5 Citi AA Platinum Select card Benefits You Didn’t Know About
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Written by
Dia Adams
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Edited by
Emily Gadd
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Reviewed by
Jasmin Baron
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®, an advertising partner, is a popular American Airlines credit card for those looking to rack up miles and enjoy solid travel perks without a steep price tag. It’s an airline credit card I’ve kept in my wallet for years because the value I get regularly — far beyond the annual fee — makes it a trusted companion for family travel. If you fly American at least once or twice a year, like my family does, this card starts bringing real savings quickly.
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Let’s shine the light on five Citi AA Platinum Select card perks that might have escaped your attention but definitely deserve a spot on your radar. From a sizable welcome bonus with a waived first-year annual fee to little-known extras that save money and add comfort mid-flight, these benefits add up to a surprisingly rewarding experience beyond the usual miles pitch.
1. Healthy Welcome Bonus, $0 First Year Annual Fee and No Foreign Transaction Fees
Kicking things off, the card offers a chunky welcome bonus: Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $2,500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. That mileage haul can cover plenty of domestic flights or two round-trip economy tickets to Mexico or the Caribbean, making it a powerful lure for new cardholders.
What sweetens the deal even more is the annual fee of $99, waived for first 12 months. That gives you a full year to try out the card and its perks before committing to an annual fee, lowering the barrier to entry and risk.
Finally, the card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees like many cards do, which is important for trips abroad or international purchases. This way, every mile and dollar earned truly counts, without surprises added by foreign fees.
2. First Checked Bag Free for You and up to Four Companions
One of the most valuable perks of the Citi AA Platinum Select card is the first checked bag free on American Airlines domestic itineraries — not just for you, but for up to four companions on the same reservation. This benefit applies as long as your American Airlines AAdvantage frequent flyer number, associated with your card membership, is added to the reservation.
For families like mine who fly American twice a year, this is a huge money saver. With four travelers on each trip, two round-trip flights per year means sixteen bags waived annually.
Since a checked bag fee runs at least $35 per bag, each way, this benefit saves roughly $560 each year. That’s more than enough to justify the annual fee, and it keeps adding up trip after trip.
Plus, since it’s automatic once your AAdvantage number is linked, there’s no need for extra steps at booking or check-in. It’s one of those perks that quietly but consistently improves your travel experience and keeps costs down.
3. Preferred Boarding and 25% Off In-Flight Food and Beverage
Beyond checked bag savings, the Citi AA Platinum Select card grants Group 5 preferred boarding for you and up to four companions on the same AA reservation. This early boarding perk can ease the stress of flying with family or groups, giving you extra time to settle in and secure overhead bin space.
Additionally, the card offers a 25% savings on American Airlines in-flight food and beverage purchases when charged to the card. Whether it’s a quick snack during a short flight or a beverage on a longer haul, these savings accumulate over time — especially if you frequently travel with family.
4. Earn Loyalty Points Toward Elite Status with Every Purchase
A feature that sets the Citi AA Platinum Select card apart is how it helps you build American Airlines elite status purely through everyday spending. For every eligible AAdvantage mile you earn with this card, you also receive 1 Loyalty Point toward qualification for elite tiers like Gold, Platinum and Executive Platinum.
The card offers bonus miles in specific categories — 2x miles on eligible American Airlines purchases, plus 2x miles at restaurants and gas stations and 1x miles on all other purchases. However, only the base miles count toward Loyalty Points for elite status qualification. This means that while the card earns 2x miles in these bonus categories, you only earn 1 Loyalty Point per dollar spent.
Elite status brings meaningful perks such as complimentary upgrades, priority check-in and boarding, and bonus miles on flights. The ability to earn Loyalty Points — and move up the elite status ladder — through regular card use alone is a distinctive advantage of this card, making it a strong choice for frequent flyers looking to enhance their travel experience.
5. $125 American Airlines Flight Credit After $20,000 Spend
If you spend $20,000 or more in a cardmember year and renew your Citi AA Platinum Select card, you qualify for a $125 credit applied toward American Airlines flights. This perk rewards big spenders by offsetting the annual fee or helping reduce future travel costs.
While the $20,000 spending threshold may seem high for some, it’s achievable for those who charge most of their everyday expenses to the card, including family purchases and trips. The credit is automatic, with no registration needed, making it an easy way to get extra value throughout the year.
If you’re already spending on the card for status, this flight credit adds a helpful bump to the card’s value for travelers who regularly spend on their Citi AA Platinum Select card, softening the overall cost and encouraging continued use.
Frequently Asked Questions About Citi AA Platinum Select card Benefits
How do I qualify for the Citi AA Platinum Select card welcome bonus?
To earn the current welcome bonus of 50,000 Bonus Miles, you have to spend $2,500 on purchases within the first three months of card membership. The bonus miles post automatically after meeting the spending requirement.
Can I get free checked bags for my travel companions with this card?
Yes, you and up to four companions on the same domestic American Airlines reservation can check your first bag free. Just make sure your AAdvantage number linked to the card is added to the reservation.
Does the Citi AA Platinum Select card earn Loyalty Points toward elite status?
Yes, for every dollar you spend on this card, you also earn 1 Loyalty Point. Loyalty Points count toward American Airlines elite status qualification. Note that bonus miles earned in special categories do not generate additional Loyalty Points.
What purchases earn bonus miles on the Citi AA Platinum Select card?
The card earns 2x miles on eligible American Airlines purchases, as well as 2x miles at restaurants and gas stations. All other purchases earn 1 mile per dollar spent.
How does the $125 American Airlines flight credit work after spending $20,000?
If you spend $20,000 or more on the card in a cardmember year and renew your card, you automatically receive a $125 credit applied toward American Airlines flights. No registration is required.
