United Explorer vs. Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select: Which Is Better?

Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select Breakdown

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The Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select earns 2 AAdvantage® miles per $1 on eligible American Airlines purchases, at restaurants (including takeout), and at gas stations, plus 1 mile per $1 on everything else. You also earn 1 Loyalty Point for every eligible AAdvantage mile earned from purchases, which counts toward AAdvantage status.

The annual fee is $99, waived for the first year, and the card has a variable APR. There are no foreign transaction fees.

Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select vs. United Explorer

Earning

The Explorer earns more on its own airline (3x versus 2x) and adds 2x on dining and hotels booked direct. The Citi card earns 2x at gas stations, which the Explorer doesn't, and helps you build AAdvantage status through Loyalty Points.

Redemption

United℠ Explorer Card: Miles go into your MileagePlus account and work best for award flights on United and its partners. Cardholders can also earn a 10,000-mile award flight discount after spending $20,000 in a calendar year.

Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select®: Miles go into your AAdvantage account for flights on American Airlines and its partners. Citi also lists an American Airlines flight discount benefit; check Citi's terms for the current requirements.

Travel Perks

• Checked bags: The Explorer gives a free first standard checked bag to you and one companion on the same reservation on United flights, generally when you buy the ticket with the card. The Citi card covers you and up to four companions, on domestic American Airlines itineraries only.
• Boarding: The Explorer offers Group 2 priority boarding, and the Citi card offers preferred boarding for you and up to four companions.
• Lounges: The Explorer includes two United Club one-time passes each year. Citi says the Platinum Select doesn't include lounge access.
• Security screening: The Explorer offers a statement credit of up to $120 for Global Entry, TSA PreCheck®, or NEXUS once every four years. Citi doesn't list a comparable credit for this card.
• Inflight savings: Both cards save you 25% on inflight food and beverage purchases, and the Explorer also covers Wi-Fi on United flights.

Credits and Protections

The Explorer adds several partner credits, including up to $60 a year in rideshare credits ($5 a month, enrollment required), up to $120 a year in Instacart credits ($10 a month), and up to $100 a year with JSX. It also includes primary auto rental coverage, trip cancellation and interruption coverage of up to $1,500 per covered traveler and $6,000 per trip, trip delay coverage, and baggage delay coverage. Check Citi's benefits guide for the Platinum Select's current protections.

Who Should Choose the United Explorer?

The United Explorer fits travelers who fly United a few times a year and want airline perks plus stronger travel coverage. Club passes, the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit, and the partner credits add value beyond free bags.

It's also a good fit if you can use the monthly rideshare and Instacart credits, since they help offset the $150 annual fee that starts in year two.

Who Should Choose the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select?

The Citi card suits American Airlines flyers who want a lower annual fee and travel with a group. Covering the first checked bag for up to four companions on domestic trips can save a family more than the Explorer's one-companion benefit.

It also helps if you're working toward AAdvantage status, since purchases earn Loyalty Points along with miles.

How Can Kudos Help You Compare?

With Kudos Test Drive, you can see what you'd earn with either card before you apply, based on the spending you enter. Kudos also shows your approval odds for each card, so you can apply with more confidence.

If you already carry Chase or Citi cards, Kudos Premium automatically activates your card-linked offers from Chase, Citi, Amex, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo when you visit the issuer's portal, then reminds you to use them at checkout.

Alternatives to Consider

If you don't want to tie your rewards to one airline, the Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card earns flexible Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, including 5x on Chase Travel℠ purchases, 3x on dining, and 2x on other travel, for a $95 annual fee. Points can transfer to partners including United MileagePlus.

For premium perks, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® earns 8x on Chase Travel purchases, 4x on flights and hotels booked directly, and 3x on dining. It includes a $300 annual travel credit and lounge access, with a $795 annual fee.

^{Points are not earned until after the first $300 is spent annually on travel purchases. The first $300 goes toward the $300 Annual Travel Credit.}

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Tips for Application Success

Before You Apply

• Check your credit: Airline cards generally go to applicants with good to excellent credit.
• Review bonus eligibility: The Explorer's new cardmember bonus isn't available if you're a current cardmember or received it in the past 24 months. Citi excludes you if you received a new account bonus on a Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select account in the past 48 months.
• Learn the perk rules: Free bags, for example, usually require your loyalty number on the reservation.

Application Strategy

• Time your application: Apply before a large planned purchase so you can meet any welcome offer spending requirement naturally.
• Pace your applications: Several new cards in a short period can hurt your approval odds.

Our Methodology

We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market, far more than the roughly 150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to give you a complete, unbiased view of the market so you can decide with confidence.

Our editorial team checks card details against issuer sources. You can also explore the full dataset yourself in Kudos Card Explorer, which includes thousands of cards, more than 95% of which do not pay us commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Card Has Better Checked Bag Benefits?

It depends on who travels with you. The Explorer covers you and one companion on United, while the Citi card covers you and up to four companions on domestic American Airlines itineraries.

Can I Get Into an Airport Lounge With Either Card?

The Explorer includes two United Club one-time passes each year. Citi says the Platinum Select doesn't include lounge access.

Which Card Has the Lower Annual Fee?

The Citi card's $99 annual fee is waived the first year. The Explorer has a $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150.

Does Either Card Charge Foreign Transaction Fees?

No. Neither card charges foreign transaction fees.