Open Nav
Show Navigation
Show Menu
Personal CardAirline Card

Citi American Airlines AAdvantage Platinum Credit Card

Written by: Lenny Pappano
Citi American Airlines AAdvantage Platinum Apply Now

This card offers excellent value for travelers seeking miles, with a waived first-year fee and generous sign-up bonus. Regular American Airlines flyers will appreciate the complimentary checked bags and preferred boarding benefits.

Citi American Airlines AAdvantage Platinum Apply Now

Citi American Airlines AAdvantage Platinum Credit Card Review

Key Takeaways

The Citi American Airlines AAdvantage Platinum is an excellent option for travelers looking to accumulate AAdvantage miles. This card is particularly valuable if you're planning to fly American Airlines this year, as the $99 annual fee is waived for the first year. The 50,000-point sign-up bonus offers significant value, considering reward flights start at just 7,500 points one way. For regular American Airlines passengers, the additional benefits may justify keeping the card and paying the $99 annual fee after the first year.

Why This Card Could Be Right For You

This card provides a competitive sign-up bonus for earning free airfare while waiving the first year's annual fee. You can earn the 50,000-mile sign-up bonus after spending only $2,500 in the first 3 months.

Additional benefits include:

  • Free first checked bag on domestic flights for you and up to 4 companions on the same reservation
  • Preferred boarding for you and 4 companions
  • 25% statement credit for in-flight food and beverage purchases
  • Double miles on restaurants, gas stations, and eligible American Airlines purchases

If you fly American more than once annually and check bags, or if you travel with family, the free checked bag benefit alone can offset the $99 annual fee starting in year two, considering American charges $80 per person round-trip for the first checked bag.

AAdvantage miles can be transferred to oneworld alliance partners and 18 other American airline partners, providing considerable flexibility for redemptions.

When The Usual Advice Doesn't Apply

Here are some exceptions where the card might not be good for you:

  • You typically travel light, so the free checked bag benefit won't offset the annual fee after the first year
  • You're not in a hurry to accumulate AA miles and can wait for elevated sign-up bonuses, which have reached 75,000 points in the past
American Airlines Miles

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 7500 miles each way.
  • You can use AA miles to travel with eligible Oneworld partner airlines worldwide.

How The Citi American Airlines AAdvantage Platinum Credit Card Fits In The American Airlines Miles Ecosystem

American Airlines offers four personal co-branded cards:

  1. Citi American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp: No annual fee with a 15,000-mile welcome offer but limited additional benefits.
  2. Barclays American Airlines AAvantage Aviator: Similar benefits to the Platinum card with a $99 annual fee that is not waived the first year. It offers a slightly higher sign-up bonus of 60,000 miles, requiring only one purchase of any amount plus payment of the annual fee.
  3. Citi American Airlines AAdvantage Platinum: This card, with its first-year fee waiver and solid benefits.
  4. Citi American Airlines AAdvantage Executive: Premium option with a 70,000-mile welcome bonus and a $595 annual fee. Benefits include Admiral Club Membership for the cardholder plus immediate family or two guests, and four $120 annual credits for Lyft, GrubHub, Avis or Budget car rentals, and TSA PreCheck/Global Entry.

Card Information

Bonus Points Minimum Spend Point Value Annual Value Annual Fee
1st Year Value
50,000 $3,000 1.4 ¢ $0 $0
$742
Best Value Differentiating Perks Rules
AA International Flights Free checked bag & preferred boarding on AA AA Personal 48 , No 5/24 , Citi 1/95 , Citi 2/65 , Citi 1/8 , Citi 6/6

AWARD SYSTEM

American Airlines Miles

BANK

CitiBank

Reconsideration Phone 800.870.1073

CURRENT OFFER

50,000 points for
$3,000 spend.

Spend Categories

Airfare - »

2X points
2.8¢ Per Dollar Spent

All Other - »

1X points
1.4¢ Per Dollar Spent

Gas Stations = »

2X points
2.8¢ Per Dollar Spent

Restaurants = »

2X points
2.8¢ Per Dollar Spent

Card Benefits

Preferred Boarding »
Get priority boarding on American Airlines flights for you and up to 4 companions listed on the same reservation.
Airline Incidentals »
25% savings on American Airlines inflight food and Drinks Purchases.
No Foreign Transaction Fees »
You will pay no foreign transaction fees when you use your card for purchases made outside the United States.
Free Checked Bag »
Your first checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines flights for you and up to 4 travel companions on the same reservation.

Point Transfer Options

Transfer To Spouse/Partner Yes - $$

Transfer To Friends Yes - $$

Travel Partner Transfers

Outside Point System American Airlines Miles

Transfers In From
Point Transfer Options
IHG Rewards

5:1 47% value retained

Point Transfer Options
Marriott Bonvoy

3:1 67% value retained

Point Transfer Options
World of Hyatt

5:2.5 44% value retained

Citi American Airlines AAdvantage Platinum Application Rules

You'll be declined if you've received a BONUS from this card in past 48 months

Card approval not subject to 5-personal-cards-in-24-months rule

You'll be declined if you apply for a second Citi business card within 95 days

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

Best for Series

Below is a snapshot of where this card performs best compared to the other cards in our database:

Breaking Points

February 13, 2025
Citi American Airlines AAdvantage Platinum
Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select WE MC

Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select WE MC is offering 75,000 points after spending $3500 in 4 months with a $0 for first year ,then $99 annual fee.. That's up 15,000 points over their standard offer of 60,000 after spending $3000 in 3 months.

April 10, 2023
Chase Sapphire Preferred
Mini Points - April 2023

- Citi Premier MasterCard - Limited Time Offer - 75,000 Points, after spending $4000 in 3 months, $95 Annual fee.

- Citi AAdvantage Platinum - Special Offer - $75,000 AA Miles, after spending $3500 in 4 months, $0 Annual fee for the first year, then $99.

- Chase Sapphire Visa - Limited Time Offer - 80,000 Points, after spending $4000 in 3 months, $95 Annual fee.

- Air France KLM World Elite Mastercard - Limited Time Offer - 70,000 Points, after spending $2000 in 3 months, $89 Annual fee.

June 16, 2022
American Airlines Miles
American Airlines Citi Card 60,000 Sign up Bonus

AAdvantage Citi card is offering a 60,000 miles sign up bonus after spending $3000 in 3 months with a $0 annual fee for the first year and then $99 after that.