Best Citi® Airline Credit Cards for January 2023

Jetlinerimages / Getty Images

Commitment to Our Readers

GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.

20 Years
Helping You Live Richer

Reviewed
by Experts

Trusted by
Millions of Readers

Citi® is a well-known global bank providing a wide range of financial services. In the American consumer market, however, one of the bank’s strengths is its line of travel rewards credit cards affiliated with American Airlines. Regardless of the type of traveler you are, Citi offers a card focused on your needs.

Best Citi Airline Cards

Here’s a rundown of the best Citi airline credit cards, along with a review of how each card serves a different target market.

Best for: Occasional travelers

The Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard is the best Citi travel card for occasional American Airlines travelers.

For a modest $99 annual fee, which is waived for the first year, the card provides a host of generous perks. Two of the most important for those flying on American Airlines include preferred boarding and a free checked bag for both yourself and up to four travel companions on domestic itineraries. For five travelers on the same domestic round-trip itinerary, that benefit alone could save them a combined total of $300.

In an era in which free food on airlines is growing scarce, the 25% off in-flight food and beverages is another valuable perk offered by the card.

Those looking to earn miles fast will enjoy the massive sign-up bonus of 50,000 American Airlines miles after spending $2,500 on the card in the first three months after opening an account. Additionally, cardholders earn two AAdvantage miles for every $1 spent at restaurants and gas stations and also on eligible American Airlines purchases and one mile per $1 on everything else.

You’ll also earn a $125 American Airlines flight discount after spending at least $20,000 during your card membership year and renewing your card.

Best for: No annual fee

If you’re a casual traveler looking for a card that has no annual fee but still offers valuable rewards, the American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp Card might be the card for you. You’ll earn the same 25% discount on in-flight food and beverages on American Airlines as with the Platinum Select card, but you’ll also earn 2x miles on grocery purchases and eligible American Airlines purchases and one mile on everything else.

The sign-up bonus on this card is less generous, at just 10,000 miles and a $50 statement credit, but the spend requirement is also much lower, at just $500 in the first three months after opening an account.

Best for: Frequent travelers

Frequent flyers want a card that’s chock full of features and benefits, and the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard fits the bill. The card does come with a steep $450 annual fee, but American Airlines aficionados can easily earn more than that back in rewards.

For starters, this card comes with a coveted Admirals Club membership, which is worth at least $500 per year and could cost as much as $650 per year. As most frequent travelers subscribe to Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, the $100 fee credit once every five years is also a big perk.

This card carries most of the benefits of the other Citi travel cards, including priority boarding and the 25% discount on in-flight food and beverage purchases. It also offers a 50,000-mile sign-up bonus after you spend $5,000 in the first three months after account opening. The free checked bag benefit extends to up to eight travel companions, and this card also includes priority check-in and airport screening for you and up to eight travel companions, where available.

Add in no foreign transaction fees on purchases, the two AAdvantage miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases, and an additional 10,000 loyalty points after $40,000 in purchases during the year, and this card offers nearly everything a frequent traveler could desire.

Cynthia Measom contributed to the reporting for this article.

Rates are subject to change; unless otherwise noted, rates are updated periodically. All other information on accounts is accurate as of Jan. 19, 2023.

Editorial Note: This content is not provided by any entity covered in this article. Any opinions, analyses, reviews, ratings or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any entity named in this article.

Share This Article: