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CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard vs Discover it Cash Back

Both are well-respected travel cards. The CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard comes from Citi at $99/yr; the Discover it Cash Back from Discover at $0/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 ($873 more in estimated value) than the Discover it Cash Back's. Get the CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard first; revisit the Discover it Cash Back after you've earned that bonus.

FeatureCitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select MastercardDiscover it Cash Back
Annual fee$99$0
Sign-up bonus65,000 milesCashback Match (first year, unlimited)
Bonus value (est.)$1,073$200
Min spend to unlock bonus$4,000 in 4 mo$0 in 12 mo
IssuerCitiDiscover
Card categorytravelcashback
Best earning category (Travel)2x1x
Transfer partnersaadvantageNone
Headline benefits
    • 5% rotating categories
    • First-year match
    • No annual fee
    • No foreign tx fees
    Read the full review
    CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard
    $99/yr · 65,000 miles
    Read the full review
    Discover it Cash Back
    $0/yr · Cashback Match (first year, unlimited)

    Editorial take: CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard

    Editorial take: Discover it Cash Back

    The first-year Cashback Match effectively doubles your earnings, someone who earns $300 in cash back gets $600 total. It's the best no-fee first card for building credit with real rewards.

    Common questions

    Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard or Discover it Cash Back?
    The CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard has the bigger bonus, 65,000 miles, worth roughly $1,073, versus Cashback Match (first year, unlimited) (~$200) on the Discover it Cash Back.
    Is the CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard's $99 annual fee worth it compared to the Discover it Cash Back?
    At $99/yr, the CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the Discover it Cash Back's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
    Can I have both the CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard and Discover it Cash Back?
    Yes, since they're from different issuers (Citi and Discover) 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 CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard or the Discover it Cash Back first?
    Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard: $4,000 spend in 4 months. Discover it Cash Back: $0 in 12 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.