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Side-by-side

The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab vs Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard

Both are well-respected travel cards. The The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab comes from American Express at $695/yr; the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard from Citi at $595/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.

Bottom line

These cards are close on the fundamentals (similar bonus value, similar fee). The right pick depends on which category you spend the most in and which transfer partners best fit your travel goals.

FeatureThe Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles SchwabCiti / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard
Annual fee$695$595
Sign-up bonusUp to 80,000 Membership Rewards points70,000 miles
Bonus value (est.)$1,440$980
Min spend to unlock bonus$8,000 in 6 mo$7,000 in 3 mo
IssuerAmerican ExpressCiti
Card categorytravelairline
Best earning category (Flights_direct_or_amextravel)5x1x
Transfer partnersamex-mrNone
Headline benefits
  • Invest with Rewards 1.1c/pt into Schwab
  • Centurion + Priority Pass + Delta Sky Club
  • 5X flights, 5X prepaid hotels
  • $1,500+ in annual credits
  • Admirals Club membership
  • Free bag for 9 travelers
  • $360 in Lyft+Grubhub+Avis credits
  • Global Entry credit
Read the full review
The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab
$695/yr · Up to 80,000 Membership Rewards points
Read the full review
Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard
$595/yr · 70,000 miles

Editorial take: The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab

The premium Platinum for Schwab brokerage customers. Same lounge access, FHR, and credit suite as the Personal Platinum, but the killer feature is Invest with Rewards at 1.1 cents per point cash-into-brokerage — the highest fixed-value MR redemption in the program. Best for cardholders who don't max out airline transfer partners.

Editorial take: Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard

Pure Admirals Club access card. If you spend more than ~$850/year on lounge passes or visit AA hubs frequently, the $595 fee is a layup. The 2024 refresh added ~$360/year in Lyft/Grubhub/Avis credits that often go unclaimed, plus the free checked bag for 9 travelers is undersold for family travelers.

Common questions

Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab or Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard?
The The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab has the bigger bonus, Up to 80,000 Membership Rewards points, worth roughly $1,440, versus 70,000 miles (~$980) on the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard.
Is the The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab's $695 annual fee worth it compared to the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard?
Premium cards like the The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab ($695/yr) earn their fee through credits, travel, dining, lounge access, statement reimbursements. If you'd actively use $695+ of those credits, the math works. The Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard at $595/yr trades some perks for a lower commitment.
Can I have both the The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab and Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard?
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 The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab or the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard first?
Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. The Platinum Card from American Express Exclusively for Charles Schwab: $8,000 spend in 6 months. Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard: $7,000 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.