Best in Class
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American Airlines Citi 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 (current special 80,000)-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 (current special 80,000)-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
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 Platinum Credit Card Fits In The American Airlines Miles Ecosystem
American Airlines offers three other personal co-branded cards:
- Citi American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp: No annual fee with a 15,000-mile welcome offer but limited additional benefits.
- American Airlines Citi AAdvantage Globe: This is the midrange option for American Airlines, with a 60,000-mile welcome offer and a $350 annual fee. It has a solid host of benefits including 4 Admirals Club passes, a $99 Companion Certificate (after your first anniversary), $100 worth of Inflight credits, and an annual $100 splurge credit.
- Citi American Airlines AAdvantage Executive: Premium option with a 75,000-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
80,000
Minimum Spend
$1,000 / 4mo
Point Value
1.4 ¢
Annual Value
Annual Fee
$0
1st Year Value
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Differentiating Perks
Free Checked Bags + 4 Guests
Card Extras
Extra
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Card Benefits
No benefits are available for this card.
Historical Card Offers
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Estimated Next Offer
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Offer Length
Bonus
Minimum Spend
Spend Categories
2.8¢
Per Dollar
Spent
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2.8¢
Per Dollar
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2.8¢
Per Dollar
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1.4¢
Per Dollar
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American Airlines Citi AAdvantage Platinum Application Rules
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
8th
Honorable Mention
Rank
6th
Honorable Mention
Ranking of Cards Offering American Airlines Miles
Downgrade Options
American Airlines Citi AAdvantage MileUp
American Airlines Miles