# American Airlines Raises Its Citi AAdvantage Card Fee From $99 to $150 in January, the First Hike on the Platinum Select Since 2018

Fox News reports the new fee starts Jan. 24, 2027 and comes with extra perks, including a $100 in-flight credit. A Points Guy editor says it pays off only if you use them, and that rival airlines have moved the same way.

- Section: [Economy](https://rightnewsrightnow.com/economy/)
- Published: 2026-10-29
- By: RightNewsRightNow Staff
- Canonical page: https://rightnewsrightnow.com/articles/american-airlines-citi-aadvantage-card-annual-fee-99-to-150-jan-24-2027-points-guy-fox-news/

Another household cost is going up, this time for people who carry an airline credit card, Fox News reports.

The change. Starting Jan. 24, 2027, the annual fee on the Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select MasterCard and the Citi/AAdvantage Business MasterCard rises from $99 to $150, according to American Airlines' press release. That is an increase of $51, or nearly 52 percent. Fox says it is the first fee increase on the consumer Platinum Select card since 2018.

What comes with it. American says cardholders will earn more miles on everyday spending: three miles per dollar on eligible AAdvantage hotel and car bookings, and two miles per dollar on gas and EV charging, select streaming and eligible rides and rail. Cardholders also get up to $120 toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck every four years. A new $100 annual statement credit for in-flight purchases replaces the old 25 percent food and drink discount, and unlike the old discount it can be used for Wi-Fi. Preferred boarding, no foreign transaction fees and a free first checked bag for the cardholder and up to four companions stay in place.

Is it worth it. Nick Ewen, editor-in-chief of The Points Guy, told Fox News Digital: "You have to look at the real dollar value based on your own travel habits." He said anyone who spends about $100 a year on board, or already pays for Global Entry or PreCheck, "is definitely going to come out ahead," while someone who flies American once a year "may not be able to stomach" the higher fee. He said Delta, Southwest and United have made similar moves and that fees near $150 are now the norm for entry-level airline cards, though not universal.

What cardholders say. Fox quotes mixed reactions on Reddit, from "none of this is an upgrade" to a user who said the refresh makes it "a more respectable airline card."

Note for readers: the numbers come from American's press release as reported by Fox. We have not checked the card terms ourselves, and whether the new perks outweigh the fee depends on how each customer travels.

## Source

Original reporting: [Fox News](https://www.foxnews.com/travel/popular-airline-hits-customers-steep-fee-hike-first-time-8-years)