American Airlines credit card annual fee is rising to $150 with new perks

Key Points:

• American Airlines will increase the annual fee for its Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select and Business MasterCards from $99 to $150 starting January 24, 2027, marking the first hike for the Platinum Select card since 2018.
• To offset the nearly 52% fee increase, new perks include enhanced ways to earn AAdvantage miles, up to $120 toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fees every four years, and a $100 annual statement credit for in-flight purchases, replacing the previous 25% food and beverage discount.
• The card continues to offer benefits like preferred boarding, no foreign transaction fees, and a free first checked bag for the cardholder and up to four companions on domestic American flights.
• Experts note this fee increase reflects a broader trend among major airlines, with entry-level airline credit cards moving closer to $150 annually as issuers add more lifestyle-focused perks and statement credits.
• Reactions from cardholders are mixed; some criticize the changes as not true upgrades, while others appreciate the added value, particularly the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit.