American Airlines Credit Card: Everything Explained

Explore the comprehensive benefits, features, and options of American Airlines credit cards to maximize your travel rewards and experiences.​The Points Guy+2Homepage – Accountend+2Forbes+2

Overview of American Airlines Credit Cards

American Airlines offers a range of co-branded credit cards through partnerships with Citi and Barclays, catering to various traveler needs. These cards provide opportunities to earn AAdvantage miles, enjoy travel perks, and access exclusive benefits.​MarketWatch+3Cards and Points+3One Mile at a Time+3WSJ+9The Points Guy+9creditcards.aa.com+9

Types of American Airlines Credit Cards

1. Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®

• Annual Fee: $595

• Welcome Bonus: 70,000 miles after spending $7,000 in the first 3 months

• Key Benefits:

  • Complimentary Admirals Club® membership

  • Priority boarding and check-in

  • First checked bag free for you and up to 8 companions

  • 25% savings on in-flight food and beverage purchases

  • Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® fee credit every 4 years ​ForbesSimple Flying+5creditcards.aa.com+5NerdWallet: Finance smarter+5UpgradedPoints.com+3The Points Guy+3creditcards.aa.com+3NerdWallet: Finance smarter+2UpgradedPoints.com+2creditcards.aa.com+2

2. Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®

• Annual Fee: $99 (waived for the first year)

• Welcome Bonus: 50,000 miles after spending $2,500 in the first 3 months

• Key Benefits:

  • First checked bag free for you and up to 4 companions

  • Preferred boarding

  • 25% savings on in-flight food and beverage purchases

  • 2x miles on eligible American Airlines purchases, restaurants, and gas stations

  • No foreign transaction fees ​UpgradedPoints.com+8One Mile at a Time+8The Points Guy+8UpgradedPoints.com+2Forbes+2creditcards.aa.com+2WSJ+19The Points Guy+19creditcards.aa.com+19The Points Guy+3UpgradedPoints.com+3NerdWallet: Finance smarter+3creditcards.aa.com

3. American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card

• Annual Fee: $0

• Welcome Bonus: 15,000 miles after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months

• Key Benefits:

  • 2x miles at grocery stores and on eligible American Airlines purchases

  • 25% savings on in-flight food and beverage purchases ​Forbes+1creditcards.aa.com+1

4. AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®

• Annual Fee: $99

• Welcome Bonus: 60,000 miles after first purchase and paying the annual fee in full within the first 90 days

• Key Benefits:

  • First checked bag free for you and up to 4 companions

  • Preferred boarding

  • 25% savings on in-flight food and beverage purchases

  • Up to $25 back as statement credits for in-flight Wi-Fi purchases each cardmember year ​ForbesSimple Flying+3The Points Guy+3NerdWallet: Finance smarter+3

5. Citi® / AAdvantage® Business™ World Elite Mastercard®

• Annual Fee: $99 (waived for the first year)

• Welcome Bonus: 65,000 miles after spending $4,000 in the first 4 months

• Key Benefits:

  • First checked bag free for you and up to 4 companions

  • Preferred boarding

  • 25% savings on in-flight food and beverage purchases

  • 2x miles on eligible American Airlines purchases, telecommunications merchants, cable and satellite providers, car rental merchants, and gas stations ​Homepage – Accountend+5One Mile at a Time+5The Points Guy+5UpgradedPoints.com+2Forbes+2creditcards.aa.com+2One Mile at a Time+16The Points Guy+16creditcards.aa.com+16The Points Guy+3UpgradedPoints.com+3NerdWallet: Finance smarter+3

Earning AAdvantage Miles

All American Airlines credit cards allow you to earn AAdvantage miles on purchases, which can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and other rewards. Earning rates vary by card and spending category. For example, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® offers 2x miles on eligible American Airlines purchases, restaurants, and gas stations, and 1x mile on other purchases. ​The Points Guy+1Flightsmilesandpoints.com+1The Points Guycreditcards.aa.com+5creditcards.aa.com+5Forbes+5

Redeeming AAdvantage Miles

AAdvantage miles can be redeemed for:​

• Award flights on American Airlines and partner airlines

• Upgrades to premium cabins

• Car rentals, hotel stays, and vacation packages

• Admirals Club® membership

• Merchandise and gift cards​One Mile at a Timecreditcards.aa.com+2The Points Guy+2New York Post+2creditcards.aa.com+1One Mile at a Time+1

Note that award flight availability and mileage requirements vary based on factors like destination, travel dates, and demand.​

Elite Status and Loyalty Points

American Airlines’ AAdvantage program uses Loyalty Points to determine elite status tiers. Credit card spending can contribute to earning Loyalty Points, helping you achieve higher status levels. For instance, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® earns 1 Loyalty Point per eligible mile earned, accelerating your path to elite status. ​creditcards.aa.com+1WSJ+1Forbes+5The Points Guy+5One Mile at a Time+5

Additional Card Benefits

• In-Flight Savings: Most cards offer 25% savings on in-flight food and beverage purchases when using the card.

• Free Checked Bags: Depending on the card, you may receive a free checked bag for yourself and companions on the same reservation.

• Priority Boarding: Enjoy early boarding privileges, allowing you to settle in sooner and access overhead bin space.

• No Foreign Transaction Fees: Many cards waive foreign transaction fees, making them suitable for international travel.

• Admirals Club® Access: Exclusive to the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®, providing lounge access for a more comfortable travel experience.​NerdWallet: Finance smarter+2UpgradedPoints.com+2The Points Guy+2The Points Guy+1creditcards.aa.com+1UpgradedPoints.com+8NerdWallet: Finance smarter+8The Points Guy+8

Choosing the Right Card

When selecting an American Airlines credit card, consider factors such as your travel frequency, spending habits, and desired benefits. For frequent flyers seeking premium perks, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® offers comprehensive benefits. If you prefer a card with no annual fee, the AAdvantage® MileUp® Card provides a cost-effective option for earning miles on everyday purchases.​The Points GuyNerdWallet: Finance smarter+3Forbes+3creditcards.aa.com+3

Evaluate each card’s features and align them with your travel goals to maximize the value of your American Airlines credit card.​