The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees) offers a couple of benefits that make flying American Airlines more pleasant. It’s also a great pick for anyone looking to diversify their loyalty portfolio.
Here are the top six reasons why you may want to add it to your wallet.
Sizable welcome offer
New Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select cardholders can earn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $3,500 on purchases in the first four months of account opening.
Based on TPG’s July 2025 valuations, AAdvantage miles are worth 1.55 cents each, making this welcome offer worth $1,240. From round-trip first-class flights to Alaska to one-way business-class flights to Europe or Asia, there are plenty of ways to make excellent use of those miles — especially when redeeming for partner awards in and out of the Oneworld Alliance.
TPG credit cards writer Danyal Ahmed utilizes his AA miles toward long-haul redemptions, such as flying nonstop in business class from the West Coast to Tokyo on Japan Airlines (JAL) for 60,000 miles one-way or flying from the U.S. to Europe for 57,500 miles.
Free checked bags
The Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select waives the first checked bag fee on domestic American Airlines-operated itineraries for you and up to four companions traveling on the same reservation.
While this benefit isn’t particularly unique to an airline credit card, it can be valuable for those without American Airlines elite status.
Since American charges $40 (or $35 if you pay online) for the first checked bag on domestic itineraries, it only takes three avoided first checked bag fees each year to offset the card’s $99 annual fee (which doesn’t kick in until your second year of card membership).
Best of all, the benefit becomes linked to your AAdvantage account, so you can still book and pay for your tickets any way you’d like.
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Preferred boarding
As a cardholder, you and up to four customers traveling on the same reservation will receive Preferred Boarding for your flights, which means you’ll board in Group 5.
This perk is especially beneficial when flying basic economy on American since it means you’ll have early access to overhead bin space and get to keep your usual carry-on allowance.
Ability to earn a $125 flight credit
The Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select card also offers a $125 American Airlines flight credit after you make $20,000 in purchases in a cardmember year and renew your card. Your card must remain open for one full billing cycle after your card renews to receive the credit.
The credit is redeemable for flights marketed by American Airlines and must be used on itineraries originating in the U.S., Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands.
25% off inflight purchases
If you frequently fly American domestically and purchase food or drinks on board, this benefit could save you some serious cash. You’ll get 25% savings — applied via a statement credit — each time you use your Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select to purchase inflight food and beverages.
Savings apply only to domestic flights marketed by American Airlines and operated by American or any of American’s regional airlines.
Bonus miles at restaurants and gas stations
In addition to 2 miles per dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases and 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases, the card also offers 2 miles per dollar spent at restaurants and at gas stations.
According to TPG’s July 2025 valuations, American AAdvantage miles are worth 1.55 cents, so you’ll get a 3.1% return on eligible American Airlines purchases at gas stations and restaurants.
While these returns aren’t outstanding — and you can do better in each category with other cards — having bonus categories beyond extra points on AA purchases can come in handy when working to rack up AAdvantage miles.
Bottom line
The Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select is the best option for occasional AA flyers and anyone looking to score valuable premium-cabin redemptions on American partners, such as Cathay Pacific, Etihad and Japan Airlines.
Besides the perks mentioned here, the card comes with some lesser-known benefits — including no foreign transaction fees — that apply when you use your card for purchases. If you frequently fly American Airlines and want elevated perks, this card is worth having.
Best of all, now is a great time to apply to take advantage of a solid welcome offer.
To learn more, check out our full review of the AAdvantage Platinum Select.
Apply here: Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard
