Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® review: Solid rewards for American Airlines travelers
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 $12,821, 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 813 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.

$106,698
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

Strong sign-up bonus helps build your miles balance

Free checked bags and preferred boarding add comfort at the airport

Bonus miles at gas stations and restaurants add rewards value

Other similar airline cards offer more perks

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

No lounge access
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® review
Updated April 15, 2025
This date may not reflect recent changes in individual terms.
Written by: Janet Berry-Johnson
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.
Credit Karma’s methodology
Credit Karma uses qualitative and quantitative measures to review travel and premium credit cards. Our goal is to help you understand a card’s most useful features — and where it may fall short compared to other options.
We take into account factors such as unique rewards and benefits, ease of redeeming rewards, fees and rates, transfer partners, lounge access and rewards rates.
Credit Karma editors have also built some proprietary metrics to measure the value of rewards credit cards.
Our point valuations estimate how much rewards programs are worth. We look at both the value you could get by redeeming your points directly through a credit card issuer, as well as the value you could get by transferring your points and miles to an airline or hotel rewards program.
Instead of just telling you how many miles you could earn, the editors’ estimated bonus value multiplies the sign-up bonus by the reward program’s point valuations to tell you how much we believe they’re worth.
Our goal is that these metrics will help you decide whether the card’s rewards and benefits are worth it for you.
FAQs about the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
Most Credit Karma members who report having the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®, or similar cards, have good or excellent credit.
But keep in mind, your credit is just one of many factors card issuer Citi may consider when determining your eligibility.
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® doesn’t provide access to the Admirals Club airport lounge.
If you fly regularly and want premium perks, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® may be worth a look since it offers complimentary Admirals Club membership.
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® could be worth it if you fly with American Airlines on a regular basis. It doesn’t offer high-end perks, but the rewards, free checked bags and preferred boarding can help make up for the annual fee.
Member reviews
Most helpful positive review
October 7, 2023
AAdvantage Perks are worth it
— Credit Karma Member
I've had this card since 2011- it's been my go-to for everything. I have set up auto-debits and taken advantage of the security features to ensure the card isn't used fraudulently. All of my transactions are sent to my phone if the card is charged-not present. These are things you need to set up through the app. I've had no issues with their customer service. I have used my miles to book flights endless times without any issues. I am a gold member status and have free checked baggage as one of the perks. Most of the reviews you are reading about being declined for an account, therefore please take into consideration that not everyone will have a high enough credit score to be approved. If you have a credit score of over 700, there's a good chance you will get approved. Don't always believe CreditKarma on your odds of being approved, they aren't always right and not the ones making the approval decisions.
Most helpful negative review
October 29, 2023
Approval chance EXCELLENT
— Credit Karma Member
Until you apply with a credit score of over 750, DENIED. Thanks for the hit Credit Karma & AA