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For frequent American Airlines flyers, having a co-branded airline credit card can provide valuable perks and rewards within the American AAdvantage program. However, it can be overwhelming to determine which card is the best fit for your needs. American Airlines co-branded credit cards offer varying annual fees, rewards structures and benefits. Here’s how to choose the best American Airlines credit card for your travel habits and preferences.
Top American Airlines credit cards
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The American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card* is the only co-branded American Airlines credit card with a $0 annual fee, making it a good option for occasional travelers. The welcome bonus is small but easy to achieve, and earning bonus miles on grocery purchases can quickly boost your balance.
Since the only cardholder benefit is a 25 percent discount on in-flight food or drink purchases, you may want to consider a different card if you value elite travel perks or travel frequently.
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The AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®* is the only co-branded card on the list that isn’t issued by Citi. You can earn a sizable welcome bonus when you make a single purchase and pay the annual fee both within the first 90 days, which quickly jumpstarts your earnings. The intro APR offer on balance transfers can also help consolidate any debt.
While the card doesn’t have bonus categories outside of American Airlines purchases, you’ll get the first checked bag free for you and up to four companions, in-flight credits, travel coverage and an anniversary companion certificate for one guest ($99 plus taxes/fees) 45 days after account renewal if you spend $20,000 on the card.
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With the annual fee waived for the first year and a solid welcome offer, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®* offers excellent initial value. You can rack up rewards quickly with bonus rates in multiple everyday categories, giving it better long-term value than the Barclays card.
This card offers the same benefits as the Barclays version. However, instead of earning a companion certificate after spending $20,000 and renewing your card, you’ll earn a $125 flight discount. If you prefer an annual fee of under $100, consider evaluating these two cards to determine which one works best for you.
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The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® is ideal for people who want Admirals Club airport lounge access when flying with American Airlines. If you’re pursuing elite status, you’ll get a 10,000 Loyalty Point bonus when you earn 50,000 points and another 10,000 after earning 90,000 points within a calendar year.
The high annual fee can be a bargain, considering that Admirals Club membership costs as much as $850. In addition to the benefits of the Platinum card, you’ll also get up to a $100 application fee credit every four years toward Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® and higher earning rates on American Airlines purchases as well as hotels and car rentals booked through American Airlines’ website.
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The Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard®* is specifically geared toward business owners since it earns bonus miles in common business-related categories. Each employee cardholder also earns loyalty points, which can help your business quickly qualify for elite status benefits.
The welcome bonus is generous, and Citi waives the annual fee for the first year. The in-flight benefits are similar to those of the personal version of this card. However, instead of a flight discount, you can earn a companion certificate after you spend $30,000 and renew your card.
Comparing the best American Airlines credit cards
The best American Airlines credit cards can help you earn more miles and improve your flight experience. When choosing the right card for you, consider the following: how frequently you fly, rewards categories and perks offered.
| Card name | Best for | Highlights | Annual fee | Bankrate score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card | No annual fee |
|
$0 | 3.1 |
| AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® | Welcome offer |
|
$99 | 4.4 |
| Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® | Frequent American Airlines flyers |
|
$99, waived for first 12 months | 4.6 |
| Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® | Admirals Club access |
|
$595 | 4.5 |
| Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard® | Business owners |
|
$99, waived for first 12 months | 4.1 |
How to choose the best American Airlines credit card
As you compare American Airlines credit cards, consider these tips to help you determine the best option:
- Decide if you want to pay an annual fee: The MileUp card is the only co-branded American Airlines credit card without an annual fee, while the Platinum and Business cards waive the fee for the first year. Before you decide if an annual-fee card is right for you, compare credit cards to see if you’ll get proper value from paying an annual fee.
- Consider whether you need a card for personal or business expenses: You can have a personal American Airlines credit card and a business credit card simultaneously. Decide which option fits your spending needs best.
- Compare frequent flyer perks: Determine which cards have the benefits you want. Occasional travelers probably won’t want or use all the perks that someone with Executive Platinum status desires.
- Compare bonus categories and welcome offers: If a card comes with a bonus category you will frequently use, it’s worth considering. Also, consider the minimum spending requirement to earn the highest welcome offer you can reasonably manage.
Consider flexible travel cards
If you prefer to fly American Airlines but don’t want to be tied down to a single frequent flyer program, you may want to consider flexible travel credit cards in addition to a co-branded credit card. Many of the best travel credit cards let you transfer points to multiple airlines or use points to book travel through a portal with any airline of your choice.
It’s worth noting that none of these flexible travel rewards cards can transfer points directly to American Airlines. However, American Airlines is a member of the Oneworld alliance. You can transfer points to a partner airline and book American Airlines flights using that partner’s frequent flyer program (subject to award availability). While this can be complicated, you can get exponential value in the right circumstances.
What’s next?
Check out the resources below to match a card with your travel needs and budget.
The bottom line
Choosing the right American Airlines credit card can significantly benefit frequent flyers, but it all depends on personal preferences and needs. Travel credit cards with transferable points are also worth considering for those who prefer flexibility. To find the best American Airlines credit card, compare fees, perks and earning rates to determine which card best fits your travel needs.
Frequently asked questions
*The information about the American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp®, AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®, Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® and Citi® / AAdvantage Business™ World Elite Mastercard® has been collected independently by Bankrate.com. The card details have not been reviewed or approved by the card issuer.
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