The AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard edges out the Southwest Plus for most cardholders — it wins on 1 of 4 comparison categories and offers 80,000 pts signup bonus. The Southwest Plus is the better choice if you prioritize a different rewards ecosystem.
AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard vs Southwest Plus
Side-by-side comparison of fees, rewards, benefits, and transfer partners.
Comparison Method
CardCurator compares measurable differences first: annual fee, current welcome offer, top-end earning, and recurring credits. If the cards are close, the right answer depends on spending pattern and perk usage rather than headline prestige.
- Restaurants 2x
- Gas Stations 2x
- Eligible American Airlines Purchases 2x
- Southwest Purchases 2x
- Gas Stations and Grocery Stores 2x
- All Other Purchases 1x
- Statement Credit $180
- Annual Fee - Waived First YearAfter $1 spend
Quick summary
A short version of the comparison with the main differences at a glance.
The AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard edges out the Southwest Plus for most cardholders — it wins on 1 of 4 comparison categories and offers 80,000 pts signup bonus. The Southwest Plus is the better choice if you prioritize a different rewards ecosystem. On raw upside, AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard tops out at 2x versus 2x for Southwest Plus. Current signup bonus values are roughly $800 for AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard and $800 for Southwest Plus. Updated May 30, 2026. Source: https://cardcurator.ai/compare/aadvantage-platinum-select-world-elite-mastercard-vs-southwest-plus
- AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard wins 1 of 4 comparison categories in CardCurator's quick verdict model.
- Top earn rate: AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard reaches 2x; Southwest Plus reaches 2x.
- Annual fee: AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard is $99/yr; Southwest Plus is $99/yr.
- Current public bonus values are approximately $800 and $800.
Common Questions: AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard vs Southwest Plus
Is the AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard or Southwest Plus better for dining?
AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard earns 2x on dining; Southwest Plus has no dining bonus.
Which has the higher signup bonus in 2026?
AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard currently offers 80,000 pts signup bonus (spend $1,000 in 3 months). Southwest Plus offers 80,000 pts signup bonus (spend $1,000 in 3 months). Both bonuses are roughly equal in value.
Which card is better for international travel?
Both cards charge no foreign transaction fees, making either a solid choice for international travel.
Can I hold both the AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard and the Southwest Plus?
In most cases yes — holding both is allowed and can be a smart strategy for maximizing rewards across different spending categories. AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard is from Citi and Southwest Plus is from Chase, so they're governed by separate bank policies.