The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® is American Airlines’ core consumer co-brand card issued by Citibank, N.A.
It earns AAdvantage® miles (and Loyalty Points) on everyday purchases, adds money-saving flight perks.
Typically provides a fast online decision—Citi advertises “Get a response in under a minute.”
Key Rewards & How You Earn
The card gives you a first checked bag free on domestic AA itineraries for you and up to 4 companions on the same reservation.
You also get earlier boarding on AA flights (useful for overhead bin space).
Earning structure
2 AAdvantage® miles per $1 at restaurants, gas stations, and on eligible American Airlines purchases; 1 mile per $1 on other purchases.
You also earn 1 Loyalty Point per eligible mile earned from purchases, helping you progress toward AAdvantage® status.
In-flight savings
25% savings on AA in-flight food & beverage when you pay with the card.
After $20,000 in purchases during your card membership year and you renew your card, you can receive a $125 American Airlines Flight Discount.
Rates, Fees, and Other Key Costs
These pricing details are taken from the card’s current disclosures and may change.
- Annual fee: $0 intro for the first 12 months, then $99.
- Purchase APR (variable): 19.99%–29.99%, based on creditworthiness; balance transfers and Citi Flex Plan are subject to the same standard variable purchase APR.
- Cash advance APR (variable): 29.99%.
- Penalty APR (variable): up to 29.99% (may apply after a late or returned payment).
- Foreign transaction fees: None.
- Balance transfer fee: $5 or 5% of each transfer, whichever is greater.
- Cash advance fee: $10 or 5% of each cash advance, whichever is greater.
- Minimum interest charge: $0.50.
What You Can Do With The Miles
Miles earned post to your AAdvantage® account and can be redeemed for flights on American, American Eagle®, oneworld® and partner airlines.
Also, upgrades, plus hotels, cars, and experiences through AAdvantage® partners.
Earning also produces Loyalty Points (1 per eligible mile) that count toward AAdvantage® status tiers.
“Apply Instantly”: What That Really Means
Citi’s application page states you can “Get a response in under a minute.”
In practice, most applicants receive an on-screen approval, denial, or pending review within moments.
Some applications require additional verification before a final decision and card mailing.
How to apply online (recommended)
- Start your application on Citi’s official card page and complete the required fields (personal info, income, housing, AAdvantage® number).
- Submit and review your instant decision.
- If approved, you’ll receive your new account details, and the physical card is mailed shortly thereafter. (Follow any identity-verification prompts if requested.)
Apply by phone: Citi also lists an application phone line for this card: 1-800-514-8501.
Who Does This Card Fit Well
American Airlines flyers who check bags on domestic routes and value preferred boarding.
The first-bag perk alone can offset the annual fee if you fly a few round-trip trips per year with companions.
Everyday spenders who want to earn AA miles at restaurants, gas stations, and on AA purchases, while also building Loyalty Points for status.
International travelers who want to avoid foreign transaction fees.
Potential Drawbacks to Note
No lounge access. If you want Admirals Club® access via your card, consider the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® instead.
Flight discount requires high annual spend ($20,000) and renewal. Valuable only if your spend and flying justify it.
APR can be high. Like most airline cards, rates are designed for people who pay in full—the top of the disclosed range is near 30% variable.
Contact Information (bank phone & address)
General Citi credit card support (U.S.): 1-800-950-5114. Spanish: 1-800-947-9100.
Apply by phone (this card): 1-800-514-8501.
Citibank, N.A. mailing address (corporate headquarters): 388 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10013, USA.
How it Compares Inside The AA Family
Here’s a clean side-by-side to put the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® in context.
| Card | Annual fee | Headline earn | Key travel/airline perks | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® | $0 intro, then $99 | 2x at restaurants, gas, and eligible AA; 1x other | First checked bag free (domestic AA) for you + up to 4 companions; preferred boarding; 25% in-flight F&B savings; $125 AA flight discount after $20k spend + renewal | Flyers who check bags on AA and want easy mile/Loyalty Point earn. |
| Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® | $595 | (AA-focused earning; premium benefits) | Admirals Club® membership, TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credit, Lyft and Avis/Budget credits; priority perks; no FTF | Heavy AA travelers who value lounge access. |
| American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card | $0 | 2x groceries + eligible AA; 1x other | 25% in-flight F&B savings; no free bag/priority boarding | Casual AA earners who want no annual fee. |
| Citi Strata Premier® | $95 | 10x hotels/car rentals/attractions via Citi Travel; 3x air & other hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, gas/EV; 1x other | $100 annual hotel credit (via Citi Travel), travel protections, no FTF | General travel rewards across many categories. |
| Citi Custom Cash® | $0 | 5% on your top eligible category each billing cycle (up to $500), 1% other (earned as ThankYou® Points) | Simple auto-category; useful with other ThankYou cards | Maximizing one rotating top spend category. |
| Citi Double Cash® | $0 | 2% on everything (1% when you buy + 1% when you pay); extra earn on Citi Travel hotels/car/attractions | Straightforward everyday earn; ThankYou® Points | Set-and-forget cash-style earning. |
| Citi Simplicity® | $0 | No rewards | No late fees, no penalty APR; long intro APR windows on BTs/purchases | Financing large purchases or balance transfers (not for rewards). |
AAdvantage® MileUp® Card is good for casual collectors; not a substitute for the Platinum Select if you check bags.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® is better for heavy AA travelers who value lounge access.
How to Maximize Value
Add your AAdvantage® number to every AA reservation to trigger bag/boarding perks.
Concentrate spending at restaurants, gas stations, and with AA to boost miles & Loyalty Points.
Plan for the $125 flight discount if you reasonably expect $20,000+ in annual card spend and intend to renew.
Avoid interest. The top-end APR is high for revolvers; paying in full preserves the value of your miles.
Bottom Line
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® is built for people who actually fly American and want the in-flight savings.
It’s every day 2x categories make it easy to collect miles and Loyalty Points between trips.
You can apply online and usually get a near-instant response, making this a practical pick if you have AA travel coming up.
Disclaimer: This article summarizes card terms as published by Citi and American Airlines at the time of writing and may change. Always review the current Pricing & Information/Terms on the official application page and your cardmember agreement for the precise terms that apply to you.
