Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select®

For regular American Airlines travelers, this card is easy to justify. The $99 annual fee can be offset quickly if you check bags, especially if you often travel with family or friends on the same reservation, since the first checked bag benefit extends beyond just the primary cardholder. Add in a solid welcome bonus and 2x miles on American purchases, dining, and gas, and it fits well for someone already loyal to the airline.

For most other readers, this is a secondary card with a specific job. The rewards rates are decent but not strong enough to make it your main spending card, and the main ongoing perk is tied closely to flying American. If you rarely fly the airline or usually travel carry-on only, the card loses a lot of its practical value.