Review of Citi AAdvantage World MasterCard

Picture of Item Reviewed
Editor's Rating: 4.2/5.0
The most recent of Citi's AAdvantage cards. But one which brings the card up to comparable level with its peers in terms of features. The new features of this card has also trickled down to their other AAdvantage cards as well. For American Airline frequent flyers, this is a card we can highly recommend.
Intro Purchase APR Regular APR Intro Balance Transfer Annual Fee Issuer Credit Needed
N.A. $95, waived for first 12 months* Citi Excellent


A new era for AA credit cards - The American Airlines cards from Citi used to lag it's peers in terms of features. I could recall not so long ago (think 2010) when you cannot even earn double miles on their "Platinum Select" version of the card (which was the highest level version back then). But things have changed for the better with the introduction of Visa version of the Platinum Select series.

Things started to improve in 2011, when AAdvantage did away with the Bronze version, and added an elite Exclusive World MasterCard version (with a $450 annual fee). At the same time, the Platinum Select MasterCard version could earn double miles. But the features stilled lagged because they did not have features like no baggage fee for first bags. The new version sees an increase in the annual fee from $85 to $95 (though the first year is waived). But the increase is more than worth it.

New Features - Firstly, let's go through the existing features. You can obviously earn double miles when you buy American Airline tickets. They have have a 7,500 reduced mileage perk where you can use 7,500 less miles for your trip when you redeem miles. This perks is actually pretty unique. But guess what, that's really it.

But with this new card, here are the following new features:

First bag flies free - Like many other domestic airline cards today, this card now offers cardholders free first baggage check-in. But this extends to four companions! So if you have a family of five traveling on a vacation, this can add up to quite a lot of savings. Bear in mind that you must have had your card for 7 days when you book your flight for this perk to be eligible. This benefit is also not valid on code share flights so this is something you have to be aware of if you have multiple stops.

Priority Boarding with Group 1 Privileges* - Card members also get priority boarding*, though not on code-share flights operated by another airline.

$100 American Airlines Flight Discount - If you spend $30,000 every year on the card (within your anniversary period) and remain a card member for 45 days after the anniversary date, you will be issued with a $100 AA flight discount which you can use for up to one year after the date of issuance. You can use that to get your flight discount by a flight that is operated by AA (code share flights are allowed). The departure has to be in the US, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands.

Earn 10% of Redeemed Miles Back - This is a really unique perks among airline cards. Card members can earn back 10% of miles which they redeem each month up to 10,000 miles in one calendar year*. Effectively, you are only using 90% of required miles if you have this card.

25% savings on eligible in-flight purchases - Card members also enjoy 25% discounts on in flight services like food, beverages, and headsets. Things like wireless internet access, SkyMallTM and DutyFree do not apply!

No Preset Spending Limit - This perk is actually a misnomer. You actually do have a credit limit. But if you go over it and pay in full, then there will be no penalties at all.



How Does the New Features Stack Up With It's Peers?


The new features, in my opinion, have not only made American Airlines match their peers, but also exceed it. Most other domestic airlines have the first bag fly fee and priority boarding perk. But AA gives you free baggage for up to four companions (which is very generous).

The ability to get back 10% of the miles you use is a really cool perk. This, combined with the 7,500 reduced mileage award leads to huge savings in the number of miles used. Furthermore, the 25% in-flight discounts are a nice perk as well. These three perks are actually unique in the industry (for the moment) and makes this card standout among it's peers.

We recommend this card - If you already have an existing AA card, whether it be the Platinum Select World MasterCard version of the American Express version, these perks will also be available on your card. If you have always wanted to get an AA card but were put off because the features did not match other cards, it is now time to get this card (and the sign up bonuses) because with the new set of features, there really isn't any more excuses for not having this card.