Chase Freedom Unlimited vs Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
Chase Freedom Unlimited wins 5-1. No-fee everyday card; pairs perfectly with Sapphire Preferred Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select is still the right call if american airlines loyalists — free checked bag + boarding..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Chase Freedom Unlimited | Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | No annual fee | · $99 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | 5% (travel) | · 2% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | 1.5% | · 1% |
| Forex markup | · 3% | No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = $200 cash back after $500 spend in first 3 months + 5% gas/groceries on first $12K | = 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 | 4.6/5 | · 4/5 |
Benefits compared
Chase Freedom Unlimited
- 5% on travel via Chase Ultimate Rewards
- 3% on dining (incl. takeout & delivery)
- 3% on drugstore purchases
- 1.5% on everything else
- No annual fee
- 0% intro APR for 15 months
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
›Chase Freedom Unlimited vs Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select: which is better?
Chase Freedom Unlimited wins on more dimensions (5 vs 1). 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 Chase Freedom Unlimited 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?
Chase Freedom Unlimited: $200 cash back after $500 spend in first 3 months + 5% gas/groceries on first $12K. Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select: 50,000 AA miles after $2,500 spend in 3 months.