The CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® is a premium credit card tailored for business owners who frequently travel with American Airlines. This card offers a blend of travel perks, rewards, and savings, making it an ideal choice for those looking to enhance their business trips while earning substantial miles.

The card also provides valuable benefits, such as a first free checked bag on American Airlines domestic flights and preferred boarding, making business travel more convenient and less costly. Moreover, with no foreign transaction fees, this card is perfect for international business owners who frequently make purchases abroad.

Key information about the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®

This card shines when it comes to offering travel rewards. Cardholders can earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent in select business categories such as telecommunications, cable and satellite providers, car rental merchants, gas stations, and eligible American Airlines purchases. For all other purchases, cardholders earn 1 AAdvantage® mile per dollar spent.

These miles can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, car rentals, hotel stays, and even vacation packages, providing flexibility for businesses of all sizes. Additionally, there’s no cap on the number of miles you can earn, allowing users to accumulate rewards without limitation.

How does the annual fee work?

The CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® offers a $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, allowing new users to enjoy its benefits without any immediate cost. After the first year, the annual fee is $99, which is a reasonable price considering the array of travel-related perks provided. While there’s no option to waive the fee in subsequent years, the savings on checked bags, inflight purchases, and the ability to earn miles across various business categories quickly offset this cost.

How is the credit limit determined?

Citi determines the credit limit of the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® based on the applicant’s creditworthiness and business needs. This involves evaluating factors such as the business’s credit history, the owner’s personal credit score, and the company’s annual revenue.

For established businesses with good financial standing, higher credit limits are likely to be approved, while newer businesses might start with more conservative limits. Unlike prepaid cards, where the customer decides the limit through deposits, the CitiBusiness® card offers flexibility based on the applicant’s credit profile and business needs.

Credit card benefits 

• 65,000 bonus miles: Earn 65,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $4,000 in the first four months.
• 2x AAdvantage® miles: Earn 2 miles for every $1 spent on telecommunications, cable, satellite, gas stations, car rentals, and American Airlines purchases.
• No foreign transaction fees: This card is great for international business, with no fees on foreign purchases.
• First checked bag free: Enjoy a free checked bag on domestic American Airlines flights for you and up to four companions.
• 25% savings on inflight purchases: Get 25% off inflight food, beverages, and Wi-Fi on American Airlines flights.
• Preferred boarding: Enjoy preferred boarding on American Airlines flights, allowing quicker access to overhead storage.

Earning AAdvantage® miles

The most significant advantage of the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® is its reward program. Cardholders earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on telecommunications, cable and satellite services, car rentals, gas stations, and American Airlines purchases.

This double-mile structure allows businesses to accumulate miles quickly through everyday expenses. Additionally, the card offers 1x mile on all other purchases, ensuring that every business expense contributes toward valuable travel rewards.

Disadvantages

• $99 annual fee: After the first year, the card comes with a $99 annual fee, which may not be ideal for businesses that don’t frequently travel with American Airlines.
• High variable APR: The card has a high variable APR ranging from 21.24% to 29.99%, depending on creditworthiness, which can make carrying a balance costly.
• No introductory APR: There is no 0% introductory APR offer for purchases or balance transfers, which could be a drawback for businesses looking to finance large purchases.

High APR

One major disadvantage of the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® is its high variable APR, ranging from 21.24% to 29.99%. This rate is determined by your creditworthiness and can significantly increase the cost of carrying a balance on the card.

Businesses that tend to revolve balances should be cautious, as the interest charges can quickly outweigh the rewards earned, especially if miles aren’t being redeemed frequently enough to offset costs.

Who can apply for this card?

To apply for the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®, applicants must meet several requirements. They need to be at least 18 years old, and their business should be based in the United States or its territories (excluding Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands).

Applicants also need to have a fair to good credit score, typically 670 or above, to qualify for the card. Additionally, businesses must provide documentation of revenue, which helps Citi determine the credit limit and terms.

How to apply for the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®

Applying online

The most popular and efficient way to apply for the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® is through Citi’s official website. To begin, navigate to the dedicated page for the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®. Once there, you’ll find an “Apply Now” button that directs you to the application form.

In the application form, you will need to provide your business information. This includes your business name, address, annual revenue, and tax identification number (TIN). In addition to your business details, you will also be required to enter your personal information, such as your Social Security number, home address, and personal income. This helps Citi assess both the business’s creditworthiness and the owner’s financial standing.

Once all the required information has been filled in, you’ll review the terms and conditions of the card. After confirming that all the information is correct, submit the application. Citi typically provides an instant decision within a few minutes. If approved, you will receive a confirmation email, and your card will be mailed to you. You can also begin managing your account online through Citi’s digital banking platform or the mobile app.

Applying In-person at a Citi Branch

For those who prefer an in-person experience, visiting a local Citi branch is another option to apply for the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®. At the branch, a Citi representative will walk you through the application process.

You will need to bring your business details, such as your business registration documents, proof of revenue, tax ID number, and your personal identification (e.g., driver’s license and Social Security number). During the meeting, the representative will help you complete the application and explain any details or terms you may have questions about.

Once the application is completed and submitted, approval may be immediate, or you may need to wait for further review. If approved, your card will be sent to your mailing address, and you can start using it once activated.