The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® offers several benefits that make flying American Airlines even more fun. It’s also a great choice for anyone looking to diversify their loyalty portfolio.
Here are the top six reasons why you might want to add it to your bag.
Citi AAdvantage Platinum card information has been independently collected by The Points Guy. The card information on this page has not been updated or provided by the card issuer.
Great welcome offer
New ADvantage Platinum Select cardholders can earn 50,000 bonus miles after spending $2,500 in purchases in the first three months of account opening.
Based on TPG estimates for January 2025, these 50,000 miles are worth about $825. From round-trip flights to Alaska to premium flights to Europe or Asia, there are many ways to use those miles – especially when redeeming partner awards inside and outside the Oneworld Alliance.
The card has offered 75,000 bonus miles in the past, so if you don’t mind waiting for a big welcome offer, it might be worth it.
TPG credit card writer Danyal Ahmed uses his AA miles to redeem long-haul trips, like flying nonstop in business class from the West Coast to Tokyo on Japan Airlines (JAL) for 60,000 miles one-way.
Free checked bags
The Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard waives the first bag fee on American Airlines-operated travel plans for you and up to four friends traveling in the same destination.
While this benefit isn’t unique to an airline credit card, it can be useful for those who don’t have special status with American Airlines.
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Since American charges $40 (or $35 if you pay online) for the first checked bag on domestic travel plans, it only takes four avoided first checked bag fees each year to cover the card’s $99 annual fee (which is waived in the first year).
Best of all, the benefit is linked to your Advantage account, so you can still book and pay for your tickets any way you like.
Preferred ride
As a cardholder, you and up to four customers traveling on the same booking will receive Preferred Boarding on your flights, meaning you will board in Group 5.
This perk is especially beneficial if you’re flying basic economy on American as it means you’ll have early access to overhead bin space and get to keep your regular fare.
Ability to earn $125 flight credit
The Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select card also offers a $125 American Airlines flight credit after you make $20,000 in purchases in a cardmember year and renew your card. Your card must remain open for one full billing cycle after your card is renewed for credit.
The credit is redeemable on flights marketed by American Airlines and must be used for travel originating in the US, Puerto Rico or the US Virgin Islands.
25% discount on flight purchases
If you often fly American domestically and buy food or drinks on board, this benefit can save you serious money. You’ll earn 25% savings – applied via statement credit – each time you use your Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard to purchase food and soft drinks.
Savings only applies to domestic flights marketed by American Airlines and operated by American or any of America’s regional airlines.
Bonus miles at restaurants and gas stations
In addition to 2 miles per dollar on eligible American Airlines purchases and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases, the card also offers 2 miles per dollar spent at restaurants and 2 miles per dollar spent at gas stations.
With TPG currently pricing American AAdvantage miles at 1.65 cents starting in January 2025, you’ll earn 3.3% back on eligible American Airlines purchases, gas stations and restaurants.
While these rewards aren’t outstanding — and you can do better in each category with other cards — having bonus categories beyond extra points on AA purchases can be helpful when working to collect AAdvantage miles.
Bottom line
The Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard is the best choice for AA frequent flyers and anyone who wants to receive important premium cabin benefits on American partners, such as Cathay Pacific, Etihad and Japan Airlines.
Besides the benefits mentioned here, the card comes with some lesser-known benefits – including no foreign transactions – that apply when you use your card to make purchases. If you frequently fly American Airlines and want great benefits, this card is worth having.
To learn more, check out our full ADvantage Platinum Select review.
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