United Explorer 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 recommend the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®.

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• You'll earn double miles on eligible American Airlines purchases, as well as at restaurants and gas stations.
• Cardholders receive a free first checked bag on domestic American Airlines itineraries, providing immediate value for travelers.
• Checking a bag on just two domestic round-trip flights per year can offset the card's $99 annual fee, which is waived for the first year (publisher-formulated estimate).

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Pros

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• Enjoy a free first checked bag on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and eligible travel companions.
• Earn Loyalty Points with every eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases, helping you qualify for elite status.
• No foreign transaction fees on purchases made outside the U.S.

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Cons

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• Earning rates are not as competitive as other travel rewards cards.
• Lacks many common travel and purchase protection benefits.
• Unlocking certain benefits requires a high spending threshold, and the card doesn't include premium perks like airport lounge access.

Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® vs United Explorer

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Categories

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Choosing the right airline co-branded credit card can be tricky, so let's break down which is better, United Explorer or Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select, based on your travel habits.

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• United℠ Explorer Card is best for frequent travelers, specifically those who fly United Airlines at least a few times per year and value airline-specific perks, airport security benefits, and travel protections.
• Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® is a solid mid-level option for casual American Airlines flyers who want to earn miles and enjoy some elite-like benefits without committing to a premium card.

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Redemption

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United℠ Explorer Card: Miles earned with this card are part of the United MileagePlus program and are most valuable when redeemed for flights on United and its extensive network of Star Alliance partner airlines.

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Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®: This card earns AAdvantage® miles, which can be redeemed for flights on American Airlines and its oneworld® alliance partners, as well as for upgrades, car rentals, and hotels.

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Travel Perks

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• Free Checked Bags: Both cards offer a free checked bag, but the specifics differ. The United℠ Explorer Card provides a free first checked bag for you and one companion on the same reservation. The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® extends this benefit to you and up to four companions on the same reservation, but only on domestic American Airlines itineraries.
• Airport Lounge Access: If you value a quiet space before your flight, the United℠ Explorer Card has the edge, offering two one-time United Club℠ passes each year. The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® card does not include any lounge access benefits.
• Expedited Security Screening: The United℠ Explorer Card includes a statement credit for the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® application fee every four years, helping you speed through airport security. This benefit is not available with the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® card.
• Boarding Privileges: You'll get to your seat a bit earlier with either card. The United℠ Explorer Card offers priority boarding, while the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® card provides preferred boarding on their respective airlines.
• In-Flight Savings: Both cards help you save money in the air, offering a 25% statement credit or savings on in-flight purchases like food and beverages on their respective carriers.
• Foreign Transaction Fees: International travelers can rejoice, as neither card charges foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad.
• Travel Protections: For peace of mind, the United℠ Explorer Card comes with a more comprehensive set of travel protections, including trip delay reimbursement, baggage delay insurance, and primary auto rental collision damage waiver. The protections on the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® card are less extensive.
• Annual Travel Discount: The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® card rewards high spending with an American Airlines flight discount after you meet a significant annual spending requirement and renew your card. The United℠ Explorer Card does not offer a comparable spending-based travel discount.

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Compare Top Rated Credit Cards with Kudos

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To make sure you're picking the absolute best card for your wallet, a tool like Kudos can help you compare thousands of credit cards using your real spending data to find the perfect match.

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• Test drive a credit card: Before you apply, you can simulate how much you would earn with a new card based on your actual spending data, giving you a personalized earnings projection.
• Get detailed approval odds: Kudos provides a comprehensive analysis of your likelihood of being approved for a card based on your credit report.
• Receive a welcome offer guarantee: If you find a better public welcome offer within three months of being approved through Kudos, they will match it.
• Earn extra rewards: With Kudos Boost, you can earn additional rewards on top of your regular credit card rewards when shopping at participating stores.
• Autofill the best card: During online checkout, Kudos can automatically select the card from your wallet that will maximize your rewards for that specific purchase.

Who Should Choose the United Explorer?

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The United℠ Explorer Card is an excellent choice for frequent United flyers who can maximize perks like a free first checked bag and priority boarding. It also appeals to international travelers thanks to its lack of foreign transaction fees and the statement credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Ultimately, it's a strong contender for budget-conscious travelers with good credit who want valuable airline benefits without paying for a premium travel 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 access elite-like benefits without paying for a premium card. Key perks include a free checked bag on domestic flights and a 25% discount on inflight purchases, which are particularly valuable for travelers who don't already have AAdvantage elite status. According to a card review, it's also a good fit for those looking to earn miles at restaurants and gas stations or for travelers who need a card with no foreign transaction fees.

Alternatives to Consider

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If our United Explorer vs Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select comparison has you feeling like neither card is the perfect co-pilot for your travels, don't worry. There are other excellent travel rewards cards on the market that might be a better fit for your wallet and travel style.

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Tips for Application Success

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Before You Apply

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• Check your credit score – Most airline cards require good to excellent credit for approval.
• Review bonus eligibility – Many issuers have rules that can make you ineligible for a welcome offer if you've had the card before.
• Understand the benefits – Some perks, like free checked bags or statement credits, may require enrollment or specific actions to activate.

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Application Strategy

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• Time your application: Plan to apply before a large planned purchase to more easily meet a welcome offer's spending requirement.
• Know the issuer's rules: Be aware of application restrictions, such as Chase's 5/24 rule or Citi's 48-month bonus ineligibility period.
• Be patient: If you don't get the best offer, you can often decline it without impacting your credit and try again later.

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 offers better checked bag benefits?

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Both the United℠ Explorer Card and the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® offer a first checked bag free for you and one companion on the same reservation. Your choice should depend on whether you fly more with United or American Airlines.

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Can I get into an airport lounge with either card?

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The United℠ Explorer Card provides two, one-time United Club passes each year after your account anniversary. The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® card does not include airport lounge access as a standard benefit.

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Are the annual fees for these cards similar?

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Both cards typically carry a similar annual fee, which is often waived for the first year of card membership. It is always best to check the issuer's official terms for the most current fee information before applying.

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