Chase Sapphire Reserve vs Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select: Which Is Better In 2025?

Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® Breakdown

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Why We Like It

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Here’s a closer look at why we think the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® is a solid choice for many American Airlines loyalists.

• It offers valuable perks like a free first checked bag on domestic flights, which is great for travelers who don't have elite status with American Airlines.

• Cardholders can accelerate their AAdvantage mile earnings with double miles on eligible American Airlines purchases, as well as at restaurants and gas stations.

• The free checked bag benefit can easily offset the card's $99 annual fee (waived the first year) after just two domestic round trips on American Airlines (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Key travel perks like a free first checked bag on domestic itineraries and no foreign transaction fees.

• A generous welcome bonus and accelerated mile earnings on eligible American Airlines, restaurant, and gas station purchases.

• A direct path to earning Loyalty Points from card spending, which count toward qualifying for AAdvantage® elite status.

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Cons

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• The card’s earning rates are less competitive than many other travel rewards cards.

• It lacks many of the travel and purchase protections that are common on competing cards.

• Some key benefits require high spending to unlock, and other perks may be redundant for travelers who already have AAdvantage® elite status.

Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® vs Chase Sapphire Reserve®

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Categories

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When deciding which is better, Chase Sapphire Reserve or Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select, it's crucial to understand that each card caters to a different type of traveler and spending style.

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• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: This card is designed for frequent travelers who can maximize premium travel benefits, comprehensive travel protections, and flexible point transfers to various airline and hotel partners.
• Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®: This card is best suited for casual American Airlines flyers who want to enjoy airline-specific perks and earn AAdvantage miles on everyday spending without a high-cost commitment.

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Redemption

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With the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, points are redeemed through the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal for travel, cash back, and more, or transferred to various airline and hotel partners for maximum flexibility.

The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® earns AAdvantage® miles, which are redeemed directly through the American Airlines AAdvantage® program primarily for flights on American and its partner airlines.

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Travel Perks

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• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: This card offers a comprehensive travel ecosystem built for frequent, brand-agnostic travelers.
  • Lounge Access: Cardholders receive a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, granting access to over a thousand airport lounges worldwide.
  • Travel Credits: It features a flexible annual travel credit. It's important to note that points are not earned on travel spending until after this credit is exhausted. Cardholders also receive a statement credit for the application fee for either Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: There are no foreign transaction fees, making it a strong choice for international travel.
• Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®: The perks are centered entirely around the American Airlines travel experience.
  • Airline-Specific Benefits: Key perks include a first checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for the cardmember and up to four travel companions, as well as preferred boarding on American Airlines flights.
  • In-Flight Discounts: Cardholders receive a discount on in-flight food and beverage purchases when flying with American Airlines.
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: This card also comes with no foreign transaction fees.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make an informed decision, you can use a financial companion like Kudos to compare top-rated cards based on your unique spending habits.

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Who Should Choose the Chase Sapphire Reserve®?

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The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is tailor-made for frequent travelers who can fully leverage its premium perks, like the $300 annual travel credit and Priority Pass™ Select lounge access. It's also an excellent choice for foodies who dine out often, thanks to its 3x points on dining and complimentary DashPass membership. Ultimately, the ideal cardholder is a points enthusiast with an excellent credit score who values comprehensive travel protections and the flexibility of transferring points to airline and hotel partners.

Who Should Choose the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®?

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The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® is an excellent choice for casual American Airlines flyers seeking elite-like perks without a premium annual fee. According to a review by The Points Guy, its key benefits include a free checked bag on domestic itineraries and accelerated mileage earning at restaurants and gas stations. The card is also well-suited for those who travel internationally, thanks to no foreign transaction fees, and for individuals with a credit score of 670 or higher who want to build their AAdvantage miles balance.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Chase Sapphire Reserve vs Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select comparison didn't help you find a winner, don't worry. When neither the premium Chase Sapphire Reserve® nor the airline co-branded Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® is the right fit, it's time to look at some other excellent travel cards.

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Tips for Application Success

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Ready to apply? Following a few key steps can significantly boost your chances of approval and ensure you’re set up to maximize your new card from day one.

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Before You Apply:

• Check your credit score. Premium travel cards generally require good to excellent credit. Knowing where you stand beforehand can save you a hard inquiry on your credit report if you're not likely to be approved.
• Plan your spending. Welcome offers require meeting a minimum spend in a set timeframe, often the first three months. Make sure you can reach this threshold through your normal spending habits to avoid overspending.
• Research redemption options. Whether you're earning Chase Ultimate Rewards® points or AAdvantage® miles, have a goal in mind. Knowing which airline and hotel partners you plan to use will help you get exceptional value from your rewards.
• Review the issuer’s application rules. Some issuers have restrictions on earning a welcome offer if you’ve recently received one for the same card. For example, Citi has a 48-month rule for some of its cards, so it pays to check your eligibility.

Application Strategy:

• Be patient if you don't see the best offer. Issuers sometimes present different welcome offers through various channels. If the first one you see isn't what you were hoping for, it can be worth trying a different browser or device.
• Be honest on your application. Always provide accurate information, especially regarding your income. Issuers have ways to verify this, and misrepresentation can lead to an automatic denial.

Pro tip: Time your application just before a planned large purchase, like a vacation, home renovation, or new furniture. It’s an easy way to meet the minimum spending requirement naturally and quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of rewards do the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® earn?

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® earns flexible Ultimate Rewards® points that can be transferred to numerous airline and hotel partners. The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® card is designed specifically to earn American Airlines AAdvantage® miles for use within their loyalty program.

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How do the annual fees and travel benefits differ?

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® has a premium annual fee that supports extensive benefits like an annual travel credit and airport lounge access. The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® has a lower annual fee and provides airline-specific perks, such as free checked bags on domestic American Airlines itineraries.

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Which card offers airport lounge access?

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® includes a complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, which provides access to over 1,300 lounges worldwide. The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® card does not offer airport lounge access as a standard perk.