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Side-by-side
Capital One Spark Cash vs Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Capital One Spark Cash comes from Capital One at $95/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.
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.
| Feature | Capital One Spark Cash | Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $95 | $99 |
| Sign-up bonus | $1,000 cash bonus | 80,000 miles |
| Bonus value (est.) | $1,000 | $1,120 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $10,000 in 3 mo | $3,500 in 4 mo |
| Issuer | Capital One | Citi |
| Card category | business | travel |
| Best earning category (Hotels_capital_one) | 5x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
|
Read the full review
Capital One Spark Cash
$95/yr · $1,000 cash bonus
Read the full review
Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select
$99/yr · 80,000 miles
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, Capital One Spark Cash or Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select?
- The Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select has the bigger bonus, 80,000 miles, worth roughly $1,120, versus $1,000 cash bonus (~$1,000) on the Capital One Spark Cash.
- Is the Capital One Spark Cash's $95 annual fee worth it compared to the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select?
- At $95/yr, the Capital One Spark Cash 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 Capital One Spark Cash and Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (Capital One 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 Capital One Spark Cash or the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Capital One Spark Cash: $10,000 spend in 3 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.