Citi® /aadvantage®PlatinumSelect® World Elite Mastercard® (see Rates and Fees) provides some benefits to make flying American Airlines more enjoyable. This is also a great option for those who want a diverse portfolio of loyalty.
Here are six reasons why you might want to add it to your wallet.
Great welcome offer
New Citi/Aadvantage Platinum Featured Cardholders can earn 80,000 miles after spending $3,500 in the first four months of opening.
According to TPG’s July 2025 valuation, the Aadvantage mileage is worth 1.55 cents, bringing the popular offer to value $1,240. From top-notch flights to and from Alaska to one-way business-class flights to Europe or Asia, there are many ways to make good use of these miles, especially in redemption of partner awards, redeeming partner awards from Oneworld Alliance.
TPG credit card writer Danyal Ahmed uses his AA miles to redeem for long distances, such as flying 60,000 miles on business class from the West Coast to Tokyo (JAL) on Japan Airlines (JAL), or flying 57,500 miles from the United States to Europe.
Free check bag
Citi/Aadvantage Platinum SELECT provides you with the first check bag fees for domestic airlines that can travel up to the same booking.
While this benefit is not particularly unique to airline credit cards, it may be valuable for those without an elite status in the United States.
Since the U.S. charges $40 for the first check bag on a domestic itinerary (if you pay online for $35), you can offset the card’s $99 annual fee by avoiding three first check bag fees every year (it won’t start until your second year of signature membership).
Most importantly, the proceeds are linked to your Aadvantage account so you can still book and pay the way you do.
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Preferred boarding
As a cardholder, you and up to four customers who have traveled with the same booking will receive preferred boarding for your flight, meaning you will be boarding in Group 5.
This revitalization is especially beneficial when the U.S. is flying a basic economy, as it means you can get into the overhead bin space early and keep the usual carry-on allowance.
Ability to earn $125 in flight credits
The Citi/Aadvantage Platinum Select card also offers a $125 American Airlines flight credit loan, which you made a $20,000 purchase and renewed in the year of the cardholder. After your card is renewed, your card must remain in a full billing cycle to obtain credit.
The credit can be used for flights sold by American Airlines and must be used for itineraries originating from the United States, Puerto Rico or the United States Virgin Islands.
25% on-board purchase
If you fly domestically and buy food or drinks on board, this benefit can save you some serious cash. Whenever you choose to buy food and beverages on-machine using Citi/Aadvantage Platinum, you will get a 25% savings – by claiming credit.
Savings are only applicable to domestic flights sold by American Airlines and operated by airlines in the United States or any regional United States.
Reward miles for restaurants and gas stations
In addition to spending 2 miles on qualified American Airlines purchases, 1 mile per dollar, the card also offers 2 miles per dollar time and 2 miles per dollar at restaurants and gas stations.
According to TPG’s July 2025 valuation, the U.S. Aadvantage mileage is worth 1.55 cents, so you’ll buy a 3.1% return on eligible American Airlines at gas stations and restaurants.
While these benefits don’t go a little bit more – you can do better with other cards in each category, the extra points that exceed the extra points in AA purchases may come in handy.
Bottom line
The Citi/Aadvantage Platinum Choice is the best choice for the occasional AA flyer and anyone looking to get a valuable premium carbin redemption for U.S. partners such as Cathay Pacific, Etihad and Japan Airlines.
In addition to the allowances mentioned here, the card comes with some lesser-known benefits (including no foreign transaction fees) that apply when you use the card to make purchases. If you’re riding American Airlines regularly and wanting the privilege of overhead, this card is worth it.
Most importantly, now is a good time to apply for a reliable welcome offer.
To learn more, check out our full review of Aadvantage Platinum Select.
Apply here: Citi/AADVANTAGGH PLATINUM SELECT WORLD ELITE MasterCard
Related: The Ultimate Guide to American Airlines Aadvantage
