Hilton Honors Surpass 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 think the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® is a strong choice for American Airlines flyers.

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• While the card has an annual fee, it's waived for the first year, and you won't pay any foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad.
• Cardholders receive valuable airline-specific perks like a free checked bag on domestic itineraries and discounts on inflight purchases.
• You can offset the annual fee by checking one bag on just two domestic round-trip flights with American Airlines each year (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• The introductory annual fee is waived for the first year, and the card charges no foreign transaction fees.
• Cardholders receive a free checked bag on domestic American Airlines flights and a discount on inflight food and beverage purchases.
• You can earn AAdvantage miles on purchases, and the Loyalty Points you earn along with them count toward AAdvantage elite status.

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Cons

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• The card's earning rates are not particularly competitive, especially on purchases outside of the American Airlines, restaurant, and gas station categories.
• It lacks many common travel and purchase protections that are often standard on other travel rewards cards.
• Some benefits have notable restrictions; for example, the free checked bag perk only applies to domestic flights, and the annual flight discount requires a high spending threshold to unlock.

Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® vs Hilton Honors American Express Surpass®

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Categories

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When asking which is better, Hilton Honors Surpass or Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select, the answer lies in what you value most from a travel card. Each is designed for a specific type of traveler, offering distinct benefits for either hotel loyalists or frequent flyers.

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• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is built for travelers who frequently stay with Hilton and want to earn hotel points on everyday spending. It's a strong choice for those seeking valuable hotel elite status and associated benefits.
• Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® is best for casual American Airlines flyers who want to earn miles and enjoy elite-like perks on a specific airline. This card is a good fit for those who don't have airline elite status but want some of the benefits that come with it.

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Redemption

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Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: Points earned with this card are primarily redeemed for stays across Hilton's portfolio of hotels, offering options from standard room awards to premium room upgrades.

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Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®: Miles are redeemed through the American Airlines AAdvantage® program for award flights on American and its partner airlines, as well as for upgrades and other travel experiences.

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Travel Perks

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• Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card: This card offers a robust set of travel benefits centered on the Hilton and American Express ecosystems. Cardholders receive complimentary Hilton Honors Gold status, which provides perks like room upgrades and daily food and beverage credits at participating hotels. For airport travel, the card includes a limited number of Priority Pass lounge visits each year. It also has no foreign transaction fees, making it suitable for international travel. Terms apply.
• Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®: The perks for this card are focused on improving the American Airlines flight experience. Key benefits include a first checked bag free on domestic itineraries for the cardmember and up to four companions, as well as preferred boarding on American Airlines flights. While it does not offer airport lounge access, it does waive foreign transaction fees, which is a valuable perk for travelers heading abroad.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To find the best card for your wallet, a tool like Kudos can help you compare thousands of options based on your actual spending.

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• Test drive credit cards: Simulate your potential earnings with nearly 3,000 different cards using your real spending data to see which one offers the most value before you apply.
• Welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer within three months of being approved, Kudos will match it.
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Who Should Choose the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass®?

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The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card is an excellent choice for frequent Hilton guests looking to elevate their stays with automatic Gold elite status (Terms apply). It also appeals to moderate travelers and everyday spenders who can rack up points on purchases at U.S. restaurants, supermarkets, and gas stations. Ultimately, as detailed in this card’s review, it's designed for value-conscious travelers seeking meaningful hotel benefits without the hefty price tag of a premium card.

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

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The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® is an excellent choice for casual American Airlines flyers who want to enjoy some elite-like benefits without the cost of a premium card. Cardholders can take advantage of perks like a free checked bag on domestic flights and earn double miles on American Airlines purchases, as well as at restaurants and gas stations. It's also a solid option for those looking to earn Loyalty Points toward AAdvantage status through spending or for non-AA flyers wanting to add American Airlines miles to their portfolio, as detailed in a comprehensive card review.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our Hilton Honors Surpass vs Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select comparison has you feeling like neither card is the perfect match, don't worry. There are plenty of other travel rewards cards that might better suit your spending habits and travel goals.

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_{Terms apply to American Express benefits and offers. Enrollment may be required for select American Express benefits and offers. Visit americanexpress.com to learn more. Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions, and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Underwritten by Amex Assurance Company}

Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score - Most rewards cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
• Review bonus eligibility rules - Issuers often have restrictions based on your card history.
• Map out your spending - Make sure you can comfortably meet any welcome offer requirements.

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Application Strategy

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• Know the issuer's rules - Some issuers limit welcome offers based on your history with their cards.
• Time your application strategically - Align your application with a large planned purchase to help meet spending requirements.
• Look for elevated offers - Welcome offers can vary, so be patient to find the best one available.

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 hotel stays?

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The Hilton Honors Surpass card is designed for travelers who frequently stay at Hilton properties, offering benefits like elite status and bonus points on Hilton stays.

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Which card is better for airline benefits?

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For those who fly often with American Airlines, the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select card provides more value through perks like free checked bags and preferred boarding.

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How do I decide between a hotel-specific card and an airline-specific card?

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Your choice should depend on your travel loyalty and spending habits; if you are loyal to one hotel chain, a hotel card is likely best, whereas an airline card will offer more tailored benefits if you primarily fly with one airline.

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