Navigating the world of travel credit cards can be overwhelming, especially when airline loyalty programs are involved. If you’re an American Airlines flyer looking to maximize your AAdvantage miles, choosing the right co-branded credit card is crucial. This guide provides a comprehensive comparison of Citi® / AAdvantage® credit cards, breaking down their benefits, fees, and rewards to help you decide which card best fits your travel and spending habits.
Overview of American Airlines AAdvantage Credit Cards
Citi and American Airlines offer a range of AAdvantage credit cards designed for different types of travelers. From no-annual-fee options to premium cards with extensive travel perks, understanding the nuances of each card is key to making an informed decision. Let’s take a quick look at the cards we’ll be comparing:
AAdvantage MileUp® Card
The AAdvantage MileUp® Card is often considered an entry-level airline credit card, appealing to those who are new to travel rewards or prefer a no-annual-fee option. It offers a straightforward earning structure and some basic travel benefits.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
Stepping up from the MileUp® card, the Platinum Select® card offers enhanced earning potential and travel perks, including preferred boarding and a free checked bag. It comes with an annual fee, but it’s often waived for the first year.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
The Executive card is the premium offering in the personal AAdvantage card lineup. It boasts a higher annual fee but justifies it with significant benefits like Admirals Club® membership, enhanced airport experience, and higher earning rates on American Airlines purchases.
Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ Mastercard®
Designed for business owners, the AAdvantage Business™ card provides rewards tailored to business spending, along with travel benefits similar to the personal cards, and features to help manage business expenses.
Side-by-Side Comparison of AA Credit Cards
To make it easier to compare these cards, here’s a table highlighting their key features and benefits:
| Feature | AAdvantage MileUp® Card | Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® | Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® | Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ Mastercard® |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | None | Waived first year, then $99 | $595 | Waived first year, then $99 |
| Rewards on AA Purchases | 2X Miles | 2X Miles | 4X Miles (5X after $150k spend) | 2X Miles |
| Rewards on Groceries | 2X Miles | 2X Miles at Restaurants & Gas Stations | 1X Mile | 2X Miles on Select Business Categories |
| Rewards on Hotels/Car Rentals | 1X Mile | 1X Mile | 10X Miles on Hotels & Car Rentals (through portals) | 1X Mile |
| Other Rewards | 1X Mile on everything else | 1X Mile on everything else | 1X Mile on everything else | 1X Mile on everything else |
| First Checked Bag Free | No | Yes | Yes (up to 8 companions) | Yes (up to 4 companions) |
| Preferred Boarding | No | Yes | Yes (Group 4 – Priority) | Yes (Group 5) |
| Admirals Club® Access | No | No | Yes (Membership + Authorized Users) | No |
| Global Entry/TSA PreCheck Credit | No | No | Up to $120 every 4 years | No |
| Inflight Savings | 25% on eligible inflight purchases | 25% on eligible inflight purchases | 25% on eligible inflight purchases | 25% on inflight purchases & Wi-Fi |
| Lyft/Grubhub/Avis/Budget Credits | No | No | Up to $120 annually for each | No |
| Companion Certificate | No | $125 Flight Discount after $20k spend | No | $99 Companion Certificate after $30k spend |
This table provides a quick snapshot, but let’s delve deeper into each card to understand their specific offerings and who they are best suited for.
Deep Dive into Each American Airlines Credit Card
AAdvantage MileUp® Card
The AAdvantage MileUp® Card is a solid choice for those who want to earn AAdvantage miles without paying an annual fee.
Pricing and Key Information
- Annual Fee: $0
- Purchase APR: Variable, check the original article for current ranges as APRs can change.
- Rewards:
- 2X AAdvantage® miles on eligible American Airlines purchases.
- 2X AAdvantage® miles at grocery stores.
- 1X AAdvantage® mile on all other purchases.
- Other Fees: Foreign purchase fee of 3% of the U.S. dollar amount of each purchase.
Benefits
- Earn AAdvantage Miles: Earn miles on everyday spending and American Airlines flights.
- No Annual Fee: Makes it a low-risk option to start accumulating miles.
- 25% Savings on Eligible Inflight Purchases: Enjoy savings on food and beverages on American Airlines flights.
- American Airlines Vacations Discount: 10% discount on non-flight components of American Airlines Vacations packages.
- No Mileage Cap: No limit to the miles you can earn.
- Mileage Expiration Policy: Miles don’t expire as long as your card account is open.
Pros and Cons
- Pros:
- No annual fee.
- Decent earning rate on groceries and AA purchases.
- Good entry point into the AAdvantage program.
- Cons:
- Limited travel benefits compared to other AAdvantage cards.
- Foreign transaction fee makes it less ideal for international travel.
- Lower earning rates in other spending categories.
Ideal for: Individuals who are infrequent travelers, budget-conscious, or are just starting to build AAdvantage miles and want to avoid annual fees.
Alt text: Close up image of the American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp credit card design, highlighting the AAdvantage and Mastercard logos.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® card balances benefits and cost, offering valuable travel perks at a moderate annual fee (waived for the first year).
Pricing and Key Information
- Annual Fee: $99, waived for the first 12 months.
- Purchase APR: Variable, check the original article for current ranges.
- Rewards:
- 2X AAdvantage® miles on eligible American Airlines purchases.
- 2X AAdvantage® miles at restaurants and gas stations.
- 1X AAdvantage® mile on all other purchases.
- Other Fees: Foreign purchase fee – None.
Benefits
- First Checked Bag Free: For you and up to 4 companions on eligible domestic American Airlines flights.
- Preferred Boarding: Group 5 boarding on American Airlines flights.
- $125 American Airlines Flight Discount: Earn a discount certificate after spending $20,000 in a cardmembership year.
- 2X Miles on Dining and Gas: Earn accelerated rewards on common spending categories.
- 25% Savings on Eligible Inflight Purchases: Discount on food and beverages on American Airlines flights.
- American Airlines Vacations Discount: 10% discount on non-flight components of American Airlines Vacations packages.
- No Mileage Cap: No limit to the miles you can earn.
- Mileage Expiration Policy: Miles don’t expire as long as your card account is open.
Pros and Cons
- Pros:
- Valuable travel benefits like free checked bag and preferred boarding.
- Bonus categories for restaurants and gas stations.
- Lower annual fee compared to premium cards, especially with the first-year waiver.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Cons:
- Annual fee applies after the first year.
- Earning rate outside of bonus categories is just 1X mile.
- Flight discount requires significant spending to unlock.
Ideal for: Frequent domestic travelers on American Airlines who want practical travel benefits and bonus rewards on dining and gas, and are comfortable with a moderate annual fee after the first year.
Alt text: Image displaying the front design of the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard, showcasing the Citi and Mastercard branding alongside the AAdvantage logo.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
For the most dedicated American Airlines loyalists, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive card offers a premium experience with luxury travel benefits.
Pricing and Key Information
- Annual Fee: $595
- Purchase APR: Variable, check the original article for current ranges.
- Rewards:
- 4X AAdvantage® miles on eligible American Airlines purchases (5X after $150k spend in a calendar year).
- 10X AAdvantage® miles on hotels booked through aadvantagehotels.com.
- 10X AAdvantage® miles on car rentals booked through aa.com/cars, aadvantagecars.com.
- 1X AAdvantage® mile on all other purchases.
- Other Fees: Foreign purchase fee – None.
Benefits
- Admirals Club® Membership: Full Admirals Club® membership for the primary cardmember and access for authorized users.
- Enhanced Airport Experience: Priority check-in, priority airport screening (where available), and Group 4 priority boarding for you and up to 8 companions.
- First Checked Bag Free: For you and up to 8 companions on eligible domestic American Airlines flights.
- Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® Credit: Statement credit up to $120 every 4 years.
- Up to $120 in Lyft Credits annually.
- Up to $120 Grubhub Statement Credit annually.
- Up to $120 Avis® or Budget Prepaid Car Rental Statement Credit annually.
- 25% Savings on Eligible Inflight Purchases: Discount on food and beverages on American Airlines flights.
- American Airlines Vacations Discount: 10% discount on non-flight components of American Airlines Vacations packages.
- Up to 20,000 Additional Loyalty Points: Bonus Loyalty Points after reaching spending thresholds.
- No Mileage Cap: No limit to the miles you can earn.
- Mileage Expiration Policy: Miles don’t expire as long as your card account is open.
- Travel Protection Benefits: Includes travel accident insurance, trip cancellation and interruption insurance, and more.
Pros and Cons
- Pros:
- Unparalleled airport lounge access with Admirals Club membership.
- Comprehensive travel benefits and credits.
- Highest earning rate on American Airlines purchases.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Cons:
- High annual fee.
- Bonus categories are limited outside of travel portals.
- May not be worth it if you don’t utilize the Admirals Club access frequently.
Ideal for: Very frequent American Airlines travelers who value lounge access, premium travel experiences, and are willing to pay a higher annual fee for extensive benefits.
Alt text: Visual representation of the Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard, displaying its premium card design and highlighting the World Elite Mastercard and AAdvantage branding.
Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ Mastercard®
The Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ card is tailored for business owners seeking to earn rewards on business expenses and enjoy travel perks.
Pricing and Key Information
- Annual Fee: $99, waived for the first 12 months.
- Purchase APR: Variable, check the original article for current ranges.
- Rewards:
- 2X AAdvantage® miles on eligible American Airlines purchases.
- 2X AAdvantage® miles on select business categories: telecommunications, car rentals, cable and satellite providers, and gas stations.
- 1X AAdvantage® mile on all other purchases.
- Other Fees: Foreign purchase fee – None.
Benefits
- First Checked Bag Free: For the primary cardmember and up to 4 companions on eligible domestic American Airlines flights.
- Preferred Boarding: Group 5 boarding on American Airlines flights.
- 25% Savings on Inflight Wi-Fi: Discount on Wi-Fi purchases on American Airlines flights.
- 25% Savings on Eligible Inflight Purchases: Discount on food and beverages on American Airlines flights.
- American Airlines Companion Certificate: Earn a $99 companion certificate after spending $30,000 in a cardmembership year.
- American Airlines Vacations Discount: 10% discount on non-flight components of American Airlines Vacations packages.
- Mastercard ID Theft Protection: Access to ID Theft Protection services.
- No Mileage Cap: No limit to the miles you can earn.
- Mileage Expiration Policy: AAdvantage Business™ miles do not expire as long as the card account is open.
Pros and Cons
- Pros:
- Rewards on relevant business spending categories.
- Travel benefits like free checked bag and preferred boarding.
- Companion certificate for domestic travel.
- No foreign transaction fees.
- Cons:
- Annual fee applies after the first year.
- Business category bonus rewards are somewhat limited.
- Admirals Club access is not included.
Ideal for: Business owners who frequently fly American Airlines domestically, incur expenses in the bonus categories, and want business-focused rewards and travel benefits.
Alt text: Image of the Citi AAdvantage Business Mastercard, highlighting the card design with the Mastercard logo and emphasizing its business-oriented features.
Which American Airlines Credit Card is Right For You?
Choosing the best AA credit card depends on your individual travel habits, spending patterns, and loyalty to American Airlines. Here’s a quick guide to help you decide:
- For the Budget-Conscious Beginner: The AAdvantage MileUp® Card is a great starting point with no annual fee, allowing you to earn miles without added costs.
- For the Domestic Traveler Seeking Practical Benefits: The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® card offers a good balance of benefits and cost, especially valuable for those who check bags and prefer priority boarding on domestic flights.
- For the Luxury Traveler and American Airlines Loyalist: The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® is the premium choice, providing Admirals Club access and a suite of luxury travel perks for frequent AA flyers.
- For the Business Owner: The Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ Mastercard® is designed for business expenses, offering rewards in business-relevant categories and travel benefits for business trips.
Conclusion
Comparing AA credit cards reveals a spectrum of options, each catering to different needs and preferences. By understanding the rewards structures, fees, and benefits of each Citi® / AAdvantage® card, you can make an informed decision and choose the card that best aligns with your travel goals and spending habits, maximizing your AAdvantage miles and enhancing your travel experiences with American Airlines. Remember to always review the latest terms and conditions and APRs directly from Citi before applying for any credit card.
