In 2017, when I applied for my first airline credit card, I embarked on the point and mileage journey that was obsessed with the idea that my daily expenses could translate into reward travel.
Eight years later, citi® /aadvantage®Platinum Select®World Elite Mastercard® (See rates and fees) Still the main force in my wallet. The cards that once made flying cheaper, more pleasant for travelers are still cards that I often serve as TPG Road Warrior and flyers with elite identity.
This is partly due to its low annual charges, which gave me an improvement in American Airlines’ elite status and the travel savings it provides me every year.
Quality credit cards for beginners
Ask any of us at TPG and you will get the best credit card for beginners.
Personally, I think such a lower-grade airline card can be a good starting point.
As far as I’m concerned Citi Aadvantage Platinum Help me dip my toes into airline miles of daily purchases and get some money-saving travel allowances–before I’m ready to buy a card that will be transferred to a wider partner loyalty program.
I also got a welcome offer, which is the sum of my Aadvantage miles and later I traveled with my wife earlier in our “redemption” era, which was our honeymoon in the Cayman Islands.
Read more: Start your trip with points, miles and credit cards
Welcome bonus
Today, you can do the same for the current bonus for new applicants: 80,000 miles for new cardholders who spend $3,500 in the first four months.
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This is one of the best quotes for this card we’ve seen.
Enough to get you and European travel partners in the advanced economy to Europe one-way. You can also get a Lie-flat seat in a cabin in the U.S. Business Class, or book several family members on a round-trip flight.
But, as always, welcome bonuses are only part of the reason to apply for a new card.
That’s why I’ve kept this wallet in my wallet for most of the decade, even though I’ve added some extra (and more premium) cards to my wallet.
Read more: Current Citi American Airlines Card Welcome Offers
Reliable travel benefits for travelers without identity
this Citi Aadvantage Platinum The card offers some elite allowances for passengers who do not have enough Americans to qualify for Aadvantage status.
The first inspection bag is free
The most important benefit: The first check-in bag is free and can fly up to four companions on the same reservation on domestic trips in the United States.
Considering that checked baggage is $35 per way, the round trip of two travelers will justify the card’s annual fee, which is $99 (introductory annual fee for the first year).
The separate luggage allowance was a huge currency savings for my wife and me only before I started qualifying for the elite American status.
Earlier boarding
With this card, you will be able to board the plane earlier than most passengers, which allows you to get better access to overhead bin space.
Cardholders will be able to board the plane in Group 5, which allows you to take you to the plane after the first category and elite flyers, but before the masses.
Personally, I always find this a good start to get on the plane.
Why do I keep the card even after earning status
Now, if you don’t have the status yet, the two benefits I just mentioned (bags and boarding) are great.
However, this is why I stick with the card after being a member of Aadvantage Elite for a long time, which does have better luggage and boarding allowance than this one.
Earn Aadvantage miles on your daily purchase
Ultimately, the main reason I brought my U.S. credit card was to earn Aadvantage miles on my daily expenses.
Unlike Delta Airlines and United Airlines, the U.S. currently has no real transfer partnership with major credit card issuers.
Therefore, the best way to earn Aadvantage miles on regular spending is usually to carry one of the common cards.
With the Citi Aadvantage Platinum Select Card, you will receive:
- Spend 2 miles on qualified American Airlines as well as restaurants and gas stations
- Spend 1 mile per dollar
To be fair, there are other cards that can bring you more total rewards. For example, there are some credit cards that cost up to 4 points per dollar at restaurants and grocery stores, while Capital One’s cards have double miles all Buy.
But again, none of these offers a way to convert your rewards to US Aadvantage miles.
Loyalty points for gaining status
Another major reason I carry this card year after year is that you can improve your Aadvantage Elite identity.
With each swipe, you will earn loyalty points to help you climb the status ladder. Specifically, cardholders can earn 1 loyalty for each base mile that meets the criteria purchase.
This helped me unlock the Aadvantage status and free access to the main cabin extra seating and top-notch upgrades, not to mention visiting the Admiral Club before a long-haul flight.
For context, you need:
- 40,000 loyalties to reach golden status
- 75,000 Platinum Status
- 125,000 platinum identity
- 200,000 executives’ platinum status
Coupled with my extensive flights in the United States, this card helped me take advantage of my daily spending to reach platinum status for many years – this level brings a lot of benefits when I fly as the United States and its OneWorld Alliance Partners.
$125 Year Certificate
Also, I’m always happy (shocked somehow) when my annual $125 certificate arrives at the mail.
Cardholders get this when they spend $20,000 during the year on their card anniversary.
Other cards to consider
Very frequent American Airlines flyers are looking for high-end travel allowances, such as lounge access citi® /aadvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®which comes with free access to the Admiral Club – but holds an annual fee of $595 (see rates and fees).
The travel cards that the TPG team likes also have many travel cards that provide flexible transfers for a variety of airlines and hotel partners, which can be a great way to maximize your loyalty currency depending on the trip you want to make. Some of our favorites include Chase Sapphire Priority® Card (See Interest Rates and Fees), a Capital Risk Reward Credit Card and American Express® Gold Card.
However, again, no issuer currently offers transfers to Americans.
Bottom line
As a traveler without any elite status in 2017, Citi aadvantage Platinum Selection Card It’s a great way to incorporate points and mileage worlds with Aadvantage milestones in daily purchases and make my trip cheaper and smoother.
Today, as a TPG road warrior, this card is my launch pad, and its status is higher than I make money alone.
For those considering this card, I noticed that the 80,000-mile welcome offer (after meeting the minimum spending requirement) is one of the best of this card we have seen, worth about $1,240 based on TPG’s latest valuation.
Even if you are a relatively frequent passenger in the U.S., this card can be a good investment, just the money you can save on check bags.
To learn more, check out our full review of Citi Aadvantage Platinum Select.
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