United Gateway 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 think the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® is a solid choice for many American Airlines flyers.

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• It offers a straightforward way to earn AAdvantage® miles on everyday purchases at restaurants and gas stations, in addition to on American Airlines flights.
• Cardholders receive valuable airline-specific perks like a free checked bag on domestic itineraries and no foreign transaction fees, though there is an annual fee after the first year.
• The value from checking one bag on just two domestic round-trip flights per year can easily offset the card's annual fee (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Cardholders receive a free checked bag on domestic American Airlines itineraries for themselves and eligible travel companions, plus no foreign transaction fees on purchases.
• The card offers accelerated AAdvantage® mile earnings at restaurants and gas stations, and all eligible miles earned from purchases also count as Loyalty Points toward AAdvantage® elite status.

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Cons

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• The card’s earning rates are not as competitive as some other travel cards, and the welcome bonus miles don’t count toward Loyalty Points for elite status.
• It lacks key travel perks like airport lounge access and no longer offers valuable travel and purchase protections.
• Some benefits, such as a free checked bag, are redundant for travelers who already have AAdvantage® elite status.

Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® vs United Gateway

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, United Gateway or Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select, comes down to your personal travel habits and airline loyalty. Each card caters to a different type of flyer, offering distinct advantages depending on your needs.

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• United Gateway℠ Card is best for occasional United Airlines flyers, credit card beginners, or budget-conscious travelers who want to earn miles without an annual commitment. It provides a straightforward way to accumulate MileagePlus miles on everyday spending.
• Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® is ideal for casual American Airlines flyers who want to earn miles and enjoy valuable travel perks. This card offers elitelike benefits without the cost of a premium card.

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Redemption

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United Gateway℠ Card: Miles are redeemed through the United MileagePlus program, primarily for flights with United and its Star Alliance partners. You can also use miles for other travel-related purchases like hotel stays and car rentals.

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Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®: AAdvantage® miles can be redeemed for flights on American Airlines and its oneworld® Alliance partners. Miles can also be used for upgrades, car rentals, hotel stays, and other travel experiences.

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Travel Perks

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• The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® offers a first checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to four companions, a benefit not included with the United Gateway℠ Card.
• With the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®, you receive preferred boarding on American Airlines flights. The United Gateway℠ Card does not offer a priority boarding perk.
• Both cards are ideal for overseas travel, as neither charges a foreign transaction fee.
• Cardholders get a 25% statement credit on in-flight purchases with their respective airlines—including food, beverages, and Wi-Fi on United flights and food and beverages on American Airlines flights.
• Neither card includes complimentary airport lounge access.
• While the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® helps you earn Loyalty Points toward AAdvantage® elite status, the United Gateway℠ Card does not offer a pathway to earning elite status with United through spending.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To eliminate the guesswork, you can use a tool like Kudos to compare thousands of cards and get personalized recommendations based on your spending.

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• Test drive credit cards to simulate your potential earnings based on your actual transaction history, without impacting your credit score.
• Receive a detailed analysis of your approval odds for different cards based on your credit report.
• Get a welcome offer guarantee, where Kudos will match a better offer if you find one within three months of approval.
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• Earn extra rewards through Kudos Boost when shopping at participating stores.

Who Should Choose the United Gateway?

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The United Gateway℠ Card is an excellent choice for occasional United Airlines flyers and those new to travel rewards who want to earn miles without committing to an annual fee. It allows cardholders to accumulate MileagePlus miles on everyday purchases, with bonus earnings on United flights, at gas stations, and for local transit. As a no-annual-fee card, it’s also a great fit for budget-conscious travelers, especially since it doesn't charge foreign transaction fees.

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 perks without the high cost of a premium card. Cardholders can benefit from a free checked bag on domestic flights and earn double miles on American Airlines purchases, as well as at restaurants and gas stations. According to a comprehensive review, it's a solid mid-tier option for those looking to accumulate AAdvantage miles through everyday spending and travel.

Alternatives to Consider

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If this United Gateway vs Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select comparison has you concluding that neither card is the right co-pilot for your travels, you have other options. Let's explore a few alternative cards that might be a better fit for your wallet.

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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 rewards cards require a good to excellent credit history.
• Plan your spending - Make sure you can meet the minimum spend requirement for the welcome offer without overspending.
• Review application rules - Issuers often have restrictions on how many cards you can open or how often you can earn a welcome bonus.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application - Align your application with a large planned purchase to meet the spending threshold naturally.
• Know the issuer’s rules - Be aware of restrictions, such as how many cards you've opened or when you last received a bonus.
• Look for elevated offers - Welcome offers can fluctuate, so it pays to look for the highest bonus available.

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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Do these airline cards have an annual fee?

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The United Gateway℠ Card has no annual fee, making it a cost-effective choice for earning miles. In contrast, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® has a $99 annual fee, which is waived for the first year.

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Which card offers a free checked bag?

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The Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select card provides a free first checked bag for you and up to four travel companions on the same domestic American Airlines reservation. The United Gateway Card does not include a free checked bag benefit.

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How do the bonus earning categories compare?

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With the United Gateway Card, you'll earn 2 miles per dollar on purchases with United, at gas stations, and on local transit and commuting. The Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select card offers 2 AAdvantage® miles per dollar at gas stations and restaurants, as well as on eligible American Airlines purchases.

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