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.
All credit cards
Side-by-side
Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select vs USAA Secured Visa Platinum
Both are well-respected travel cards. The Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select 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.
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 USAA Secured Visa Platinum's. Get the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select first; revisit the USAA Secured Visa Platinum after you've earned that bonus.
| Feature | Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select | USAA Secured Visa Platinum |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $99 | $0 |
| Sign-up bonus | 60,000 miles | None |
| Bonus value (est.) | $840 | $0 |
| Min spend to unlock bonus | $3,500 in 4 mo | $0 in 0 mo |
| Issuer | Citi | USAA |
| Card category | travel | rewards |
| Best earning category (American) | 2x | 1x |
| Transfer partners | None | None |
| Headline benefits |
|
Read the full review
Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select
$99/yr · 60,000 miles
Read the full review
USAA Secured Visa Platinum
$0/yr · None
Editorial take: USAA Secured Visa Platinum
Common questions
- Which card has the bigger sign-up bonus, Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select or USAA Secured Visa Platinum?
- The Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select has the bigger bonus, 60,000 miles, worth roughly $840, versus None (~$0) on the USAA Secured Visa Platinum.
- Is the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select's $99 annual fee worth it compared to the USAA Secured Visa Platinum?
- 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 USAA Secured Visa Platinum's, pick the one whose perks you'll actually use.
- Can I have both the Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select 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 Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select or the USAA Secured Visa Platinum first?
- Get the one whose sign-up bonus you can hit comfortably without overspending. Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select: $3,500 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.