Citi American Airlines AAdvantage Platinum Select BUSINESS Card Review
Updated June 10, 2023.
The Facts
The Math
Citi AA Platinum Select Business MC returns 2x miles on AA, gas, telecom, car rental and 1x miles everywhere else. With the reduced rewards on old Amex Business SPG after August 2018, AA cobranded credit cards have become the best way of earning AA miles via credit card general spending.
Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select Business MC vs. personal Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select MC: They share the majority of the features including the annual fees. Their differences are: (1) the personal version offers dining as additional 2x category, while the business version offers car rentals & telecom as additional 2x categories; (2) the personal card offers $125 flight discount after $20K annual spending, while the business card offers the $99 companion pass after $30K annual spending.
Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select Business MC vs. Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Business MC: They share most features and their differences are: (1) Citi's version wavies the annual fees for the first year, but Barclays' annual fee is $4 less ($95 vs. $99); (2) Barclays' version has office supplies as one of the 2x categories, while Citi's has gas stations as one of the 2x categories; (3) Barclays' version offers a 5% annual miles bonus based on the miles you earn; (4) Barclaycard's version offers 3K Elite Qualifying Dollars after you spend $25K per year.
The Conclusion
Citi AA Platinum Select Business Card is a fine card to carry for small business owners who frequent American Airlines.
The Facts
- Annual Fee: 1st year free then $99 thereafter
- Signup Bonus: (1) 65,000 miles after spending $4,000 within 4 months of new account opening. (2) 30,000 miles after you spend $1,500 within 3 months of new account opening, and $400 statement credits when you make an American Airlines purchase within 6 months of new account opening. The bonus won't be available if you have received a new account bonus on this card in the past 48 months. Historical best bonus of this card: 75,000 miles in 2010, 2018, and 2019; 60,000 miles in 2017; 30,000 miles + $400 in 2023; 50,000 miles many times in years.
- Application Landing Page (65K offer)
- Application Landing Page (30K + $400 credit)
- Rewards: 2x miles on gas stations & car rentals & telecom & American Airlines, and 1x everywhere else. Starting in 2022, you also earn one Loyalty Point per dollar spent on the card, which means you could achieve AAdvantage Gold status solely with the card by spending $30K, Platinum status by spending $75K, Platinum Pro status by spending $125K, or Executive Platinum status by spending $200K, in a calendar year.
- The Best Use of AAdvantage miles: AAdvantage is the frequent flyer program of American Airlines, a member of oneworld. AAdvantage miles are generally valuable when redeemed on American or partner flights.
- Travel Benefits: (1) An annual $99 companion certificate for a U.S. domestic round-trip economy class ticket within the 48 contiguous United States (for residents in Hawaii and Alaska, travel can originate from either states and continue to the 48 contiguous states), after you spend $30,000 each membership year. The certificate is valid one year from the issue date. You have to book through the designated call center and pay for your own ticket and $99 plus taxes and fees for your companion. (2) Reduced Mileage Awards (saving up to 7,500 miles on select routes). (3) Check the first bags free for you plus four passengers on your reservation. (4) Receive Group-1 priority boarding (after premium cabin passengers and elites) for you plus four passengers on your reservation. (5) Receive 25% discount on in-flight food and beverage purchases. (6) Receive 25% discount on in-flight Wi-Fi purchases. (7) Waived foreign transaction fees with an embedded EMV chip.
The Math
Citi AA Platinum Select Business MC returns 2x miles on AA, gas, telecom, car rental and 1x miles everywhere else. With the reduced rewards on old Amex Business SPG after August 2018, AA cobranded credit cards have become the best way of earning AA miles via credit card general spending.
Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select Business MC vs. personal Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select MC: They share the majority of the features including the annual fees. Their differences are: (1) the personal version offers dining as additional 2x category, while the business version offers car rentals & telecom as additional 2x categories; (2) the personal card offers $125 flight discount after $20K annual spending, while the business card offers the $99 companion pass after $30K annual spending.
Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select Business MC vs. Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Business MC: They share most features and their differences are: (1) Citi's version wavies the annual fees for the first year, but Barclays' annual fee is $4 less ($95 vs. $99); (2) Barclays' version has office supplies as one of the 2x categories, while Citi's has gas stations as one of the 2x categories; (3) Barclays' version offers a 5% annual miles bonus based on the miles you earn; (4) Barclaycard's version offers 3K Elite Qualifying Dollars after you spend $25K per year.
The Conclusion
Citi AA Platinum Select Business Card is a fine card to carry for small business owners who frequent American Airlines.