Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard vs United Explorer Card
Side-by-side comparison of rewards, fees, and benefits
Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard
Citi
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United Explorer Card
Chase
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Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard comes out ahead by $110/yr at a typical $24,000/yr spending profile.
See the assumptions and math
Everyday profile: $24,000/yr across groceries, gas, dining, online shopping, streaming, and everything else. Signup bonuses excluded (first-year only). Statement credits counted at typical usage rates, not face value.
| Card | Rewards | Credits | Fee | Net/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard | $390 | $0 | -$99 | $291 |
| United Explorer Card | $331 | $0 | -$150 | $181 |
Booking through the card issuer's travel site. Point values adjust automatically.
Simple Advanced view shows effective return rates (multiplier × point value) instead of just multipliers. | Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite MastercardCiti | United Explorer CardChase |
|---|---|---|
Annual Fee | $99 | $150 |
Sign-Up Bonus | 50,000 pts | 60,000 pts |
Point Value How much each point is worth in cents. This varies based on how you redeem (cash back, travel portal, or transfer partners). | 1.0¢(Travel Portal) | 1.0¢(Travel Portal) |
Dining | 2x | 2x |
Grocery | 1x | 1x |
Flights | 2x | 2x |
Hotels | 1x | 2x |
Gas | 2x | 1x |
Online Shopping | 1x | 1x |
Everything Else | 1x | 1x |
Fast Food Quick-service restaurants (MCC 5814). Most "dining" bonuses include fast food. | 2x | 2x |
Streaming Subscriptions like Netflix, Spotify, Disney+, etc. | 1x | 1x |
Internet Home internet and cable bills. | 1x | 1x |
Cell Phone Cell phone bills (may incur processing fees). | 1x | 1x |
Home Utilities Electricity, gas, water, sewer, trash. | 1x | 1x |
Travel/Airline Credit | - | - |
Est. Perks Value | - | - |
Lounge Access | No | No |
* Est. Perks Value: Requires enrollment; varies by usage. Excludes Travel/Airline Credit (shown separately).
Amex Platinum ($2,884): $600 FHR/THC hotel credit, $400 Resy dining, $300 lululemon, $300 digital entertainment, $320 Uber ($200 cash + $120 Uber One), $209 CLEAR+, $200 Oura, $155 Walmart+, $100 Saks, $300 Equinox.
CSR ($828): $420 DoorDash (DashPass + credits), $288 Apple TV+ and Apple Music, $120 Lyft credits.
Quick Verdict
United Explorer Card earns more on travel (2x hotels vs 1x). Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard excels at everyday spending like gas. Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard has a lower annual fee ($99 vs $150). Your best choice depends on where you spend the most.
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