The Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard and the American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp Mastercard are two credit cards that offer rewards for American Airlines travel.
However, they have different annual fees, rewards rates, and benefits – let's compare them side by side:
General Comparison
The Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select Card is ideal for American Airlines frequent flyers who want airline-specific benefits and a higher points rewards ratio on dining and gas purchases.
In contrast, the American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp Card is designed for budget-conscious travelers or those who don’t fly as often. With a lower annual fee, it’s a great option for everyday spending, even if you don’t travel frequently.
Here’s a side-by-side comparison of the main features of each card:
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AAdvantage Miles Rewards Analysis: Which Card Is Better?
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|---|---|---|
Spend Per Category | Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select | AAdvantage MileUp |
$10,000 – U.S Supermarkets | 10,000 miles | 20,000 miles |
$4,000 – Restaurants
| 8,000 miles | 4,000 miles |
$5,000 – Airline | 10,000 miles | 10,000 miles |
$5,000 – Hotels | 5,000 miles | 5,000 miles |
$4,000 – Gas | 8,000 miles | 4,000 miles |
Total Points | 41,000 miles | 43,000 miles |
Redemption Value (Estimated) | 1 point = ~1.5 cents | 1 point = ~1.5 cents |
Estimated Annual Value | $615 | $645 |
Which Benefits Of You'll Get On Both Cards?
There are some additional types of perks that you will see with both of these cards:
- 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.
Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select Unique Benefits
The AAdvantage Platinum Select offers this benefit for cardholders:
- First Checked Bag Free: Travelers with the AAdvantage cards 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.
- $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?
You might prefer the Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select Card over the AAdvantage MileUp Card in these situations:
Frequent AA Flyer Seeking Premium Benefits: If you travel frequently and value premium perks, the Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select is the better choice. It offers benefits like priority boarding, free checked bags, and a 25% discount on in-flight purchases, all of which enhance your overall travel experience.
You Mainly Spend On Gas & Dining: If besides airline you tend to have a high spend on dining and gas, the Platinum Select card may be a better option. You can adjust the numbers on our analysis to check whether it can cover the annual fee.
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When You Might Want The AAdvantage MileUp Card?
You might prefer the American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp card over the AAdvantage Platinum Select card in the following situations:
Preferential Focus on Everyday Purchases: If you you spend high amounts on groceries, the MileUp card is a suitable option. It caters to those who want to accumulate miles consistently through their regular expenses.
Infrequent Traveler on a Budget: If you travel occasionally and are looking for a budget-friendly option, the American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp card is a better choice. With a lower annual fee and a straightforward rewards structure, it provides a reliable way to earn AAdvantage miles without the commitment of a premium travel card.
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
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United Gateway Card vs American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp : Comparison
