The American Airlines Platinum MasterCard is a rewards credit card aimed at frequent fliers on American Airlines. This card currently offers a generous signup bonus to new members. There is no introductory APR available for purchases or balance transfers. The annual fee of $95 is waived for the first 12 months.
New members can earn 25,000 American Airlines AAdvantage bonus miles upon approval. To qualify, you must make at least $1,000 in eligible net purchases within the first three months that your account is open. Net purchases are defined as the total amount of transactions minus any returns and credits. Cash advances, convenience checks, balance transfers, fees, and interest charges are also excluded. After you have met the spending threshold requirements, your bonus miles will appear in your AAdvantage account in approximately 8-10 weeks. Note: This bonus miles offer is not available to current cardholders or anyone who has opened or closed an American Airlines Platinum MasterCard account in the past 18 months.
The annual percentage rate (APR) for purchases is 13.99%, 15.99%, 17.99%, 19.99%, or 21.99% (variable tied to the Prime Rate). Your specific APR is based on your creditworthiness and is determined at the time of approval.
The APR for balance transfers is 13.99%, 15.99%, 17.99%, 19.99%, or 21.99% (variable based on the Prime Rate). Transfers must be completed within two months from the date your account is opened. There is a balance transfer fee of $5 or 3% of the total amount of the transfer (whichever is greater) applied to each balance transfer.
Card members earn double AAdvantage miles for every $1 spent on American Airlines and US Airways net purchases. All other eligible purchases earn one AAdvantage mile per dollar spent. Net purchases are defined as the total amount of transactions minus any credits and/or returns. Additionally, net purchases do not include the following:
- Cash Advances
- Convenience checks
- Balance transfers
- Fees
- Interest charges
AAdvantage miles can be redeemed for awards on both domestic and international flights. There are no blackout dates when miles are used for flights operated by American Airlines or US Airways. Seats for award travel are limited and may not be available on all flights.
As an example, the 25,000 American Airlines AAdvantage miles offered with the signup bonus can be redeemed for (1) round trip Main Cabin Continental U.S./Canada MileSAAver awards. Miles can also be used for:
- Flights to nearly 1,000 destinations worldwide
- Upgrades
- Vacations, car rentals, and hotels
American Airlines is headquartered at Dallas/Ft. Worth (DFW) and also maintains the following hubs in the U.S.:
- Chicago (ORD)
- Los Angeles (LAX)
- Miami (MIA)
- New York (JFK)
The oneworld alliance includes these airlines:
| American Airlines | airberlin | British Airways |
| Cathay Pacific | Finnair | Iberia |
| Japan Airlines | LAN Airlines | Malaysia Airlines |
| Qantas | Qatar | Royal Jordanian |
| S7 Airlines | SriLankan Airlines | TAM |
Card members can earn and redeem AAdvantage miles on all oneworld alliance airlines. Note: Award travel may be subject to travel embargo (blackout) dates on some AAdvantage program participating airlines.
When you use The American Airlines Platinum MasterCard on any flight operated by American Airlines or US Airways, you receive a 25% savings on in-flight food, beverages, and headset purchases. These savings will appear as a statement credit approximately 6-8 weeks after any transactions post to your credit card account. Conditions and restrictions apply.
Members can participate in the Reduced Mileage Awards program which allows you to redeem American Airlines AAdvantage miles for round trip or one-way travel on MileSAAver awards to destinations selected every other month. The MileSSAver discount to American Airlines Platinum MasterCard account holders is 3,750 AAdvantage miles for a one-way ticket or 7,500 AAdvantage miles for a round-trip fare.
Important: Redemption of Reduced Mileage Awards applies only to bookings made by phone through American Airlines Reservations or through city or airport ticket centers. There is a $20 award service charge (per person) for award reservations made at an American Airlines Travel Center. There is a $35 award service charge (per person) for award reservations made by an American Airline airport Agent. This payment does not apply to AAdvantage Executive Platinum members and AAirpass customers. Please note that flights and availability are subject to change.
Cardholders get their first checked bag free. To receive this benefit, your credit card account must be open and in good standing at least seven days prior to air travel. The flight reservation must also include your American Airlines AAdvantage number. This benefit is available on domestic flights marketed by American Airlines or US Airways. Codeshare flights do not qualify. Up to four traveling companions listed on your itinerary can get their first checked bag free. Baggage weight and size restrictions apply.
American Airlines Platinum MasterCard members enjoy priority boarding privileges on American Airlines and US Airways flights.
Card members receive 10% American Airlines AAdvantage bonus miles back each calendar year. The number of bonus miles earned will be based on 10% of the total AAdvantage miles you redeem during the year. Bonus miles are capped at 10,000 per year regardless of how many miles you actually redeem.
This card comes with additional benefits from Citibank such as:
- Travel and Emergency Assistance – Services are available 24/7 for emergency travel arrangements, travel issues, medical and legal referrals and more.
- 0% Liability on Unauthorized Charges – You are not responsible for any charges that you did not authorize including purchases made online.
- Personal Concierge Service – A Concierge Service Representative can book flights and make hotel reservations as well as get you a table at your favorite restaurant. This service is offered 24/7.
- Lost Baggage Protection – You are covered for up to $3,000 per person, per trip if items are lost, stolen, or damaged by the common carrier on any trip paid for with your card. (Note: New York residents are limited to $2,000 per person, per bag, per trip.)
- Trip Cancellation and Interruption Protection – If unforeseen events affect your travel plans, you may be reimbursed for non-refundable expenses like change fees. Restrictions and limitations may apply. Benefits are capped at $5,000 per year. Your trip must have been paid for with your card.
The American Airlines Platinum MasterCard comes with smart-chip technology for enhanced security.
Card members are charged a 3% foreign transaction fee on all purchases made while traveling outside of the U.S.
There is an annual fee of $95 which is waived for the initial 12 months of membership.
The Facts
Below we have broken down the details of the American Airlines Platinum MasterCard to help you determine if it’s the right card for you.
The Good:
Signup bonus:
New members can take advantage of the generous signup bonus currently being offered. To receive 25,000 American Airlines AAdvantage bonus miles you simply need to spend a minimum of $1,000 during the first three months that your account is active. This spending threshold must consist of net purchases which is the total amount of transactions minus any credits or returns. Cash advances, convenience checks, balance transfers, fees, and interest charges are also excluded. The three month period begins immediately from when you are approved for the card, not when you may actually receive it. Once you qualify for the bonus miles, they will appear in your AAdvantage account in approximately 8-10 weeks. Note: This bonus miles offer is not available to current cardholders or anyone who has opened or closed an American Airlines Platinum MasterCard account in the past 18 months.
The 25,000 American Airlines AAdvantage miles offered with the signup bonus can be redeemed for (1) round trip Main Cabin Continental U.S./Canada MileSAAver awards. Considering the relatively low spending threshold, the signup bonus is a great benefit.
Simple rewards program:
Card members earn double AAdvantage miles for every $1 spent on American Airlines and US Airways net purchases. All other eligible purchases earn one AAdvantage mile per dollar spent.
Easy to redeem miles:
Miles can be redeemed for:
- Flights to nearly 1,000 destinations worldwide
- Upgrades
- Vacations, car rentals, and hotels
Discount on In-flight Services:
Account holders receive a 25% savings on in-flight food, beverages, and headsets on flights operated by American Airlines or US Airways when purchased with your American Airlines Platinum MasterCard. Savings will appear as a statement credit 6-8 weeks after the transaction posts to your credit card account. Additional terms, conditions, and restrictions may apply.
Reduced Mileage Awards:
Members participate in the Reduced Mileage Awards program which allows you to redeem American Airlines AAdvantage miles for round trip or one-way travel on MileSAAver awards to destinations selected every other month. The MileSSAver discount to American Airlines Platinum MasterCard account holders is 3,750 AAdvantage miles for a one-way ticket or 7,500 AAdvantage miles for a round-trip fare.
First Checked Bag Free:
Cardholders get their first checked bag free. To qualify, your credit card account must be open and in good standing at least seven days prior to air travel. The flight reservation must also include your American Airlines AAdvantage number. This benefit is available on domestic flights marketed by American Airlines or US Airways. Codeshare flights do not qualify. Up to four traveling companions listed on your itinerary can get their first checked bag free. Baggage weight and size restrictions apply.
Priority Boarding:
Members enjoy priority boarding privileges on American Airlines and US Airways flights.
10% Bonus Miles Rebate:
Card members receive 10% American Airlines AAdvantage bonus miles back each calendar year. The number of bonus miles earned will be based on 10% of the total AAdvantage miles you redeem during the year. Bonus miles are capped at 10,000 per year regardless of how many miles you actually redeem.
Citibank benefits:
- Travel and Emergency Assistance
- 0% Liability on Unauthorized Charges
- Personal Concierge Service
- Lost Baggage Protection
- Trip Cancellation and Interruption Protection
Smart- Chip Technology:
This card comes with Smart-Chip technology for greater security especially when traveling overseas.
The Bad:
Wide range of APRs:
The annual percentage rate (APR) is 13.99%, 15.99%, 17.99%, 19.99%, or 21.99% (variable tied to the Prime Rate). Your specific APR is based on your creditworthiness at the time of approval. If you are on the lower end of this range it’s a fairly good APR but the higher end is somewhat steep.
No introductory APR:
This card does not currently offer an introductory APR to new account holders on either purchases or balance transfers.
Foreign transaction fees:
Members are charged a 3% foreign transaction fee for all purchases made on the card while traveling outside of the U.S. It’s hard to justify a rewards credit card specifically aimed at frequent travelers that insists on charging these fees.
Annual fee:
There is an annual fee of $95 for this card which is waived for the first 12 months.
The Ugly:
Service charges for Reduced Mileage Awards:
There is a $20 award service charge (per person) for award reservations made at an American Airlines Travel Center. There is a $35 award service charge (per person) for award reservations made by an American Airline airport Agent.
The American Airlines Platinum MasterCard is designed for frequent fliers who routinely choose American Airlines for their travel. The card does offer a generous signup bonus (30,000 miles) to new members who qualify. It also gives members a decent enough rewards program with purchases from American Airlines and US Airways earning double miles. The annual fee ($95) is waived for the first 12 months, which is a positive, but depending on your credit score you could be assessed a fairly high APR on purchases and balance transfers. There is no 0% introductory APR offered to new members making this a poor choice for anyone wanting to use the balance transfer option.