New Benefits Added to Citi Platinum Select AA Visa Card, Better Deals Still Out There
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Citibank just launched a new Platinum Select AAdvantage Visa Signature card with a 30,000 mile sign-up bonus and a new set of American Airlines specific perks. However, Citi is also currently offering, though not advertising, 50,000 mile bonuses for the older versions of the same card. Additionally you can apply for both a personal Visa and Amex card on the same day, netting 100,000 AA miles and a single credit inquiry. The 50,000 mile cards are not my links, but more info can be found on this useful Flyertalk thread. A certain amount of trust will be needed since the application pages don't specifically outline the bonus offer, but most people who have applied are reporting success on that thread. I got in on the same deal when the bonuses were 75,000 miles a card and many other TPG readers reported the same success judging by the 330 comments on that post. I personally don't want to be responsible for promoting those links because Citi will eventually pull that offer, so you'll have to do your own research, but I couldn't discuss the new AA card offer without letting you know that a potentially better deal exists.
Update: It looks like all current Citi Platinum Select Visa holders will get these new benefits (though not the sign-up bonus if you already have the card)
Citi Platinum Select / AAdvantage Visa Signature® Card - Unverified offer as seen on FlyerTalk.
- For a limited time, Earn 40,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after $3,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of cardmembership*
- Your first eligible checked bag is free*
- Priority Boarding with Group 1 privileges* and 25% savings on eligible in-flight purchases*
- Earn a $100 American Airlines Flight Discount every cardmembership year with qualifying purchases and cardmembership renewal*
- Double AAdvantage® miles on eligible American Airlines purchases*
- Earn 10% of your redeemed AAdvantage® miles back – up to 10,000 AAdvantage(R) miles each calendar year*
Is this deal worth it?
It really depends on how much value your mails and how much you will take advantage of the card perks. How I view this offer:
1) I personally value AA miles at around 1.8 cents a piece because I use them for longhaul business and first class travel on Oneworld partners like Cathay Pacific (whose First Class I just flew from Hong Kong and is amazing). AA miles can also be redeemed for off-peak saver awards, like 40,000 miles to Europe roundtrip in coach or 135,000 miles in First Class to Asia on Oneworld partners. The 30,000 miles is worth at least $540 to me because I would easily pay $2,430 for a roundtrip first class Cathay Pacific ticket to Asia.
2) The 10,000 point yearly rebate on awards is another $180.
3) AA and Citi also offer reduced priced awards for Citi AA cardholders - like 17,500 mile economy and 42,500 first class roundtrip awards to select rotating cities. I haven't taken advantage of these, but this could easily be a 7,500 mile value since I redeem for first class so I'll divide it in half to be conservative and say it could be worth 3,750 miles or $67.50.
4) If you can spend $30,000, you get a $100 statement credit: $100
5) I don't pay for checked bags as an Executive Platinum, but if you don't have elite status that saves you $25 per bag, up to 4 people per reservation.
6) Priority boarding makes snagging overhead bin space easier and takes a little bit of stress out of the boarding process.
All in all, the new benefits are decent and put the card in line with the Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express, United MileagePlus Explorer Card and US Airways Mastercard. Whether this card is worth it for you all depends on your travel habits and how much money you could potentially save having this card in your wallet.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.