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.
CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® is an excellent travel card for business owners who fly with American Airlines frequently. It 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.
If you wish to compare one card over another, select a maximum of three cards on this page and click Add to compare to view the details in a side-by-side comparison.
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
18.24% to 27.24% Variable
Annual Fee
$0 for the first year, then $99
Credit Needed
Good - Excellent
- 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
- Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible Aadvantage® mile earned from purchases
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: 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.
- Preferred boarding: This benefit will apply to cardholders within seven days prior to air travel. 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.
- 25% savings on in-flight 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: Cardholders can earn an American Airlines Companion Certificate for domestic main cabin travel after spending $30,000 or more in purchases for each card membership year and card membership is renewed. It should be noted that if you wish to redeem the certificate, it will cost $99 for the ticketing fee plus $21.60 to $43.20 in government taxes and fees, based on the itinerary.
Intro APR
N/A
Regular APR
18.24% to 27.24% Variable
Annual Fee
$0 for the first year, then $99
Credit Needed
Good - Excellent
- 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
- Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible Aadvantage® mile earned from purchases
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: 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.
- Preferred boarding: This benefit will apply to cardholders within seven days prior to air travel. 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.
- 25% savings on in-flight 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: Cardholders can earn an American Airlines Companion Certificate for domestic main cabin travel after spending $30,000 or more in purchases for each card membership year and card membership is renewed. It should be noted that if you wish to redeem the certificate, it will cost $99 for the ticketing fee plus $21.60 to $43.20 in government taxes and fees, based on the itinerary.
How We Evaluate Travel Rewards Business Credit Cards
When grading travel rewards business credit cards like the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®, we weigh ongoing rewards, introductory rewards, and additional features heaviest. We also consider 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 |
Who the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® Is Best For
- Business owners who travel with American Airlines frequently: The CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® offers perks, such as free checked luggage, preferred boarding, and a $99 companion pass after spending $30,000 in an account year, which makes this card valuable for American Airlines loyalists.
- Business owners who collect mileage points: It doesn’t have any limit on the number of AAdvantage® miles you can earn.
- Business owners who travel internationally: Business owners who frequently travel to other countries will receive flight perks when using the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®.
You may want to take a look at our guide to the leading small business credit cards to find other options.
CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® Fees
- Introductory APR: None
- Ongoing APR: 17.49% to 26.49% variable, which adjusts with the prime rate
- Cash advance APR: 26.74% variable, which adjusts with the prime rate
- Penalty APR and when it applies: Up to 29.99% based on your creditworthiness—varies 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
- Minimum interest charge: No less than 25 cents
- 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
- 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases
- 65,000 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: Log in to your Citi account and 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 fields are completed, confirm your choices and submit your payment.
- Citi Mobile® App: Manage your payments through the app, which is available for both iOS and Android users. Log in to your Citibank account, follow the prompt, and indicate the amount of the payment (either minimum due or the full balance).
- Phone: Call the number on the back of your card and enter relevant card information when prompted. Alternatively, you can call Citi at (800) 950-5114.
- Nearest Citi branch: Find the nearest Citi branch to pay your credit card bills.
- Mail: Mail your credit card payment to the address found on the bottom right corner of the first page of your statement. Alternatively, you can send the payment via regular mail to:
Citibank
PO Box 9001037
Louisville KY 40290-1037
For Overnight Delivery / Express Payments, address them to:
Citibank Express Payments
6716 Grand Ln,
Bldg. 9, Ste. 910
Louisville KY 40213
CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® Features
CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® is ideal for those who travel with American Airlines frequently and wish to redeem as many points as possible. Its unique rewards complement its benefits, which are grouped into flight perks, business perks, and convenience.
Flight Perks
- Free first checked bag: Eligible cardholders may check one bag free of charge when traveling on domestic itineraries marketed and operated by American Airlines or 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.
- Preferred boarding: This benefit will apply to cardholders within seven days prior to air travel. A maximum of four traveling companions listed on the same reservation as the cardholder are eligible to board at the same time.
- 25% savings on in-flight food, beverage, and Wi-Fi: Cardholders can save up to 25% on food, beverages, and Wi-Fi when using the credit card to pay on American Airlines flights.
- American Airlines Companion Certificate: Cardholders can earn an American Airlines Companion Certificate for domestic main cabin travel 1) after spending $30,000 or more in purchases each calendar year, and 2) when card membership is renewed. If you wish to redeem the certificate, you’ll pay $99 for the ticketing fee plus anywhere from $21.60 to $43.20 in government taxes and fees, based on the itinerary.
Business Perks
- Personal business assistant: Cardholders can get 24/7 help with travel, hotel, and dining arrangements.
- Online account summaries: View monthly billing statements and account summaries online to reduce, streamline, and expedite your accounting.
Convenience
- Digital wallets: Cardholders can shop with confidence at more than a million online stores, within apps, and in-store through the digital wallet. With it, you can speed through the checkout process and continue to enjoy all the great benefits that come with your card.
- Add 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.
Pros & Cons of the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Provides travel perks with American Airlines: It gives you twice the number of mileage points while traveling if you make purchases with American Airlines. | Has annual fees: Cardholders will be charged $99 annually, despite it being waived for the first year after opening an account. |
| 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: Cardholders won’t be charged 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 our leading small business credit card and the best credit card for new businesses with no credit history because of its straightforward rewards and the unlimited amount of cash back you can earn. In addition, it has no annual fees and interest-free financing for the first 12 months after opening an account, which is great for small business owners who are managing their credit cards for the first time. It also charges a low minimum regular APR of 15.49%.
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
16.24% - 22.24% 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
16.24% - 22.24% 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
Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business
Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business is our top-recommended business credit card for travel as it offers unlimited 1.5x miles on all purchases, meaning no blackouts or seat restrictions and no minimum miles to redeem. Moreover, it gives 5x on hotels and rental cars that are booked through Capital One Travel and has interest-free financing of 0% APR for the first nine months after opening an account. However, it charges a minimum regular APR of 14.24%.
Capital One® Spark® Miles Select for Business
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:
Travel rewards and annual spending less than $19,000
Intro APR
0% on purchases
Regular APR
18.24% to 28.24% (Variable)
Annual Fee
$0
Credit Needed
Excellent, Good
- Introductory reward worth $200 in travel after you spend $3,000 within the first three months
- 1.5x miles per $1 spent
- 5x miles on hotel and rental car bookings through the issuer
- Issue employee cards for free
Pros
- No foreign transaction fees
- Interest-free financing on purchases
Cons
- No 0% APR balance transfer offer
- Limited list of airline partners
- Purchase assurance: Most purchases made entirely with your card are covered if damaged or stolen within 90 days from the date of purchase. Coverage is limited to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per cardholder account per 12-month period.
- Extended warranty coverage: Doubles the original warranty time period and duplicates the coverage of the original manufacturer’s warranty up to a maximum of 12 months on most items you purchase.
- Travel medical emergency assistance: Provide referrals to medical services if you have a medical emergency while traveling. You’re covered if you’re 100 or more miles away from home and from the day you leave until midnight of the 60th day of your trip, or the day you return to your city of residence, whichever is sooner.
Intro APR
0% on purchases
Regular APR
18.24% to 28.24% (Variable)
Annual Fee
$0
Credit Needed
Excellent, Good
- Introductory reward worth $200 in travel after you spend $3,000 within the first three months
- 1.5x miles per $1 spent
- 5x miles on hotel and rental car bookings through the issuer
- Issue employee cards for free
Pros
- No foreign transaction fees
- Interest-free financing on purchases
Cons
- No 0% APR balance transfer offer
- Limited list of airline partners
- Purchase assurance: Most purchases made entirely with your card are covered if damaged or stolen within 90 days from the date of purchase. Coverage is limited to $10,000 per claim and $50,000 per cardholder account per 12-month period.
- Extended warranty coverage: Doubles the original warranty time period and duplicates the coverage of the original manufacturer’s warranty up to a maximum of 12 months on most items you purchase.
- Travel medical emergency assistance: Provide referrals to medical services if you have a medical emergency while traveling. You’re covered if you’re 100 or more miles away from home and from the day you leave until midnight of the 60th day of your trip, or the day you return to your city of residence, whichever is sooner.
Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard®
Bank of America® Business Advantage Travel Rewards World Mastercard® is another alternative if you wish to earn top rewards on travel purchases booked through Bank of America. It 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 and offers unlimited 1.5 points for every dollar spent on all purchases made anytime and anywhere.
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%
Regular APR
16.49% - 26.49% Variable APR on purchases
Annual Fee
$0.00
Credit Needed
Excellent
- Earn 30,000 online bonus points after you make at least $3,000 in net purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening which can be redeemed for a $300 statement credit towards travel or dining 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 (car, hotel, 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 9 billing cycles. After the intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that's currently 16.49% to 26.49% will apply.
- Redeem points for a statement credit to offset travel and dining purchases, travel with no blackout dates at the Bank of America Travel Center, cash back or gift cards.
- Earn up to 75% more points on every purchase, if you have a business checking account with Bank of America and qualify for our highest Preferred Rewards for Business tier. That means you could earn up to an unlimited 2.62 points per $1 spent on all purchases and up to 5.25 points per $1 spent at the Bank of America Travel Center.
- Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
- This offer may not be available if you leave this page or visit our website. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
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%
Regular APR
16.49% - 26.49% Variable APR on purchases
Annual Fee
$0.00
Credit Needed
Excellent
- Earn 30,000 online bonus points after you make at least $3,000 in net purchases in the first 90 days of your account opening which can be redeemed for a $300 statement credit towards travel or dining 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 (car, hotel, 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 9 billing cycles. After the intro APR offer ends, a Variable APR that's currently 16.49% to 26.49% will apply.
- Redeem points for a statement credit to offset travel and dining purchases, travel with no blackout dates at the Bank of America Travel Center, cash back or gift cards.
- Earn up to 75% more points on every purchase, if you have a business checking account with Bank of America and qualify for our highest Preferred Rewards for Business tier. That means you could earn up to an unlimited 2.62 points per $1 spent on all purchases and up to 5.25 points per $1 spent at the Bank of America Travel Center.
- Contactless Cards - The security of a chip card, with the convenience of a tap.
- This offer may not be available if you leave this page or visit our website. You can take advantage of this offer when you apply now.
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
CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® is a great option for business owners who travel with American Airlines frequently. Aside from earning rewards, you can enjoy several travel perks. If this isn’t the right card for you, visit our Credit Card Marketplace to see other options.
