aa business credit cards: A Comprehensive Guide to Rewards and Benefits

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If you're a business owner, you're likely no stranger to the benefits of using a business credit card. With the right card, you can earn rewards, build credit, and simplify your finances.

American Airlines business credit cards offer a range of rewards and benefits that can be tailored to your business needs. For example, the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard offers 50,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 in the first three months.

Rewards programs can vary significantly between cards, but many offer miles or points that can be redeemed for travel on American Airlines. Some cards also offer travel credits or upgrades, which can be a great perk for frequent flyers.

To get the most out of your business credit card, it's essential to understand the rewards and benefits offered by your card. By doing so, you can make the most of your spending and earn rewards that align with your business goals.

Benefits and Features

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If you have the Citi AAdvantage Business Card, you can participate in the AAdvantage Business program without needing a minimum number of travelers or minimum amount of revenue.

The AAdvantage Business program offers one bonus Loyalty Point and one bonus AAdvantage mile per eligible dollar spent on American, which can be transferred to an individual member.

With the Citi AAdvantage Business Card, the AAdvantage Business program minimum is waived, so there's no minimum spending or minimum number of travelers required.

The AAdvantage Business program offers a bonus Loyalty Point per dollar spent on eligible airfare, and an AAdvantage redeemable mile per dollar spent on eligible airfare.

The Citi AAdvantage Business Card offers a 5% annual bonus on all the points you've accrued via spending, which can be a great bonus.

Here are the benefits of the AAdvantage Business program:

  • AAdvantage Business offers the individual traveler one bonus Loyalty Point per dollar spent on eligible airfare
  • AAdvantage Business offers the business one AAdvantage redeemable mile per dollar spent on eligible airfare

With the AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Business Mastercard, you'll earn a domestic companion certificate after meeting yearly spending requirements, in addition to the standard American Airlines credit card benefits.

Fees and Costs

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The Citi AAdvantage Business Card has a $99 annual fee that's waived for the first 12 months, giving you a chance to try it out before committing.

This fee is waived for the first year, making it a great option if you want to test the card's benefits without the upfront cost.

The AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Business Mastercard has a $95 annual fee, which is lower than the Citi card's fee, but still requires payment after the first year.

You'll also want to be aware that both cards charge for cash advances, returned and late payments, and balance transfers, so be mindful of your spending habits.

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Fees and Costs

The Citi AAdvantage Business Card has a $99 annual fee, but it's waived for the first 12 months. This allows you to try the card without committing to the annual fee right away.

You can also add authorized users to the Citi AAdvantage Business Card at no extra cost. This is a convenient feature that can be useful for business owners with multiple employees who need access to the card.

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The AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Business Mastercard charges a $95 annual fee. This is a bit lower than the Citi AAdvantage Business Card's annual fee, but still a significant cost to consider.

The AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Business Mastercard does not charge foreign transaction fees, which can be a big plus for business owners who travel frequently. This can save you money on international transactions and make the card a more attractive option for frequent travelers.

No Foreign Transaction Fees

The Citi AAdvantage Business Card has no foreign transaction fees, so you can make purchases abroad without worrying about extra charges. This is a big plus for anyone who travels frequently or does business in other countries.

The annual fee for this card is $99, but it's waived for the first 12 months, giving you a chance to try out the card before committing to the fee.

Non-Restrictive Eligibility Requirements

The Citi AAdvantage Business Card has relatively non-restrictive eligibility requirements. This makes it a great option for many business owners.

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One of the most notable restrictions is the 48-month rule. You're not eligible for the card if you've received a new cardmember bonus on this exact card in the past 48 months.

However, having any of the Citi AAdvantage personal cards doesn't prevent you from getting the bonus on this card. This is a great perk, as it means lots of people should be eligible for the bonus.

To be eligible for the card, you don't necessarily need to own a business. If you don't have any employee cards, it should be fairly straightforward.

Program Overview

AAdvantage Business is American's free small business rewards program, which can earn you one bonus Loyalty Point and one bonus AAdvantage mile per eligible dollar spent on American.

To participate in the program, you'll need at least five unique travelers who have credited flights to the account, totaling at least $5,000 in revenue over the course of a year. However, if you have the Citi AAdvantage Business Card, this minimum is waived, making it easier to earn rewards.

Here are the AAdvantage Business program benefits:

  • AAdvantage Business offers the individual traveler one bonus Loyalty Point per dollar spent on eligible airfare.
  • AAdvantage Business offers the business one AAdvantage redeemable mile per dollar spent on eligible airfare.

Master Overview

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The AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Business Mastercard offers a range of benefits for small business owners who fly American Airlines. You can earn 2 miles per dollar on eligible American Airlines purchases, as well as 2 miles per dollar on office supply, telecom, and car rental merchants.

The card also includes a companion certificate good for one guest at $99 after $30,000 in annual eligible card purchases. This can be a great value for frequent travelers.

With the AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Business Mastercard, you'll also get a free first checked bag and priority boarding for up to 4 companions on American Airlines flights. This can save you a significant amount of money and hassle.

Here are some of the key benefits of the AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Business Mastercard:

  • Companion certificate good for one guest at $99 after $30,000 in annual eligible card purchases
  • Free first checked bag and priority boarding for up to 4 companions on American Airlines flights
  • 25% savings on in-flight food and beverage purchases on American Airlines-operated flights

The annual fee for the card is $95, but there are no foreign transaction fees. This can be a good option for small business owners who frequently travel on American Airlines.

Path to Status

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Earning elite status in the AAdvantage program is now based on Loyalty Points, which can be earned through credit card spending.

You'll earn one Loyalty Point for every dollar you spend on the AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Business Mastercard, which can be a great help if you need a boost toward the next status tier.

AAdvantage Gold status requires 40,000 Loyalty Points, while AAdvantage Platinum status requires 75,000 Loyalty Points, and AAdvantage Platinum Pro status requires 125,000 Loyalty Points.

Spending $200,000 on the Citi AAdvantage Business Card would earn you top-tier Executive Platinum status, but this is not the recommended approach.

Here's a breakdown of the AAdvantage elite status requirements:

Spending from authorized users will count toward their own total of Loyalty Points, rather than toward the Loyalty Points total of the primary cardmember.

How to Use

You can use American Airlines miles to book award flights on a variety of airlines, including Alaska Airlines, British Airways, and Qantas, thanks to its membership in the Oneworld alliance.

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American Airlines miles can also be used for flights with non-alliance airline partners like Air Tahiti Nui and Hawaiian Airlines.

The exact value of your miles depends on how and when you redeem them, but on average, they're worth 1.4 cents apiece.

You can use your miles to book award flights on many of American Airlines' routes, often finding great deals on everyday domestic fares across the U.S.

AA Web Specials can provide phenomenal opportunities for low-cost travel, making it a great option to explore.

American Airlines miles can be used to pay for a range of things beyond just flights, including car rentals, hotels, vacation packages, and even Admirals Club airport lounge memberships.

Rewards

The rewards on aa business credit cards are quite impressive. You can earn up to 2x AAdvantage miles on eligible American Airlines purchases, telecommunications merchants, cable and satellite providers, car rental merchants, and gas stations. This can be a great way to quickly rack up American Airlines miles.

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The Citi AAdvantage Business Card offers a welcome bonus of 65,000 AAdvantage bonus miles after spending $4,000 within the first four months. This is a solid welcome bonus with a reasonable minimum spending requirement.

You can earn 2x AAdvantage miles on eligible American Airlines purchases, 2x miles at office supply, telecom, and car rental purchases, and 1x mile per $1 spent on all other purchases with the AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Business Mastercard. New card members can earn a signup bonus of up to 70,000 miles.

The CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard offers a signup bonus of 65,000 miles after spending $4,000 in the first 4 months. You can also earn 2x miles on eligible American Airlines purchases, 2x miles for telecommunications, cable and satellite providers, car rentals, and gas stations, and 1x miles for everything else.

Here are the bonus categories for each card:

You can earn a 5% mileage bonus earned every year after your account anniversary date with the AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Business Mastercard. This can be a great way to boost your miles earnings.

Travel Benefits

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Traveling with your business can be a breeze with the right credit card benefits. The AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Business Mastercard offers a free first checked bag on American Airlines domestic itineraries for you and up to four companions.

You can save up to $350-400 per round-trip flight with this benefit, depending on the number of companions checking a bag. This can easily offset the card's $95 annual fee.

The Citi AAdvantage Business Card also offers a first checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to four companions. This benefit alone can save you up to $350-400 per round-trip flight.

Here are the details of the checked bag benefits for both cards:

Additionally, the Citi AAdvantage Business Card offers 25% savings on inflight food and beverage purchases on American Airlines flights when paying with the card. This can add up to significant savings if you fly American with frequency.

Free Checked Bag

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Traveling with a lot of luggage can be a hassle and expensive. American Airlines charges $30 for the first checked bag.

If you have the AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Business Mastercard, you and up to four companions on your reservation can get a free first checked bag on domestic itineraries. This can easily offset the card's $95 annual fee.

Domestic itineraries include US mainland, Hawaii, Canada, US Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. American Airlines charges $30 for the first checked bag, so with this card, you can save $30 per person round-trip.

The Citi AAdvantage Business Card also offers a free first checked bag on domestic American Airlines itineraries. You can get this benefit even if you don't pay for the ticket with your card, as long as it's linked to your AAdvantage account.

This can save you $35-40 per person round-trip, and if you have four companions checking a bag, that's a value of $350-400.

25% Inflight Savings

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With the right credit card, you can save a significant amount of money on inflight purchases on American Airlines flights. The Citi AAdvantage Business Card and the Citi AAdvantage Business Card both offer 25% savings on inflight food and beverage purchases.

This means you'll get a statement credit for 25% of the amount you pay in advance for meals and drinks on your flight. If you fly American with any frequency and make inflight purchases, this could save you a bit of money.

Here are some examples of how much you could save:

As you can see, the savings can add up quickly. This benefit is especially useful if you often fly with a companion and can take advantage of the free checked bag benefit that comes with the card.

Companion Certificate

The companion certificate is a unique benefit offered by some American Airlines credit cards. It allows you to bring a companion with you on a domestic flight for a discounted price.

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To receive a companion certificate, you typically need to spend a minimum of $30,000 in purchases on the card in a cardmember year. This certificate is usually valid for one year from the date of issue.

You can redeem the certificate for a roundtrip ticket in economy, but there are some restrictions to be aware of. The certificate is only valid for travel within the lower 48 states and must be booked through American Airlines Meeting Services. You'll also need to pay $99 plus taxes and fees when redeeming it.

Here are the key restrictions to keep in mind:

  • Only valid for travel within the lower 48 states
  • Only valid for a roundtrip ticket in economy
  • Must be booked through American Airlines Meeting Services
  • Valid for one year from the date of issue
  • Requires $99 plus taxes and fees at redemption
  • Companion is not eligible for mileage accrual or upgrades

Overall, the companion certificate can be a useful benefit if you're an American Airlines loyalist and plan to spend a significant amount on your card each year.

Reduced Mileage Awards

Reduced mileage awards are a great way to save miles on your flights. American Airlines releases a monthly list of routes where you can book award flights and save up to 7,500 miles on round-trip flights.

The Citi American Airlines Platinum Select small business card gives you access to these awards, which can be a huge perk for frequent flyers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does American Airlines have a corporate credit card?

Yes, American Airlines offers a co-branded business credit card through CitiBusiness, allowing you to earn miles on business expenses and travel. This card offers perks like a companion certificate for a domestic economy fare.

What credit score is needed for the AAdvantage card?

To be approved for the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select Card, you'll need a credit score of 700 or higher. Check your credit score before applying to ensure approval.

What credit cards are partners with American Airlines?

American Airlines has partnered with Citi to offer several co-branded credit cards, including the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard and the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard. Additionally, American Airlines offers its own co-branded credit card, the American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp.

Richard Harvey-Nolan

Junior Writer

Richard Harvey-Nolan is a rising star in the world of journalism, with a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling. With a background in economics and a love for finance, he brings a unique perspective to his writing. As a young journalist, Richard has already made a name for himself in the industry, covering a range of topics including precious metals news.

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