Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
vs. Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®

The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® and the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® are both excellent choices for American Airlines travelers. The AA Executive World Elite is the better option for frequent flyers seeking premium perks like Admirals Club membership and higher 4X miles rewards on AA purchases.

However, the Citi AA Platinum Select is a good contender for those who prefer a lower annual fee and valuable travel perks like free checked bags and priority boarding.

The AA Executive World Elite is likely to be better for frequent American Airlines travelers who value premium perks like Admirals Club access and can justify its high annual fee through regular use of its benefits. It may not be suitable for individuals who do not travel frequently enough to take full advantage of its offerings.

The Citi AA Platinum Select is suitable for travelers who want to earn American Airlines miles without a hefty annual fee. This card offers 3X miles on AA purchases and 2X on hotels and car rentals. However, those who rarely fly American Airlines or don't spend enough to earn the companion certificates might find less value in this card.

A point-by-point comparison of key features like APRs, fees and rewards helps you see which card fits your needs. For instance, if you're focused on earning miles, the AA Executive World Elite offers 4X miles on AA purchases, compared to 3X with the Citi AA Platinum Select.

The AA Executive World Elite card offers superior rewards value for frequent American Airlines travelers, with 4X miles per dollar on eligible airline purchases. Meanwhile, the Citi AA Platinum Select card has a more balanced rewards structure, earning 2X miles per dollar at restaurants and gas stations, appealing to those with diverse spending habits.

Both cards earn AAdvantage miles, valued at approximately 1.6 cents each. This consistent value across both cards ensures that your miles hold the same worth.

The following table will compare both cards' rewards and earning potential for each category.

Both the Citi AA Platinum Select and the AA Executive World Elite cards allow you to redeem AAdvantage miles for flights to over 1,000 destinations worldwide. However, miles expire if not earned or redeemed every 18 months. The redemption program's limitations may not suit those seeking more flexible travel rewards.

The Executive World Elite card offers superior perks, notably Admirals Club membership, which is invaluable for frequent travelers. It also includes travel protection benefits, enhancing its appeal. The Platinum Select card provides free checked bags and preferred boarding, making it attractive for those seeking everyday travel savings.

The AA Executive World Elite's perks cater to frequent travelers and those looking to enhance their travel experience.

Travel Perks

• Admirals Club membership provides access to lounges
• First checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to eight companions, saving up to $240 per round trip
• Enhanced airport experience with priority check-in, screening and boarding

Status

• Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every eligible AAdvantage mile earned
• Up to 20,000 additional Loyalty Points as bonus for reaching certain thresholds

Insurance & Protections

• Travel protection for trip cancellation, interruption protection and more

Credits & Discounts

• Global Entry statement credit up to $100 every four years
• Save 25% on inflight food and beverage purchases on American Airlines flights

All Other Perks

• Dedicated concierge service for travel, shopping, dining and entertainment

The Citi AA Platinum Select offers a range of perks for frequent travelers and those seeking to enhance their travel experience.

Travel Perks

• Free checked first bags for you and a companion on domestic American Airlines flights, saving up to $720 per round trip
• Priority check-in, screening and boarding when flying with American Airlines

Status

• Earn up to 15,000 additional Loyalty Points after reaching specific spending thresholds

Credits & Discounts

• $100 Global Entry application fee credit every five years
• Up to $50 back on inflight Wi-Fi purchases annually
• Up to $25 back per day on inflight food and beverage purchases
• 10% discount on non-flight components purchased via the American Airlines Vacations website

MoneyGeek's scoring process evaluates each card based on multiple use cases, ensuring the scores reflect the cards' strengths. In this comparison, the scores shown represent the best performance of each card in the 'Airline' category. Several factors determine this score:

• Expected value for travelers: Measures the monetary value of rewards and perks minus the annual fees for frequent travelers.
• Airline scope: Rates the number of destinations the airline flies to, which helps inform the breadth of travel options for the airline program.
• Introductory offer ROI value: Assesses the return on investment (ROI) from the card's sign-up bonus.
• Airline rewards rate for travelers: Evaluates the rewards earned on airline expenditures for frequent travelers.
• Issuer satisfaction: Based on customer satisfaction ratings from studies like J.D. Power.
• Foreign transaction fees: Rates the card's fees for international transactions.
• Recommended credit: Indicates the credit score range required for approval.

For more details on our scoring process, review our ranking methodology.