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American Airlines hikes annual fees on rewards cards for first time since 2018

American Airlines and Citi are raising annual fees on two rewards credit cards for the first time since 2018. The Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard increases from $99 to $150 yearly. The fee hike accompanies enhanced travel benefits and new ways to earn miles on the co-branded cards. This adjustment reflects a broader industry trend among airlines and financial institutions raising co-branded card pricing.

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⚡ Key Developments & Real-Time Context
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  • ✓ American Airlines and Citi increased annual fees on rewards credit cards for the first time since 2018.
  • ✓ The Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard fee increased from $99 to $150 annually.
  • ✓ The fee hike applies to two rewards credit cards, including the Platinum Select card and the Business World Elite Mastercard.
  • ✓ Airlines generate substantial revenue by selling frequent-flyer miles to financial institutions for credit card rewards programs.
🛡️ Source Corroboration: 15 independent reporting domains (95% confidence) ⏱ Read time: ~2 min

What changed

American Airlines raised the annual fee on its Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard to $150 from $99, marking the first increase for the card since 2018.

Live updates

  1. American Airlines Hikes Rewards Card Fees For First Time Since 2018

    American Airlines and Citi are raising annual fees on two rewards credit cards for the first time since 2018. The Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard increases from $99 to $150 yearly. The fee hike accompanies enhanced travel benefits and new ways to earn miles on the co-branded cards. This adjustment reflects a broader industry trend among airlines and financial institutions raising co-branded card pricing.

    Why it matters

    Airlines generate substantial revenue by selling frequent-flyer miles to financial institutions, which distribute them through credit card rewards programs. Co-branded airline cards have historically maintained standard price points, such as $99 annually, but carriers are now adjusting these fees upward. This move aligns American Airlines with other major carriers modifying their card pricing structures.

    What is confirmed

    • American Airlines and Citi increased annual fees on rewards credit cards for the first time since 2018.
    • The Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard fee increased from $99 to $150 annually.
    • The fee hike applies to two rewards credit cards, including the Platinum Select card and the Business World Elite Mastercard.
    • Airlines generate substantial revenue by selling frequent-flyer miles to financial institutions for credit card rewards programs.

    What to watch next

    • Whether other major airlines announce similar fee increases on co-branded rewards cards
    • Customer response and retention rates following the price hike to $150
    Sources used for this update (15)
    1. www.foxnews.com — Fox News - Breaking News Updates | Latest News Headlines | Photos...
    2. CNBC — American Airlines hikes annual fees on rewards cards for first time since 2018
    3. Cleveland.com — Credit card increases annual fee to $150
    4. Upgraded Points — Citi and AA Change 2 Credit Cards: More Perks, Higher Fees
    5. American Airlines — American Airlines and Citi enhance the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard and the Citi / AAdvantage Business World Elite Mastercard with more ways to earn and new travel benefits
    6. Quartz — American Airlines is raising Citi AAdvantage card annual fees
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    9. www.fox10phoenix.com — Popular airline hits customers with steep fee hike for first time in 8 years
    10. www.cnbc.com — American Airlines hikes annual fees on rewards cards for ...
    11. fintechopulse.com — American Airlines Hikes Rewards Card Fees First Time Since ...
    12. fundmetricflow.com — American Airlines Hikes Rewards Card Annual Fees Since 2018 ...
    confidence 95%
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