5 Ways to Turn This Limited-Time 60,000 American Airlines Mile Bonus Into an Incredible Family Getaway

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I currently have the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® and I’ve used the American Airlines miles I’ve earned with the card to save $100s on airfare.

For a limited time, this card has an increased sign-up bonus of 60,000 American Airlines miles after meeting minimum spending requirements, which is enough for 4 round-trip coach tickets on a short-haul trip in the US (500 miles or less one-way).  This is a great opportunity for a quick family getaway with just one card’s sign-up bonus!

The information for Citi AAdvantage Platinum card has been collected independently by Million Mile Secrets. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Here are 5 ideas to show you how you can use this sign-up bonus for your next family trip!  And for more tips and tricks on how to use your miles & points, subscribe to our newsletter.

American Airlines Miles Could Be Just What You Need to Book a Family Trip to an American Airlines Hub, Like Philadelphia

5 Family Trip Ideas With the Citi American Airlines Bonus

You can apply here for the Citi American Airlines Platinum Select Card

Our Review of the Citi American Airlines Platinum Select Card

The Citi American Airlines Platinum Select Card is currently offering an increased sign-up bonus of 60,000 American Airlines miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of opening your account.  In addition to the sign-up bonus, you’ll earn:

  • 2X American Airlines miles per $1 spent on American Airlines flights
  • 2X American Airlines miles per $1 spent at gas stations and restaurants
  • 1X American Airlines mile per $1 spent on other purchases

You’ll actually earn at least 63,000 miles (60,000 bonus miles + at least 1 mile per $1) after meeting the $3,000 minimum spend.  And while it may seem that bonuses like these are better for single folks or those who don’t have kids (more people = more miles needed!), there are still many options for families to take advantage of this offer!   

Here are 5 ideas for a fun family trip with the bonus!

1.   Visit the San Diego Zoo

San Diego is a great place to visit for many reasons, but one spot that kids (and adults) will love is the San Diego Zoo.  You can enjoy a full day of gorillas, koalas, panda bears, tigers, polar bears, and more!  They also have a double-decker bus where you can ride in comfort while giving your legs a break from exploring the 100-acre grounds.

You can save money by getting a 3-for-1 Pass that is valid for one visit each to the San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and SeaWorld San Diego.

Watch the Pandas Chew on Some Bamboo at the Zoo!

A family of 4 flying out of Phoenix or Los Angeles can fly round-trip for as low as 60,000 American Airlines miles.  So you would have enough miles to make this trip with the sign-up bonus alone!  Folks based elsewhere in the continental US can fly to San Diego for as little as 12,500 American Airlines miles each way, so you would have enough miles for up to 5 one-way tickets.

2.   Pike Place Market in Seattle

The Pacific Northwest is a top destination for many folks for its beautiful scenery, artistic culture, and mild summers.  Pike Place Market in Seattle is a favorite for tourists and locals alike.  Shop for food and enjoy a nice lunch while the kids enjoy the sweet shop, comic book shop, a soda fountain, and plenty of ice cream.  Afterward, take a nice stroll through downtown Seattle or a trip up the Space Needle to help burn all of that sugar off. 😉

With Public Transportation and Many Sights Within Walking Distance, Seattle Is a Great Place to Skip Renting a Car

A family of 5 can get one-way tickets for as low as 62,500 points in the continental US (12,500 miles one-way, per person).  That means you’ll have enough miles from the sign-up bonus and miles you’ll earn meeting the card’s minimum spending requirement!

3.   Field Museum in Chicago

Chicago offers a wide variety of activities from baseball to the boardwalk on Navy Pier.  A short walk along the lake takes you to the historic Field Museum where kids can see dinosaurs, mammoths, and a bugs-eyed look at the world.  Next door you will also find the Shedd Aquarium and the Adler Planetarium, giving your family plenty of opportunities to explore!

Museums, Millennium Park, and The Magnificent Mile Make Chicago a Great Choice for a Family Trip!

A hub for American Airlines and a central location in the Midwest, folks in places like Nashville, Detroit, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh can fly a family of 4 to Chicago for as little as 60,000 American Airlines miles round-trip!

4.   Colorado Railroad Museum Near Denver

If your kids love trains, the Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden, Colorado, is a short and beautiful drive from Denver.  The 15-acre rail-yard has over 100 locomotives, many of which you can climb in to check out yourself.  A train ride around the yard and a look inside the museum is a great stop near a city with lots to do for families!

Get Up Close and Personal With Historic Trains at the Colorado Railroad Museum

Anyone in the continental US can take a family of up to 5 one-way to Denver for as low as 62,500 American Airlines miles!

5.   Beach Vacation in the Dominican Republic

It may surprise you to see that your options with the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® aren’t limited to travel within the US!

If your idea of a vacation is sitting on the beach and relaxing, a trip to the Dominican Republic could be within your reach.  Many folks like the Dominican Republic for the friendly people and the all-inclusive resorts.  Some of these resorts have drop-off programs for kids of all ages, with opportunities from tennis to art classes while the parents can relax by the pool!

Looking to Relax?  A Caribbean Family Vacation in the Dominican Republic Can Help You Do Just That!

American Airlines award flights to the Dominican Republic cost as little as 12,500 American Airlines miles during “off-peak” times.  The sign-up bonus from the card can get your family of 4 there with this “MilesSAAver” redemption, or can go a long way towards round-trip itinerary!

Are You Eligible for the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Sign-Up Bonus?

The Citi AAdvantage Platinum card has a $99 annual fee that is waived for the first 12 months.  It also has other perks such as:

  • Free first checked bag for you and up to 4 travel companions on the same reservation (domestic flights only)
  • Preferred boarding for you and up to 4 travel companions on the same reservation
  • 25% off eligible in-flight purchases
  • Receive 10% of your redeemed miles back, up to 10,000 miles per calendar year (this perk is ending on May 1, 2019)
  • Reduced Mileage Awards – get discounts up to 7,500 miles round-trip on award flights to certain airports

While these earnings and perks could make sense to hang onto the card long term, the sign-up bonus and no annual fee for the first year can make this card worth trying out if you have had a family trip like these in mind.

You won’t earn the sign-up bonus for this card if you have opened or closed any other personal Citi AAdvantage Card (like the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®) in the past 24 months).  This only includes cards in the AAdvantage “family” issued by Citi, not other cards they issue.

The American Airlines cards issued by Barclays also do not count against this rule because they are issued by a different bank.  This also does not include their AAdvantage business card, the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Mastercard®.  And if you have or have had the American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card, it won’t impact your eligibility for the Citi American Airlines Platinum card.

The information for CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum card has been collected independently by Million Mile Secrets. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Bottom Line

Flying with family requires more miles on award flights than single folks and or those without kids.  However, the 60,000 American Airlines mile sign-up bonus from the Citi AAdvantage Platinum card could be enough to take your family to places like San Diego, Seattle, Chicago, Denver, or even the Dominican Republic.

If you can take advantage of traveling to a city 500 miles or less from your home airport, the sign-up bonus can be stretched even further!

This increased offer for 60,000 American Airlines miles after spending $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening is only available for a limited time.  If you have a quick family trip in mind and would like to take advantage of this deal, you can apply here.

What is your favorite place for a family vacation?

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Jason Stauffer was a writer for Million Mile Secrets where he covered points, miles, credit cards, airlines, hotels and general travel. His work has appeared in The Points Guy and NextAdvisor.

Editorial Note: We're the Million Mile Secrets team. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. These haven’t been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. And that’s just how we like it! :)

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