Amex Hilton Honors vs Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
EXPRESS
Amex Hilton Honors wins 5-0. No-fee Hilton card — solid for occasional Hilton stays. Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select is still the right call if american airlines loyalists — free checked bag + boarding..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Amex Hilton Honors | Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | No annual fee | · $99 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | 7% (travel) | · 2% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | 3% | · 1% |
| Forex markup | = No FX fee | = No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = 70,000 Hilton points after $2,000 spend in 6 months | = 50,000 AA miles after $2,500 spend in 3 months |
| Fee waiver threshold | = N/A (no fee) | = No waiver |
| Min income | = — | = — |
| Min credit score | 670 | · 700 |
| Editorial rating | 4.1/5 | · 4/5 |
Benefits compared
Amex Hilton Honors
- 7x Hilton Honors points at Hilton hotels
- 5x at US restaurants + gas stations
- 3x on everything else
- Hilton Honors Silver status
- No annual fee, no foreign transaction fees
Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select
- 2x miles on American Airlines + dining + gas
- 1x on everything else
- Free first checked bag for cardholder + 4 companions
- Preferred boarding
- Annual fee waived first year
FAQ
›Amex Hilton Honors vs Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select: which is better?
Amex Hilton Honors wins on more dimensions (5 vs 0). But the right answer depends on your specific spending pattern — see the calculator below.
›Can I get both?
Yes — if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use Amex Hilton Honors for its best categories, Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
Amex Hilton Honors: 70,000 Hilton points after $2,000 spend in 6 months. Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select: 50,000 AA miles after $2,500 spend in 3 months.