IHG One Rewards Traveler 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 breakdown of why we're fans of the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®.

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• Cardholders earn 2 miles per dollar on eligible American Airlines purchases, at restaurants, and at gas stations, with 1 mile per dollar on everything else.
• While it has an annual fee, the card charges no foreign transaction fees and offers a free first checked bag on domestic American Airlines itineraries.
• Checking a bag on just two round-trip domestic flights per year can offset the card's annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Cardholders get their first checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries and receive discounts on inflight food and beverage purchases.
• You can earn Loyalty Points from purchases, which helps you qualify for AAdvantage® elite status.
• The card is a great companion for traveling abroad, as it charges no foreign transaction fees.

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Cons

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• Earning rates are not as competitive as other travel cards, and some benefits require significant spending to unlock.
• The card lacks key travel and purchase protections and does not provide premium perks like airport lounge access.

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

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Categories

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Deciding which is better IHG One Rewards Traveler or Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select depends on your specific travel habits and brand loyalty.

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• IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: This is an entry-level hotel rewards card best for frequent travelers who want to earn points for stays at IHG Hotels & Resorts properties without paying an annual fee.
• Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®: As an airline credit card, this option is tailored for casual American Airlines flyers who want to earn AAdvantage miles and enjoy travel perks.

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Redemption

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IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: Points earned with this card are primarily redeemed for award nights at the wide range of properties within the IHG Hotels & Resorts portfolio.

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Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®: The AAdvantage miles you accumulate can be used for award flights with American Airlines and its oneworld® partners, as well as for upgrades and other travel rewards.

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Travel Perks

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• IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card: This card's travel benefits are focused within the IHG ecosystem. It includes a foreign transaction fee. While it doesn't offer airport lounge access, cardholders receive a fourth-night-free reward on award stays of four or more nights and automatic IHG One Rewards Silver Elite status.
• Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®: This card's perks are tailored to the American Airlines travel experience. It has no foreign transaction fees, making it a good option for international travel. It does not provide airport lounge access, but it does offer benefits like a first checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and your companions, as well as preferred boarding.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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The Kudos financial platform helps you compare nearly 3,000 credit cards to find the best fit for your spending habits.

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• Test drive a credit card: See exactly how much a new card could earn you by using your real spending data to generate personalized earnings projections before you apply.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better welcome offer for a card you got through Kudos within three months of approval, the platform will match it.
• Comprehensive approval odds: Receive a detailed analysis of your approval chances for a new card based on your credit report.
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• Exclusive rewards and bonuses: Unlock special offers like the $100 Kudos Kickstart+ and earn extra rewards on top of your card's points when shopping with Kudos Boost.

Who Should Choose the IHG One Rewards Traveler?

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The IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card is an excellent choice for occasional IHG guests and budget-conscious travelers who want to earn rewards without committing to an annual fee. It's particularly beneficial for those who can take advantage of the fourth-night-free benefit on reward stays and appreciate the lack of foreign transaction fees for international trips. Overall, this card serves as a solid entry point for anyone new to hotel loyalty programs, offering a way to test the waters of the IHG One Rewards system.

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 who want to earn miles and enjoy some travel perks without committing to a premium card's high annual fee. It's particularly well-suited for travelers who don't already hold AAdvantage elite status but desire benefits like a free checked bag on domestic flights and the ability to earn Loyalty Points toward status through spending. According to an in-depth analysis, the card's appeal is bolstered by its rewards on everyday purchases, offering 2 miles per dollar at restaurants and gas stations.

Alternatives to Consider

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Deciding between the IHG One Rewards Traveler and the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® often comes down to a choice between hotel perks and airline benefits. If neither of those priorities aligns with your spending, here are a few other excellent travel cards to consider.

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_{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

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score to ensure you meet the recommended creditworthiness for approval.
• Review bonus eligibility rules, as some issuers have restrictions based on your card history.
• Plan your spending to comfortably meet the minimum spend requirement for the welcome offer.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application before a large planned purchase to help meet the spending threshold.
• Be aware of issuer rules, as some cards have specific restrictions on welcome offer eligibility.
• Choose a card that fits your habits to ensure you can maximize its benefits and rewards.

Our Methodology

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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.

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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

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Can I transfer points between IHG One Rewards and American Airlines AAdvantage?

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No, you cannot directly transfer points between the IHG One Rewards and American Airlines AAdvantage programs. Each loyalty program operates independently, so points must be earned and redeemed within their respective systems.

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Do these cards charge foreign transaction fees?

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Neither the IHG One Rewards Traveler Credit Card nor the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® charges foreign transaction fees. This makes both cards suitable options for purchases made outside the United States.

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What kind of welcome offers can I expect?

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Welcome offers vary, but they typically involve earning a large number of bonus points or miles after meeting a minimum spending requirement within the first few months of opening your account. Always check the current offer from the issuer before applying.

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