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Side-by-side
Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card vs CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard
Both are travel travel cards. The Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card comes from Cardless at $249/yr; the CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard from Citi at $99/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
Bottom line
For most people the CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($1,073 more in estimated value) than the Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card's. Get the CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard first; revisit the Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card | CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $249 | $99 |
| Sign-up bonus | Not advertised | 65,000 miles |
| Bonus value (est.) | - | $1,073 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | - | $4,000 in 4 mo |
| Issuer | Cardless | Citi |
| Card category | travel | travel |
| Best earning category (Airline) | 3x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | aadvantage |
| Headline benefits |
Read the full review
Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card
$249/yr ·
Read the full review
CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard
$99/yr · 65,000 miles
Editorial take: CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card or CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard?
- The CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard has a public bonus (65,000 miles, worth roughly $1,073), while the Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card doesn't advertise one right now.
- Is the Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card's $249 annual fee worth it compared to the CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard?
- At $249/yr, the Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card and CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (Cardless 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 Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card or the CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card: no published min spend. CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard: $4,000 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.