Citi Custom Cash vs Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
Citi Custom Cash wins 4-1. Auto-detects your top spend category each cycle — set-and-forget. Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select is still the right call if american airlines loyalists — free checked bag + boarding..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Citi Custom Cash | Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | No annual fee | · $99 |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | 5% (shopping) | · 2% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | = 1% | = 1% |
| Forex markup | · 3% | No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = $200 cashback after $1,500 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 | 4.5/5 | · 4/5 |
Benefits compared
Citi Custom Cash
- 5% cashback in your top eligible spend category each billing cycle (up to $500)
- 1% on everything else
- Eligible categories: restaurants, gas, grocery, travel, etc.
- 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
›Citi Custom Cash vs Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select: which is better?
Citi Custom Cash wins on more dimensions (4 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 Citi Custom Cash 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?
Citi Custom Cash: $200 cashback after $1,500 in 6 months. Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select: 50,000 AA miles after $2,500 spend in 3 months.