Chase Freedom Flex 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’re fans of the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®.

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• The annual fee is waived for the first year, giving you time to test out the card's benefits before committing.
• You'll earn double miles on common spending categories like restaurants and gas stations, in addition to eligible American Airlines purchases.
• The annual fee can be offset by using the free checked bag benefit on just a few domestic American Airlines flights each year (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• No foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad.
• Card spending earns Loyalty Points that count toward AAdvantage® elite status qualification.
• You'll receive a discount on inflight food and beverage purchases on American Airlines flights.

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Cons

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• The card's earning rates are mediocre compared to other travel rewards cards.
• Many valuable travel and purchase protections have been removed by the issuer.
• Does not provide access to American Airlines Admirals Club lounges.

Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® vs Chase Freedom Flex®

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Categories

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Deciding which is better, Chase Freedom Flex or Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select, depends entirely on your spending habits and financial goals.

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• Chase Freedom Flex® is ideal for savvy spenders who want to maximize rewards through rotating bonus categories without committing to an annual fee.
• Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® is best suited for casual American Airlines flyers looking to earn miles and enjoy select travel perks.

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Redemption

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Chase Freedom Flex®: Rewards are earned as versatile points that can be redeemed for cash back, gift cards, or travel booked through the Chase portal.

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Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®: This card earns AAdvantage® miles, which are primarily redeemed for flights with American Airlines and its oneworld® Alliance partners.

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Travel Perks

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• Chase Freedom Flex®: This card provides access to the Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal to book travel. It also includes some travel protections, such as trip cancellation/interruption insurance and an auto rental collision damage waiver. However, it does charge a foreign transaction fee on purchases made abroad.
• Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®: As an airline co-branded card, its perks are centered on flying with American Airlines. Benefits include a first checked bag free on domestic itineraries for the cardholder and up to four companions, preferred boarding, and savings on in-flight food and beverages. This card does not have foreign transaction fees.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To eliminate the guesswork, a tool like Kudos can help you compare cards using your own spending data.

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• Test drive credit cards: Simulate your potential earnings with any card based on your actual transaction history before you apply, with no impact on your credit score.
• Get detailed approval odds: Kudos analyzes your credit report to give you a clear picture of your chances of getting approved for a new card.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer within three months of being approved through Kudos, they will match it.
• Stack your rewards: Earn extra rewards on top of your credit card points or cash back when shopping online.
• Unlock exclusive offers: Registered users get access to special promotions, including a $100 Kickstart+ reward for adding select cards to their Kudos Wallet.

Who Should Choose the Chase Freedom Flex®?

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The Chase Freedom Flex® is a great fit for savvy spenders who enjoy maximizing rewards and don't mind a little hands-on management to activate quarterly bonus categories. This card is particularly valuable for those who frequently dine out or make drugstore purchases and want to capitalize on rotating 5% cash back categories. It's also a cornerstone for anyone looking to build a powerful Chase card combination, offering high earning potential with no annual fee.

Who Should Choose the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®?

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This card is a strong contender for casual American Airlines flyers who want to earn miles and enjoy some elite-like benefits without committing to a high annual fee. It's also a great fit for individuals who spend frequently at restaurants and gas stations and want to accumulate AAdvantage miles on those purchases. According to a comprehensive review, the card is particularly valuable for travelers without existing AAdvantage elite status who can benefit from perks like a free checked bag on domestic flights.

Alternatives to Consider

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If the Chase Freedom Flex® and Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® don't quite meet your needs, there are plenty of other fish in the sea. This Chase Freedom Flex vs Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select comparison shows two very different card types, so let's explore a few alternatives that might be a better match for your wallet.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score, as most rewards cards require a good to excellent credit history for approval.
• Review application restrictions, since issuers may have rules regarding recent card openings or bonus eligibility.
• Plan your spending to ensure you can naturally meet the minimum spend for the welcome offer.

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Application Strategy

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• Know the issuer's rules - Some issuers have strict limits on recent card approvals, such as the Chase 5/24 rule.
• Check your bonus eligibility - Many issuers restrict welcome offers if you've had the card or received a bonus for it within a certain timeframe.
• Time your application strategically - Apply when there's an elevated welcome offer or before a large planned purchase to help meet the spending requirement.

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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How do I choose between a travel card and a cash back card?

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Your choice should depend on your spending habits and redemption goals. A cash back card offers straightforward value for everyday spending, while a co-branded airline card is ideal if you're loyal to one airline and want to earn miles toward future flights.

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Can I have both the Chase Freedom Flex℠ and the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®?

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Yes, you can hold both the Chase Freedom Flex℠ and the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® since they are from different issuers. This can be a smart strategy, allowing you to maximize rewards across a wider range of spending categories and travel options.

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What are rotating bonus categories?

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Rotating bonus categories, a feature of the Chase Freedom Flex℠, offer a high rewards rate on specific types of purchases for one quarter of the year. These categories change every three months, and cardholders must typically activate them to earn the bonus.

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