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Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card vs Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select
Both are travel travel cards. The Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card comes from Cardless at $249/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
For most people the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select is the stronger pick today, the sign-up bonus is meaningfully larger ($840 more in estimated value) than the Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card's. Get the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select first; revisit the Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card | Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $249 | $99 |
| Sign-up bonus | Not advertised | 60,000 miles |
| Bonus value (est.) | - | $840 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | - | $3,500 in 4 mo |
| Issuer | Cardless | Citi |
| Card category | travel | travel |
| Best earning category (Airline) | 3x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
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Read the full review
Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card
$249/yr ·
Read the full review
Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select
$99/yr · 60,000 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, Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card or Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select?
- The Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select has a public bonus (60,000 miles, worth roughly $840), 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 Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select?
- 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 Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card and Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select?
- 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 Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Avianca LifeMiles American Express Elite Card: no published min spend. 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.