Chase Sapphire Preferred 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 breakdown of what makes the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® a solid choice for American Airlines flyers.

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• You get a free checked bag on domestic American Airlines flights for yourself and up to four companions on the same reservation.

• The card earns 2 AAdvantage® miles per dollar on eligible American Airlines purchases, at restaurants, and at gas stations.

• The free checked bag benefit alone can offset the card's $99 annual fee after just two domestic round-trip flights each year (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• No foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad.

• Earn Loyalty Points from your spending to help you qualify for AAdvantage® elite status.

• Receive discounts 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 not as competitive as other travel rewards cards.

• It lacks many common travel and purchase protections that were once offered.

• Some benefits may be redundant for travelers who already have AAdvantage® elite status.

Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® vs Chase Sapphire Preferred®

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Categories

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When deciding which is better, Chase Sapphire Preferred or Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select, it's crucial to look at what each card is designed for.

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• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: This card is a top choice for entry-level travel, ideal for those new to earning travel rewards who want a mix of value and flexibility.
• Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®: This is a mid-level airline credit card designed for casual American Airlines flyers looking to earn miles and enjoy some airline-specific perks.

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Redemption

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Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Points earned with this card offer significant flexibility, allowing you to transfer them to numerous airline and hotel loyalty programs. Alternatively, you can redeem your points directly for travel through the Chase portal, or for options like cash back and gift cards.

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Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®: As a co-branded airline card, the miles you earn are added to your American Airlines AAdvantage® account. These are best used for booking award flights on American Airlines and its Oneworld alliance partners, though other redemptions like upgrades are also available.

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Travel Perks

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• Travel Portals and Flexibility: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card gives you access to the flexible Chase Ultimate Rewards® portal, where your points can be worth more when booking travel. In contrast, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® is tied to American Airlines; your miles go directly to your AAdvantage® account for booking flights with the airline and its partners.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: Both cards are excellent companions for trips abroad, as neither typically charges a foreign transaction fee on international purchases.
• Airline-Specific Benefits: This is where the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® shines for AA loyalists. It offers a free first checked bag on domestic flights for you and your travel companions, plus preferred boarding. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, being a general travel card, doesn't provide these airline-specific perks.
• Travel Protections: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is well-regarded for its robust travel insurance, including primary rental car coverage and trip cancellation insurance. While the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® has some protections, they are generally less extensive.
• Airport Lounge Access: If you're looking for a quiet place to relax before your flight, note that neither of these cards offers complimentary airport lounge access as a standard perk.
• Other Perks and Credits: The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card often comes with an annual hotel credit for stays booked through its portal, which helps offset its annual fee. The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® provides a discount on in-flight food and drink purchases when flying with American Airlines.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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If you're struggling to decide, a tool like Kudos can simplify the process by running a data-driven comparison for you.

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• Test Drive Cards: Use the ‘Test Drive’ feature to see how much you could earn with a new card based on your actual spending history—before you apply and without impacting your credit score.
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Who Should Choose the Chase Sapphire Preferred®?

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The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is an excellent choice for frequent travelers who want to earn significant rewards without committing to a high annual fee. It's particularly well-suited for individuals who dine out often, book travel, and want flexible redemption options, including transferring points to airline and hotel partners. As a top-tier entry-level travel card, it also serves as a powerful tool for those looking to combine points across multiple Chase cards to maximize value, as detailed in our full review.

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

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The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® is primarily designed for casual American Airlines flyers who want access to valuable travel perks without committing to a high annual fee. Key benefits include a free first checked bag on domestic itineraries and accelerated mileage earning at restaurants and gas stations, making it useful for both travel and everyday purchases. According to a detailed card review, it's also a strategic choice for travelers looking to diversify their rewards portfolio with AAdvantage miles.

Alternatives to Consider

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If neither card in our Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card vs. Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® comparison feels like the perfect fit, other options are available. Let's explore a few alternative travel rewards cards that might better align with 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 - Most travel rewards cards require good to excellent credit.
• Review issuer application rules - Some issuers have restrictions on new accounts or welcome bonus eligibility.
• Plan for the welcome offer - Make sure you can meet the spending requirement without overspending.

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Application Strategy

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• Know the issuer rules - Be aware of application restrictions like the Chase 5/24 rule or Citi's 48-month bonus rule.
• Time your application - Apply before a large planned purchase to help meet the minimum spending requirement.
• Don't settle for a lesser offer - Some issuers let you see your offer before a hard credit pull, allowing you to decline it without penalty.

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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Which card is better for someone who doesn't travel frequently?

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The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is often more flexible for infrequent travelers, as its points can be redeemed for cash back or travel through the Chase portal. The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® card's benefits are more tightly focused on perks with American Airlines.

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Can I transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards® points to American Airlines AAdvantage®?

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No, you cannot directly transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards® points to the American Airlines AAdvantage® program. You can, however, transfer points to other airline partners like British Airways or Iberia to book American Airlines flights through their respective alliances.

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What are the annual fees for these cards?

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The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card has a $95 annual fee. The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® also has a $95 annual fee, though it is typically waived for the first 12 months.

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