6 reasons to get the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select Card
Editor's Note
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.
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.
Sizable welcome offer
For a limited time, new Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select cardholders can earn 80,000 bonus miles after spending $3,500 on purchases in the first four months from 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.
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
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees