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American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited vs American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp Card

Both are well-respected travel cards. The American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited comes from American Express at $295/yr; the American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp Card from Citi at $0/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.

Bottom line

For most people the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($1,500 more in estimated value) than the American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp Card's. Get the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited first; revisit the American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp Card after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureAmerican Express Graphite Business Cash UnlimitedAmerican Airlines AAdvantage MileUp Card
Annual fee$295$0
Sign-up bonus$1,500 cash backNot advertised
Bonus value (est.)$1,500-
Min spend to unlock bonus$50,000 in 6 mo-
IssuerAmerican ExpressCiti
Card categorybusinesstravel
Best earning category (Amex_travel_flights_prepaid_hotels)5x1x
Transfer partnersNoneNone
Headline benefits
      Read the full review
      American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited
      $295/yr · $1,500 cash back
      Read the full review
      American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp Card
      $0/yr ·

      Editorial take: American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited

      Editorial take: American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp Card

      Common questions

      Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited or American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp Card?
      The American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited has a public bonus ($1,500 cash back, worth roughly $1,500), while the American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp Card doesn't advertise one right now.
      Is the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited's $295 annual fee worth it compared to the American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp Card?
      At $295/yr, the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp Card's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
      Can I have both the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited and American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp Card?
      Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Citi) the application rules don't conflict. Many points enthusiasts hold both, they pair well when one earns flexible bank points and the other earns a different currency.
      Should I get the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited or the American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp Card first?
      Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited: $50,000 spend in 6 months. American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp Card: no published min spend. Pick the easier minimum spend if you're new to points; pick the larger bonus if you have planned big purchases coming up.

      Card details on this page reflect the most recent data we've verified against the issuer's own site. Sign-up bonuses and fees can change at any time, confirm the current offer on the issuer's page before applying.