The CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® delivers key American Airlines perks including free checked bags and preferred boarding on your flights. While its reward rates aren’t exceptional, the card provides a path to earning AAdvantage elite status through credit card spending.
This credit card review will cover everything you need to know about this card to determine if you should add this card or a different card to your wallet. Let’s dive right in.
- bonus_miles_full
- Free Checked Bags for You and 4 Companions
- 2X Miles for American Airlines, Cable, Satellite, Gas, Telecommunications, and Car Rental purchases.
- Preferred Boarding (Group 5)
- $99 Annual Fee, Waived the First Year
Welcome Bonus of Citi AAdvantage Business
The Citi AAdvantage Business Card currently offers the following welcome bonus: bonus_miles_full
The qualification rules are straightforward – you won’t be eligible for this bonus if you’ve received one on this specific card in the past 48 months. However, bonuses from other American Airlines credit cards won’t affect your eligibility for this offer.
One important detail to note is that Citi limits applicants to one new card every 8 days, and no more than two cards within 65 days.
Earning Miles with Citi AAdvantage Business
The Citi AAdvantage Business Card earns AAdvantage miles at the following rates:
The 2x bonus categories cover some useful business expenses, though the earning rate remains modest compared to other business cards in those same categories.
For businesses that frequently fly American Airlines, earning these miles directly can provide good value, especially for premium cabin redemptions on American and its partners.
However, the card works best as part of a broader credit card strategy since the 1x earning rate on most business purchases limits its effectiveness as an everyday spending card.
Earn Loyalty Points Towards Elite Status
Spending on this card allows you to earn Loyalty Points toward American AAdvantage elite status.
For every AAdvantage Mile you earn using this card, you will earn one Loyalty Point, excluding the welcome bonus.
You can also earn Loyalty points by flying on American Airlines and its partners, staying at hotels, dining at restaurants, shopping online, and many other ways.
Here are the Loyalty Points required for each level:
- AAdvantage Gold status requires 40,000 Loyalty Points.
- AAdvantage Platinum status requires 75,000 Loyalty Points.
- AAdvantage Platinum Pro status requires 125,000 Loyalty Points.
- AAdvantage Executive Platinum status requires 200,000 Loyalty Points
Annual Fee of Citi American AAdvantage Business
The Citi AAdvantage Business Card has a $99 annual fee that’s waived for your first 12 months. You’ll easily offset this cost through benefits like free checked bags on domestic American Airlines flights (worth up to $80 per person roundtrip) and 25% savings on inflight purchases.
Additional cards for employees are available at no extra cost, and employee spending can help earn AAdvantage miles that go into the business account.
Card Benefits of Citi AAdvantage Business
Below are the card benefits and perks of the CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum: Free Checked Bags: Save big on checked baggage fees when flying American Airlines with complimentary first checked bags for you and up to four travel companions on the same reservation. This valuable benefit applies to domestic American Airlines flights without needing to book your ticket using the card. Priority Boarding: Skip the regular boarding queue with Group 5 boarding access on all American Airlines flights. You’ll have earlier access to overhead bin space and more time to get settled before takeoff. Inflight Savings: Enjoy 25% back as a statement credit when you use your card for food and beverage purchases during American Airlines flights. Companion Certificate: Land a domestic companion certificate after spending $30,000 in a card membership year. Your companion travels with you in the main cabin for $99 plus applicable taxes and fees. Keep in mind this is only valid for travel within the lower 48 states/ No Foreign Transaction Fees: You’ll save money on every purchase while traveling internationally since this card doesn’t add the typical 3% surcharge that many other cards impose. 90-Day Purchase Protection: Your new purchases are covered against damage and theft for 90 days when you use your card. This protection helps safeguard your eligible items right from the moment you buy them. Extended Warranty: This Citi credit card offers one of the best extended warranty protection because it extends the manufacturer’s warranty on an item for an additional 24 months for products with warranties up to 5 years. ShopRunner Membership: As a cardholder, you’ll enjoy a complimentary ShopRunner membership, which provides free 2-day shipping and free returns at over 100 participating online retailers. This benefit can help frequent online shoppers save on shipping costs and streamline the return process.
Redeem American AAdvantage Miles
American Airlines AAdvantage miles offer excellent value for savvy travelers, particularly for international premium cabin redemptions with its Oneworld partners. While domestic awards can be reasonable, the real sweet spots lie in partner airline bookings and long-haul flights. One of the best uses is flying to the Middle East or India in business class for just 70,000 miles one-way. This can get you on Qatar Airways’ renowned Qsuite or Etihad’s luxurious business class product. Another standout option is business class to Africa for 75,000 miles, accessing destinations like South Africa or Kenya via Middle Eastern hubs. Asia is another region where AAdvantage miles shine. You can fly business class to Japan or South Korea for 60,000 miles, or to destinations like Thailand or Singapore for 70,000 miles. While availability can be challenging, patience can score you seats on top-rated airlines like Japan Airlines or Cathay Pacific. For those eyeing American’s own premium cabins, dynamic pricing sometimes yields attractive rates, especially on connecting itineraries. You might find business class to Europe for 62,000 miles or even first class to Australia for 75,000 miles. AAdvantage also excels in bookings between other regions. For instance, Middle East to Asia in business class for 40,000 miles or South Pacific to Asia for the same price can offer exceptional value.
Pros and Cons of Citi AAdvantage Business Platinum
Here are the advantages and disadvantages of this card:
Pros:
Free Checked Bags: You’ll save up to $80 per person roundtrip for you and four companions on domestic AA flights. This benefit alone can easily offset the $99 annual fee with just a few trips.
Elite Status Earning Potential: Your card spending directly helps you earn AAdvantage elite status through Loyalty Points, with $1 in purchases equaling 1 Loyalty Point. This makes elite status much more attainable for business owners.
Strong Welcome Bonus: The card consistently offers substantial welcome bonuses that provide enough miles for multiple domestic flights or premium international redemptions.
Cons:
Limited Travel Protections: The card lacks comprehensive travel insurance benefits that many other business travel cards provide, such as trip delay or baggage delay coverage.
Basic Earning Structure: The 2x miles on select categories is relatively modest compared to other business cards that offer 3x-5x points in similar categories.
High Spending Requirement for Companion Certificate: You’ll need significant annual spending to earn the companion certificate, and it comes with restrictions and fees when redeeming.
Limited Premium Travel Benefits: Unlike some competitor cards, this card doesn’t provide airport lounge access, travel credits, or automatic elite status, which can be valuable for frequent business travelers.
Alternatives to the CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum
Now that you know about this credit card’s various benefits and pros and cons, it’s time to see its alternatives.
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
The Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card (review) offers great rewards for small business owners. With bonus points on travel, shipping, advertising, and communication services, plus valuable travel protections, it’s a solid choice for companies looking to maximize their everyday spending. Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles_full Earning Rewards: 3x points on travel, shipping, advertising made with social media sites and search engines, and internet, cable and phone services on the first $150,000 spent in combined purchases in the following categories each account anniversary year; 1x points on all other eligible purchases. Card Benefits: Points are worth 25% more when you redeem for travel through Chase Travel, no foreign transaction fees, primary rental car insurance, trip cancellation insurance, cell phone protection, purchase protection, and extended warranty. Transfer Partners: Aer Lingus, Air Canada Aeroplan, British Airways, Emirates, Air France KLM Flying Blue, Hyatt, IHG, Iberia, JetBlue, Marriott, Singapore KrisFlyer, Southwest, United, and Virgin Atlantic.
American Express® Business Gold Card
The American Express® Business Gold Card (review) offers tailored rewards, earning 4x points in your top two spending categories each billing cycle from a list of six options (capped at $150,000 in combined purchases each calendar year). With up to $395 in annual statement credits and valuable redemption options through Membership Rewards transfer partners, this card can be a powerful earning tool for many businesses. Welcome Bonus: Earn 100,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with the Business Gold Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership. Earning Points: 4x points in your top two categories each billing cycle up to $150,000 in combined purchases at 4x points (then 1x points) in the following purchase categories: US gas stations, US restaurants, US advertising in select media, transit and rideshare, monthly US wireless telephone services charges made directly with wireless service provider, U.S. purchases made from electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers; 3x points on flights and prepaid hotels booked via AmexTravel.com; and 1x points on all other eligible purchases. Card Benefits: Up to $20 monthly credit upon enrollment when you use your card for eligible U.S. purchases at FedEx, Grubhub, and Office Supply Stores, Walmart+ credit, no present spending limit, trip delay insurance, baggage insurance plan, secondary rental car insurance, purchase protection, and extended warranty. Transfer Partners: Aer Lingus, AeroMexico, Air Canada Aeroplan, ANA, Avianca LifeMiles, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Choice Privileges, Delta, Emirates, Etihad, Air France – KLM Flying Blue, Hawaiian Airlines, Hilton, Iberia, JetBlue, Marriott, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Singapore KrisFlyer, and Virgin Atlantic.
United℠ Business Card
The United℠ Business Card (review) packs useful perks for United flyers, including free checked bags, priority boarding, and two annual United Club passes. This practical business card proves worthwhile for small business owners who fly United even just a few times yearly. Welcome Bonus: Earn 75,000 bonus miles + 2,000 Premier qualifying points (PQP) after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months Earning Miles: 2x miles on United Airlines purchases, dining (including eligible delivery services), gas stations, at United Hotels, office supply stores, local transit, and commuting; 1x miles on all other purchases. Card Benefits: Free first checked bag, $100 United travel credit after after 7 United flight purchases of $100 or more within each card anniversary year, 5,000 anniversary bonus miles when you also have a personal United credit card, 2 United Club one-time passes each year, annual $25 FareLock credit, $100 rideshare credit, $100 JSX credit, $120 Instacart credit, $50 Avis or Budget credit, annual $100 United Hotels credit, 25% back on United inflight and Club premium drink purchases, priority boarding, no foreign transaction fees, travel insurance (primary rental car, trip delay, baggage delay, lost luggage, trip cancellation), extended warranty, and purchase protection.
Is the Citi AAdvantage Business Platinum Worth It?
The Citi AAdvantage Business Card makes a solid addition to your wallet if you regularly fly American Airlines for business travel, offering valuable perks like complimentary checked bags and preferred boarding that can quickly offset the modest annual fee.
The current welcome bonus provides excellent value for new cardholders, though you’ll need good to excellent credit to qualify.
While the card’s earning rates on American Airlines purchases and common business categories like telecommunications and gas stations are decent, they’re not particularly competitive compared to other business travel cards in the market.
One unique feature that sets this card apart is its ability to help you earn American Airlines elite status through everyday spending, making it particularly appealing if you’re chasing AAdvantage status.
For business owners who fly American Airlines frequently, this card delivers good value through its travel benefits and miles earning potential, but those seeking maximum rewards on business spending should consider cards with more robust earning rates in business-focused categories.
- bonus_miles_full
- Free Checked Bags for You and 4 Companions
- 2X Miles for American Airlines, Cable, Satellite, Gas, Telecommunications, and Car Rental purchases.
- Preferred Boarding (Group 5)
- $99 Annual Fee, Waived the First Year
For rates and fees of the American Express® Business Gold Card, please click here. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
