50,000-mile sign-up bonus
The Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select MasterCard offers 50,000 miles just for signing up and meeting the $3,000 spend threshold in the first three months. This is one of the largest sign-up bonuses on the market and is large enough to earn you a free trip in the first year of membership. You can travel twice across the country or once across the ocean (during off-peak times) with your 50,000 miles.
Lower-than-average rewards rate
You earn 2 AAdvantage miles for every dollar spent on AA purchases and 1 mile on everything else. While this is pretty average for an airline card, many general travel rewards cards offer higher overall rewards rates, as well as greater opportunities for earning extra points by providing more comprehensive bonus categories, such as double points on entertainment, dining and gas purchases. If you are a frequent flier on American Airlines and make many purchases with the airline, this card may make sense for you. However, if you don’t care what airline you use, you can do better with some other cards, at least for regular domestic awards.
Mileage rebate
The Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select MasterCard also entitles you to receive 10 percent of your miles back every calendar year, up to 10,000 miles. By our estimates, this equates to another $200 in value each year just for earning and redeeming rewards. The rebate is automatic for as long as you carry the card.
A higher annual fee might be justified
Compared to most other travel cards, the $95 annual fee might seem a little higher than usual. However, if you fly American regularly, you will likely find the fee justified. Aside from a generous sign-up bonus, you also get up to five free checked bags per flight and other goodies that can land you a little profit despite the fee. Besides, the annual fee is waived for the first year, so you can cancel the card at the end of the card membership year and owe nothing.
Off-peak awards
Most of American Airlines off-peak awards are going to be removed this year, but one will remain: 22,500 miles for a one-way flight from the continental U.S. to Europe. This shaves 15,000 miles off of the regular round-trip rate (60,000 miles) for travel to Europe between Jan. 10 – March 14 and Nov. 1 – Dec. 14.
Reduced-mileage awards
Although destinations are limited, you can find some good deals with American AAdvantage’s reduced-mileage awards. You can save 3,750 miles on a one-way domestic flight (the regular rate is 12,500 miles) or 7,500 miles on a round-trip domestic flight (the regular rate is 25,000 miles).
Less flexible than a general rewards card
Like most frequent flier programs, American AAdvantage comes with a lot of fine print, including some restrictive routing rules, and some quirks with rewards booking that can require patience, time and research to navigate. If you are not committed to flying with American Airlines, you might find better flexibility with other travel credit card programs, where you can redeem miles on any airline you want. While award availability in economy class has generally improved on American Airlines and its partners over the last few years, you will have more options when you can choose any airline to fly to your destination.
More perks
The card does come with some good perks for American Airlines customers. In addition to the 10 percent mileage rebate, baggage waiver and special quarterly 7,500-mile discounts mentioned above, card members also get priority boarding on domestic flights and a 25 percent discount on in-flight purchases.
Reasons to get it:
- American Airlines is your primary airline, or you’re considering switching to using the airline often.
- You want to maximize the opportunity to earn AAdvantage miles.
- You want the savings offered by the card, such as a free checked bag.
- You like the extra features offered by MasterCard.
How to use it:
- Always make American Airlines purchases with your Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select MasterCard to take advantage of the 2 miles per dollar bonus rate.
- Use the card abroad without racking up extra charges, since there is no foreign-transaction fee.
- Aim to redeem awards seats at the lowest “saver” level. All other types of awards are overpriced.
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