Reviewed by Joseph Hellman-Benjamin, Founder and CEO. Last reviewed: October 10, 2026. Editorial Policy
The Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard is an American Airlines credit card issued by Citi. It costs $99 a year, waived for the first 12 months. Its main benefits are a free first checked bag on domestic American itineraries for the cardholder and up to four companions, preferred boarding, and 2 miles per dollar on American purchases, at gas stations and at restaurants.
Citi’s own card page was not available when we checked on October 10, 2026. The terms below are as reported by NerdWallet and One Mile at a Time, which agree with each other.
The Card at a Glance
| Item | Reported terms |
|---|---|
| Issuer | Citi |
| Annual fee | $99, waived for the first 12 months |
| Welcome offer | 50,000 miles after $2,500 in purchases in the first 3 months. Both sources warn that the offer may have changed |
| American Airlines purchases | 2 miles per $1 |
| Gas stations and restaurants | 2 miles per $1 |
| Everything else | 1 mile per $1 |
| Checked bag | First bag free on domestic American itineraries, for the cardholder and up to 4 companions on the same reservation |
| Boarding | Preferred boarding on American flights |
| Inflight | 25% back on food and beverages |
| Flight discount | $125 after $20,000 in purchases in a card year, once the card is renewed |
| Foreign transaction fees | None |
Citi sets these terms and can change them. Confirm them with Citi before you apply.
The Checked Bag
The free first bag covers the cardholder and up to four companions on the same reservation, on domestic American itineraries. One Mile at a Time notes that the ticket does not have to be bought with the card, but the card must be linked to your AAdvantage account.
A couple who checks one bag each on two domestic round trips a year avoids eight bag fees. American does not let you pay bag fees with AAdvantage miles, so the card is the main way around the fee; see which airlines take miles for bags. That is where most of this card’s value comes from.
Miles and Status
The card earns 2 miles per dollar on American purchases, at gas stations and at restaurants, and 1 on everything else. For what those miles buy, see how to redeem AA miles. It also earns Loyalty Points toward AAdvantage status at one point per dollar spent, according to One Mile at a Time. NerdWallet gives the thresholds as 40,000 Loyalty Points for Gold and 200,000 for Executive Platinum.
The $125 Flight Discount
Spend $20,000 or more on the card in a card year, renew it, and you get a $125 discount on an American Airlines flight. Count it only if you would spend that much on this card anyway.
Who Should Skip It
- You rarely fly American, or never check a bag. From the second year, $99 buys you little.
- You mostly fly American internationally. Both sources describe the free bag as a benefit for domestic itineraries.
- You received the bonus on this card in the past 48 months. One Mile at a Time reports that you will not get it again.
For other options, see our list of the top airline credit cards. We have also reviewed the United Quest Card and the Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority card.
If You Have AAdvantage Miles You Will Not Use
Brokers, including The Points King, buy AAdvantage miles for cash. Selling them is against American’s AAdvantage terms and conditions, which say miles transferred for cash are void and that American can forfeit the balance and terminate the account. Read the risks of selling miles and points first, then see what AAdvantage miles sell for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who issues the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select card?
Citi.
What is the annual fee?
$99, waived for the first 12 months, as reported by NerdWallet and One Mile at a Time.
Who gets a free checked bag?
The cardholder and up to four companions on the same reservation, on domestic American itineraries.
Does it charge foreign transaction fees?
Both sources report that it does not.
Sources
- NerdWallet: Citi AAdvantage Platinum review, dated October 1, 2026
- One Mile at a Time: Citi AAdvantage Platinum Card review, updated May 12, 2026
Update Log
- October 10, 2026: rewritten with terms reported by NerdWallet and One Mile at a Time.