Yes, American Airlines offers two main credit cards through Citi
American Airlines has partnered with Citi to issue two branded credit cards: the AAdvantage Platinum Select and the AAdvantage Executive. Both cards earn miles on purchases and offer perks tied to American Airlines flying, but they differ in annual cost, earning rates, and the benefits you get for membership fees.
The Platinum Select is the entry-level option with no annual fee in the first year, then $99 per year after that. The Executive card costs $450 per year but includes higher earning rates, checked baggage credits, and priority boarding. Neither card requires you to be an existing American Airlines customer to open one.
Key Takeaways
- The AAdvantage Platinum Select has no first-year annual fee and earns 2 miles per dollar on American Airlines purchases and 1 mile per dollar on everything else.
- The AAdvantage Executive costs $450 yearly but earns 3 miles per dollar on American Airlines purchases and includes a $200 annual airline fee credit.
- Both cards offer a sign-up bonus in miles when you meet a spending threshold within the first few months of opening the account.
- You can redeem miles for flights, seat upgrades, and other travel-related purchases through the AAdvantage program.
- Citi handles the application and account management for both cards, not American Airlines directly.
How the AAdvantage Platinum Select works
The Platinum Select is designed for people who want to earn miles without paying an annual fee right away. You earn 2 miles per dollar spent on American Airlines purchases (tickets, seat upgrades, baggage fees) and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases. After the first year, the $99 annual fee kicks in, so you'll need to decide whether the miles you earn justify keeping the card.
The sign-up bonus typically requires you to spend a certain amount within the first three months—the exact amount changes periodically, but Citi will tell you the current offer when you apply. Once you hit that spending threshold, the bonus miles post to your AAdvantage account automatically.
This card makes sense if you fly American Airlines occasionally and want to build miles without committing to a high annual fee. It's also a reasonable choice if you're new to airline credit cards and want to test whether the rewards are worth the cost.
How the AAdvantage Executive works
The Executive card costs $450 per year but includes benefits that can offset that cost if you use them. You earn 3 miles per dollar on American Airlines purchases and 1 mile per dollar on everything else—one extra mile per dollar compared to the Platinum Select on airline spending. You also get a $200 annual airline fee credit, which means American Airlines will reimburse you for baggage fees, seat upgrades, or other airline charges up to $200 once per year.
The card also includes priority boarding, which lets you board before most other passengers, and a checked baggage waiver for you and one companion on American Airlines flights. These perks are valuable if you fly American Airlines regularly or travel with a companion who would otherwise pay for checked bags.
The Executive card is worth considering if you spend at least $5,000 to $7,000 per year on American Airlines purchases, or if you value the priority boarding and baggage benefits enough to justify the annual fee on their own.
Sign-up bonuses and how they work
Both cards offer a sign-up bonus in miles when you open the account and meet a minimum spending requirement within a set timeframe—usually three months. The bonus amount varies depending on current promotions; Citi updates these offers regularly. You can see the current offer on the Citi website or by calling the number on the back of an American Airlines boarding pass.
The bonus miles post to your AAdvantage account once you've met the spending requirement. These miles count toward your total balance and can be redeemed for flights or other rewards just like miles you earn through regular purchases. The sign-up bonus is often the biggest chunk of miles you'll earn in the first year, so it's worth factoring into your decision about which card to choose.
Earning and redeeming miles
Miles accumulate in your AAdvantage account as you make purchases with the card. You can redeem them for American Airlines flights, seat upgrades, baggage fees, or other travel services through the AAdvantage program. The number of miles required for a flight varies based on the route, the time of year, and how far in advance you book—popular routes during peak travel times cost more miles than off-peak flights.
Miles don't expire as long as you have some account activity at least once every 18 months. Account activity includes earning miles through the credit card, flying on American Airlines, or transferring miles to a partner program. If your account goes inactive for 18 months, your miles may be forfeited, though you can reactivate the account by earning or transferring miles again.
How to open an American Airlines credit card
You apply directly through Citi's website or by phone. You'll need your Social Security number, current income, and employment information. Citi will check your credit report and make a decision within minutes to a few days. If you're approved, your card will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
Once your card arrives, you'll activate it and link it to your AAdvantage account. If you don't already have an AAdvantage account, you can create one for free on the American Airlines website. Your miles will then post to that account as you make purchases.
You can also apply in person at an American Airlines ticket counter or airport lounge, though online is usually faster. If you're denied, you can call Citi to ask why and potentially reapply after addressing the issue—for example, if your credit score is too low, waiting a few months and improving your score may help.
Comparing the two cards side by side
| Feature | Platinum Select | Executive |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | $0 first year, then $99 | $450 |
| Miles on American Airlines Purchases | 2 per dollar | 3 per dollar |
| Miles on Other Purchases | 1 per dollar | 1 per dollar |
| Annual Airline Fee Credit | None | $200 |
| Priority Boarding | No | Yes |
| Checked Baggage Waiver | No | Yes (you + 1 companion) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have both the Platinum Select and Executive cards at the same time?
Yes. Some people hold both cards to take advantage of both sign-up bonuses and earn miles at different rates depending on how they're spending. However, you'll pay both annual fees, so this strategy only makes sense if you spend enough to justify the cost.
What happens to my miles if I close the card?
Your miles stay in your AAdvantage account even after you close the credit card. You can still redeem them for flights and other rewards. However, if your account becomes inactive for 18 months with no activity from any source, your miles may be forfeited.
Do I need to be an American Airlines frequent flyer to get the card?
No. You can open either card without an existing AAdvantage account. If you don't have one, you'll create it for free when you activate the card, and your miles will post there automatically.
How long does it take to earn enough miles for a free flight?
It depends on how much you spend and which card you have. A domestic round-trip flight typically costs between 25,000 and 50,000 miles depending on the route and season. If you spend $5,000 per year on the Platinum Select, you'd earn 5,000 miles from purchases plus the sign-up bonus, which may be enough for one flight.
Can I transfer my miles to another airline?
American Airlines allows you to transfer miles to partner airlines and hotel programs, but the exchange rate varies. You'll typically give up some value in the transfer, so it's usually better to redeem miles directly for American Airlines flights when possible.