Two Citi AAdvantage Cards Are Getting More Expensive (and More Benefits)

Citi and American Airlines are refreshing two cards in the AAdvantage portfolio. And starting January 24, 2027, both will cost more to keep.

The Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard and Citi / AAdvantage Business World Elite Mastercard will each see their annual fees increase from $99 to $150 on that date.

Along with the fee increases, both cards are getting expanded earning rates and a handful of new travel and lifestyle benefits. But the perks that make these cards attractive in the first place (like free checked bags, preferred boarding, and their core American Airlines earning rates) aren’t going anywhere.

What’s New on the Platinum Select Card

The Platinum Select is American Airlines’ card designed for occasional travelers, and the refresh leans into everyday spending and a few lifestyle perks.

Cardholders will earn 3X AAdvantage miles on eligible bookings through AAdvantage Hotels and AAdvantage Cars. The existing 2X gas station category will also expand to include EV charging stations.

New 2X categories include select streaming services and eligible Rides and Rails purchases (including ferries, commuter railways, subways, taxis, limousines, car services, rideshare services, passenger railways, tolls, parking, and bus lines).

The American Airlines flight discount earned after spending $20,000 in a cardmember year and renewing the card will also increase from $125 to $150.

Citi is adding up to $120 toward a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee every four years, plus up to $100 annually in statement credits for inflight purchases. Primary cardmembers will also receive a complimentary annual Walmart+ membership and a 50% discount on an annual FOX One subscription.

New travel protections include trip delay, trip cancellation and interruption, car rental coverage, and lost baggage protection.

What Stays the Same on Platinum Select

Several staple benefits aren’t changing.

Cardholders will continue earning 2X miles on eligible American Airlines purchases and at restaurants, 1X on everything else, and one Loyalty Point for every $1 spent on eligible purchases.

The card also retains up to $180 annually in Turo credits (up to $30 per eligible trip), 10% savings on eligible American Airlines Vacations packages, preferred boarding for the cardmember and up to four companions on the same reservation, and a free first checked bag on domestic American Airlines itineraries for the cardmember and up to four companions.

What’s New on the Business Card

The Business card’s refresh focuses more on earning flexibility rather than lifestyle perks.

Cardholders will earn 3X miles on eligible AAdvantage Hotels and AAdvantage Cars bookings. They’ll also be able to select one category for 2X miles: U.S. shipping providers, office supply stores, or U.S. advertising services.

Citi is also adding up to $120 toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four years, up to $100 annually in inflight statement credits, 25% off a Melio subscription plan (bill paying software for businesses), and travel protections covering trip cancellation and interruption, lost or damaged baggage, car rentals, and trip delays.

What Stays the Same on the Business Card

The card’s core earning rates aren’t changing. Cardholders will continue earning 2X miles on eligible American Airlines purchases, car rental merchants, gas stations, and telecommunications, cable, and satellite providers, plus 1X on everything else.

Businesses will continue earning one Loyalty Point per dollar of eligible card spending for each cardmember. Primary cardmembers will also keep earning one additional Loyalty Point per dollar spent by authorized users through December 31, 2028.

After spending $30,000 in a cardmember year and renewing the card, cardholders will still receive a $99 American Airlines Companion Certificate for a qualifying domestic round-trip Main Cabin flight.

Preferred boarding for the cardmember and up to four companions on the same reservation, a free first checked bag on domestic American Airlines itineraries (for the cardmember and up to four companions), and 10% savings on eligible American Airlines Vacations packages are all staying on board, too.

What to Do Before January 24, 2027

Nothing is changing with how either card works today.

Cardmembers will get access to the new benefits on January 24, 2027, when the higher annual fees also take effect. Existing cardholders will pay the new fee when their cards renew on or after that date.

That gives you time to try the new benefits and decide whether they’re worth the additional $51 per year.

On the personal side, there are other AAdvantage cards worth considering if the refreshed Platinum Select no longer makes sense. Two sit above it with more benefits and higher annual fees, while the no-annual-fee AAdvantage MileUp offers a cheaper alternative with fewer perks.

On the business side, options are more limited. The Citi / AAdvantage Business card is currently the only AAdvantage business credit card available to new applicants, so there isn’t another Citi AAdvantage business product to move to if the refresh doesn’t appeal to you.

That said, the expanded earning categories are a welcome improvement. Earning flexibility has long been one of the Business card’s weaker points, and these changes help address that, even with the higher annual fee.

Ultimately, refresh or not, it’s worth periodically reviewing the cards in your wallet to make sure you’re getting enough value from their benefits to justify keeping them.