The annual fee on the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select and the Citi / AAdvantage Business card rises from $99 to $150 on January 24, 2027. In return, both cards add up to $100 a year back on inflight purchases, a $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit and new travel insurance. The first year stays free for new cardholders.
American and Citi announced the refresh on October 27, two days after Citi added an inKind dining credit worth up to $200 a year to the $695 AAdvantage Executive card. We cover both changes below, with the math on who comes out ahead.
What changed
- Before: both cards cost $99 a year and gave 25% off inflight food and drinks, per Citi’s current Platinum Select page and Business page.
- Now: from January 24, 2027, both cards cost $150 and give up to $100 back each year on inflight purchases, including Wi-Fi.
- New on both: 3X AAdvantage miles on hotels and rental cars booked through AAdvantage Hotels and AAdvantage Cars, plus the $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit every four years.
- Platinum Select only: 2X miles on EV charging, select streaming and eligible rides and rail, a free Walmart+ membership ($98 value) and 50% off an annual FOX One subscription. The flight discount rises from $125 to $150 after $20,000 in yearly spending.
- Business only: 2X miles on one category you choose from U.S. shipping, office supply stores or U.S. advertising and 25% off a Melio plan. The $99 companion certificate after $30,000 in spending stays.
- Who it affects: every current cardholder, at the first renewal on or after January 24, 2027. Light American Airlines flyers who keep the card for the free checked bag pay $51 more a year.
Key terms
- The fee: the American Airlines newsroom release says from January 24, 2027, “both cards will have an annual fee of $150.”
- Existing cardholders: the same release says they “will have access to the new and enhanced benefits” from January 24, 2027. The higher fee should show up at your first renewal after the change.
- Inflight credit: up to $100 in statement credits a year on food, drinks and Wi-Fi bought on American flights. It replaces the 25% discount.
- Walmart+: primary Platinum Select cardholders only. Authorized users don’t get their own membership.
- Business Loyalty Points: the primary cardholder earns 1 extra Loyalty Point per $1 authorized users spend, through December 31, 2028. We covered the promotion in our AAdvantage Business Loyalty Points post.
- Turo: the Platinum Select already pays $30 back per Turo car rental, up to $180, and the offer continues.
Scott Long, American’s senior vice president of AAdvantage, said, “We’re continuing to evolve the Citi / AAdvantage portfolio to better reflect how our members live, spend and travel today.”
The Executive card’s $200 inKind credit
Citi added the dining credit to the Executive card on October 25, Frequent Miler reports. You add the card as a payment method in the inKind app, then pay your bill through the app at a participating restaurant. You get up to $100 off from January to June and another $100 from July to December, and this year’s $100 runs through December 31, 2026.
The credit doesn’t stack with inKind credit already in your account, and it doesn’t cover the tip. The Executive card page still lists the $695 fee, so the credit comes with no price increase. Costco often sells $100 inKind gift cards for $75, so we’d count the pair of credits as about $150 a year, and only if inKind has restaurants where you eat. It joins the other dining credits on premium cards.
Our take
The inflight credit carries most of the new value. Under the old 25% discount, you had to spend $400 onboard to save $100. Now the first $100 of onboard purchases comes back in full, so anyone buying less than $400 a year onboard does better under the new rule.
Here’s a Platinum Select holder who spends $60 a year on Wi-Fi and snacks:
| Item | Through Jan 23, 2027 | From Jan 24, 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $99 | $150 |
| Inflight savings on $60 | $15 | $60 |
| Global Entry credit, per year | $0 | $30 |
| Cost after these savings | $84 | $60 |
This cardholder comes out $24 ahead, before counting Walmart+. Someone who never buys anything onboard and already has Global Entry from another card pays $51 more for the same free bag and preferred boarding.
The Business card’s chosen 2X category is worth real money for a business with big shipping or advertising bills. On $20,000 a year of eligible spending, the extra 20,000 miles are worth $200 to $300 at the 1 to 1.5 cents per airline mile in our points valuation guide. Those miles alone cover the $51 increase about four times over.
We’d keep either card through 2027 if you’ll use the inflight credit at least once. If you won’t, call Citi before your first renewal at $150 and ask about a downgrade to a no-fee card. If you earn Citi ThankYou points on a Strata Premier or Strata Elite, Citi lets you move them to American at 1:1. Our best travel credit cards guide compares other airline credit cards if you’d rather switch.
FAQ
When does the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select annual fee go up?
The fee rises from $99 to $150 on January 24, 2027. Current cardholders pay $150 at their first renewal after the change.
Is the first-year fee still waived?
Yes. New Platinum Select and Business cardholders still pay no annual fee for the first 12 months.
Does the $100 inflight credit cover Wi-Fi?
Yes. The release lists food, drinks and Wi-Fi bought on American flights, up to $100 in statement credits a year.
Do I need to enroll for the new benefits?
The release says existing cardholders get access from January 24, 2027. Walmart+ and FOX One will probably need activation, and Citi hasn’t published those steps yet.
How does the AAdvantage Executive inKind credit work?
Add your Executive card in the inKind app and pay a participating restaurant’s bill through the app. You get up to $100 off from January to June and $100 from July to December.
Subscribe to the TravelPointsPro newsletter for the next card change worth acting on, sent once a week.
