8 years later, this American Airlines card is still a staple of my wallet (and elite status goals)
Editor's Note
In 2017, I launched my points and miles journey when I applied for my first airline credit card, enamored with the idea that my daily spending could translate into award travel.
Eight years later, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees) remains a workhorse of my wallet. The same card that once made flying cheaper and more pleasant as a budget traveler has remained a card I frequently reach for as a TPG road warrior and flyer with elite status.
That's thanks in part to its low annual fee, the boost it gives me toward American Airlines elite status and the travel savings it offers me each year.
The information for the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
A great credit card for beginners
Ask any of us here at TPG, and you’ll get a take on what the best credit card is for beginners.
Personally, I think a lower-annual-fee airline card like this one can be a great place to start.
In my case, the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select helped me dip my toe into earning airline miles on everyday purchases — and gain some cash-saving travel perks — before I felt ready for a card that offered transfers to a wider range of partner loyalty programs.
I also scored a welcome offer that jump-started my sum of AAdvantage miles that I later used to fly with my wife on a handful of trips early in our “redemption” era — most notably our honeymoon in the Cayman Islands.
Read more: Getting started with points, miles and credit cards to travel
Welcome bonus
Today, you could do the same with the current bonus for new applicants: 50,000 bonus miles for new cardholders who spend $2,500 in the first three months.
That’s one of the best offers we’ve ever seen for this card.
It’s enough to get you and a travel partner to Europe, one-way, in premium economy. You could also score a lie-flat seat in American’s business-class cabin, or book several family members on a round-trip domestic flight.
But, as always, the welcome bonus is only part of the reason to apply for a new card.
Here’s why I’ve kept this one in my wallet for the better part of the decade, even as I’ve added a handful of additional (and more premium) cards to my wallet.
Read more: Current Citi American Airlines card welcome offers
Solid travel benefits for travelers without status
The Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select card offers a few elite-ish perks to passengers who don’t fly American enough to qualify for AAdvantage status.
First checked bag free
A top benefit: The first checked bag is free for you and up to four companions flying on the same reservation on domestic U.S. itineraries.
Considering that checked bags start at $35 one-way on American, a round trip for two travelers would more than justify the card’s annual fee, which is $99 ($0 introductory annual fee for the first year).
The baggage perk alone was a huge money-saver for my wife and me before I started routinely qualifying for elite status on American.
Earlier boarding
With this card, you’ll be able to board earlier than most passengers, which gets you better access to overhead bin space.
Cardholders will be able to board with Group 5, which puts you on the plane after the first-class and elite-tier flyers, but ahead of the masses.
Personally, I always found this to be a nice head start for getting on the plane.
Why I’ve kept the card even after earning status
Now, the two benefits I just mentioned (bags and boarding) are great if you don’t already have status.
But there’s a reason I’ve held on to the card long after becoming an AAdvantage elite member, which does come with even better baggage and boarding perks than this card offers.
Earning AAdvantage miles on everyday purchases
Ultimately, the top reason I carry an American credit card is to earn AAdvantage miles on everyday spending.
Unlike Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, American doesn’t currently have a true transfer partnership with a major credit card issuer.
So, the best way to earn AAdvantage miles on your regular spending is generally to carry one of its cobranded cards.
With the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select card, you’ll earn:
- 2 miles per dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases, and at restaurants and gas stations
- 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases
To be fair, there are other cards that can earn you more total rewards. For instance, there are credit cards that earn as many as 4 points per dollar spent on restaurants and groceries, and Capital One has cards that offer double miles on all purchases.
But, again, none of those offer a way to convert your rewards into American AAdvantage miles.
Earning Loyalty Points for status
Another top reason I carry this card year after year: the boost you get toward AAdvantage elite status.
With each swipe, you’ll earn Loyalty Points that help you climb the status ladder. Specifically, cardholders can accrue 1 Loyalty Point for every base mile earned on eligible purchases.
This has helped me unlock AAdvantage status and, with it, complimentary access to Main Cabin Extra seats and first-class upgrades, not to mention Admirals Club access before long-haul flights.
For context, you need:
- 40,000 Loyalty Points to reach Gold status
- 75,000 for Platinum status
- 125,000 for Platinum Pro status
- 200,000 for Executive Platinum status
Combined with my extensive flying on American, this card has helped me leverage my everyday spending to reach Platinum status for multiple years running — a tier that comes with a host of benefits when I’m flying on American and its Oneworld alliance partners.
$125 annual certificate
Plus, I’m always pleased (and, somehow, a little surprised) when my annual $125 certificate arrives in the mail.
Cardholders get this when they spend $20,000 during their card anniversary year.
Other cards to consider
Very frequent American Airlines flyers looking for higher-end travel perks like lounge access might instead consider the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®, which comes with a complimentary Admirals Club access — but carries a heftier $595 annual fee (see rates and fees).
There are also a host of travel cards the TPG team loves that offer flexible transfers to a wide range of airline and hotel partners, which can be a great way to get the most out of your loyalty currency based on the trip you’re looking to take. Some of our favorites include the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card (see rates and fees), the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and the American Express® Gold Card.
But, again, no issuers currently offer transfers to American.
Bottom line
As a traveler without any elite status in 2017, the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select card was a great way to dive into the world of points and miles with AAdvantage mileage earnings on everyday purchases, and small perks to make my travel cheaper and smoother.
Today, as a TPG road warrior, the card is my launching pad to a higher status than I’d be able to earn on flying alone.
Even if you’re a relatively infrequent American passenger, the card can be a good investment just for the money you’ll save on checked bag fees.
To learn more, check out our full review of the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select.
Related reading:
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.