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 Gold Card
Both are travel travel cards. The Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select comes from Citi at $99/yr; the Mastercard Gold Card from Barclays (Luxury Card) at $1199/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 Gold Card's. Get the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select first; revisit the Mastercard Gold Card after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select | Mastercard Gold Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $99 | $1199 |
| 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 Gold Card
$1199/yr · No public welcome offer
Editorial take: Mastercard Gold Card
The top tier of Barclays' Luxury Card lineup at $1,199. The $300 airline + $200 dining + $120 Global Entry credits chip away at the AF (about $620 of stated value before lounge access), and the 2cpp redemption on cash back is unusual. Still a status play more than a smart-points play; Amex Platinum or Sapphire Reserve win on credits-to-fee math for most travelers. Authorized-user fee is steep at $349 each.
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select or Mastercard Gold 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 Gold Card.
- Is the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select's $99 annual fee worth it compared to the Mastercard Gold 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 Gold Card's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select and Mastercard Gold 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 Gold 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 Gold 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.