Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card
vs. Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®

The Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card and the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® are both excellent choices for frequent travelers, offering valuable airline rewards and perks. The Delta SkyMiles Gold Card is the better choice for Delta loyalists due to its higher rewards on Delta flights and lower credit score requirement. It offers 2X miles on Delta purchases, U.S. groceries, and dining, along with a generous bonus miles offer.

However, the Citi AA Platinum Select Card should still be considered for its high rewards on American Airlines purchases and no foreign transaction fees, making it a strong contender for American Airlines travelers.

MoneyGeek's card comparison breaks down the card details, rewards and perks to help you decide which is right for you.

The Delta SkyMiles Gold Card is likely to be better for frequent Delta flyers who want to maximize their rewards. It offers 2X miles on Delta purchases, U.S. supermarkets and restaurants worldwide. The card also provides a $200 Delta Flight Credit after $10,000 in purchases annually, making it a good choice for those who can meet this spending threshold. However, if you rarely fly Delta, the card's benefits may not be as valuable.

The Citi AA Platinum Select Card is likely to be better for frequent American Airlines travelers who want to earn more miles and enjoy standard airline perks. This card offers 3X miles on American Airlines purchases and provides benefits like free checked bags and priority boarding. However, it requires high spending to claim the two companion certificates each year. If you don't frequently fly with American Airlines or can't meet the spending threshold, this card may not be the best fit.

Point-by-point comparisons of APRs, fees, required credit, rewards, introductory offers and other features help you determine which card best meets your needs. For instance, if you're focused on airline rewards, Delta SkyMiles Gold offers 2X miles on Delta purchases, while Citi AA Platinum Select provides 3X miles on American Airlines purchases, making Citi more rewarding for AA travelers.

Both the Delta SkyMiles Gold and Citi AA Platinum Select cards offer valuable rewards, but the Citi AA Platinum Select Card provides a slightly better rewards value due to the higher estimated value of its AAdvantage miles, valued at approximately 1.6 cents. Delta SkyMiles, on the other hand, are valued at approximately 1.4 cents.

For those indifferent to the loyalty programs, the Citi AA Platinum Select card's rewards structure may offer more value, especially with its higher earning potential on dining and gas purchases. Meanwhile, the Delta SkyMiles Gold card stands out with its rewards on groceries and dining. Below is a table summarizing the bonus categories for each card.

Delta SkyMiles can be redeemed for flights and upgrades with no expiration, offering flexibility for Delta flyers. AAdvantage miles, slightly more valuable, can be used for flights to over 1,000 destinations, expiring only with inactivity. Both cards focus on airline-specific redemptions, limiting broader use.

The Delta SkyMiles Gold Card offers better perks for travelers, with free checked bags and priority boarding providing substantial savings and convenience. The Citi AA Platinum Select Card also offers these perks but adds a Global Entry Credit, enhancing airport security efficiency. Both cards cater to different traveler segments, with Delta appealing to budget-conscious users and Citi to American Airlines frequent travelers.

Travel Perks

• Free checked first bags for you and up to eight companions on Delta flights
• Priority boarding for you and up to eight companions
• 20% savings on eligible in-flight purchases as a statement credit

Status

• 15% off when booking Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app
• Take 15% off anytime you book Award Travel with miles on Delta flights using delta.com and the Fly Delta app

Insurance & Protections

• Secondary coverage for damage or theft of rental cars
• Coverage for lost, damaged or stolen baggage, with up to $1,250 for checked baggage and $500 for carry-on baggage

Credits & Discounts

• $200 Delta Flight Credit after $10,000 in purchases in a calendar year
• $100 back per year as a statement credit after booking prepaid hotels or vacation rentals through Delta Stays on delta.com
• Free enrollment for a complimentary ShopRunner membership, offering free 2-day shipping and free return shipping on eligible items

All Other Perks

• Global Assist® Hotline for emergency assistance and coordination services when traveling more than 100 miles from home

Travel Perks

• Free checked first bags for you and up to eight companions on domestic American Airlines flights
• Priority boarding for you and up to eight companions on American Airlines flights

Status

• Earn one Loyalty Point for every eligible mile earned from purchases, contributing to higher AAdvantage status

Credits & Discounts

• $125 American Airlines Flight Discount after spending $20,000 annually
• 25% savings on inflight food and beverage purchases

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.