The CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® is an excellent choice for business owners who frequently travel and want to maximize their benefits with American Airlines. This card offers a range of perks designed to make business travel more rewarding and convenient, such as earning miles on every purchase, a generous bonus mile offer, and no foreign transaction fees.
Whether you’re booking flights, renting cars, or paying for everyday expenses, this card helps you accumulate miles faster, which can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and other travel-related expenses.
Main information about the credit card
The CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® is tailored for small business owners who want to earn American Airlines AAdvantage® miles on their business purchases. Here are the key features:
- Bonus Offer: Earn 65,000 AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $4,000 within the first 4 months of account opening.
- Earning Miles: Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles per dollar spent at telecommunications merchants, cable and satellite providers, car rental merchants, gas stations, and on eligible American Airlines purchases. Earn 1 mile per dollar spent on all other purchases.
- Annual Fee: $0 for the first year, then $99.
- APR: Variable APR ranging from 21.24% to 29.99%, based on your creditworthiness.
- Additional Benefits: First checked bag free on domestic American Airlines flights, preferred boarding, 25% savings on in-flight food, beverage, and Wi-Fi purchases, no foreign transaction fees.
How does the annual fee work?
The CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® comes with an introductory annual fee of $0 for the first year, allowing you to explore the card’s extensive benefits without any initial cost. After the first year, the annual fee is $99. This fee is competitive compared to other business travel cards, especially considering the extensive travel perks and mile-earning opportunities it offers.
These include earning double miles on select business categories, free checked bags on American Airlines flights, preferred boarding, and no foreign transaction fees. The initial waiver of the annual fee makes it easier to evaluate the card’s value to your business.
How is the credit limit determined?
The credit limit for the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® is determined based on a variety of factors, including your business’s creditworthiness, annual revenue, and overall financial health. Citibank conducts a thorough review of your business’s credit history and financial statements to set an appropriate credit limit.
This personalized assessment process ensures that your credit limit is tailored to meet your business needs and financial capabilities. By considering these factors, Citibank aims to provide a credit limit that supports your business operations while managing risk effectively, offering a balanced approach to credit management.
Advantages of the credit card
The CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® offers numerous advantages for business travelers. Here are the standout benefits:
- Generous Bonus Miles: Earn 65,000 bonus miles after qualifying purchases.
- Earn Miles on Every Purchase: Accumulate miles quickly through everyday business spending.
- Travel Perks: Enjoy benefits like free checked bags, preferred boarding, and in-flight savings.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees: Ideal for international business travel.
Advantage that stands out
The standout advantage of the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® is its generous offer of 65,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 within the first 4 months of account opening. This substantial bonus can significantly reduce travel costs, allowing you to save on flights or enhance your travel experience with upgrades.
For frequent travelers, this benefit provides immense value, as it helps accumulate miles quickly and opens up a range of possibilities for redeeming those miles, whether for domestic or international travel, business class upgrades, or other travel-related expenses.
Disadvantages
While the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® offers many benefits, it also has some drawbacks:
- Annual Fee**: $99 after the first year.
- High APR**: Variable APR of 21.24% to 29.99% can be costly if balances are not paid in full.
- Limited Redemption Options**: Miles are primarily redeemable through American Airlines and its partners.
Disadvantage that stands out
The most notable disadvantage of the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® is its high variable APR, which can be as high as 29.99%. This elevated interest rate can result in significant interest charges if the balance is not paid off in full each month.
Therefore, it is crucial for cardholders to manage their spending and payments carefully to avoid accumulating debt and incurring high interest costs. Keeping track of expenses and ensuring timely payments can help mitigate this drawback and allow cardholders to fully enjoy the card’s benefits without the burden of excessive interest charges.
Who can apply for this card?
The CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® is available to business owners and authorized representatives of small businesses in the United States. To apply, applicants must provide essential business information, including the legal business name, business address, and annual revenue. Additionally, a good to excellent credit score is typically required to qualify for this card.
By meeting these criteria, applicants demonstrate their financial stability and creditworthiness, which are crucial factors in the approval process. This ensures that the card is issued to businesses capable of managing their credit responsibly and taking full advantage of the card’s benefits.
How to apply for the card
Online
Applying online is quick and convenient. Visit the Citi website, navigate to the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® page, and fill out the application form. You will need to provide personal and business information, including your Social Security number and Tax ID.
Through the App
Citibank also offers an application process through its mobile app. Download the Citi app, log in or create an account, and follow the prompts to apply for the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®. The app provides a streamlined experience and allows you to track your application status.
At a Branch
If you prefer a more personal touch, you can visit a Citibank branch to apply for the card. A bank representative can assist you with the application process, answer any questions, and help ensure you have all the necessary documentation.
