Guide to the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select flight discount
Lots of cardholders have a large stash of miles saved up, along with companion passes and airline vouchers. One of the vouchers that we get a lot of questions about is the $125 American Airlines flight discount from the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®.
This is a pretty valuable perk that doesn’t get nearly as much attention as it should. Cardholders can earn it after spending $20,000 or more on the card during their membership year and renewing their card.
This flight discount can only be applied to revenue fares, so you can save money and still earn miles on your ticket.
Here’s everything you need to know about the flight discount offered by the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select card.
The information for the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
How to get the $125 American Airlines flight discount
If you carry the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select, you get the $125 American Airlines flight discount every membership year in which you spend at least $20,000 on the card and then renew your card.
Your account must stay open for one full billing cycle after your anniversary month to receive the discount.
If you’re able to meet this spending requirementit will more than offset the card’s $99 annual fee, which has a $0 intro annual fee for the first year.
A great and easy way to hit the $20,000 spending requirement for this flight discount is to put your rent on your Platinum Select. As long as your rent is at least $1,667 each month, you’ll reach the spending requirement without needing to put any other spend on your card.
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Just keep any associated fees in mind when paying your rent with a credit card.
You’ll end up with at least 20,000 American Airlines AAdvantage miles from spending to reach that threshold. According to TPG’s March 2025 valuationsthat haul of miles is worth $330.
You’ll receive the flight discount in the mail eight to 12 weeks after meeting this spending requirement.
Remember that you’ll earn 1 Loyalty Point for every mile you earn, putting you closer to earning AAdvantage elite status. In fact, if you spend exactly $20,000 on the card, you’ll earn 20,000 Loyalty Points — putting you halfway to AAdvantage Gold.
Related: Chasing American Airlines elite status? Here are 15 ways to earn Loyalty Points
How to redeem the American Airlines flight discount
Redeeming the $125 American Airlines flight discount is very straightforward: To start, search for and select the airfare you’re interested in on aa.com as you usually would.
On the payment page, you’ll need to select “Other forms of payment” and choose the “Gift card/Travel Voucher/flight discounts” option.
You’ll need to enter your discount code. If your flight costs more than the discount code, you’ll need to provide an additional form of payment.
Related: Best credit cards for American Airlines flyers
FAQs about the $125 American Airlines flight discount
When does the $125 American Airlines flight discount expire?
The $125 American Airlines flight discount expires one year after it’s issued. If you have the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select, chances are you fly American at least once a year. As such, redeeming the $125 flight discount before it expires shouldn’t be an issue.
Can I use my American Airlines flight discount to book airfare for someone else?
The great thing about the American Airlines flight discount is that you can use it to book flights for other people. A couple of years ago, my brother decided at the very last minute to attend his friend’s graduation ceremony in Los Angeles. It was just an hourlong flight.
He called me asking which credit card to use for a last-minute $200 fare. In addition to card advice, I gave him my American Airlines flight discount code and he applied it at checkout, dropping his out-of-pocket cost down to about $75.
Can I use the American Airlines flight discount on other airlines?
While you can redeem the $125 American Airlines flight discount for other people, there are restrictions about which airlines you can apply it to.
The discount is valid on American Airlines-owned and -marketed flights and American Airlines codeshare flights. Flights must originate in the U.S., Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands, and you must book the ticket on American’s website or by calling American Airlines’ reservations department (the latter of which may incur a service fee).
What happens if you cancel or change your flight?
If you cancel or change a ticket booked with an American Airlines flight discount, your discount will not be reissued. However, it certainly doesn’t hurt to ask an airline representative if they’ll issue you a travel voucher or airline miles as a replacement. They’re not obligated to, and there’s no guarantee you’ll be accommodated, but it’s worth a try.
Do I earn miles on the ticket?
Since you’re using the discount on a standard revenue ticket, you will earn miles in the AAdvantage program based on the original price of the flight. This, too, will earn you Loyalty Points, putting you closer to reaching elite status.
Bottom line
The Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select’s flight discount is a useful recurring card perk you’ll get if you’re able to meet the $20,000 spending requirement every year. It has saved me money on last-minute bookings before and can really come in handy for last-minute ticket purchases.
Since credit card spending helps you reach AAdvantage elite status, that’s even more of a reason to push for this benefit.
To learn more, check out our full review of the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select.
Related: Is the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard worth it?
