The Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select and United Explorer credit cards are both co-branded airline cards, each with own benefits and drawbacks. Let's compare them side by side:
General Comparison
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Card is tied to American Airlines, allowing cardholders to earn AAdvantage miles for every dollar spent. Bonus miles are awarded in specific categories like airfare, dining, and gas.
On the other hand, the United Explorer Card is designed for United Airlines fans. Like the Southwest card, it typically offers a generous sign-up bonus in the form of United MileagePlus miles. Cardholders earn miles on everyday purchases, with extra rewards for spending on United flights, dining, and hotel stays.
Here’s a side-by-side comparison of the main features:
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Airline Miles Rewards Analysis: Which Card Is Better?
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|---|---|---|
Spend Per Category | United Explorer Card | AAdvantage Platinum Select |
$10,000 – U.S Supermarkets | 10,000 miles | 10,000 miles |
$4,000 – Restaurants
| 8,000 miles | 8,000 miles |
$5,000 – Airline | 10,000 miles | 10,000 miles |
$5,000 – Hotels | 10,000 miles | 5,000 miles |
$4,000 – Gas | 4,000 miles | 8,000 miles |
Total Points | 42,000 miles | 41,000 miles |
Redemption Value (Estimated) | 1 mile = ~1.2 cents
| 1 mile = ~1.5 cents |
Estimated Annual Value | $504 | $615 |
With the United Explorer Card, you can turn your miles into travel experiences. Use miles for flights with United or its partners, covering destinations worldwide. Additionally, explore options beyond flights, such as hotel stays, car rentals, and merchandise.
With the Citi Platinum Select Card, 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
United Explorer Card
- Global Entry/TSA Precheck® Reimbursement: You can receive up to $100 as a statement credit every four years to cover the application fee for Global Entry, TSA Precheck®, or NEXUS, making your airport security process faster and more convenient.
- 25% Back on In-Flight Purchases: You'll get a 25% statement credit on purchases of food, beverages, and Wi-Fi on United-operated flights when you pay with your Explorer Card, saving you money during your travels.
- Priority Boarding: You and your companions on the same reservation can board United-operated flights before the general boarding process.
- Earn Premier Qualifying Points (PQP): You can earn PQP to help you achieve MileagePlus Premier® status, enhancing your travel experience with United Airlines.
- Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver: Decline the rental company's collision insurance and charge the entire rental cost to your card. This provides primary insurance coverage for theft and collision damage for most rental cars in the U.S. and abroad.
- Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance: You can be reimbursed for pre-paid, non-refundable passenger fares if your trip is canceled or cut short due to covered situations like sickness or severe weather.
- Trip Delay Reimbursement: If your common carrier travel is delayed over 12 hours or requires an overnight stay, you and your family are covered for unreimbursed expenses, such as meals and lodging.
- Visa Concierge: Enjoy complimentary access to Visa Signature® Concierge Service 24/7, helping you find tickets to events, make dinner reservations, and more.
- Free First Checked Bag: You and a companion can save up to $140 per roundtrip by receiving a free checked bag when flying with United, reducing your travel expenses.
- Purchase Protection: Provides coverage for new purchases against damage or theft for 120 days.
Baggage Delay Insurance: Reimburses essential purchases like toiletries and clothing for baggage delays exceeding 6 hours by a passenger carrier.
Lost Luggage Reimbursement: Offers coverage for damaged or lost luggage when checked or carried on by you or an immediate family member.
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.
When You Might Want The United Explorer Card?
Here are situations when you might prefer the United Explorer over the AAdvantage Platinum Select:
You Want Broader Travel Insurance Coverage: The United Explorer card offers protections and travel insurance that you won't be able to get with the Citi platinum credit card. If you are looking for a card with protections, it may be a better option.
You Want Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Priority: Choose the United Explorer if you prioritize expedited security processes, as the card provides a statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck, streamlining your airport experience.
You're Near United Hub Proximity: Opt for the United Explorer if you reside near a United Airlines hub, as it often results in more convenient flight options, potentially maximizing the card's benefits like priority boarding and free checked bags.
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When You Might Want The AAdvantage Platinum Select?
Here are a few situations where you might prefer the AAdvantage Platinum Select over the United Explorer:
You're Loyal To American Airlines: If you frequently fly with American Airlines or prefer their extensive route network, the Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select is a great choice. It offers benefits like free checked bags and priority boarding to enhance your travel experience.
You Prefer The Oneworld Alliance:
If you're loyal to the Oneworld alliance, the Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select is the better option. It aligns with American Airlines’ partnership within the alliance, giving you potential advantages when flying with other member airlines.
Compare The Alternatives
If you're looking for an airline miles credit card– there are some excellent alternatives you may want to consider:
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United Club Infinite Card
| The Platinum Card® from American Express | Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express | |
Annual Fee | $525 | $695. See Rates & Fees | $650. See Rates & Fees |
Rewards | Up to 4x miles
4x miles on United Airlines purchases, 2x miles on all other travel purchases, dining and eligible delivery services and 1x miles on all other purchases
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1X – 5X
5X points on up to $500,000 spent on directly-booked airfare and flights and prepaid hotels booked through American Express Travel (per calendar year), 2X points on prepaid car rentals through American Express Travel and 1X points on all other purchases
| 1X – 3X
3X miles per dollar on eligible Delta flights and Delta Vacations® with 1X miles on all other purchases
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Welcome bonus | 90,000 miles
90,000 bonus miles after qualifying purchases
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80,000 points
80,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership
| 70,000 miles
Earn 70,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 in eligible purchases on your new card in your first six months of card membership.
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Foreign Transaction Fee | $0 | $0. See Rates & Fees | $0
|
Purchase APR | 21.49% – 28.49% variable APR | See Pay Over Time APR | 20.24% – 29.24% Variable |
Compare AAdvantage Platinum Select
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