I currently have the AMEX SPG card but am looking at other options.

I travel 4 days a week domestically for work. Fly out of DFW so pretty much only flying AA. I try to stay loyal to Marriott if possible.

The key is, my company will reimburse me for one credit card a year, regardless of cost. Being one to exploit the system (for good) I'm looking at the Citi AAdvantage Executive and the AMEX Platinum because they are the top tier "elite" cards. I'm planning on using the rewards for travel, mainly AA miles. So, does it make sense to go with the Platinum or the Citi Executive?

Another thought: should I get one of those "elite" category cards for airline expenses and travel expenses but then get a Marriott card for hotel stays? I can pay the $85 because I'll be getting much more than that in benefits with these two cards combined.

Basically, what's the "best" card, if annual fee is no concern...?

AAdvantage Executive will give you an Admirals Club membership, which means you can use the club even if flying another airline.

American Express Platinum will give you access to Admiral Club only when flying on AA, plus some codeshare flights. However, it will also give you access to SkyClub if flying Delta, US Airways club if flying on any airline, plus a Priority Pass Select membership which provides access to Alaska Airlines Boardrooms and hundreds of independent lounges worldwide. Note that UA lounges are specifically excluded from this type of Priority Pass.

American Express Platinum will also reimburse $200 per calendar year in incidental fees, see this thread:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...s-aa-only.html

...and it will reimburse the cost of joining Global Entry or NEXUS:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...efund-usa.html

There are additional rewards from both cards if you intend to use them for spending.

I would get 2 cards:
1. AMEX Platinum - get work to pay for that. Use it for Admiral's club, $200 of AA gift cards. Don't actually ever use the card to pay for anything.
2. Citi AA Visa - $85 a year - pay for it yourself. Use it to earn AA miles and get redemption discounts.

If you are going to use the cards for any material amount of spending, consider whether you would rather get AAdvantage points or Membership Rewards.

You might also review the actual lounge policies for the AA card vs. Amex. Sometimes there can be subtle differences, for example, number of guests.

Amex Plat also provides a few other perks, like elite membership for Hertz and (I think) National car rentals.

Note any signup bonuses. Sometimes the airline club-inclusive cards will come with a reduced first-year fee but no signup bonus, while Amex Plat will give you a signup bonus (shop around different links for the best one) but the $450 annual fee is inviolate - but you're not paying it.

Finally, you are probably elite on AA and getting most of their perks, but the $200 fee rebate on Amex could be useful to you on other airlines when you have to travel on them.

I don't think you need an airline or hotel elite card, as you should easily earn elite status with your travel schedule...

I would do a nice cash or rewards card, as you should already be flush with hotel/airline points...

I would get the hotel and airline cards for the multiple points bonuses. For example I would use the Marriott Card to pay for your stays with them.

I'd suggest you figure out how to get a Centurion invite. Is never pay that fee out of my own pocket.

If one then Amex Platinum, no question in my mind. If you employer reimburses you for the annual fee, then you will profit nicely from all the goodies. Try to find some referals for 50,000 bonus points here on Flyertalk.

A few pieces if info needed. Will the employer paid card be used for travel reimbursement? Must you use the same card? What is you annual spend? Do you need the EQMs foe elite status that the Citi Exec provides?

If you don't need the status, you have flexibility on where to put you spend, then I would add the SPG card to the above and put my spend there vs the Citi except for AA tickets. You get the 25% transfer bonus, so better than just the 1/$1 on Citi. But, since you have the Citi still get the 10% mileage discount.

And I wouldn't discount business spend on the Plat. They have had regular bonuses transfers to BA, which are quite valuable for short haul AA redemptions. Diversification.

Amex Platinum for sure. You'll get $450 back and all the benefits (lounge access, Global Entry, $200 reimbursement, SPG gold, etc.)

Is the AMEX Centurion card out of the question?

I would get the Amex Platinum card for the benefits but use the Starwood card whenever possible (for the 25% airline bonus or currently good Starwood point schedule for hotels).

Currently, American Express (USA) does not have a referral program. See this thread:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...t-1-first.html

Cross-posted requests for a referral have been removed.

+1. I'm a big fan of the Platinum card but getting both may pay dividends too.