If you’re considering a co-branded card with American Airlines, it’s important to choose the option that’s right for you. Each option offers a different annual fee, its own set of benefits, and a different rate of return.
Of Citi’s five AAdvantage cards, it might be hard to decide which one is best for you.
Here are my thoughts on which of the three most popular cards is best for you, depending on your loyalty to American Airlines and how often you travel.
Citi/AAdvantage Credit Card: Key Details
Before we dive into each card individually, let’s quickly go over their basic details.
| card | Welcome offer | Outstanding benefits | annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|
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For a limited time, earn 80,000 bonus miles when you spend $3,500 in purchases within the first four months of account opening. |
|
Introductory annual fee is $0, then $99 |
|
|
For a limited time, earn 90,000 bonus miles when you spend $5,000 in purchases within the first four months of account opening. |
|
$350 |
|
|
For a limited time, earn 100,000 bonus miles when you spend $10,000 in purchases within the first three months of account opening. |
|
$595 |
Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select information is independently collected by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Platinum Select: For occasional AA travelers
If you only fly AA a few times a year, I recommend Platinum Select. The introductory annual fee is $0 for the first year ($99 thereafter), which means you can test out whether you have a co-branded card in your wallet without paying an annual fee upfront.
While you won’t get any lounge passes or merchant bill points, if you already hold a premium travel rewards card, you probably don’t need Platinum Select to play that role. But that doesn’t mean the benefits of the Platinum Select Card have relaxed.
When flying domestically with American Airlines, you can check your first bag for free, saving at least $35 each way. Plus, you get priority boarding on all American Airlines flights.
I often find passengers on flights forced to check their carry-on bags after they run out of space on the plane. By having priority boarding, the chances of this happening are reduced.
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Unlike some other co-branded cards, you don’t need to purchase flights with Platinum Select to take advantage of these benefits.
To learn more, check out our full review of AAdvantage Platinum Select.
Globe: Suitable for those who frequently fly AA flights
If you fly American Airlines at least once a quarter but aren’t a completely loyal fan, AAdvantage Global is a reliable choice. While it carries a price tag of $350, it offers a host of perks to make up for that cost.
Some of the benefits include four Admirals Club annual passes, up to $100 in statement credits on in-flight purchases, up to $100 in Splurge statement credits from eligible brands (not applicable), and companion certificates (valued at $99 plus taxes and fees) on qualifying flights after each account anniversary.
If you’re able to use your companion certificates and take advantage of lounge passes every year, you should get tremendous value from your annual fee without even touching the card’s statement points.
That said, if you only fly American a few times a year, you may have to put in more effort than you’re actually worth to get adequate value from TWA. In this case, if the Universal Studios perks appeal to you, I recommend you consider a regular travel rewards card.
To learn more, check out our full review of AAdvantage Globe.
Apply here: Citi/AAdvantage Globe
Executive: For those who are very loyal to AA
As AAdvantage’s top credit card, AAdvantage Executive Officer For customers who fly exclusively or frequently on American Airlines. It also comes with a corresponding annual fee: $595.
While that’s lower than some of the most popular premium cards in the industry, it’s still something to consider carefully to make sure it fits your wallet.
Globe offers four Admirals Club passes per year, while Executive offers a full Admirals Club membership. Given that membership fees are at least $750 for new members, this benefit alone is enough to make the annual fee worth it if you visit the Admirals Club multiple times a year.
While Admirals Club membership is a significant benefit of this card, it also comes with Avis and Lyft statement points and American Airlines-related benefits, making it easier to justify the annual fee.
It’s also worth noting that if you fly Alaska Airlines frequently in addition to AA, this card may be a good fit for you.
To learn more, check out our full review of AAdvantage Executive.
Apply here: Citi/AAdvantage Executive
Is it worth having multiple AAdvantage cards?
The main attraction of the AAdvantage card is access to American Airlines-specific perks, such as priority boarding, free checked baggage, and, in the case of a premium card, Admirals Club access.
For most travelers, a well-chosen AAdvantage card is enough to unlock meaningful value. This is especially true if you don’t want to rack up bill points, chase multiple welcome bonuses, or fully commit to the AAdvantage ecosystem.
Instead of holding multiple AAdvantage cards, many readers gain greater flexibility by pairing the AAdvantage card that best suits their travel habits with a premium travel rewards card. Premium cards can complement your AA benefits, including expanded lounge access, transferable rewards and additional bill points.
That said, if you do want to build a wallet with multiple AAdvantage cards, be sure to keep Citi’s welcome bonus eligibility rules in mind so you can get the best deals.
Alternatively, you can use your Citi Strata card to earn flexible Thank You Rewards points that can be transferred to a variety of airline partners, giving you more options beyond AA.
bottom line
AAdvantage is one of the most popular airline loyalty programs and a favorite of many of my colleagues at TPG. If you’re considering a Citi/AAdvantage card, you’ll find several strong options designed to suit different types of American Airlines passengers.
When choosing the right card, it’s important to be realistic about how often you’ll fly American and whether you’d prefer American over other airlines. It’s also worth considering how often you pass through an airport with an Admirals Club, as lounge access can greatly affect the overall value of some cards.
Choose an AAdvantage card that matches your travel habits, and you’ll receive benefits that can significantly improve your experience—from smoother boarding to valuable savings and, in some cases, comfortable lounge access along the way.
Related: How to Choose an Airline Credit Card
