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Amex Gold vs Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- American Express® Gold Card: This card is a top choice for foodies and travelers, offering high reward rates on dining worldwide, groceries at U.S. supermarkets, and flights. Terms Apply.
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®: Best suited for loyal American Airlines flyers, this card earns miles on eligible AA purchases, as well as spending at restaurants and gas stations.
American Express® Gold Card Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a breakdown of what makes the American Express® Gold Card (See Rates & Fees) a top choice for many.
- Cardholders can earn valuable Membership Rewards® points on everyday purchases like dining out and buying groceries.
- It provides monthly credits for dining and Uber, adding practical value for daily use.
- The card offers excellent flexibility for travelers with no foreign transaction fees and multiple options for redeeming points.
Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company.
Pros
- High rewards on dining at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Annual credits for select dining partners and Uber.
- Flexible travel benefits, including no foreign transaction fees and point transfers to various airline and hotel partners.
Cons
- Comes with a significant annual fee.
- Annual credits are distributed in monthly installments, which can be inconvenient for some users.
- Acceptance can be limited compared to Visa or Mastercard, and some benefits require enrollment.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Let's take a closer look at the specific benefits that make the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® a top choice for American Airlines flyers.
- The card offers valuable travel perks on domestic American Airlines itineraries, including a free first checked bag for you and your travel companions.
- It provides a straightforward way to earn AAdvantage miles on purchases, with the added benefit of earning Loyalty Points toward elite status.
- This card is a solid choice for travelers who want to enjoy some elite-style perks on American Airlines without the commitment of a premium travel card.
Pros
- First checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and your travel companions on the same reservation.
- Earn AAdvantage® miles on purchases, which also count as Loyalty Points toward qualifying for AAdvantage® elite status.
- No foreign transaction fees on purchases made outside the U.S.
Cons
- The card's earning rates are mediocre compared to other travel cards, especially on purchases outside of its bonus categories.
- It lacks many common travel perks, such as airport lounge access and comprehensive travel or purchase protections.
- Some of the card’s key benefits, like the annual flight discount, require a high spending threshold to unlock.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® vs American Express® Gold Card
Categories
Deciding which is better, Amex Gold or Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select, depends entirely on your spending habits and travel preferences. Each card caters to a different type of consumer, excelling in distinct categories.
- American Express® Gold Card: This card is a premium rewards card best suited for frequent travelers and foodies who want to earn generous rewards on dining and travel purchases.
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®: This is a mid-tier airline card designed for semi-frequent American Airlines flyers who want to earn miles and enjoy basic travel perks without a high annual fee.
Redemption
American Express® Gold Card: Rewards are earned as highly flexible points that can be transferred to a wide array of airline and hotel partners, making them valuable for travelers who aren't loyal to a single brand.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®: This card earns AAdvantage® miles, which are redeemed directly through American Airlines' loyalty program for flights with American and its partner airlines.
Travel Perks
- American Express® Gold Card: This card’s travel ecosystem is built for flexibility rather than airline loyalty. Cardholders can book through The Hotel Collection to receive an experience credit on eligible stays of two nights or more. While it lacks traditional airport lounge access, it offers valuable annual credits for dining and Uber Cash that can enhance your travels. A key benefit for international travelers is that it charges no foreign transaction fees. Terms apply.
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®: This card’s travel perks are tightly integrated with the American Airlines ecosystem. Flyers get tangible benefits like a free first checked bag on domestic flights for themselves and up to four companions, plus preferred boarding. The card also helps expedite security screening with a statement credit for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee. Like the Amex Gold, it also comes with no foreign transaction fees.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
To make the decision easier, a financial companion tool like Kudos lets you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards to find the best fit for your wallet.
- Unlock a detailed analysis of your approval odds for different cards based on your credit report.
- Use the Test Drive feature to simulate your potential earnings with a new card based on your actual spending history, so you know exactly what to expect before you apply.
- Receive a welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos will match a better public offer if you find one within three months of approval.
- Get access to exclusive rewards, like the $100 Kudos Kickstart+ for adding select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.
Who Should Choose the American Express® Gold Card?
The American Express® Gold Card is an ideal choice for food and travel enthusiasts who can take full advantage of its premium rewards structure. Cardholders earn 4X points at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year (then 1X), making it a powerhouse for everyday spending. This card is best suited for individuals who can also maximize the up to $120 in annual dining credits and up to $120 in annual Uber Cash, effectively offsetting the annual fee. Terms Apply.
Who Should Choose the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®?
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® is an excellent choice for casual American Airlines flyers who want to earn miles and enjoy some elite-like perks without the high annual fee of a premium card. It's particularly well-suited for travelers who don't already hold AAdvantage elite status but want benefits like a free checked bag on domestic flights and the ability to earn miles on everyday purchases at restaurants and gas stations. Ultimately, this card serves as a strong entry point for those looking to deepen their loyalty with American Airlines, especially for applicants with a recommended credit score of 670 or higher.
Alternatives to Consider
If our deep dive into the Amex Gold vs Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select comparison shows that neither card is the right fit for you, don't worry. Here are a few other excellent options to consider.
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Tips for Application Success
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score - Most premium cards require good to excellent credit, though specific requirements vary by issuer.
- Review application rules - Issuers have unique restrictions, like Amex’s once-per-lifetime rule or Citi’s 48-month bonus ineligibility period.
- Plan to meet the spend requirement - Make sure you can comfortably reach the spending threshold for the welcome offer through your normal expenses.
Application Strategy
- Time your application - Look for the best available offer, as some issuers have strict eligibility rules that can prevent you from earning a bonus for several years.
- Try different methods - Use a private browser or check for targeted promotions, as the best Welcome Offers are not always publicly available.
- Activate your benefits - Remember to enroll in perks after approval, as some credits on cards like the American Express® Gold Card are not automatic.
Our Methodology
We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.
Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which card is better for frequent flyers on American Airlines?
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® is designed for American Airlines loyalists, offering benefits like a free first checked bag on domestic itineraries and preferred boarding. The American Express® Gold Card does not offer airline-specific perks for American Airlines.
Which card offers better rewards on dining and groceries?
The American Express® Gold Card is generally superior for these spending categories, as it earns elevated rewards at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® card's rewards structure is primarily focused on American Airlines purchases.
Can I transfer points from the Amex Gold card to American Airlines?
No, you cannot directly transfer American Express Membership Rewards points to the American Airlines AAdvantage® program. However, you can transfer points to other partner airlines within the oneworld alliance, such as British Airways or Iberia, and then use those points to book American Airlines flights.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
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