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Amex Platinum vs Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select: Which Is Better In 2025?
July 1, 2025
Editor's Picks
- The American Express Platinum Card® is best for frequent travelers who can take full advantage of its extensive lounge access, luxury hotel benefits, and various statement credits.
- The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® is ideal for American Airlines flyers who want a free checked bag and to earn bonus miles at restaurants and gas stations.
American Express Platinum Card® Breakdown
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Why We Like It
From its extensive travel benefits to its premium perks, here’s a breakdown of why we like the American Express Platinum Card® (See Rates & Fees).
- It provides comprehensive access to an extensive network of airport lounges worldwide.
- Cardmembers can take advantage of numerous statement credits that cover a wide range of travel and lifestyle spending.
- You'll receive automatic elite status with major hotel loyalty programs and access to exclusive dining reservations.
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
- Extensive airport lounge access through the Global Lounge Collection.
- Valuable statement credits that can offset costs for travel, dining, and entertainment.
- Automatic elite status with major hotel loyalty programs, unlocking valuable on-property perks.
Cons
- A steep annual fee means you'll need to use the card's benefits strategically to justify the cost.
- Maximizing value requires effort, as many statement credits and perks need to be manually activated and tracked.
- Reward earnings are heavily skewed toward travel, with limited bonus opportunities for everyday purchases.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® Breakdown
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Why We Like It
Here’s a breakdown of the key features and benefits that make this card a standout choice.
- Cardholders receive a free checked bag on domestic American Airlines flights and enjoy inflight savings.
- You can earn AAdvantage® miles on American Airlines purchases as well as at restaurants and gas stations.
- The card helps you earn Loyalty Points through everyday spending, providing a pathway to AAdvantage® elite status.
Pros
- Enjoy a free checked bag on domestic flights and receive a discount on inflight food and beverage purchases.
- Earn AAdvantage® miles on airline purchases and at restaurants and gas stations, with every eligible mile also earning a Loyalty Point toward elite status.
- The card features an introductory annual fee waiver for the first year and has no foreign transaction fees.
Cons
- The card's earning rates are less competitive compared to other travel cards.
- It lacks many common travel protections and does not include premium perks like airport lounge access.
- Some benefits require significant spending to unlock, and others may be redundant for travelers who already have AAdvantage® elite status.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® vs American Express Platinum Card®
Categories
Deciding which is better, Amex Platinum or Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select, comes down to your travel style and what you value in a credit card. These two cards cater to very different types of travelers, despite both offering travel-related rewards.
- The Platinum Card® from American Express is a premium travel card designed for frequent travelers who value luxury perks. It offers exclusive benefits and access that enhance the travel experience for those who can maximize its extensive features.
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® is best for casual American Airlines flyers looking to earn miles and enjoy airline-specific benefits. It provides a way to access elitelike perks without the commitment of a high-end travel card.
Redemption
The Platinum Card® from American Express: Points earned with this card offer great flexibility, as they can be transferred to numerous airline and hotel loyalty programs. Cardholders can also redeem points for travel booked through American Express, statement credits, or merchandise.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®: Rewards are earned as AAdvantage® miles, which are best redeemed for flights on American Airlines and its partner airlines. Miles can also be used for seat upgrades, car rentals, and hotel stays booked through the airline's loyalty program.
Travel Perks
- The Platinum Card® from American Express: This card provides access to a broad luxury travel ecosystem. Key benefits include access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, which features Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, and more. Cardholders also receive elite status with select hotel and car rental loyalty programs and can book travel through the American Express Travel portal, which includes the Fine Hotels + Resorts program. The card has no foreign transaction fees and offers several statement credits for travel-related expenses. Terms Apply.
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®: The travel ecosystem for this card is built entirely around American Airlines. It offers practical perks for flying with the airline, such as a free first checked bag on domestic itineraries for the cardholder and companions on the same reservation, as well as preferred boarding on American Airlines flights. While it doesn't offer the broad lounge access of a premium travel card, its benefits are designed to directly improve the American Airlines travel experience. This card also has no foreign transaction fees.
Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos
Kudos is a financial companion that helps you compare thousands of credit cards using your own spending data to find the best fit.
- Test drive credit cards with your real spending data to see potential earnings before you apply.
- Get personalized card recommendations and approval odds based on your credit report and spending habits.
- Monitor your transactions, spending, and credit score all in one place.
- Unlock additional rewards, like the $100 Kudos Kickstart+ and a welcome offer guarantee on select cards.
Who Should Choose the American Express Platinum Card®?
The American Express Platinum Card® is tailored for the frequent traveler who values luxury experiences and premium perks. This cardholder is someone who regularly takes advantage of benefits like extensive airport lounge access, complimentary hotel elite status, and exclusive dining reservations. Ultimately, the ideal user is someone whose spending habits naturally align with the card's various statement credits, allowing them to easily offset the annual fee through benefits they would use anyway.
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 enjoy some elite-like perks without committing to a high annual fee. This cardholder values practical benefits like a free checked bag on domestic flights and inflight discounts, while earning AAdvantage miles on everyday purchases at restaurants and gas stations. It's ideal for travelers who don't need premium features like lounge access but want a solid co-branded card that waives the annual fee for the first year and has no foreign transaction fees.
Alternatives to Consider
If our Amex Platinum vs Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select comparison didn't lead you to a clear choice, it may be that neither card is the right fit for your financial strategy. Fortunately, the travel rewards card market is vast, and several other compelling alternatives are worth a look.
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Tips for Application Success
Before You Apply
- Check your credit score, as a good-to-excellent score is typically required for approval.
- Plan your spending to ensure you can meet the welcome offer requirements without overspending.
- Review issuer rules, as you may be ineligible for a welcome offer if you've had the card before.
Application Strategy
- Search for the best offer, as targeted or referral promotions may be available.
- Know the credit inquiry type, as some issuers like American Express may perform a soft pull initially.
- Consider your existing relationship, as issuers like American Express may have limits on the number of cards you can hold.
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
What is the difference between a premium travel card and an airline co-branded card?
A premium travel card offers flexible rewards and luxury perks across various travel partners, while an airline co-branded card provides benefits and rewards specific to one airline.
Are high annual fees on credit cards ever worth it?
For frequent travelers, a high annual fee can be worthwhile if the value of the card's benefits—such as travel credits, lounge access, and elite status—exceeds the cost of the fee. It's essential to calculate whether your spending and travel habits align with the card's perks.
How does airport lounge access work with credit cards?
Many premium credit cards include membership in a lounge network, such as Priority Pass or an airline's proprietary lounges. Cardholders can typically access these spaces by showing their eligible credit card and a boarding pass for same-day travel.
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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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