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October 28, 2021
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If you regularly travel to one of the 350 destinations in 50 countries that American Airlines flies to, you may want to take a look at one of the co-branded credit cards offered by the airline carrier.
In addition to offering AAdvantage® miles on every purchase you make – which can be used to help offset the cost of future travel on American Airlines – these cards typically provide special benefits, such as preferred boarding and free checked bags.
To help determine which American Airlines credit card is the right fit for you, we reviewed the top credit cards available from Citi and American Airlines, as well as the American Airlines co-branded cards on LendingTree. Here are our picks for the best American Airlines credit cards for the following categories:
| Best American Airlines Credit Cards of 2022 | |
| Best overall American Airlines credit card | Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® |
| Best American Airlines credit card for premium travel | Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® |
| Best $0 annual fee American Airlines credit card | American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card |
| Best American Airlines card for business owners | CitiBusiness®/ AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® |
With the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®, cardholders earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent at gas stations and restaurants, and on eligible American Airlines purchases. Plus, earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after $2,500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
AAdvantage miles can be redeemed for flights on American Airlines, American Eagle or any oneworld airline or partner airline, as well as flight upgrades on American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia flights. Miles can also be redeemed for car rentals, hotel stays, activities and tours.
Along with an ongoing APR of 16.74% - 25.74% (variable), the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® charges an annual fee of $99, waived for first 12 months. However, this gives you the opportunity to test out the card for a full year without committing to paying an annual fee.
If you want to earn a generous amount of rewards to use toward future travel, as well as gain access to a variety of American Airlines benefits, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® is a good option.
Along with a generous sign-up bonus and accelerated rewards rate on gas station and restaurant purchases, the card offers airline benefits, such as the first checked bag free for you and up to four travel companions on domestic American Airlines itineraries. Card members also receive preferred boarding, 25% savings on infight food and beverage purchases on American Airlines flights, and a $125 American Airlines flight discount after you spend $20,000 on purchases during your card membership year and renew your card.
Additionally, the card charges 0% foreign transaction fees.
Additional Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® benefits include:
With the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®, cardholders earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent at gas stations and restaurants, and on eligible American Airlines purchases. Plus, earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after $2,500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
AAdvantage miles can be redeemed for flights on American Airlines, American Eagle or any oneworld airline or partner airline, as well as flight upgrades on American Airlines, British Airways and Iberia flights. Miles can also be redeemed for car rentals, hotel stays, activities and tours.
Along with an ongoing APR of 16.74% - 25.74% (variable), the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® charges an annual fee of $99, waived for first 12 months. However, this gives you the opportunity to test out the card for a full year without committing to paying an annual fee.
If you want to earn a generous amount of rewards to use toward future travel, as well as gain access to a variety of American Airlines benefits, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® is a good option.
Along with a generous sign-up bonus and accelerated rewards rate on gas station and restaurant purchases, the card offers airline benefits, such as the first checked bag free for you and up to four travel companions on domestic American Airlines itineraries. Card members also receive preferred boarding, 25% savings on infight food and beverage purchases on American Airlines flights, and a $125 American Airlines flight discount after you spend $20,000 on purchases during your card membership year and renew your card.
Additionally, the card charges 0% foreign transaction fees.
Additional Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® benefits include:
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® lets cardholders earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. Also, earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases & 1 AAdvantage® mile for every $1 spent on other purchases.
While the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® comes with a number of premium benefits, keep in mind that it also charges a premium annual fee of $450. Additionally, if you carry a balance on your card from month to month, you will be subject to interest charges at an APR of 16.74% - 25.74% (variable).
If you are an American Airlines loyalist who prefers premium airline benefits, like complimentary membership to the Admirals Club, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® could be a great fit.
While the card comes with a pricey annual fee, it’s travel perks far outweigh that amount. For example, the Admirals Club membership alone is worth up to $650. Additionally, the card offers a Global Entry or TSA Precheck application fee credit of up to $100 every five years, the first checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to eight travel companions, priority boarding on American Airlines flights and 10,000 Elite Qualifying Miles (EQM) when you spend $40,000 in a year.
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® also offers 25% savings on inflight food and beverage purchases on American Airlines flights, priority check-in and priority airport screening for you and up to eight travel companions, as well as 0% foreign transaction fees.
Additional Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® benefits include:
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® lets cardholders earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. Also, earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases & 1 AAdvantage® mile for every $1 spent on other purchases.
While the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® comes with a number of premium benefits, keep in mind that it also charges a premium annual fee of $450. Additionally, if you carry a balance on your card from month to month, you will be subject to interest charges at an APR of 16.74% - 25.74% (variable).
If you are an American Airlines loyalist who prefers premium airline benefits, like complimentary membership to the Admirals Club, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® could be a great fit.
While the card comes with a pricey annual fee, it’s travel perks far outweigh that amount. For example, the Admirals Club membership alone is worth up to $650. Additionally, the card offers a Global Entry or TSA Precheck application fee credit of up to $100 every five years, the first checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to eight travel companions, priority boarding on American Airlines flights and 10,000 Elite Qualifying Miles (EQM) when you spend $40,000 in a year.
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® also offers 25% savings on inflight food and beverage purchases on American Airlines flights, priority check-in and priority airport screening for you and up to eight travel companions, as well as 0% foreign transaction fees.
Additional Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® benefits include:
If you want some of the benefits that come with carrying an American Airlines co-branded card without the commitment of paying an annual fee, you should consider the American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card.
The $0 annual fee American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card lets cardholders earn 10,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles and receive a $50 statement credit after making $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. Additionally, earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for each $1 spent at grocery stores, including grocery delivery services. Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases. Earn 1 AAdvantage® mile for every $1 spent on other purchases.
The American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card comes with an ongoing APR of 16.74% - 25.74% (variable).
The American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card is a good option for American Airlines loyalists who fly from time to time and want to earn rewards to use toward future travel. Although the card doesn’t offer many valuable travel benefits, it does allow cardholders to earn an elevated rewards rate on American Airlines purchases and groceries — at a $0 annual fee.
The card also offers a 25% discount on inflight food and beverage purchases on American Airlines flights. But if you use your card to make purchases outside of the U.S., you will be subject to foreign transaction fees of 3% of the amount of each transaction.
Additional American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card benefits:
If you want some of the benefits that come with carrying an American Airlines co-branded card without the commitment of paying an annual fee, you should consider the American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card.
The $0 annual fee American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card lets cardholders earn 10,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles and receive a $50 statement credit after making $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. Additionally, earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for each $1 spent at grocery stores, including grocery delivery services. Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases. Earn 1 AAdvantage® mile for every $1 spent on other purchases.
The American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card comes with an ongoing APR of 16.74% - 25.74% (variable).
The American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card is a good option for American Airlines loyalists who fly from time to time and want to earn rewards to use toward future travel. Although the card doesn’t offer many valuable travel benefits, it does allow cardholders to earn an elevated rewards rate on American Airlines purchases and groceries — at a $0 annual fee.
The card also offers a 25% discount on inflight food and beverage purchases on American Airlines flights. But if you use your card to make purchases outside of the U.S., you will be subject to foreign transaction fees of 3% of the amount of each transaction.
Additional American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card benefits:
Citi also offers an American Airlines card designed for business owners. The CitiBusiness®/ AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® lets cardholders earn 65,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening. Additionally, earn 2 AAdvantage® miles per $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases. Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles per $1 spent on purchases at telecommunications merchants, cable and satellite providers, car rental merchants and at gas stations. 1 AAdvantage® mile for every $1 spent on other purchases.
The card charges a $99, waived for first 12 months annual fee and has a regular APR of 16.24%-25.24% (variable).
The CitiBusiness®/ AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® is ideal for small business owners who regularly travel on American Airlines.
In addition to rewards in popular business and travel categories, such as cable and satellite providers, telecommunication merchants and rental cards and gas stations, the card offers several travel benefits. For example, cardholders get their first checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for themselves and up to four ravel companions, preferred boarding on American Airlines flights, 25% savings on American Airlines inflight WiFi purchases and 25% savings on inflight food and beverage purchases on American Airlines flights.
Plus, card members earn an American Airlines companion certificate for domestic travel after spending $30,000 each card membership year and card membership is renewed. Note, fees apply.
The card also offers 0% foreign transaction fees.
Additional CitiBusiness®/ AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® benefits include:
Citi also offers an American Airlines card designed for business owners. The CitiBusiness®/ AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® lets cardholders earn 65,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening. Additionally, earn 2 AAdvantage® miles per $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases. Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles per $1 spent on purchases at telecommunications merchants, cable and satellite providers, car rental merchants and at gas stations. 1 AAdvantage® mile for every $1 spent on other purchases.
The card charges a $99, waived for first 12 months annual fee and has a regular APR of 16.24%-25.24% (variable).
The CitiBusiness®/ AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® is ideal for small business owners who regularly travel on American Airlines.
In addition to rewards in popular business and travel categories, such as cable and satellite providers, telecommunication merchants and rental cards and gas stations, the card offers several travel benefits. For example, cardholders get their first checked bag free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for themselves and up to four ravel companions, preferred boarding on American Airlines flights, 25% savings on American Airlines inflight WiFi purchases and 25% savings on inflight food and beverage purchases on American Airlines flights.
Plus, card members earn an American Airlines companion certificate for domestic travel after spending $30,000 each card membership year and card membership is renewed. Note, fees apply.
The card also offers 0% foreign transaction fees.
Additional CitiBusiness®/ AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® benefits include:
| Credit card | Best for | Sign-up bonus | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® | Overall card | Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after $2,500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening | $99, waived for first 12 months |
| Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® | Premium travel | Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening | $450 |
| American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card | $0 annual fee | Earn 10,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles and receive a $50 statement credit after making $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening | $0 |
| CitiBusiness®/ AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® | Business owners | Earn 65,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening. | $99, waived for first 12 months |
To select the best American Airlines credit cards, our credit card experts compared the American Airlines cards offered on Citi’s site and LendingTree.com.
We then chose our top picks for a variety of categories based on factors, such as rewards rates, sign-up bonuses and annual fees. We also looked at the benefits offered by each card, such as travel credits, travel protections and complimentary lounge access.
If you’re not loyal to American Airlines, but still want to earn rewards to use toward future flights, you may want to consider a travel rewards card that offers more flexibility in how you earn and redeem your rewards, like the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers 5x points on flights and 10x points on hotels and car rentals through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. Additionally, new card members earn 50,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
When you redeem your rewards for travel (including for American Airlines flights) through Chase’s travel portal, they’ll be worth 50% more — meaning, the sign-up bonus alone will be worth $900. Rewards can also be redeemed for cash or gift cards, or used to pay with points for products or services.
But keep in mind, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® comes with an annual fee of $550.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, on the other hand, offers 25% more value when you redeem your rewards for travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards, but only charges a $95 annual fee.
American Airlines-branded credit cards share several similarities. For example, each card offers a sign-up bonus and an accelerated rewards rate on American Airlines purchases. The cards also offer the same regular APRs on purchases, and none of them come with 0% intro APRs on purchases or balance transfers.
Where the cards differ most is whether they offer rewards in additional spending categories, the size of their sign-up bonuses and the benefits provided. The cards also come with a wide range of annual fees – just know that the lower the annual fee, the less travel benefits and perks the card tends to offer.
When deciding which American Airlines credit card is the right fit for you, it ultimately depends on how you plan to use the card. For example, if you plan to take advantage of premium airline perks, like Admiral Club membership, then the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® could be well worth the card’s $450 annual fee.
But if you simply want to earn AAdvantage miles to help offset the cost of future travel, a $0 annual fee card, like the American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card, may be a better fit.
Airline credit cards let cardholders earn rewards in the form of miles, which can typically be redeemed for flights, statement credits, checks and more. Airline credit cards also give cardholders access to airline-specific benefits, which may include priority boarding, free checked bags. lounge access and more.
While airline credit cards are specific to one particular airline brand, travel credit cards generally allow cardholders to earn rewards on a wider range of travel purchases, which can then be redeemed for future travel in a variety of categories, such as flights on multiple airlines, car rentals and hotel stays.
AAdvantage miles can be redeemed for travel on American Airlines, American Eagle, oneworld airlines and partner airlines, or used to buy or renew an Admirals Club membership. They an also be redeemed for flight upgrades, car rentals, hotel stays, vacations, luxury experiences, products or donations.
As long as you earn or redeem miles on American or with an AAdvantage partner at least once every 18 months, your miles will not expire.
The above offers and/or promotions may have since changed, expired, or is no longer available. Check the Issuers’ website for more details.
