Marriott Bonvoy Boundless 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 what makes the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® a compelling choice for American Airlines flyers.

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• You can earn 2 miles per dollar on eligible American Airlines purchases, at restaurants, and at gas stations, and 1 mile per dollar on all other purchases.
• While the card has an annual fee, it is waived for the first year and you won't be charged foreign transaction fees on international purchases.
• Checking a bag on just two domestic round-trip flights per year could offset the card's annual fee. (publisher-formulated estimate)

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Pros

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• Enjoy a free checked bag on domestic American Airlines flights for you and your travel companions on the same reservation.
• Card spending helps you earn Loyalty Points, putting American Airlines AAdvantage elite status within reach.
• No foreign transaction fees on international purchases.

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Cons

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• Earning rates are mediocre compared to other travel cards.
• Lacks key travel and purchase protections.
• Does not include access to American Airlines Admirals Club lounges.

Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® vs Marriott Bonvoy Boundless®

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Marriott Bonvoy Boundless or Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select, comes down to your specific travel style and brand loyalty. Each card caters to a different type of traveler, offering unique perks for either hotel stays or airline flights.

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• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card - This card is best for frequent travelers who regularly stay at Marriott properties. It's designed for those looking to maximize hotel rewards and gain elite status benefits within the Marriott Bonvoy program.
• Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® - This card is a strong choice for casual American Airlines flyers. It provides a way to earn miles and enjoy elitelike benefits on American Airlines without the high cost of a premium card.

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Redemption

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Marriott Bonvoy Boundless®: Points earned with this card are redeemed primarily for free nights at hotels and resorts within the extensive Marriott Bonvoy portfolio. You can also transfer points to various airline partners or use them for unique experiences.

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Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®: Miles are redeemed for award flights on American Airlines and its oneworld® Alliance partners. Other redemption options include seat upgrades, car rentals, and hotel stays.

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Travel Perks

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• Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card: This card's travel ecosystem is centered around the vast Marriott Bonvoy portfolio. While it doesn't offer airport lounge access, its strengths lie in hotel-specific benefits. Cardholders receive an annual Free Night Award and automatic Silver Elite Status, enhancing their stays at Marriott properties. The card also has no foreign transaction fees, making it a good companion for international travel. Points can be redeemed for hotel stays or transferred to a variety of airline partners through the Bonvoy program.
• Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®: This card plugs you into the American Airlines AAdvantage® program and the broader oneworld® Alliance. Its perks are focused on improving the flight experience. Key benefits include a free first checked bag on domestic itineraries for you and up to four companions on the same reservation, as well as preferred boarding on American Airlines flights. While it doesn't provide airport lounge access, it does waive foreign transaction fees, which is a valuable perk for overseas trips.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make the choice even clearer, a tool like Kudos can provide personalized insights by comparing thousands of cards based on your actual spending.

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• Personalized Projections: The Test Drive feature lets you simulate your potential earnings on any card using your real spending data before you commit to an application.
• Extensive Card Comparison: Compare nearly 3,000 credit cards, including many from issuers that don't pay commissions, ensuring unbiased recommendations.
• Approval Odds Analysis: Get a detailed breakdown of your chances of being approved for a card based on your credit report, reducing the guesswork.
• Welcome Offer Guarantee: Kudos will match any better public welcome offer you find within three months of getting a card through their platform.
• Stacked Rewards: Earn extra Kudos Boost rewards on top of your card’s existing rewards when you shop at partner stores.
• Sign-Up Incentives: New members can earn cash back and other rewards for joining and adding eligible cards to their Kudos Wallet.

Who Should Choose the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless®?

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The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card is ideally suited for travelers who frequently stay at Marriott properties and are looking to fast-track their elite status. Its value is most apparent for cardholders who can leverage the annual free night award to offset the $95 fee, while also accumulating points on everyday spending at gas stations, grocery stores, and restaurants. This card is a great fit for the value-focused traveler who wants meaningful hotel perks without the high cost of a premium card, as our card review details.

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 elite-like benefits without the cost of a premium card. Cardholders can take advantage of perks like a free checked bag on domestic flights and earn 2 miles per dollar on American Airlines purchases, at restaurants, and at gas stations. It's also a solid option for those looking to build their AAdvantage miles balance through everyday spending, as detailed in this comprehensive review.

Alternatives to Consider

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If neither card in our Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® vs. Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® comparison feels like the perfect fit, several other excellent travel credit cards are worth considering.

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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: Most travel rewards cards require a good to excellent credit profile for approval.
• Review bonus eligibility rules: Issuers often have restrictions on earning a welcome offer if you've had the card or similar products before.
• Plan your spending: Ensure you can comfortably meet the minimum spending requirement for the welcome offer through your regular purchases.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application: Time your application around large planned purchases to help meet spending requirements naturally.
• Know the issuer rules: Pay attention to issuer-specific policies, like the 48-month bonus rule for the AAdvantage Platinum Select card.
• Look for the best offer: Don't be afraid to decline an offer if you think a better one is available, as some issuers let you reapply later.

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 hold both the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless and Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select cards at the same time?

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Yes, you can absolutely hold both cards simultaneously since they are issued by different banks and belong to separate loyalty programs. This approach can be advantageous for travelers loyal to both Marriott hotels and American Airlines.

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Which card is better for someone who primarily flies with American Airlines?

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The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® is specifically designed for American Airlines loyalists, offering benefits like a free checked bag on domestic flights. The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Credit Card does not offer airline-specific perks for flying with American Airlines.

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Can I transfer points between my Marriott Bonvoy and American AAdvantage accounts?

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While you cannot transfer AAdvantage miles to Marriott Bonvoy, you can transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to your American AAdvantage account. It is always wise to check the current transfer ratios to ensure you are getting a good value for your points.

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