changing. I tried the two browser method to apply for both [Citi AAdvantage cards] today. Approved instantly on AMEX. Pending decision on Visa. I called the reconsideration number, and was told I was denied…on the Visa. The rep told me AA is making changes, and they are now limiting the number of applications at the same time to limit the number of bonus miles that people can get. Seems like the same news from the Hilton Citi thread. They might have shut the two applications down.”

Several others report a similar experience, either getting one application instantly approved, and the other pending, but denied after calling reconsideration for the other application, or getting both as pending, and only getting one of them approved upon calling reconsideration.

That said, there have been a few who have reported success, either with instant approval for both or with instant approval for one, pending for the other, but ultimately approved for both. Here's someone who reported success on Sunday, January 27:

longleaf writes:

“I just got my brother into the app game for the fist time. Just a few minutes ago I had him do the 2 browser method for the AA cards, and he was instantly approved for both the personal AA visa and personal AA amex.”

So where does this leave us? My take: Citi is indeed training its agents to NOT approve dual applications for the same product. That is, if you use the two browser trick to apply for two Citi AAdvantage personal cards or two Citi HHonors personal cards, you won't be able to get approved for both *if* you get a “pending” notice for one or both of them.

That said, the computers haven't wised up yet, so if you manage to get an instant approval for both, you're golden (unless Citi starts voiding an already approved application).

Tips for Dealing with the End of the Citi AAdvantage Two Browser Trick

1. Do What You Can to Improve Your Chances of Instant Approval

Now, I don't know how long Citi's computers may be playing catch up, but at least for the moment it seems possible (if not likely) to get instant approval on both Citi personal applications. If you or your spouse or partner has never had a Citi card, hasn't applied for many credit cards recently and has a strong credit score and income, now would be a good time to try to get two Citi AAdvantage personal cards. 

The following one is ostensibly valid only through January 31 2013: 50,000 AAdvantage miles after $3000 spend within the first 4 months + $150 statement credit + 2 Admirals Club passes The Landing page looks like this:

And here are the application pages:

• Citi Platinum Select AAdvantage Visa
• Citi Select AAdvantage AMEX
• Citi Business AAdvantage Visa