CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® Review
Tricia has nearly two decades of experience in commercial and federal government lending. Her expertise is highlighted throughout small business loan content on Fit Small Business.
Nancy Fernandez is a Credit Card and Insurance Expert at Fit Small Business, specializing in business credit cards and business insurance.
This article is part of a larger series on Best Small Business Credit Cards.
The CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® is an excellent travel card for business owners who fly frequently with American Airlines. This small business credit card offers travel perks such as priority boarding, free checked bags, and travel rewards, which can be redeemed for free flights with American Airlines and its foreign airline partners.
CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®
Fit Small Business's ratings are calculated by industry experts of our editorial team. Our grading rubric considers the type of credit card (such as cash back or travel), and the card's rates, fees, rewards, and additional features like insurance.
BEST FOR:
Frequent American Airlines flyers who want premium airline perks
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
16.99% - 25.99% Variable
Annual Fee
$0 for the first year, then $99
Credit Needed
Good - Excellent
- 2 AAdvantage® Miles on telecommunications, car rental, and gas station purchases
- 2 AAdvantage® Miles on eligible American Airlines purchases
- 1 AAdvantage® Mile on other purchases
- First checked bag free
- Terms apply
Pros
- Provides travel perks with American Airlines
- No mileage cap
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- With annual fees
- 2x AAdvantage® Miles are limited to select business categories and merchants
- Limited travel benefits
- Free checked bag: Check one bag for free for you and up to four companions traveling with you to domestic itineraries if they are listed on the same reservation
- Preferred boarding: You and up to four traveling companions will be able to board once priority boarding is complete but before the rest of economy boards
- American Airlines companion certificate: Earn one $99 domestic economy fare—plus $21.60 to $43.40 in government taxes and fees—after you make at least $30,000 in eligible purchases each 12-month period before your card anniversary date
- Savings on inflight purchases: Receive a 25% discount on inflight food, beverage, and Wi-Fi purchases you make with your CitiBusiness credit card
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
16.99% - 25.99% Variable
Annual Fee
$0 for the first year, then $99
Credit Needed
Good - Excellent
- 2 AAdvantage® Miles on telecommunications, car rental, and gas station purchases
- 2 AAdvantage® Miles on eligible American Airlines purchases
- 1 AAdvantage® Mile on other purchases
- First checked bag free
- Terms apply
Pros
- Provides travel perks with American Airlines
- No mileage cap
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- With annual fees
- 2x AAdvantage® Miles are limited to select business categories and merchants
- Limited travel benefits
- Free checked bag: Check one bag for free for you and up to four companions traveling with you to domestic itineraries if they are listed on the same reservation
- Preferred boarding: You and up to four traveling companions will be able to board once priority boarding is complete but before the rest of economy boards
- American Airlines companion certificate: Earn one $99 domestic economy fare—plus $21.60 to $43.40 in government taxes and fees—after you make at least $30,000 in eligible purchases each 12-month period before your card anniversary date
- Savings on inflight purchases: Receive a 25% discount on inflight food, beverage, and Wi-Fi purchases you make with your CitiBusiness credit card
Do you want to compare the features of one card to another? We’ve made it easy for you to do that—check off up to three cards on this page to add them to your cart. This will allow you to view the details in a side-by-side comparison.
Who the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® Is Best For
- Business owners who frequently travel with American Airlines: The CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® offers perks like free checked luggage, preferred boarding, and a $99 companion pass after spending $30,000 in an account year, which makes this card valuable for AA loyalists.
- Business owners who collect mileage points: Business travelers should consider getting the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® as it doesn’t have any limit on the number of AAdvantage® miles you can earn.
- Those who travel internationally: Business owners who frequently travel to other countries will receive flight perks when using the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®
How We Evaluate Travel Rewards Business Credit Cards
When grading travel rewards business credit cards like the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®, we weighed ongoing rewards, introductory rewards, and additional features heaviest. We also considered the card’s annual fee and its introductory and ongoing annual percentage rates (APRs).
Grading Criteria | Card Score | Highest Possible Score |
|---|---|---|
Ongoing Rewards | 20 | 25 |
Introductory Rewards | 25 | 25 |
Additional Features | 20 | 25 |
Annual Fee | 15 | 15 |
Introductory APR | 0 | 5 |
Ongoing APR | 3 | 5 |
Total Score | 83 | 100 |
CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® Fees
- Introductory APR: None
- Ongoing APR: 15.99% to 24.99% variable, which adjusts with the prime rate
- Annual fee: $99, waived the first year
- Foreign transaction fee: None
- Cash advance fee: Either $10 or 5% of the amount of each cash advance, whichever is greater—APR is 25.24%
- Penalty APR and when it applies: Up to 29.99% based on your creditworthiness—varies with the prime rate
- Minimum interest charge: No less than $0.25
- Penalty fees: $39 for both late and returned payments
CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® Rewards
- 2 AAdvantage® miles for every dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases
- 2 AAdvantage® miles for every dollar spent on purchases at telecommunications merchants, cable and satellite providers, car rental merchants, and gas stations
- 1 AAdvantage® mile for every dollar spent on all other purchases
Welcome offer: Earn 65,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first four months of account opening.
How to Make Payments on the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®
- Online: To pay your CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® online, log in to your account, then click “Make a payment.” Then choose the amount to pay, the date of payment, and which account the payment will be coming from. Once all relevant fields are completed, confirm your choices and submit your payment.
- Via phone: Call the number on the back of your card and enter relevant card information when prompted.
CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® Additional Features
Personal Business Assistant
Becoming a CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® cardholder gives you access to a Personal Business Assistant whom you can call at any time for help with travel, hotel, and dining arrangements.
Preferred Boarding
Another perk of being a CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® cardholder is the ability to get preferential boarding on American Airlines flights, along with early access to overhead bins.
A maximum of four traveling companions listed on the same reservation as the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® cardholder are eligible to board at the same time.
Free First Checked Bag
Eligible CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® cardholders may check one bag free of charge when traveling on domestic itineraries marketed and operated by American Airlines or as American Eagle® flights by Envoy Air Inc., Republic Airways Inc., SkyWest Airlines Inc., Mesa Airlines Inc., PSA Airlines Inc., or Piedmont Airlines Inc.
A maximum of four companions traveling with the eligible cardholder can also have their first bag checked free of charge, as long as they’re listed on the same reservation.
Savings on Inflight Food, Beverage, and Wi-Fi
CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® cardholders can save up to 25% on food, beverages, and Wi-Fi when using the credit card on American Airlines flights.
American Airlines Companion Certificate
For every $30,000 spent using the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®, you’ll earn a $99 domestic economy fare American Airlines Companion Certificate.
To be eligible for the Companion Certificate, you must have a valid CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® for one full billing cycle after your anniversary month.
No Mileage Cap
There’s no cap on the number of American Airlines AAdvantage® miles that cardholders can accumulate.
Adding Employees as Authorized Users
Cardholders can add employees as authorized users at no additional cost. Best of all, you can expand the card’s mileage’s earning potential from both your purchases and theirs.
Digital Wallets
Business owners with CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® will be able to shop with confidence at more than a million places online, within apps, and in stores through the digital wallet. With your digital wallet, you can speed through the checkout process and continue to enjoy all the great benefits that come with your card.
Pros & Cons of the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Provides travel perks with American Airlines: The CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® gives you twice the number of mileage points while traveling if you make purchases with American Airlines. | Annual fees: With the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®, cardholders will be charged $99 annually. |
| No mileage cap: There is no limit to the number of AAdvantage® miles that can be earned. | 2x AAdvantage® Miles are limited to select business categories and merchants: The only business categories that are listed as eligible for double miles are telecommunications merchants, car rental merchants, cable and satellite providers, and gas stations. |
| No foreign transaction fees: When traveling to other countries, the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® does not charge foreign transaction fees. | Limited travel benefits: The only perks for cardholders are for checked baggage, preferential boarding, and savings on in-flight purchases when using the card on American Airlines flights. |
CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® Alternatives
Chase Ink Business Unlimited®
Chase Ink Business Unlimited® is this year’s overall best small business credit card because of its straightforward rewards and the unlimited amount of cash back you can earn. In addition, there are no annual fees, which is great for small business owners who are managing their credit cards for the first time.
Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card
Fit Small Business's ratings are calculated by industry experts of our editorial team. Our grading rubric considers the type of credit card (such as cash back or travel), and the card's rates, fees, rewards, and additional features like insurance.
BEST FOR:
Pocketing 1.5% cash back on every single purchase
Intro APR
0% Intro APR on Purchases
Regular APR
13.49% - 19.49% Variable
Annual Fee
$0
Credit Needed
- Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $7,500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
- No Annual Fee
- Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Earn rewards faster with employee cards at no additional cost. Set individual spending limits for greater control.
- With Fraud Protection your card transactions will be monitored for possible signs of fraudulent activity using real-time fraud monitoring.
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
Pros
- 0% introductory APR on purchases
- Unlimited cash back rewards on all purchases
Cons
- Introductory APR period doesn’t apply to balance transfers
- 5% balance transfer fee
- Charges foreign transaction fees
- Requires excellent credit to qualify
- Auto rental collision damage waiver: Coverage is primary—meaning it replaces any coverage your personal insurance might offer—when renting for business purposes; it provides reimbursement up to the actual cash value of the vehicle for theft and collision damage for most cars in the US and abroad
- Purchase protection: Covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account per year
- Extended warranty protection: Extends the time period of the US manufacturer’s warranty by an additional year on eligible warranties of three years or less
Intro APR
0% Intro APR on Purchases
Regular APR
13.49% - 19.49% Variable
Annual Fee
$0
Credit Needed
Good, Excellent
- Earn $750 bonus cash back after you spend $7,500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening
- Earn unlimited 1.5% cash back on every purchase made for your business
- No Annual Fee
- Redeem rewards for cash back, gift cards, travel and more through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
- Earn rewards faster with employee cards at no additional cost. Set individual spending limits for greater control.
- With Fraud Protection your card transactions will be monitored for possible signs of fraudulent activity using real-time fraud monitoring.
- With Zero Liability you won't be held responsible for unauthorized charges made with your card or account information.
- 0% introductory APR for 12 months on purchases
Pros
- 0% introductory APR on purchases
- Unlimited cash back rewards on all purchases
Cons
- Introductory APR period doesn’t apply to balance transfers
- 5% balance transfer fee
- Charges foreign transaction fees
- Requires excellent credit to qualify
- Auto rental collision damage waiver: Coverage is primary—meaning it replaces any coverage your personal insurance might offer—when renting for business purposes; it provides reimbursement up to the actual cash value of the vehicle for theft and collision damage for most cars in the US and abroad
- Purchase protection: Covers your new purchases for 120 days against damage or theft up to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per account per year
- Extended warranty protection: Extends the time period of the US manufacturer’s warranty by an additional year on eligible warranties of three years or less
American Express Business Platinum Card®
The American Express Business Platinum Card® is a good alternative for business owners who often take international business trips to consider, as it offers travel rewards, perks, and benefits. This card is our top choice for both business credit cards with airport lounge access and one of our picks for best high-limit business credit cards.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Fit Small Business's ratings are calculated by industry experts of our editorial team. Our grading rubric considers the type of credit card (such as cash back or travel), and the card's rates, fees, rewards, and additional features like insurance.
BEST FOR:
Gaining access to unrivaled travel rewards and luxury travel perks like airport lounge access
Intro APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Regular APR
14.99% - 22.99% Variable
Annual Fee
$695
Credit Needed
Good, Excellent
- Welcome Offer: Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with your Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
- Plus, 0% Intro APR for 12 months from the date of the account opening on purchases eligible for Pay Over Time. After that, your APR will be 14.99% to 22.99% based on your credit worthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening.
- Get 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on amextravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
- Earn 1.5X points on eligible purchases at US construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year.
- Unlock over $1,000 in value per year for statement credits on select purchases with your Card, including up to $400 with Dell Technologies, up to $360 with Indeed, up to $150 with Adobe and up to $120 on wireless telephone purchases. Enrollment required.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year toward baggage fees and more at one qualifying airline.
- $189 CLEAR® Credit: Use your Card and get up to $189 back per year on your CLEAR® membership.
- The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more lounge location options than any other credit card on the market as of 9/2021.
- $695 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
Pros
- Premium travel rewards
- Free access to more than 1,300 airport lounges worldwide
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Balance is due in full monthly
- High annual fee
- American Express lounges: Free access to American Express’ network of Centurion lounges located in slightly less than a dozen United States airports.
- Other airport lounges: Priority Pass Select membership, which gets you free access to more than 1,300 lounges worldwide for you and two guests.
- Airport screening: Either a $100 statement credit for Global Entry every four years or $85 statement credit for TSA Pre✓® once every 4 1/2 years.
- Travel credit: Up to $200 annual statement credit toward air travel expenses like baggage fees and inflight food and drink.
- Rental status: Elite status at a number of car rental agencies.
- Free Wi-Fi: 10 annual free Gogo inflight Wi-Fi passes.
- Rebate for redeemed points: 35% points rebate if you book a business or first-class flight, up to 500,000 bonus points per calendar year.
- Dell statement credit: Up to $400 in statement credits annually for Dell purchases.
Intro APR
See Pay Over Time APR
Regular APR
14.99% - 22.99% Variable
Annual Fee
$695
Credit Needed
Good, Excellent
- Welcome Offer: Earn 120,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases with your Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
- Plus, 0% Intro APR for 12 months from the date of the account opening on purchases eligible for Pay Over Time. After that, your APR will be 14.99% to 22.99% based on your credit worthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening.
- Get 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on amextravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases.
- Earn 1.5X points on eligible purchases at US construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more everywhere else, on up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year.
- Unlock over $1,000 in value per year for statement credits on select purchases with your Card, including up to $400 with Dell Technologies, up to $360 with Indeed, up to $150 with Adobe and up to $120 on wireless telephone purchases. Enrollment required.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year toward baggage fees and more at one qualifying airline.
- $189 CLEAR® Credit: Use your Card and get up to $189 back per year on your CLEAR® membership.
- The American Express Global Lounge Collection® can provide an escape at the airport. With more than 1,400 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more lounge location options than any other credit card on the market as of 9/2021.
- $695 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
Pros
- Premium travel rewards
- Free access to more than 1,300 airport lounges worldwide
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Balance is due in full monthly
- High annual fee
- American Express lounges: Free access to American Express’ network of Centurion lounges located in slightly less than a dozen United States airports.
- Other airport lounges: Priority Pass Select membership, which gets you free access to more than 1,300 lounges worldwide for you and two guests.
- Airport screening: Either a $100 statement credit for Global Entry every four years or $85 statement credit for TSA Pre✓® once every 4 1/2 years.
- Travel credit: Up to $200 annual statement credit toward air travel expenses like baggage fees and inflight food and drink.
- Rental status: Elite status at a number of car rental agencies.
- Free Wi-Fi: 10 annual free Gogo inflight Wi-Fi passes.
- Rebate for redeemed points: 35% points rebate if you book a business or first-class flight, up to 500,000 bonus points per calendar year.
- Dell statement credit: Up to $400 in statement credits annually for Dell purchases.
Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card
The Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card is another alternative to consider if you wish to earn top rewards on travel purchases booked through Bank of America. This card offers fixed-rate unlimited points on all purchases, regardless of the spending category. Also, it has no blackout dates if you use this card through the Bank of America® Travel Center.
Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® credit card
Fit Small Business's ratings are calculated by industry experts of our editorial team. Our grading rubric considers the type of credit card (such as cash back or travel), and the card's rates, fees, rewards, and additional features like insurance.
BEST FOR:
Earning top rewards on travel purchases booked through Bank of America
Intro APR
0%
9 billing cycles
9 billing cycles
Regular APR
12.24% - 22.24% Variable APR on purchases
Annual Fee
$0.00
Credit Needed
Excellent
- Earn 30,000 bonus points when you make at least $3,000 in net purchases within 90 days of your account opening, which can be redeemed for a $300 statement credit toward travel purchases.
- Earn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all purchases everywhere, every time―no matter how much you spend. Points don't expire.
- Earn 3 points per every dollar spent on travel purchases like car, hotel, and airline booked through the Bank of America® Travel Center.
- No annual fee and no international transaction fees.
- 0% Introductory APR on purchases for your first nine billing cycles.
- Redeem points for travel with no blackout dates, cash back or gift cards.
- Get 75% more points on the base earn of every purchase you make when you’re a Preferred Rewards for Business Platinum Honors tier member. That means you will earn 2.62 points for every $1 you spend and 4.12 points per every $1 you spend at the Bank of America® Travel Center.
Pros
- No annual fee: By not having to pay an annual fee, you can reduce your overall credit card cost while earning unlimited rewards on your expenses.
- No blackout dates on travel: You can redeem your points for travel or travel credits through the Bank of America® Travel Center anytime, with no blackout dates.
- 3x points on travel: You can earn 3x points for every dollar spent when you book your travel (car, hotel, or airline) through the Bank of America® Travel Center.
- Welcome bonus points: If you can spend $3,000 in net purchases within 90 days of opening an account, you will earn 30,000 bonus points.
Cons
- Low ongoing rewards on nontravel: While you can earn high rewards points on travel, you can only earn 1.5x points on all other purchases.
- Short 0% APR introductory period: The Bank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® offers 0% APR for the first nine billing cycles from opening an account—this is a disadvantage if you need a longer 0% APR period.
- No 0% APR on balance transfers: The introductory 0% APR only applies to purchases—if you need to transfer a balance from another credit card, you’ll need to pay an APR ranging from 12.24% to 22.24%.
- Bank of America doesn’t disclose details of its additional card features. To find out more about these additional features, review your guide to benefits when you receive your card in the mail.
Intro APR
0%
9 billing cycles
9 billing cycles
Regular APR
12.24% - 22.24% Variable APR on purchases
Annual Fee
$0.00
Credit Needed
Excellent
- Earn 30,000 bonus points when you make at least $3,000 in net purchases within 90 days of your account opening, which can be redeemed for a $300 statement credit toward travel purchases.
- Earn unlimited 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all purchases everywhere, every time―no matter how much you spend. Points don't expire.
- Earn 3 points per every dollar spent on travel purchases like car, hotel, and airline booked through the Bank of America® Travel Center.
- No annual fee and no international transaction fees.
- 0% Introductory APR on purchases for your first nine billing cycles.
- Redeem points for travel with no blackout dates, cash back or gift cards.
- Get 75% more points on the base earn of every purchase you make when you’re a Preferred Rewards for Business Platinum Honors tier member. That means you will earn 2.62 points for every $1 you spend and 4.12 points per every $1 you spend at the Bank of America® Travel Center.
Pros
- No annual fee: By not having to pay an annual fee, you can reduce your overall credit card cost while earning unlimited rewards on your expenses.
- No blackout dates on travel: You can redeem your points for travel or travel credits through the Bank of America® Travel Center anytime, with no blackout dates.
- 3x points on travel: You can earn 3x points for every dollar spent when you book your travel (car, hotel, or airline) through the Bank of America® Travel Center.
- Welcome bonus points: If you can spend $3,000 in net purchases within 90 days of opening an account, you will earn 30,000 bonus points.
Cons
- Low ongoing rewards on nontravel: While you can earn high rewards points on travel, you can only earn 1.5x points on all other purchases.
- Short 0% APR introductory period: The Bank of America Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® offers 0% APR for the first nine billing cycles from opening an account—this is a disadvantage if you need a longer 0% APR period.
- No 0% APR on balance transfers: The introductory 0% APR only applies to purchases—if you need to transfer a balance from another credit card, you’ll need to pay an APR ranging from 12.24% to 22.24%.
- Bank of America doesn’t disclose details of its additional card features. To find out more about these additional features, review your guide to benefits when you receive your card in the mail.
Bottom Line
The CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® is a great option for business owners who travel frequently with American Airlines. Aside from earning rewards, you can also enjoy several travel perks. If this isn’t the right credit card for you, visit our Credit Card Marketplace to see other options.
