Citi is now the sole issuer of American Airlines AAdvantage credit cards. This can be a great way to pick up some valuable American Airlines miles and get some perks when flying with them. Let’s take a look at this card and why it makes sense to pick it up.
Earn Up to 50,000 American Airlines Miles
Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select
While this isn’t a card I would recommend putting much if any spend on after making your first purchase, this is a great card to keep for the added benefits.
I value American Airlines miles at 1.5 cents per mile so this sign up bonus alone is worth $1,125. So what can 50,000 American Airlines miles get you? An upcoming one way business class flight on Japan Airlines cost me 60,000 miles plus $5.60 from the US all the way to the Japan.
Japan Airlines from the US to Japan for 60,000 AA Miles
Quick Facts
Signup Bonus: 50,000 American Airlines miles after spending $2,500 in the first 3 months.
Points Earned: American Airlines AAdvantage Miles
Status Earned: Earn 1 Loyalty Point per dollar spent. Loyalty Points are American’s system for earning elite status. You also earn Loyalty Points for flights as well as a number of other partner activities.
AAdvantage Gold: 40,000 Loyalty Points
AAdvantage Platinum: 75,000 Loyalty Points
AAdvantage PlatinumPro: 125,000 Loyalty Points
AAdvantage Executive Platinum: 200,000 Loyalty Points
Earnings Structure:
2x miles on American Airlines purchases
2x miles on restaurants
2x miles on gas stations
1x points on all other purchases
Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Authorized User Fee: None
Annual Fee: $0 the first year then $99
Benefits
Inflight Purchases: Receive 25% back on any inflight purchases of food or drinks
Checked Baggage Benefits: Receive a free checked bag on domestic American Airlines itineraries for the primary cardmember and up to 4 companions traveling with you on the same reservation. With checked baggage fees now $40 ($35 if you pay online) each way, this card will pay for itself after only 3 one way flights where you check a bag.
Group 4 Boarding: Board with group 4 for yourself and up to 4 companions on the same reservation.
$125 Discount on American Airlines Flights: Spend $20,000 on the card in one year and receive a $125 discount on an American Airlines flight.
First Class on American Airlines
$125 Discount on American Airlines Flight
After spending $20,000 on the card you get a $125 discount on an American Airlines flight. That’s like getting a 0.625% return which is not great. This card just isn’t one that I recommend putting a lot of spending on, let alone $20,000 just to get a $125 discount on a flight.
Should You Apply?
If you fly American even a few times a year this card can make a lot of sense to pick up. Getting a free checked bag on your flights can pay for the card’s annual fee alone. Add in the 50,000 bonus miles and this is a clear winner. Even better, the annual fee is waived in the first year.
Wrapping Up
Citi is out with a new sign up bonus for the AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard where you can earn 50,000 American Airlines miles after spending $2,500 in the first 3 months. This isn’t a card I necessarily recommend putting much if any spend on but it has some solid perks for the American Airlines flyer.
Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard
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