Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card vs Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select®

Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card
VS
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select®
The short answer: The Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card delivers a bit more value for most spenders.

Side-by-side comparison

Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited CardCiti® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select®
Annual fee$295$99
Welcome offer$1,500 cash back50,000 80,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® miles after $3,500 in 4 months (limited-time)
Advertising2%1%
Shipping2%1%
Office supplies2%1%
Phone & internet2%1%
Travel2%1%
Everything else2%1%
Est. yearly rewards*$900$492
Points typeCash back onlyLocked to American Airlines AAdvantage
NetworkAmexMastercard

*Estimated yearly rewards on typical household spending, every point valued at a flat 1 cent. Verified June 2026. See your own numbers in the calculator.

The verdict

On a typical year of business spending, the Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card earns about $900 a year in rewards and the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® about $492, valuing every point at a flat 1 cent. The Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card charges $295, which you clear through its rewards and perks. The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® charges $99, which you clear through its rewards and perks. Counting rewards, fees, and any credits, the Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card delivers more total value, about $212 a year more for a typical spender, mostly because it earns more where you spend most, on everything else and advertising. Neither leans on transferable points, so the deciding factors are the welcome offer, the card network, and which everyday perks you will actually use. On the sign-up bonus, the Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card currently has the larger welcome offer. Note that Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® is running a limited-time offer above the usual amount, so that edge may not last. A welcome bonus is a one-time event, so weigh it apart from the ongoing rewards.

Pick the Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card if your spending leans toward advertising, shipping, office supplies.

Read the full reviews

Frequently asked questions

Is the Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card or the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® better?
On typical business spending, the Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card comes out ahead after its annual fee, by roughly $212 a year with every point valued at a flat 1 cent. But the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® can be the better fit if your spending lines up with its stronger categories. Run both through the Cardocrat calculator to see your own numbers.
Can I have both the Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card and the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select®?
In most cases yes, as long as you meet each issuer's approval rules (for example Chase's 5/24 rule). Many people hold complementary cards to cover more bonus categories, then pool or redeem the rewards together where the program allows.
Which has the better welcome bonus, the Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card or the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select®?
As of June 2026, the Amex Graphite Business Cash Unlimited Card offers $1,500 cash back and the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® offers 80,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® miles after $3,500 in 4 months. Welcome offers change often, so confirm the current offer on each card's page before applying.