For businesses that frequently send employees on the road, managing travel expenses and maximizing value from spending are critical. A dedicated Travel Card Credit Card can be a strategic tool in achieving these goals. The CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® is one such option, designed to reward business spending with travel perks and American Airlines AAdvantage® miles. This article provides a comprehensive look at this card, exploring its benefits, terms, and whether it’s the right fit for your business travel needs.
Unpacking the Benefits: Why Choose This Travel Card Credit Card for Your Business?
This travel card credit card offers a suite of benefits tailored for businesses that value travel rewards, particularly within the American Airlines ecosystem. Let’s break down the key advantages:
Earn American Airlines AAdvantage® Miles on Business Spending
The core of this card’s appeal lies in its rewards program. Cardholders earn AAdvantage® miles on every purchase, which can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and other travel-related expenses on American Airlines and its partners.
- Double Miles on American Airlines Purchases: For businesses with significant travel budgets on American Airlines, this is a valuable accelerator. Eligible purchases include flights booked through American Airlines channels, Admirals Club® memberships, and American Airlines Vacations℠ packages. This quickly accumulates miles for future business trips or employee rewards.
- Double Miles in Select Business Categories: Beyond airline spending, the card also rewards everyday business expenses. Earn double miles on purchases at:
- Telecommunications Merchants: Covering essential business communications like phone services and equipment.
- Car Rental Merchants: Ideal for businesses with employees frequently needing rental cars for travel.
- Cable and Satellite Providers: For office internet, TV, and related services.
- Gas Stations: For businesses with company vehicles or employees expensing fuel.
- 1 Mile Per $1 on All Other Purchases: Every business expense, from office supplies to client dinners, contributes to your AAdvantage® miles balance.
Travel Perks to Enhance Your Business Trips
Beyond miles, this travel card credit card provides tangible travel benefits that can improve the travel experience for your employees and save your business money.
- First Checked Bag Free: For the primary cardmember and up to four companions on the same reservation, enjoy a free first checked bag on domestic American Airlines flights. This can translate to significant savings on baggage fees over frequent trips, especially for teams traveling together.
- Preferred Boarding: Cardholders and up to four companions on the same reservation benefit from preferred boarding on American Airlines flights (Group 5). This allows for a smoother boarding process and better access to overhead bin space.
- 25% Savings on Inflight Purchases: Employees can enjoy a 25% discount on inflight food, beverages, and Wi-Fi purchases on American Airlines flights when using this card. This adds convenience and cost savings during travel.
- American Airlines Companion Certificate: After spending $30,000 in purchases within a cardmembership year, you can earn a $99 domestic economy fare Companion Certificate. This allows a companion to travel with the primary cardholder for a significantly reduced fare, making it ideal for employee-plus-one travel or client meetings.
Understanding the Terms and Conditions: Key Considerations
Like any travel card credit card, it’s crucial to understand the terms and conditions associated with the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®.
Pricing and Fees
- Annual Fee: The card has a $99 annual fee, which is waived for the first 12 months. Evaluate your anticipated rewards and benefits usage to determine if the ongoing annual fee is justified.
- Purchase APR: The standard variable APR for purchases ranges from 20.24% to 29.24%, based on creditworthiness. It’s essential to pay balances in full to avoid interest charges, as with any credit card.
- Cash Advance APR: The standard variable APR for cash advances is a high 29.49%. Cash advances are generally discouraged due to high fees and interest rates.
- Foreign Purchase Fee: Notably, there are no foreign transaction fees with this card, making it suitable for international business travel.
- Cash Advance Fee: A fee of either $10 or 5% of the cash advance amount, whichever is greater, applies.
Eligibility and Bonus Miles
- Offer Availability: The card offer is available to US residents, excluding Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands.
- Bonus Restrictions: Bonus miles for new accounts are not available if you’ve received a new account bonus for this specific card in the past 48 months.
- Non-Qualifying Purchases: Certain transactions, such as balance transfers, cash advances, and fees, do not earn AAdvantage® miles.
Important Benefit Details
- First Checked Bag & Preferred Boarding Eligibility: To utilize these benefits, the card account must be open for at least 7 days prior to air travel, and the primary cardmember’s AAdvantage® number must be included in the reservation at least 7 days prior to travel.
- Companion Certificate Terms: The Companion Certificate has specific terms and conditions, including fare class restrictions, travel dates, and geographic limitations. It is valid for domestic economy travel within the 48 contiguous United States (with some exceptions for Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and US Virgin Islands).
Is This Travel Card Credit Card Right for Your Business?
The CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® is a compelling travel card credit card option for businesses that:
- Frequently fly with American Airlines: The AAdvantage® miles program and airline-specific benefits are most valuable for loyal American Airlines customers.
- Have significant business expenses in bonus categories: Maximizing double miles on American Airlines, telecommunications, car rentals, cable/satellite, and gas can lead to faster rewards accumulation.
- Value travel perks: Free checked bags, preferred boarding, and inflight savings enhance the travel experience and reduce out-of-pocket costs.
- Can utilize the Companion Certificate: Meeting the spending threshold and using the Companion Certificate effectively can offset the annual fee and provide significant travel value.
However, consider alternatives if your business:
- Doesn’t primarily fly with American Airlines: If your travel patterns are diverse, a more general travel rewards card with broader airline redemption options might be more suitable.
- Prefers cash back or other rewards: If you prioritize non-travel rewards, a business cash back credit card might be a better fit.
Conclusion: Elevating Business Travel with Strategic Card Choices
Choosing the right travel card credit card is a strategic decision for any business. The CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® offers a strong value proposition for businesses deeply invested in the American Airlines ecosystem. By understanding its rewards structure, travel benefits, and terms, you can determine if this card can effectively optimize your business travel spending and enhance your employees’ travel experiences. Consider your business travel patterns and spending habits to make an informed decision and unlock the potential of travel rewards.
