Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier 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 like the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®.

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• While it comes with an annual fee (See Rates & Fees), it's waived for the first year, and the card provides a free checked bag on domestic American Airlines flights.
• Cardholders earn double miles on eligible American Airlines purchases, at restaurants, and at gas stations, with no cap on total miles earned.
• If you spend $20,000 or more on the card in a year, you receive a $125 American Airlines flight discount, which more than covers the annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Cardholders get a free checked bag on domestic American Airlines flights, receive discounts on inflight purchases, and pay no foreign transaction fees.
• The card offers accelerated rewards on spending with American Airlines and at restaurants and gas stations.
• Spending on the card helps you qualify for AAdvantage® elite status and can earn you an annual flight discount.

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Cons

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• According to a detailed card review, the earning rates are mediocre, and it lacks many of the travel and purchase protections commonly found on other travel cards.
• It does not include airport lounge access, and some benefits require significant spending to unlock.
• Some perks, like the free checked bag, are also available to AAdvantage® elite members, which reduces the card's value for those who already have status.

Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® vs Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier or the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®, depends entirely on which airline you fly most. Both cards are designed for loyal customers of their respective airlines, offering different perks for different types of travelers.

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• Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier: This is a mid-tier airline card for semi-frequent Southwest flyers. It offers a balance of perks and value for those who want more than an entry-level card but don't need premium travel benefits.
• Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®: This mid-level airline card is best for casual American Airlines flyers. It provides a way to earn miles and enjoy some elite-like travel benefits without the cost of a premium card.

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Redemption

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Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier: Points are redeemed primarily for Southwest flights, where the value is tied directly to the fare price, meaning no blackout dates. While points can also be used for merchandise or gift cards, booking flights typically provides the most bang for your buck.

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Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®: Miles can be used for award flights on American Airlines and its large network of oneworld® Alliance partners. You can also redeem miles for other travel perks like seat upgrades, car rentals, and hotel stays.

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Travel Perks

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• The Citi® / AAdvantage® card provides access to American Airlines' extensive global network and its oneworld® Alliance partners, offering more options for international travel. In contrast, the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier card is tailored for travel within Southwest's network, which is focused on the U.S., Mexico, and the Caribbean.
• Both cards are traveler-friendly when it comes to international spending, as neither charges a foreign transaction fee.
• With the Citi® / AAdvantage® card, you can enjoy a free first checked bag on domestic American Airlines flights and preferred boarding. The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier card offers its own set of perks, such as anniversary bonus points and statement credits for EarlyBird Check-In, enhancing the experience on Southwest flights.
• Complimentary airport lounge access is not a feature of either card, as this benefit is typically reserved for higher-tier, premium travel cards.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make the decision easier, you can use a tool like Kudos to compare top-rated credit cards based on your own spending habits.

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• You can ‘test drive’ cards using your real transaction data to see potential earnings before you apply.
• Receive personalized card recommendations that match your spending history to maximize rewards.
• Get a detailed analysis of your approval odds based on your credit report.
• Take advantage of a welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos will match a better offer if you find one within three months.
• Earn extra rewards on top of your card’s regular earnings when you shop at participating stores with Kudos Boost.

Who Should Choose the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier?

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The Southwest Rapid Rewards® Premier Credit Card is designed for semifrequent Southwest flyers who seek a balance between valuable perks and a moderate annual fee. As detailed in a comprehensive review, it's a solid mid-tier option for travelers who will take advantage of day-of-travel benefits and appreciate the anniversary bonus points that help offset the cost. Furthermore, it's a strategic choice for Southwest loyalists aiming to accelerate their progress toward A-List status or the coveted Companion Pass through card spending.

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-style perks without the high cost of a premium card. Cardholders benefit from a free checked bag on domestic flights and accelerated earning rates on American Airlines purchases, as well as at restaurants and gas stations. It's particularly valuable for travelers who don't already have AAdvantage elite status but want to access similar benefits, as detailed in a comprehensive review.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier vs. Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select comparison didn't land you on the perfect card, don't pack your bags just yet. Several other travel rewards cards might be a better fit for your spending and flying habits.

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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 cards require a good to excellent credit score to qualify.
• Review bonus eligibility rules: Issuers like Chase and Citi have restrictions based on cards you've recently opened or bonuses you've recently earned.
• Plan your spending: Make sure you can comfortably meet the welcome offer's spending requirement without overspending.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application: Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet the spending requirement.
• Know the rules: Be mindful of issuer restrictions, such as Chase's 5/24 rule or Citi's bonus eligibility timelines.
• Pace yourself: Avoid applying for multiple cards in a short window to protect your credit score.

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 for domestic travel?

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Both cards are excellent for domestic flights, but your choice depends on your preferred airline's route network. Southwest has a strong presence in many U.S. cities, while American Airlines offers extensive domestic and international connections through its Oneworld alliance partners.

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Can I transfer points between Southwest and American Airlines?

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No, you cannot directly transfer points between the Southwest Rapid Rewards and American Airlines AAdvantage programs. They are separate loyalty programs tied to their respective airlines and do not have a transfer partnership.

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Do the points or miles from these cards expire?

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Southwest Rapid Rewards points do not expire as long as your account remains open. American Airlines AAdvantage miles will expire if you have no qualifying activity in your account for 24 months.

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