IHG One Rewards Premier vs Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select: Which Is Better In 2025?

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

‍

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "572", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Frequent Travelers", "headerHint": "American Airlines Flyers"} ]]

‍

Why We Like It

‍

Here’s a closer look at why we recommend the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®.

‍

• This card has an annual fee (See Rates & Fees) that is waived for the first year and no foreign transaction fees, making it a solid choice for international travel.
• Cardholders receive a free first checked bag on domestic American Airlines flights for themselves and up to four travel companions on the same reservation.
• Spending $20,000 on the card during your cardmember year and renewing the card earns you a $125 American Airlines flight discount, which more than covers the annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).

‍

Pros

‍

• Complimentary first checked bag on domestic flights for the cardholder and eligible travel companions.
• Accelerated rewards on everyday purchases at restaurants and gas stations, in addition to on American Airlines flights.
• A straightforward path to AAdvantage® elite status by earning Loyalty Points on every eligible mile earned from purchases.

‍

Cons

‍

• The card’s earning rates are less competitive than what you might find on other travel cards.
• It lacks many valuable travel and purchase protections that are often standard on rewards cards.
• The card does not provide access to Admirals Club lounges, and some benefits may be redundant for existing AAdvantage® elite members.

Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® vs IHG One Rewards Premier

‍

Categories

‍

Deciding which is better, the IHG One Rewards Premier or the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select, comes down to your specific travel style and brand loyalty.

‍

• IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: This card is best for frequent travelers who are loyal to IHG hotel brands and want to maximize hotel-specific perks like elite status and free nights.
• Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®: This card is ideal for casual American Airlines flyers who want to enjoy airline-specific benefits like free checked bags and inflight discounts without having elite status.

‍

Redemption

‍

IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card: Points earned with this card are redeemed primarily for stays across IHG's portfolio of hotels, which includes brands like Holiday Inn and InterContinental. Cardholders can also use points for other travel-related purchases or transfer them to partner airline loyalty programs.

‍

Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®: The AAdvantage miles you earn can be redeemed for flights on American Airlines and its extensive network of Oneworld and other partner airlines. Miles can also be used for upgrades, car rentals, hotel stays, and other travel experiences.

‍

Travel Perks

‍

• Both cards are excellent choices for international travel as neither charges foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad.
• The IHG Premier card's travel ecosystem is built around the IHG family of hotels, with points best used for stays within its network. In contrast, the AAdvantage Platinum Select card's ecosystem is centered on American Airlines and its Oneworld alliance partners, making it ideal for redeeming miles for flights.
• While both cards offer valuable travel perks, neither includes complimentary airport lounge access, a benefit typically reserved for higher-tier premium travel cards.

‍

Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

‍

To find the best card for your wallet, a tool like Kudos can help you compare thousands of credit cards based on your unique spending habits.

‍

• Test drive a credit card: See personalized calculations of your potential earnings based on your actual spending history, with no application or hard credit pull required.
• Detailed approval odds: Receive a comprehensive analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report before you apply.
• Kudos Boost: Earn additional rewards on top of your credit card rewards when you shop at participating stores.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer within three months of being approved for a card through Kudos, they will match it.
• Autofill at checkout: The Kudos browser extension can automatically select the best card in your wallet to maximize rewards for each online purchase.

Who Should Choose the IHG One Rewards Premier?

‍

The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card is tailor-made for travelers who regularly stay at IHG properties like Holiday Inn, Kimpton, and InterContinental. These cardholders will get the most value from the automatic Platinum Elite status and the annual anniversary free night certificate, which can easily offset the annual fee. Travelers who often book longer stays can also maximize their points with the fourth-reward-night-free benefit, a key perk detailed in this card's review.

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 the hefty price tag of a premium card. Cardholders can earn AAdvantage miles on everyday purchases at restaurants and gas stations, receive their first checked bag free on domestic itineraries, and get a 25% discount on inflight purchases. It's a solid mid-tier option for travelers looking to build their AAdvantage miles balance, as detailed in a comprehensive card review.

Alternatives to Consider

‍

So you've read our IHG One Rewards Premier vs. Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® comparison and neither card feels like a winner? Not to worry—the world of travel rewards cards is vast, and there are plenty of other options that might be a better match for your wallet.

‍

[[ COMPARE_CARD * {"ids": ["510", "106"], "bestCategoryIds":["17", "18", "19"], "bestForTexts":["$300 Annual Travel Credit", "Serious Points on Flights"]} ]]

‍

_{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.}

Tips for Application Success

‍

Before You Apply

‍

• Check your credit score – Most travel rewards cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
• Review bonus eligibility rules – Issuers often have restrictions, like Citi's 48-month rule on some cards, that can affect your welcome offer.
• Assess your travel habits – Ensure the card’s benefits and partners, like those with IHG or American Airlines, align with your typical spending.

‍

Application Strategy

‍

• Time your application – Align it with a large purchase to help meet the spending requirement for a welcome offer.
• Know the issuer's rules – Some issuers, like Citi, have specific timelines for welcome offer eligibility.
• Apply strategically – Choose cards that match your loyalty, such as an IHG card for hotel stays or an AAdvantage card for flights.

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

‍

Can I transfer points between IHG and American Airlines?

‍

No, you cannot transfer points between the IHG One Rewards and American Airlines AAdvantage loyalty programs. Each program's points are earned and redeemed separately.

‍

Which card is better for earning elite status?

‍

The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card automatically provides IHG One Rewards Platinum Elite status for as long as you hold the card. The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® does not grant automatic elite status, but your spending contributes Loyalty Points toward earning AAdvantage status.

‍

Do both cards offer an annual free night?

‍

The IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card includes an Anniversary Free Night certificate valid at eligible IHG properties. The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® does not offer an equivalent annual free night or flight benefit.

‍

Which card is better for everyday spending?

‍

It depends on your spending habits; the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card excels on travel and gas, while the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® offers strong rewards on dining and gas. Both cards earn bonus rewards on purchases with their respective travel partners.

‍