Best in Class
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American Airlines Citi AAdvantage Business Credit Card Review
Key Takeaways
If you're considering a co-branded American Airlines card, you have several options. This particular business card stands out for specific travelers. If you're approaching your 5/24 limit, the Citi Business card is the only business option offered by American Airlines. With a regular 65,000-mile sign-up bonus, you can build a solid foundation of AAdvantage Rewards. The annual fee is waived for the first year, making those points even more valuable. For those who fly American annually, the free checked bag and priority boarding (for up to 4 companions) may justify keeping the card beyond the first year.
Why This Card Could Be Right For You
The American Airlines Citi Business Credit Card offers compelling value in your first year of card membership. The $99 annual fee is waived initially, and you'll earn a generous 75,000-mile sign-up bonus after spending $5,000 within five months.
Key benefits include:
- One free checked bag on domestic American Airlines flights for you and up to four companions (saving $40 per person each way)
- Priority boarding for you and up to four travel companions
- 2x miles on American Airlines purchases, cable and satellite providers, telecommunications merchants, car rentals, and gas stations
These bonus earning categories help accumulate extra miles while working toward your sign-up bonus. The AAdvantage Rewards you earn become even more valuable because they can be redeemed with oneworld alliance partners and several non-alliance partners (18 partner airlines total).
When considering whether to keep the card beyond the first year, evaluate how often you fly American Airlines. The card becomes worth the annual fee if you fly at least once annually with checked bags or regularly travel with companions who would benefit from the free checked bag and priority boarding benefits. Remember that these perks only apply to domestic flights operated by American Airlines.
When The Usual Advice Doesn't Apply
This card might not be ideal if:
- You typically don't fly American Airlines or oneworld partners
- You don't check bags, which is the main ongoing benefit beyond the welcome offer
What to Know About American Airlines Miles
American Airlines is a great utility point system.
- Points are relatively easy to collect, though we don’t love the bank partners or transfer options as much.
- We love direct flights, and American can be a good option for finding those with points.
- Rewards flights start at 5,000 miles each way.
- You can use AA miles to travel with eligible Oneworld partner airlines worldwide.
How The American Airlines Citi AAdvantage Business Credit Card Fits In The American Airlines Miles Ecosystem
This card is primarily focused on earning AAdvantage points, which can be used with oneworld alliance partner airlines. Here's how it compares to other AAdvantage earning options:
- Only business card option: While there are three other Citi AAdvantage cards available, this is the only business card that doesn't count against your 5/24 status.
- Similar personal card alternatives: The Citi American Airlines AAdvantage Platinum offers nearly identical benefits with the same $99 annual fee (also waived the first year), but with a lower welcome offer of 50,000 miles after $2,500 in purchases during the first three months.
Barclays also competes in this space with their American Airlines AAdvantage Aviator Red card. It features:
- 50,000 mile sign-up bonus
- $99 annual fee (not waived first year)
- Extremely easy bonus qualification - just pay the annual fee and make one purchase
- Similar free checked bag benefit for the cardholder and travel companions
For premium travelers, the Citi American Airlines AAdvantage Executive offers enhanced benefits with its 75,000 mile welcome bonus, though at a significantly higher $595 annual fee. This option makes sense for frequent American Airlines flyers who can maximize its additional premium benefits.
If you later decide not to keep the business card, note that you cannot downgrade to the no-annual-fee Citi American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp card (which offers only a 15,000 mile sign-up bonus). As a business cardholder, you would need to request a product change, which may or may not be approved by Citi.
Card Information
Bonus Points
75,000
Minimum Spend
$5,000 / 3mo
Point Value
1.4 ¢
Annual Value
Annual Fee
$0
1st Year Value
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Differentiating Perks
Free Checked Bag + 4 Guests
2X on Gas Stations
2X on Car Rentals
2X on American Airlines Purchases
Card Benefits
No benefits are available for this card.
Historical Card Offers
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Average Frequency
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Average Offer Length
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Estimated Next Offer
Start Date
Offer Length
Bonus
Minimum Spend
Spend Categories
2.8¢
Per Dollar
Spent
Spent
2.8¢
Per Dollar
Spent
Spent
2.8¢
Per Dollar
Spent
Spent
2.8¢
Per Dollar
Spent
Spent
2.8¢
Per Dollar
Spent
Spent
1.4¢
Per Dollar
Spent
Spent
American Airlines Citi AAdvantage Business Application Rules
This business card will not show on your personal credit report, so it won't count against your 5/24 status
You'll be declined if you apply for a second Citi business card within 95 days
You might not be allowed to get a second card for a separate business (EIN)
You will not be eligible for a signup bonus on the same card if you’ve received one for THAT card in the previous 48 months.
Card approval not subject to 5-personal-cards-in-24-months rule
You'll be declined if you apply for a third Citi card within 65 days
You'll be declined if you apply for a second Citi card (business and/or personal) within 8 days
You'll be declined if there are 6 or more hard inquiries on your credit report the past 6 months
You may be rejected when applying for a Citi credit card if your credit has been pulled within the last five days (by any bank).
Point Transfer Options
+2 Lower Value Transfers Show
Best for Series
Below is a snapshot of where this card performs best compared to the other cards in our database:
Rank
6th
Honorable Mention
Rank
2nd
Honorable Mention
Rank
6th
Honorable Mention
Rank
8th
Honorable Mention
Rank
6th
Honorable Mention
Rank
5th
Honorable Mention
Rank
7th
Honorable Mention
