United Quest℠ Card
vs. Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®

The United Quest℠ Card and the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® are both excellent choices for frequent flyers, offering substantial rewards and perks. The United Quest℠ Card is the better option for United Airlines travelers, with higher rewards on United purchases and valuable travel benefits. It also has a more accessible credit requirement.

However, the AA Platinum Select World Elite Card is still worth considering for American Airlines loyalists, offering high rewards on American Airlines purchases and companion certificates.

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

The United Quest Card is likely to be better for frequent United Airlines travelers who want to maximize their rewards on United purchases and enjoy travel perks like free checked bags and priority boarding. The card's $125 annual United purchase credit helps offset its $250 annual fee, making it a good choice for those who can take advantage of these benefits. However, it may not be suitable for those who prefer other airlines or do not travel frequently enough to justify the high annual fee.

The AA Platinum Select World Elite is likely to be better for frequent American Airlines travelers who want to earn miles and enjoy standard airline perks. It offers 3X miles on American Airlines purchases and provides benefits like free checked bags and priority boarding. However, to earn the companion certificates, users must spend $20,000 annually, which may not suit those with lower spending habits. Additionally, the card lacks travel insurance, which might be a drawback for some users.

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 frequently fly United, the United Quest Card's 3 miles per $1 on United purchases might be more rewarding than the AA Platinum Select World Elite's 3X miles on American Airlines purchases.

The AA Platinum Select World Elite Card offers a slightly higher value per mile, at approximately 1.6 cents. This makes it a better option for those focused on maximizing rewards value.

However, the United Quest Card provides a broader range of bonus categories, which may appeal to travelers with diverse spending habits. Both cards are co-branded with major airlines, United and American Airlines, respectively. For those indifferent to airline loyalty, the choice may come down to the specific rewards structure and value per mile. Below is a table summarizing the bonus categories for each card.

The United Quest Card allows you to redeem miles for United flights, hotel stays, rental cars or gift cards. Notably, these miles do not expire, providing flexibility in when you choose to redeem them. In contrast, the AA Platinum Select World Elite Card's miles can be used for flights to over 1,000 destinations, but they expire if there's no earning or redemption activity within 18 months. While both cards offer valuable redemption options, the expiration policy of American miles may require more active management.

The United Quest Card stands out for its benefits, offering two free checked bags and a $125 annual United purchase credit. It also includes comprehensive trip insurance, appealing to travelers who value peace of mind. The AA Platinum Select World Elite Card provides one free checked bag and preferred boarding, which are beneficial for those who frequently fly with American Airlines.

Travel Perks

• Free first and second checked bags for the primary cardmember and one companion, saving up to $360 per roundtrip
• Priority boarding for the primary cardmember and companions on the same reservation

Status

• Earn up to 6,000 Premier qualifying points (PQP) per calendar year
• Premier Points Intro Offer includes 70,000 bonus miles and 500 Premier qualifying points after spending $4,000 in the first three months

Insurance & Protections

• Trip Insurance covering trip cancellations and interruptions, baggage delays and lost luggage
• Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver providing primary coverage for rental cars

Credits & Discounts

• $125 annual United purchase credit for statement credits on United purchases
• Up to $100 Global Entry, TSA PreCheck® or NEXUS fee credit every four years
• 25% back on United inflight and Club premium drink purchases

All Other Perks

• Up to 10,000 miles in award flight credits each year
• One-year complimentary DashPass for DoorDash and Caviar

Travel Perks

• Free checked first bags for you and up to eight companions on domestic American Airlines flights
• Priority check-in, screening, and boarding when flying with American Airlines

Status

• Earn one Loyalty Point for every eligible mile earned from purchases

Credits & Discounts

• $125 American Airlines Flight Discount after spending $20,000 annually
• Up to $25 back per day on inflight food and beverage purchases with your card on American Airlines flights

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.