The AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard and the Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select are both credit cards designed for frequent American Airlines travelers, but they issued by different banks and include different benefits.
Let's compare them side by side:
General Comparison
The Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard, issued by Barclays, comes with a variety of benefits, including a generous sign-up bonus, priority boarding, and a free checked bag for the cardholder and up to four companions.
On the other hand, the Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select, offered by Citibank, provides a better points rewards ratio on categories like airfare, dining, and gas, along with a 0% intro APR on balance transfers.
Here’s a side-by-side comparison of the main features:
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Which Card Offer Higher Point Rewards Value?
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Spend Per Category | AAdvantage Aviator Red World | AAdvantage Platinum Select |
$10,000 – U.S Supermarkets | 10,000 miles | 10,000 miles |
$4,000 – Restaurants
| 4,000 miles | 8,000 miles |
$5,000 – Airline | 10,000 miles | 10,000 miles |
$5,000 – Hotels | 5,000 miles | 5,000 miles |
$4,000 – Gas | 4,000 miles | 8,000 miles |
Total Points | 33,000 miles | 41,000 miles |
Redemption Value (Estimated) | 1 point = ~1.2 cents
| 1 point = ~1.5 cents |
Estimated Annual Value | $495 | $615 |
With the both Cards, you can redeem your points for a variety of options. This includes cash back, travel rewards, gift cards, and merchandise. Whether you prefer getting money back, planning a getaway, or treating yourself with gift cards or items, the card provides flexible and straightforward redemption choices.
Airline Benefits And Protections: Comparison
When it comes to extra travel perks and benefits, the AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard is a clear winner. It offers broader types of benefits such as anniversary companion certificates, travel insurance perks and inflight wi-fi credits.
AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard
- Anniversary Companion Certificate: Receive a companion certificate each anniversary year.
- $25 Inflight Wi-Fi Credits: Get up to $25 back as statement credits for inflight Wi-Fi purchases every anniversary year on American Airlines operated flights.
- First Checked Bag Free: Enjoy the first checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for the primary cardmember and up to 4 companions on the same reservation.
- Travel Insurance: Benefit from Travel Accident Insurance, Trip Cancellation and Interruption coverage, Baggage Delay Insurance, and Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver.
- Inflight Savings: Receive 25% inflight savings as statement credits on food and beverages when using the card on American Airlines operated flights.
- Preferred Boarding: Enjoy preferred boarding for the primary cardmember and up to 4 companions on their reservation for all American Airlines operated flights.
- $0 Fraud Liability Protection: You are not responsible for unauthorized charges, providing peace of mind for cardholders.
Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select
First Checked Bag Free: Travelers with the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® card enjoy the benefit of a first checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for themselves and up to four companions on the same reservation.
Preferred Boarding: Cardholders also receive preferred boarding on American Airlines flights, allowing them to save time and enhance productivity during the boarding process.
- 25% Savings on Inflight Food and Beverage: When using the card on American Airlines flights, users receive a 25% discount on purchases of inflight food and beverages, providing additional savings during air travel.
- $125 American Airlines Flight Discount: By spending $20,000 or more in purchases during the cardmembership year and renewing the card, users can earn a $125 American Airlines Flight Discount, adding a valuable incentive for cardholders who meet the specified spending threshold.
When You Might Want The AAdvantage Platinum Select?
Here are a few situations where you might prefer the AAdvantage Platinum Select:
Better Points Rewards Ratio: Based on our analysis, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select offers a better points rewards ratio than the AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard. So, if you’re focused on earning miles, it could be the better option.
Loyalty to Citibank: If you have a positive experience with Citibank or prefer their customer service, policies, or online banking over Barclays, the Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select Card might be the right choice for you.
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When You Might Want The Aviator Red World Card?
Here are situations when you might prefer the AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard:
Better Travel Perks: the AAdvantage Aviator Red World card offers better travel perks than the Citi Platinum card. If you want to leverage anniversary companion certificates and wi-fi credits, this may be a better option.
You Want 0% Intro APR: unlike the Platinum Select card, the AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Card offers 0% intro APR. So if you're interested in balance transfer and 0% intro APR, this card is superior.
Loyalty to Barclays as a Card Issuer: If you have a positive history or prefer the customer service and policies of Barclays over Citibank, you might lean towards the Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard for a consistent banking experience.
Compare The Alternatives
If you're looking for an airline credit card with travel rewards – there are some good alternatives you may want to consider:
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United℠ Explorer Card | Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card | Citi®/AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® | |
Annual Fee | $95 ($0 first year) | $150, $0 intro first year. (See Rates and Fees.) | $99 (waived for the first 12 months)
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Rewards |
1X – 2X
2x per $1 spent on United purchases, hotel accommodations, restaurants & eligible delivery services and 1x per $1 spent on all other purchases
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1X – 2X
2X miles on delta purchases, at restaurants worldwide (including take-out and delivery in the U.S) and at U.S. supermarkets, and 1x miles on all other eligible purchases
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1X – 2X
Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent at gas stations and restaurants, 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases and 1 AAdvantage® mile for every $1 spent on other purchases. Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases.
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Welcome bonus |
50,000 miles
50,000 miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
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50,000 Miles
Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in purchases on your new card in your first 6 months of card membership.
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50,000 Miles
50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after $2,500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
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Foreign Transaction Fee | $0 | $0. See Rates and Fees. | $0 |
Purchase APR | 21.49% – 28.49% variable APR | 20.24% – 29.24% Variable | 20.74% – 29.74% (Variable) |
Compare AAdvantage Platinum Select
We think that for most consumers, the no-annual-fee AAdvantage MileUp card may be a better option. When you may consider the Platinum Select?
Paying an annual fee with higher rewards rate & benefits, or getting a no annual fee card with access to Amex membership?
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The Citi/AAdvantage Executive offers better cashback value and perks than the Platinum Select, but usually it doesn't worth the annual fee.
Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite vs. Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select
While the AAdvantage Platinum Select and the United Explorer Card have many common features, the Explorer card is our winner. Here's why.
Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select vs. United Explorer: How They Compare?
The Delta Gold and AAdvantage Platinum Select offer similar cashback value, but the Delta card is the winner due to its diverse travel perks.
Delta SkyMiles Gold vs. Citi/ AAdvantage Platinum Select: Which Card Wins?
While the airline perks are quite comparable, the JetBlue Plus Card emerges as the preferred choice thanks to higher cashback rates
Citi/ AAdvantage Platinum Select vs JetBlue Plus Card: Side By Side Comparison
