American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited vs Choice Privileges Select Mastercard
Both are well-respected travel cards. The American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited comes from American Express at $295/yr; the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard from Wells Fargo at $95/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 ($1,500 more in estimated value) than the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard's. Get the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited first; revisit the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited | Choice Privileges Select Mastercard |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $295 | $95 |
| Sign-up bonus | $1,500 cash back | 60,000 bonus points |
| Bonus value (est.) | $1,500 | - |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $50,000 in 6 mo | $3,000 in 3 mo |
| Issuer | American Express | Wells Fargo |
| Card category | business | travel |
| Best earning category (Amex_travel_flights_prepaid_hotels) | 5x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
Editorial take: Choice Privileges Select Mastercard
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited or Choice Privileges Select Mastercard?
- The American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited has a public bonus ($1,500 cash back, worth roughly $1,500), while the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard doesn't advertise one right now.
- Is the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited's $295 annual fee worth it compared to the Choice Privileges Select Mastercard?
- 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 Choice Privileges Select Mastercard's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the American Express Graphite Business Cash Unlimited and Choice Privileges Select Mastercard?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (American Express and Wells Fargo) 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 Choice Privileges Select Mastercard 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. Choice Privileges Select Mastercard: $3,000 in 3 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.
