Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus 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 recommend the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®.

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• Cardholders can earn 2x miles on eligible American Airlines purchases, at restaurants, and at gas stations, and while the card has an annual fee, it charges no foreign transaction fees.
• Frequent American Airlines flyers can enjoy perks like a free checked bag on domestic itineraries and discounts on inflight 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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• According to a card review, cardholders can earn Loyalty Points from eligible purchases, which helps them qualify for AAdvantage elite status.
• The free checked bag benefit extends to the cardholder and up to four companions on the same domestic itinerary.
• The card offers an introductory annual fee waiver for the first year and has no foreign transaction fees.

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Cons

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• According to a card review, its earning rates are mediocre and it lacks many valuable travel and purchase protections.
• Some benefits require significant 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 Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus

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Categories

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When deciding which is better, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus or the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select®, it really comes down to your personal travel habits and airline loyalty.

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• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: This card is best for budget-conscious travelers and those loyal to Southwest Airlines who fly several times a year and are interested in working toward the Companion Pass.
• Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®: This card is a strong choice for casual American Airlines flyers who want to enjoy elite-like perks, such as a free checked bag, without having official elite status.

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Redemption

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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: Points are redeemed through the Rapid Rewards program, primarily for flights on Southwest Airlines. Redemptions are flexible, with no blackout dates, and can also be used for gift cards, merchandise, and other travel.

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Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®: Miles are redeemed through the American Airlines AAdvantage program for flights on American and its oneworld Alliance partners. You can also use miles for upgrades, car rentals, hotels, and other travel experiences.

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Travel Perks

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• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card: This card's perks are centered entirely on the Southwest flying experience. Cardholders receive two EarlyBird Check-In® services each year and a percentage back on in-flight purchases. While the card does charge a foreign transaction fee, it offers bonus points on your cardmember anniversary. All points earned, including from the welcome offer, count toward earning the coveted Southwest Companion Pass®, which allows a designated companion to fly with you for just the cost of taxes and fees.
• Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®: Designed for American Airlines flyers, this card offers perks that enhance the travel day. It includes a first checked bag free on domestic itineraries for you and up to four travel companions on the same booking, as well as preferred boarding on American Airlines flights. Cardholders also receive a discount on in-flight food and beverage purchases. A key benefit for international travelers is that this card does not have foreign transaction fees.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To find the perfect card for your wallet, a tool like Kudos can help you compare top-rated credit cards using your own spending habits.

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• Test Drive Feature: According to a Kudos blog post, you can simulate how much you’d earn with a card using your real spending data—before you apply and without a hard credit pull.
• Personalized Recommendations: Get matched with the best card for you based on an analysis of your unique spending patterns, not generic advice.
• Detailed Approval Odds: Understand your chances of getting approved for a card with a detailed analysis based on your credit report.
• Welcome Offer Guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer for a card you got through Kudos within three months, Kudos will match it.
• Kudos Kickstart+ Reward: Unlock $100 in rewards by adding select approved cards to your Kudos Wallet.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus Credit Card is a great fit for budget-conscious travelers who fly with the airline a few times a year but don't need the premium perks of a more expensive card. It's also an excellent entry point for credit card beginners and anyone looking to earn the coveted Southwest Companion Pass, as all points earned count toward qualification. Southwest loyalists can leverage the card to accumulate points on everyday spending, take advantage of the annual anniversary bonus, and use perks like EarlyBird Check-In® credits.

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 enjoy some elite-like benefits without the cost of a premium card. Cardholders can earn miles on everyday purchases, particularly at restaurants and gas stations, while also receiving a free checked bag on domestic itineraries. According to a full review, it's also a solid option for travelers who want to avoid foreign transaction fees or for those without existing AAdvantage status looking for valuable perks.

Alternatives to Consider

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If you've weighed the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Plus vs. the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® and found neither is the right fit, don't worry. Several other excellent travel cards might better suit your spending habits and travel goals.

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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 airline co-brand cards require good to excellent credit for the best approval odds.
• Review issuer application rules – Issuers like Citi have restrictions on earning a welcome bonus if you’ve had the card recently.
• Plan your spending for the bonus – Ensure you can meet the minimum spending requirement organically to earn the welcome offer.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application strategically - Apply when there's a high welcome offer or before a large planned purchase.
• Heed issuer-specific bonus rules - For example, you may be ineligible for a bonus on a Citi card if you received one in the last 48 months.
• Look beyond the welcome offer - Consider how the card's points contribute to long-term goals, like earning the Southwest Companion Pass.

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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Which card is better if I don't live near a Southwest or American Airlines hub?

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If you don't have easy access to either airline, you might reconsider if these cards are the right fit. A general travel rewards card that isn't tied to a specific airline could offer more flexibility for your needs.

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Can I transfer points between Southwest Rapid Rewards and American AAdvantage?

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No, you cannot transfer points or miles directly between the Southwest Rapid Rewards and American AAdvantage loyalty programs. Each program's rewards are exclusive to that airline and its partners.

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Which card is better for international travel?

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The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® is generally better for international travel as American Airlines has a vast global network and partners in the oneworld alliance. Southwest Airlines primarily serves North and Central America and the Caribbean.

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