American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited vs Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select
Both are well-respected travel cards. The American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited comes from American Express at $295/yr; the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select from Citi at $99/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
For most people the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($660 more in estimated value) than the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select's. Get the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited first; revisit the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited | Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $295 | $99 |
| Sign-up bonus | $1,500 cash back | 60,000 miles |
| Bonus value (est.) | $1,500 | $840 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $50,000 in 6 mo | $3,500 in 4 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | Citi |
| Card category | business | travel |
| Best earning category (Amex_travel_flights_prepaid_hotels) | 5x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
|
Editorial take: Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select
The free checked bag covers the fee on just one round-trip with a partner. Good if you fly AA more than twice a year, otherwise AAdvantage is worth collecting through other means.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited or Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select?
- The American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited has the bigger bonus, $1,500 cash back, worth roughly $1,500, versus 60,000 miles (~$840) on the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select.
- Is the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited's $295 annual fee worth it compared to the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select?
- 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 Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited and Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select?
- 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 Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select 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. Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select: $3,500 in 4 months. 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.
