Citi AAdvantage Platinum Review
The Citi AAdvantage Platinum credit card is associated with American Airlines. This review examines the card's rewards structure, annual fees, and travel-related perks, assisting you in determining if it's a suitable option for earning AAdvantage miles.
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard is a co-branded airline credit card offered by Citibank in partnership with American Airlines. I can provide you with a review of the key features, benefits, and potential drawbacks of the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select card. Please note that credit card offerings and benefits can change, so it's important to verify the most current terms and conditions, benefits, and fees before applying for the card. Here's an overview:
Key Features and Benefits:
Miles Earning: Cardholders typically earn American Airlines AAdvantage miles for every dollar spent on the card. This includes bonus miles for purchases made with American Airlines and its partner airlines.
Sign-Up Bonus: The card often offers a sign-up bonus, such as a substantial number of bonus miles after reaching a specific spending threshold within the initial months of card ownership.
Preferred Boarding: Cardholders typically receive preferred boarding privileges on American Airlines flights, allowing them to board the plane earlier and secure overhead bin space.
First Checked Bag Free: When you use your Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select card to book American Airlines flights, you and up to four companions on the same reservation may be eligible for the first checked bag free. This can lead to significant savings, especially for families or frequent travelers.
Travel Perks: The card often comes with various travel-related perks, including access to the American Airlines Admirals Club for some versions of the card, in-flight discounts, and discounts on eligible in-flight Wi-Fi purchases.
No Foreign Transaction Fees: The card typically does not charge foreign transaction fees, making it a good choice for international travelers.
Reduced Mileage Awards: Cardholders may have access to special offers that allow them to book flights for fewer miles. These deals can result in substantial savings on award travel.
Annual Fee Waived for the First Year: Some versions of the card offer the first year's annual fee waived, allowing you to try out the card's benefits without the immediate cost.
Drawbacks:
Annual Fee: After the first year, the card typically comes with an annual fee. Be sure to review the terms and assess whether the benefits outweigh the cost.
Interest Rates: Like many co-branded credit cards, the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select may have relatively high-interest rates. To maximize its benefits, it's advisable to pay off the balance in full each month to avoid interest charges.
Limited Acceptance: Co-branded credit cards may have limited acceptance outside of the specific brand, so it may not be the best card for everyday spending.
The Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select card is a suitable choice for American Airlines frequent flyers and those who want to earn AAdvantage miles to redeem for award flights and other travel-related expenses. If you travel often with American Airlines and appreciate travel perks like free checked bags and preferred boarding, this card can offer significant value.
Before applying for the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select card, carefully review the current terms and conditions, benefits guide, and any associated fees to ensure it aligns with your travel preferences and financial goals.
A comprehensive look at the Citi AAdvantage Platinum credit card's offerings..
The Citi® AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® is a premium travel rewards card that offers a number of valuable offerings and benefits, including:
Rewards:
- Earn 5 miles per $1 spent on American Airlines purchases. This is a very generous earning rate on American Airlines purchases.
- Earn 2 miles per $1 spent at restaurants and supermarkets (up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1 mile per $1). This is a good earning rate on restaurant and supermarket purchases.
- Earn 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases. This is a standard earning rate for most credit cards.
Benefits:
- Free first checked bag on domestic American Airlines itineraries. This can save you up to $30 per checked bag.
- Priority boarding on American Airlines flights. This can help you save time and get on the plane first.
- 25% off inflight food and beverage purchases on American Airlines flights when you use your card. This can save you money on snacks and drinks during your flight.
- $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® application fee credit. This can save you money on the cost of applying for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®, which can make your travel experience more efficient and hassle-free.
- Travel accident insurance. This insurance can protect you in the event of a travel accident, such as a car accident or a plane crash.
- Rental car insurance. This insurance can protect you in the event of damage to a rental car.
Other offerings:
- No foreign transaction fees. This is a great benefit for travelers who frequently travel internationally.
- Purchase protection. This feature can help protect you from financial losses if your purchases are damaged, lost, or stolen.
- Extended warranty protection. This feature can extend the manufacturer's warranty on eligible purchases.
- Access to Citi® Concierge®. This service can help you with a variety of tasks, such as booking travel reservations, making restaurant reservations, and finding gifts.
Overall, the Citi® AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® is a good option for travelers who want to earn American Airlines miles and get a variety of other valuable benefits. The card has a generous earning rate on American Airlines purchases, and it offers a number of valuable travel benefits, such as free checked bags, priority boarding, and a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® application fee credit. Additionally, the card has no foreign transaction fees and offers a variety of other valuable benefits.
Here are some tips for maximizing your Citi® AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® offerings and benefits:
- Use your card for all of your American Airlines purchases. Earn 5 miles per $1 spent on American Airlines purchases, which is the highest earning rate on the card.
- Take advantage of the other earning categories. Earn 2 miles per $1 spent at restaurants and supermarkets (up to $25,000 per calendar year, then 1 mile per $1).
- Use your card for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Get a $100 statement credit towards the cost of applying for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®, which can make your travel experience more efficient and hassle-free.
- Take advantage of the travel benefits. Enjoy free checked bags, priority boarding, and 25% off inflight food and beverage purchases on American Airlines flights when you use your card.
- Use your card for other travel expenses. Earn miles on other travel expenses, such as hotel stays and rental cars.
- Redeem your miles for travel rewards. The best value for your miles is to redeem them for travel rewards, such as flights, hotels, and rental cars.
By following these tips, you can maximize your Citi® AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® offerings and benefits and get the most out of your card membership.