Key facts
When you’re traveling on American Airlines, this business credit card provides essential business travel benefits such as the ability to bring a checked bag free as well as preferred boarding, extended to you and up to four travelers on the same reservation.
Annual Fee:
$99 $0 Introductory Annual Fee for the first year, then $99Min. Credit Score for Approval:
800-850 * ExcellentOngoing APR:
20.74%-29.74% VariableForeign Transaction Fee:
0%If you spend $30,000+ on this business credit card in your account membership year, you’ll receive an annual companion certificate that’s valid for domestic travel on American Airlines. Every dollar spent on the card also earns valuable Loyalty Points, so the CitiBusiness/AAdvantage credit card helps you earn AAdvantage status faster.
Miles earned will accrue into your AAdvantage Business account. If you don’t have one, one will be created for you. From there, the miles can be moved into your own AAdvantage account or the account of anyone in your AAdvantage Business account.
Normal minimums on the AAdvantage Business account. to transfer miles out are waived when you have this card.
Reward multipliers
You’ll earn 2x miles on cable and satellite providers, eligible American Airlines purchases, gas stations, select telecommunications merchants, and car rental merchants; plus, 1x miles on all other eligible purchases.
Earns bonus points for spend in the following bonus categories:
Earn 2X miles on American Airlines purchases made directly with American Airlines. Otherwise, earn 1X.
Estimated Rewards Value: 2.8%
Estimated Rewards Value: 2.8%
Estimated Rewards Value: 2.8%
Estimated Rewards Value: 2.8%
Estimated Rewards Value: 2.8%
Estimated Rewards Value: 1.4%
Key features
Unique Card Benefits
Earn Loyalty Points
Not only will you earn redeemable American Airlines miles, but you’ll also earn 1 Loyalty Point per dollar spent, no matter the purchase (cash equivalents and other exclusions apply). Combined with your routine flying on American Airlines and Oneworld partners, you can quickly climb the ranks of AAdvantage® elite status.
Earn an American Airlines Companion Certificate
If you anticipate a good chunk of spend on your business card, you can earn an annual American Airlines companion certificate for domestic American Airlines itineraries after you spend $30,000 or more in purchases each card membership year. You’ll need to pay for the renewal annual fee and a $99 ticketing fee plus taxes and fees for this certificate, but it can be worth hundreds of dollars depending on the route.
Business Card Tracking Tools
Keep track of your business expenses and stay organized with a summary view of your transactions and save with targeted offers on Microsoft, Salesforce and more.
25% Discount on Wifi, In-flight Food and Beverage Purchases
You’ll get a 25% discount when you pay with the card to purchase food and drink onboard or when connecting to Wifi.
Priority Boarding
You and up to four travel companions on the same reservation can join Group 5 boarding.
Free Checked Bags
You’ll get a free checked bag on domestic American Airlines flights for you and up to 4 travel companions on the same reservation.
No Fees for Authorized Users
If you’d like to add employee cards to your main cardholder account, you won’t be charged an additional annual fee for their business spending.
No Foreign Transaction Fees
When traveling internationally, the CitiBusiness AAdvantage® Credit Card waives all foreign transaction fees.
Concierge Services
You can tap into a 24/7 personal or business concierge desk that can help you arrange travel, dining or hotel reservations.
Earn more rewards by combining credit cards
Pros & cons
- First free checked bag on domestic American Airlines flights
- Earn 1 Loyalty Point per $1 spent on the card
- Earn an annual companion certificate by spending $30,000+ on the card
- The annual fee costs $99 after the first year
- Lacks travel insurance benefits
- No Admirals Club lounge access
Our review
The right business credit card for you will greatly depend on your company’s expenditures and travel goals. However, the CitiBusiness/AAdvantage card is a great option for those who live near an American Airlines hub. With a $0 introductory annual fee (then $99 after the first year), it’s an affordable option if you have a small business and want to maximize the rewards earning potential for your expenditures.
With this card, you’ll earn both redeemable AAdvantage® miles for award flights and Loyalty Points to qualify for AAdvantage® elite status. For starters, you’ll earn 2x miles on cable and satellite providers, eligible American Airlines purchases, gas stations, select telecommunications merchants, and car rental merchants; and 1x miles on all other purchases (excluding cash equivalents).
Loyalty Points are much simpler: you’ll earn 1x Loyalty Point per dollar spent, no matter the purchase. Theoretically, a business owner who can spend $200,000 or more on this business credit card can earn top-tier AAdvantage® Executive Platinum elite status — even without flying!
Loyalty Points replaced American Airlines’ old AAdvantage® system of elite qualification via Elite Qualifying Miles. While those required flying, the new tier status system combines both flight miles and spending, including on AAdvantage® credit cards like this one.
The more you spend, the more perks you earn. By hitting $30,000+ in spend in a card membership year, you can earn a companion certificate that’s valid for domestic American Airlines flights. You’ll just have to pay $99 plus government taxes and fees, but this perk can help you save hundreds of dollars and get you “buy one, get one” flights.
From takeoff to touchdown, there are a few important benefits that will elevate your travel experience with American Airlines. You and up to four guests on the same American Airlines booking will get a first checked bag free (on domestic itineraries) and Group 5 preferred boarding. Not only that, but you’ll get a 25% discount that applies to inflight purchases, including food, drink and inflight wifi purchases.
With no foreign transaction fees to worry about, the CitiBusiness/AAdvantage credit card is a reliable option when you’re traveling domestically or internationally. Thanks to the card’s strong welcome bonus and solid earning rates on select business categories, you’ll be on your way to award flights in no time.
Business credit cards like the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® also help you organize your personal and business expenses. There are various online tracking tools to keep tabs on your finances in your credit card account. If you’d like to add employee cards to the account, there’s no additional fee to pay — and any spending on those cards will accrue miles to the primary cardholder account.
Ultimately, when picking a business card, you’ll have to decide between earning cash rewards, airline miles, or another form of loyalty currency.
If award flights are your goal and American Airlines is your favorite carrier, there’s no better business credit card than the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®.
Frequently asked questions
Does the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® have an annual fee?
There’s no annual fee for the first 12 months after account opening. After that, there’s a $99 annual fee.
Does the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® get you into airport lounges?
No, the card does not provide Admirals Club® lounge access. If you want lounge access, consider the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite MasterCard®.
Is it hard to get the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®?
The CitiBusiness AAdvantage card will require an excellent credit score and sufficient business income to qualify.
Is it worth getting the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®?
For business owners who prefer to fly on American Airlines, the CitiBusiness card comes with heavy-hitting perks that can help you save hundreds of dollars when flying with the carrier and even earn American Airlines AAdvantage® elite status faster.
How do I earn miles with the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®?
You’ll earn 2x miles on many bonus categories, including cable and satellite providers, eligible American Airlines purchases, gas stations, select telecommunications merchants, and car rentals and 1x miles on all other eligible purchases.
Is there a better credit card than the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®?
While not necessarily better, you could also look at the AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Business Mastercard® issued by Barclays. It comes with a $95 annual fee and unique perks like a 5% AAdvantage mileage bonus earned every card membership year.
Does the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® charge foreign transaction fees?
No, there aren’t any foreign transaction fees when paying with this card.
Does the the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® come with any Elite Status?
The CitiBusiness card allows you to earn 1 Loyalty Point per dollar spent on the card. As a reminder, it takes 40,000 Loyalty Points (so $40,000 from card spend alone) to earn AAdvantage Gold elite status.
Does the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® card offer trip protections?
No, the CitiBusiness / AAdvantage card does not offer trip protections.
What credit score do I need to get a CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® card?
To maximize your odds of approval, you’ll want to hold an excellent FICO® credit score of at least 700.
What can I do with the miles earned for spending on the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® card?
You can redeem your miles for award flights on American Airlines’ website at any time, both for flights on American Airlines as well as oneworld partners like British Airways, Alaska Airlines, Qatar Airlines, Japan Airlines, Qantas, and more.
Does the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum card have Cell Phone Protection?
No, the CitiBusiness / AAdvantage card does not provide cell phone protection benefits.