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Many travelers are loyal to one or two airlines, especially since it’s easier to earn rewards and elite status when focusing on only a select few carriers. American Airlines is a great choice for frequent travelers who use this strategy, as it’s one of the few airlines that still rewards miles based on length of trip instead of how much you paid for the ticket. The Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard offers double miles on American Airlines purchases, as well as other valuable benefits when traveling. (Full Disclosure: Citibank advertises on Credit.com, but that results in no preferential editorial treatment.)
An Introduction to Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard
Cardholders will earn two miles per dollar spent on all qualifying American Airlines airline ticket purchases as well as purchases made at gas stations and restaurants. You will earn one point per dollar on all other purchases, with no limit on the amount of miles you can earn. Miles can be redeemed for award travel on both American Airlines and Oneworld alliance partners such as British Airways and Japan Airlines. Additionally, you can earn a $100 American Airlines flight discount after spending $20,000 in purchases during the year on your card and renew it.
This card also provides a number of travel perks, including a waiver of the fee for your first checked bag, as well as a waived fee for the first bag of up to four of your travel companions on domestic flights.
Cardholders will also be eligible for preferred boarding, giving you that extra time to find a place for your carry-on and to settle into your seat before take-off. This card allows you to spend freely overseas without the worry of foreign transaction fees, as well.
Along with benefits while traveling, Citi offers additional services for cardholders, such as Citi Price Rewind that will refund you the difference of an item you purchased if a lower price is located within 60 days of purchase, up to $300 per item and $1,200 per year. There is an annual fee of $99, waived for first 12 months* for this card.
What’s the Current Signup Bonus?
For a limited time, new applicants can earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage bonus miles after spending $2,500 in purchases within the first three months of opening the account. (Note: Signup bonuses are subject to change, you should always confirm the current offering before applying.)
The Advantages of the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard
Cardholders will enjoy the high signup bonus in the first year when the annual fee is waived. Additionally, you can redeem miles quickly and effortlessly, and you are eligible for discounts up to 7,500 miles through the Reduced Mileage Awards on select flights.
The waived baggage fee can essentially make the card pay for itself on two roundtrip flights a year (4 flights x $25 fee for first checked bag = $100), so frequent American Airlines customers can see the rewards pay off quickly.
The Disadvantages of the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard
This card only earns miles with American Airlines, as opposed to some other credit card programs which offer points that can be transferred to several airline and hotel programs. And like most rewards credit cards, this card also has a variable interest rate of 17.74% – 25.74%* (Variable) for purchases. If you tend to carry a balance, you should look for a non-rewards credit card that offers the lowest possible interest rate.
Who Is This Card Right For?
This is a good card for loyal American Airlines fliers, who wants to earn additional miles from their purchases and enjoy numerous perks when traveling. International travelers, in particular, will enjoy this card because of the waiver of foreign transaction fees.
Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard FAQ
Which airlines are travel partners?
American Airlines miles may be redeemed for travel on Oneworld partners, including:
- AirBerlin
- British Airways
- Cathay Pacific
- Finnair
- Iberia
- Japan Airlines
- LAN
- TAM Airlines
- Malaysia Airlines
- Qantas
- Qatar Airways
- Royal Jordanian
- S7 Airlines
- SriLankan Airlines
In addition, American is also partnered with Air Tahiti Nui, Alaska Airlines/Horizon Air, Cape Air, Etihad Airways, Fiji Airways, Gulf Air, Hawaiian Airlines, Interjet and Jet Airways.
Can I get free checked luggage when flying on a partner airline?
You and up to four companions will receive your first checked luggage only on American Airlines. Your account must be open for seven days prior to travel, and companions must be traveling on the same reservation as the primary cardholder to take advantage of this benefit.
Editorial Disclaimer: The editorial content is not provided or commissioned by the credit card issuers. Opinions expressed here are author’s alone, not those of the credit card issuers, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the credit card issuers.
At publishing time, the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard is offered through Credit.com product pages, and Credit.com is compensated if our users apply for and ultimately sign up for any of these cards. However, this relationship does not result in any preferential editorial treatment.
Note: It’s important to remember that interest rates, fees and terms for credit cards, loans and other financial products frequently change. As a result, rates, fees and terms for credit cards, loans and other financial products cited in these articles may have changed since the date of publication. Please be sure to verify current rates, fees and terms with credit card issuers, banks or other financial institutions directly.
