The Citi Platinum Select / AAdvantage Visa Signature Card is increasing it’s annual fee. The increased fee begs the question – is the card still worth keeping in my wallet?
The old fee was $85 per year. I originally signed up for this card during a limited time 75,000 bonus point offer. That offer is no longer available. Current reports have links offering in ranges up to 50,000 bonus points, but your miles may vary.
Since I still have the card, I received a letter from Citi informing me that as of May 1, 2013, the revised annual fee will be $95. Let’s review the benefits and compared to the annual fee.
Benefit Breakdown
1) Get 10% Miles Back When Redeeming American Airlines AAdvantage Miles
Cardmembers who have an open and active card at the time of AAdvantage award redemption will receive a 10% rebate in terms of miles redeemed, up to 10,000 miles per calendar year.
This is the best benefit to my personal situation. Last year, I redeemed a ton of American Airlines AAdvantage miles for a First Class ticket to Scotland for the Ultimate Golf AAward trip. It only took about 2 weeks for the full 10,000 miles to be credited back to my account.
2) Your First Eligible Checked Bag Is Free
For the first fee eligible checked bag benefit to apply, one must have the card open and active during the time of booking.
This benefit doesn’t carry much value to American Airlines elite frequent flyer members since the benefits already provide free checked baggage. But for the infrequent American Airlines flyer this benefit could save the $25 first checked bag fee.
3) Priority Boarding With Group 1 Privileges
This benefit provides cardmembers the privilege of boarding with Group 1 priority boarding.
Again, this benefit won’t mean much to an American Airlines elite frequent flyer but could help get a carry-on into an overhead bin for the infrequent American Airlines flyer.
4) Earn 2 American Airlines AAdvantage Miles Per $1 Spent
Cardholders will earn two American Airlines AAdvatnage miles per $1 spent on eligible purchases billed by American Airlines. This is great, but I have other cards that also offer 2x points on travel related items and my primary carrier isn’t American Airlines, yet. So this doesn’t carry as much value to my personal situation. But if your primary airline spend is with American Airlines, this is an added bonus.
5) Receive 25% Savings On In-Flight Food & Beverage Purchases
Citi AAdvantage cardmembers receive 25% off in-flight purchases of food, beverages and headsets on American Airlines operated flights.
This is a great benefit for those who like to partake in a happy hour from time to time. A 25% discount on a Dewars on the rocks, who can argue with that?
6) Earn A $100 American Airlines Flight Discount Each Year
Cardholders who spend $30,000 or more in purchases during an annual year receive a $100 flight discount. This is based on the prior 12 month period from the anniversary date. The flight discount expires one year from the date of issue and is redeemable towards the purchase of wholly on flights marketed and operated by American Airlines, or marketed by American Airlines and operated by American Eagle Airlines, Executive Airlines, SkyWest Airlines, ExpressJet Airlines or Chautauqua Airlines that originate in the U.S., Puerto Rico or U.S. Virgin Islands.
Needless to say, I won’t be spending $30,000 on this card, just to receive a $100 discount. But if you plan to spend this amount anyway, it could be considered an unexpected bonus.
Bottom Line
I for one, certainly see value in the card, even with the $95 annual fee. But it’s not for me to determine if it’s worth it for you. So what do you think, even with the newly “enhanced” higher fee, is it worth keeping the card in your wallet?
Did I miss any benefits that you think are valuable?
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Great post. I have the AA Visa and Amex and was wondering how the 10% miles rebate worked with 2 cards.
Hi Jose – Thanks for reading.
Well, for me – a non-elite AA flyer – this card pays for itself with two round trip flights for myself – or one round trip flight for me and a travel companion who is also checking luggage each way.
Another value added benefit is that others on my reservation (up to 4 people) also can get a free checked bag.
With just one round trip flight, me and a companion would have spent $100 for checked luggage alone.
You’re right – it depends on your relationship with the carrier. Since I do fly on AA, I like the one checked bag benefit.
Last year at renewal time I called them and asked if they offered an AAdvantage elite discount on the annual fee since the Priority Boarding and Free Checked Bag features were of no use to me. I told them that I was to decide whether or not I should keep the card. They said no, that they didn’t have a discount, but they offered me an $85 statement credit to keep from from closing the account.
You should call and see if they’ll do the same for you.
I am just tired of credit cards and annual fees, so i canceled mine. But the 10% rebate is a nice benefit of the card, i just don’t earn enough AA miles to make it worth the annual fee.
Is the 50k offer bonus still active?
I have had the card since 2008 (now it’s almost 2014). I used to be able to get the annual fee waived, but have been unable to do so ever since the fee increase.
With respect to the $100 voucher, I have gotten two in tow consecutive years but been unable to use both. They appear to be restricted, in addition to what you mentioned above, to tickets purchased on-line only and with a cash payment, not miles. Since I travel only with miles, I cannot use this. I could not even use ti to defray any of the fees associated with the use of miles. Total disappointment.