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.
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Side-by-side
Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select vs Mastercard Black Card
Both are travel travel cards. The Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select comes from Citi at $99/yr; the Mastercard Black Card from Barclays (Luxury Card) at $699/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 Mastercard Black Card's. Get the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select first; revisit the Mastercard Black Card after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select | Mastercard Black Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $99 | $699 |
| Sign-up bonus | 60,000 miles | No public welcome offer |
| Bonus value (est.) | $840 | $0 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $3,500 in 4 mo | $0 in 0 mo |
| Issuer | Citi | Barclays (Luxury Card) |
| Card category | travel | travel |
| Best earning category (American) | 2x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
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Read the full review
Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select
$99/yr · 60,000 miles
Read the full review
Mastercard Black Card
$699/yr · No public welcome offer
Editorial take: Mastercard Black Card
The mid tier of the Barclays Luxury Card lineup. The $200 airline + $100 dining credits offset $300 of the $699 AF before lounge value, and the 1.5cpp cash-back rate is the best of the Luxury Card tiers. Still hard to beat Sapphire Reserve or Venture X on transferable-points flexibility, but the all-stainless body and concierge appeal to some.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select or Mastercard Black Card?
- The Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select has the bigger bonus, 60,000 miles, worth roughly $840, versus No public welcome offer (~$0) on the Mastercard Black Card.
- Is the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select's $99 annual fee worth it compared to the Mastercard Black Card?
- At $99/yr, the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select is in the mid-fee tier. Compare its specific perks (lounge access, travel credits, primary rental insurance) to the Mastercard Black Card's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select and Mastercard Black Card?
- Yes, since they're from different issuers (Citi and Barclays (Luxury Card)) 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 Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select or the Mastercard Black Card first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select: $3,500 spend in 4 months. Mastercard Black Card: $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.