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3. Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® review: Solid rewards for American Airlines travelers

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reviews

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Rating: 3 out of 5.

Editors’ take: The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® is best for people who regularly fly with American Airlines and want to take advantage of the free checked bag and preferred boarding perks.

Great for American Airlines perks

Annual Fee: $99, waived for first 12 months

Here’s the average credit limit of members who matched their Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® or similar cards.

% of members by credit limit range

The average credit limit for members who have matched with this card or similar cards is $12,832, with $1,000 being the most common.

Here’s the average credit score of members who matched their Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® or similar cards.

% of members by credit score range

The average credit score for members who have matched with this card or similar cards is 698, with 815 being the most common. Note this is just one of the deciding factors when it comes to getting approved.

This content is curated by Intuit Credit Karma’s Editorial team using data from members who were approved for this card or similar cards, or who self-matched this card or similar cards. Intuit Credit Karma receives compensation from third-party advertisers, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions. Our third-party advertisers don’t review, approve or endorse this content. Information about financial products not offered on Credit Karma is collected independently. Our content is accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted.

Member stats

Updated daily

30.5%

Average credit utilization (or what percent of the card’s credit limit is being used) of members who matched with this card or similar cards.

46 years

Average age of members who matched this card or similar cards.

$106,892

Average annual income of members who matched this card or similar cards. Note: Income may be estimated for some members by Credit Karma and may differ from members’ actual incomes.

Pros and cons

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Strong sign-up bonus helps build your miles balance

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Free checked bags and preferred boarding add comfort at the airport

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Bonus miles at gas stations and restaurants add rewards value

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Other similar airline cards offer more perks

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Annual fee after first year might not be worth it for occasional travelers

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No lounge access

Is the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® worth it?

The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® is a solid option for people who regularly fly with American Airlines.

The card offers preferred boarding and free checked bags for you and up to four companions — a perk that can quickly help you recoup the annual fee.

Though the rewards rate for purchases may be lackluster, travelers who regularly fly with American Airlines can find good value in this card. You can redeem miles for flights and seat upgrades with American Airlines as well as for car rentals and hotel bookings.

Keep in mind that the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® lacks some of the benefits you may find from other travel cards with similar fees, including lounge access and a credit for your TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry application fee.

Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® at a glance

• Sign-up bonus: 50,000 AAdvantage® bonus miles after making $2,500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
• Editors’ estimated welcome bonus value: $965
• Standout benefit: First checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines flights for you and up to 4 companions traveling on the same reservation
• Standout rewards rate: 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent at gas stations, restaurants and on eligible American Airlines purchases
• Foreign transaction fee: 0%

Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® best perks and features

Generous sign-up bonus

The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® offers a hefty sign-up bonus. New cardholders will earn 50,000 AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $2,500 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.

Credit Karma’s point valuations estimate American Airlines AAdvantage miles are worth 1.93 cents each. That makes the sign-up bonus worth $965 when you redeem for qualifying flights if you earn all of the bonus miles.

The sizable sign-up bonus can help you build your miles balance.

Earn AAdvantage miles through everyday spending

You could earn even more miles for your next trip from common spending and travel purchases:

• 2 miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases
• 2 miles for every $1 spent at gas stations
• 2 miles for every $1 spent at restaurants
• 1 mile for every $1 spent on all other purchases

Travel perks provide added comfort for American Airlines passengers

The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® offers a handful of perks that can make your flight more comfortable.

The first checked bag is free for you and up to four companions traveling on the same reservation. That could save you up to $40 per person each way, or about $400 for a round-trip flight for you and your travel companions.

You’ll also get preferred boarding on American Airlines flights, allowing you to get on the plane before the rest of economy boarding. This perk also applies to up to four companions on your reservation.

Plus, you’ll save 25% when you use your Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® to purchase food and drinks aboard American Airlines flights.

What are the drawbacks of Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®?

Other airline cards offer more perks

While the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® has some valuable benefits, other similar airline cards offer more comprehensive perks.

For example, this card doesn’t provide access to the Admirals Club. So if you’re a frequent American Airlines flyer who values relaxing at airport lounges, you may want to consider the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®. It offers complimentary Admirals Club® membership — at a much higher annual fee.

This card also lacks a companion fare, which can cut the cost of traveling with a friend or family member.

Annual fee after first year might be too much for occasional travelers

The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® has an annual fee: $99, waived for first 12 months.

For the occasional traveler, the ongoing fee after the first year might not be worth it unless you can save enough with perks to justify the cost.

How to redeem miles for Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®

The best way to use American Airlines AAdvantage miles is toward American Airlines flights. But you can also use your AAdvantage miles for items including flight upgrades, car rentals and hotels.

AAdvantage miles are worth about 1.93 cents each when redeemed through American Airlines for flights, based on our point valuations. This makes these the most valuable miles available when compared to rewards programs from other airlines based in the U.S.

Other cards to consider

• Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card: This card has flexible redemption options and simple rewards.
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: This card offers a generous sign-up bonus and strong ongoing rewards rates.
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: This card offers a straightforward rewards program and good value for everyday spending.

FAQs about the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®