The CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® is a standout option among business travel rewards cards. It boasts significant mileage bonuses, enticing travel perks, and tailored business-friendly features, making it an attractive choice for both business owners and frequent travelers. Designed to cater specifically to the needs of business travelers, this card offers benefits that streamline both business management and travel experiences.

From earning generous miles on eligible purchases to enjoying perks like priority boarding and free checked bags on American Airlines flights, the card enhances the travel journey while providing financial advantages. Its strategic blend of rewards and practical features ensures that users can optimize their travel expenses while enjoying premium travel benefits.

Main features of the card

The CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® is tailored to reward both business expenses and everyday purchases with AAdvantage® miles, American Airlines’ frequent flyer currency. New card members can earn a substantial bonus of 65,000 AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 4 months of opening their account.

This generous bonus offers a significant boost towards future travel rewards, enhancing the card’s appeal for frequent flyers and business travelers alike. The ability to earn miles on business-related spending as well as daily purchases ensures that cardholders can accumulate rewards quickly, making the card a valuable asset for those looking to maximize their travel benefits while managing expenses effectively.

Qualification requirements

To qualify for the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®, applicants must meet Citibank’s creditworthiness standards. Additionally, applicants should not have received a new account bonus for a CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® or a Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard® within the past 48 months.

Meeting these criteria ensures eligibility for potential cardholders seeking to benefit from the card’s rewards and features tailored for business and travel expenses. This requirement helps maintain the integrity of Citibank’s rewards program and ensures fairness in distributing bonuses among applicants.

Benefits

The card comes with a range of benefits tailored to business travelers:

• Earn AAdvantage® Miles: Accelerate mileage accumulation with 2 AAdvantage® miles per $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases, gas stations, car rentals, and telecommunications merchants.
• First Checked Bag Free: Enjoy the perk of a free checked bag on domestic American Airlines itineraries for yourself and up to 4 travel companions.
• Preferred Boarding: Expedite your travel with preferred boarding on American Airlines flights.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees: Make international business transactions without incurring additional fees.
• Special Inflight Savings: Receive 25% savings on eligible inflight purchases made with the card.
• Employee Cards: Add employee cards with individual spending limits to earn more miles on business purchases.

Pros

The CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® offers several advantages:

• Lucrative Sign-Up Bonus: Earn 65,000 bonus miles after meeting initial spending requirements.
• Travel Benefits: Free checked bags and preferred boarding enhance the travel experience.
• Earn More on Business Expenses: Double miles on select business-related purchases.

Cons

Despite its advantages, there are a few considerations:

• Annual Fee: After the first year, a $99 annual fee applies.
• High APR: Variable APR rates can be substantial based on creditworthiness.
• Bonus Limitations: Restrictions apply on receiving new account bonuses within a specified timeframe.

How to apply

Applying for the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® is a straightforward process. Prospective cardholders can easily apply online through Citibank’s secure application portal. To begin, ensure you have all necessary personal and business information readily available. This typically includes details such as your full name, contact information, Social Security number or Tax ID number, annual business revenue, and years in business. 

During the application process, Citibank assesses applicants based on their creditworthiness, income, and other financial factors. It’s important to provide accurate and up-to-date information to expedite the review process. Applicants should also note the eligibility criteria, such as not having received a new account bonus for similar Citibank AAdvantage® cards within the past 48 months.

Once submitted, applications are typically processed promptly. Upon approval, new cardholders can look forward to benefits such as earning AAdvantage® miles on eligible purchases, including a substantial bonus after meeting initial spending requirements. This card is designed to cater to business needs while rewarding everyday spending, making it a valuable tool for those who frequently travel with American Airlines.

Is the card worth it?

Determining whether the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® is worthwhile depends on individual business travel habits and financial preferences. For frequent flyers who prioritize American Airlines, the card’s benefits can easily offset its annual fee, especially considering the substantial initial bonus miles offer. This bonus provides a significant head start towards earning rewards, which can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and other travel-related expenses.

The card also offers perks like free checked bags, priority boarding, and discounts on in-flight purchases with American Airlines, enhancing the travel experience and potentially saving money on travel expenses. Additionally, earning double miles on eligible American Airlines purchases and certain business expenses further boosts the value proposition for cardholders who frequently spend in these categories.

However, it’s important to weigh these benefits against the annual fee and consider whether the rewards structure aligns with your spending habits and travel preferences. Those who frequently fly with American Airlines and can take advantage of the card’s features are likely to find it beneficial, while others may want to explore alternative cards that better suit their specific needs and spending patterns.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® stands out as a robust choice for business owners aiming to maximize their travel rewards. With its generous mileage bonuses, comprehensive travel perks, and business-friendly features, the card offers substantial value, particularly for frequent flyers with American Airlines.

The ability to earn significant AAdvantage® miles on both business expenses and everyday purchases, coupled with perks like free checked bags and priority boarding, enhances the overall travel experience while potentially reducing travel costs.

For business travelers who prioritize American Airlines and can capitalize on the card’s rewards structure, it presents an attractive opportunity to earn and redeem miles efficiently. However, prospective cardholders should consider their individual travel habits and financial goals to assess if the card’s benefits align with their needs.

Overall, the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® remains a compelling option in the realm of business travel rewards cards, offering tangible benefits that cater specifically to the needs of frequent travelers and business owners alike.