CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard vs USAA Secured Visa Platinum
Both are well-respected travel cards. The CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard comes from Citi at $99/yr; the USAA Secured Visa Platinum from USAA at $0/yr. Below: side-by-side specs, an opinionated verdict, and the FAQs people actually ask before applying.
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 USAA Secured Visa Platinum's. Get the CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard first; revisit the USAA Secured Visa Platinum after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard | USAA Secured Visa Platinum |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $99 | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | 65,000 miles | None |
| Bonus value (est.) | $1,073 | $0 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $4,000 in 4 mo | $0 in 0 mo |
| Issuer | Citi | USAA |
| Card category | travel | rewards |
| Best earning category (Travel) | 2x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | aadvantage | None |
| Headline benefits |
Editorial take: USAA Secured Visa Platinum
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard or USAA Secured Visa Platinum?
- The CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard has the bigger bonus, 65,000 miles, worth roughly $1,073, versus None (~$0) on the USAA Secured Visa Platinum.
- Is the CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard's $99 annual fee worth it compared to the USAA Secured Visa Platinum?
- 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 USAA Secured Visa Platinum's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard and USAA Secured Visa Platinum?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (Citi and USAA) 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 USAA Secured Visa Platinum 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. USAA Secured Visa Platinum: $0 in 0 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.
