American Airlines Credit Card Options and Partnerships

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American Airlines has a range of credit card options that can help you earn rewards and benefits. The Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard offers a $100 statement credit after making a purchase on American Airlines within the first 3 months of account opening.

If you're looking to earn more miles, the Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard is a great option, offering 50,000 miles after making a single purchase within the first 90 days of account opening.

Another popular option is the Bank of America Cash Rewards credit card, which offers a 3% cash back reward on gas purchases, including those made on American Airlines flights.

American Airlines Credit Card Options

If you're looking for a credit card that partners with American Airlines, you have several options to consider. The Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard is ideal for frequent American flyers who value access to the airline's Admirals Club airport lounges.

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The card's annual fee is $595, but it's still significantly cheaper than the cost of purchasing an Admirals Club lounge membership outright. With this card, you'll enjoy full Admirals Club membership privileges, including entry to some partner lounges.

The Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard also offers a welcome bonus of 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage bonus miles after making $7,000 in purchases within the first three months of account opening. This is one of the highest available welcome bonuses on any co-branded American Airlines card.

Another option is the Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard, which earns 2 miles on eligible American Airlines purchases as well as restaurants and gas stations. This card also offers a free checked bag on domestic AA itineraries for themselves and up to four companions.

If you're a business owner, the CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Mastercard is specifically geared to your needs, earning 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.

Here's a comparison of the annual fees for some of the American Airlines credit cards:

The Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard is another option, offering a sizable welcome bonus when you make a single purchase and pay the annual fee both within the first 90 days. This card also has an intro APR offer on balance transfers that can help consolidate your debt.

Choosing the Right Card

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The Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard is ideal for those who want Admirals Club airport lounge access when flying with American Airlines. This card offers 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.

Consider your flying habits and whether you'll use the card enough to justify the annual fee. If you're an occasional traveler, you may not want to pay for a card with a high annual fee.

You can also consider flexible travel cards that let you transfer points to multiple airlines or use points to book travel through a portal with any airline you want. However, keep in mind that none of these flexible travel rewards cards can transfer points directly to American Airlines.

Platinum Select Master

The Platinum Select Master is a popular choice for American Airlines enthusiasts, and for good reason. It offers excellent initial value with its annual fee waived for the first year and a solid welcome offer.

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The card earns 2 miles on eligible American Airlines purchases, as well as on restaurants and gas stations, two major expense categories for many consumers. This makes it hard to beat for earning American AAdvantage miles on everyday purchases.

One of the benefits of this card is a free checked bag on domestic AA itineraries for yourself and up to four companions. This can save you a significant amount of money, especially if you're traveling with a large group.

The card's annual fee is $99, waived for the first 12 months, and new cardholders can earn a welcome bonus of 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage bonus miles after making $2,500 in purchases within the first three months of account opening.

Here are some key benefits of the Platinum Select Master:

  • Earn 2 miles on eligible American Airlines purchases and restaurants/gas stations
  • Free checked bag on domestic AA itineraries for yourself and up to four companions
  • Annual fee of $99, waived for the first 12 months
  • Welcome bonus of 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage bonus miles after making $2,500 in purchases within the first three months

Overall, the Platinum Select Master is a great choice for those who want to earn American AAdvantage miles on everyday purchases and enjoy some nice perks like a free checked bag and priority boarding.

How to Choose

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Choosing the right American Airlines credit card can be a bit overwhelming, but don't worry, I've got you covered.

If you're not sure if you want to pay an annual fee, consider the MileUp card, which is the only co-branded American Airlines credit card without an annual fee.

Decide whether you need a card for personal or business expenses, as you can have both simultaneously.

Compare frequent flyer perks to see which benefits align with your travel needs.

American Airlines miles are worth an average of 1.4 cents apiece, so if you can get a good deal on an award flight, it's a great option.

To compare credit cards effectively, consider whether you'll get proper value from paying an annual fee.

Here are some key factors to consider when choosing an American Airlines credit card:

Welcome Bonus

The welcome bonus is a great way to get started with earning rewards on your credit card. You can earn up to 65,000 American Airlines miles after spending a certain amount on purchases within a specific time frame. For example, the Citi AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard offers 50,000 miles after spending $5,000 on purchases in the first three months, while the Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard offers 50,000 miles after making one purchase and paying the $99 annual fee within the first 90 days.

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The spending requirement for the welcome bonus varies across cards, with some requiring as little as $1,000 in purchases while others require $4,000 or more. The Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard, for example, requires $2,500 in purchases within the first three months to earn 50,000 miles.

Some cards also offer a companion fare or flight discount as part of the welcome bonus. The Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard, for example, offers a companion fare that's valid for a single use on American Airlines in economy, and costs $99 plus taxes.

Here's a comparison of the welcome bonus offers across some of the American Airlines credit cards:

Ultimately, the welcome bonus is a great way to get started with earning rewards on your credit card, but be sure to read the fine print and understand the terms and conditions before applying.

Rewards and Benefits

You can earn 2x miles at gas stations, restaurants, and on eligible American Airlines purchases with this card. All other purchases earn 1 mile per dollar.

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The card also offers preferred boarding, which is a nice perk for travelers. You'll get Group 5 boarding, which is a decent spot in the boarding line.

You'll also receive a free checked bag for you and up to four companions on your flight. This can save you a significant amount of money on checked bag fees.

Another benefit is a 25% statement credit for inflight food and beverage purchases. This can be a nice way to offset the cost of meals and snacks on your flight.

If you spend $20,000+ on your card and renew it, you'll earn a $125 American Airlines flight discount. This can be a great way to save money on your next flight.

Business Credit Cards

The CitiBusiness AAdvantage card is an excellent choice for businesses, offering an easy-to-earn introductory bonus. You've got four months to meet the minimum spending requirement for the bonus, which averages $1,000 a month in spending.

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This card waives the annual fee for the first year, making it a low-risk option. With the annual fee waived, you can apply without worrying about the extra cost.

The CitiBusiness AAdvantage card also offers savings on certain award flights through AA Reduced Mileage Awards. This is a great perk for businesses that frequently travel.

To qualify for this card, you'll need to meet the minimum spending requirement. With the introductory bonus, you can earn miles quickly and easily.

Here are some key benefits of the CitiBusiness AAdvantage card:

  • Earn bonus miles in common business-related categories
  • Each employee cardholder earns loyalty points
  • Earn a companion certificate after spending $30,000 and renewing your card

Airport Lounge Access and Perks

If you frequently travel with American Airlines, having airport lounge access can make a big difference in your travel experience. The Citi AAdvantage Executive card comes with an Admirals Club membership that gets you and up to two guests unlimited access.

Keep in mind that you can only visit an Admirals Club lounge if you have a same-day boarding pass for American Airlines or one of its partner airlines. This rule change is worth noting if you plan to use the lounge access often.

The Citi AAdvantage Executive card also offers a free checked bag for you and up to eight travel companions, which is a great perk if you travel with a lot of people.

Airport Lounge Access

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If you frequently travel with American Airlines, the Citi AAdvantage Executive card is a great option for getting access to airport lounges because the card comes with an Admirals Club membership that gets you and up to two guests unlimited access.

American Airlines has changed its lounge access rules, so you can only visit an Admirals Club lounge if you have a same-day boarding pass for American Airlines or one of its partner airlines.

You can get a free checked bag for you and up to eight travel companions with this card, compared to four with other cards.

Group 4 boarding is also included, which beats Group 5 boarding with other cards.

This is the only American Airlines card that earns bonus EQMs.

Use for Perks, Not Rewards

Consider using a credit card specifically for its perks, rather than relying on rewards. The AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard offers savings on in-flight food and beverages.

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You can also enjoy annual credits toward onboard Wi-Fi. This perk alone can be worth significantly more than the card's annual fee.

Having a credit card with preferred boarding can give you a head start when getting on the plane. This is especially useful for infrequent travelers who may not have access to other perks.

Opening a lower-cost AA credit card can be a smart move if you want to enjoy American Airlines benefits without earning rewards elsewhere.

Compare

If you're looking for a credit card that partners with American Airlines, you've got several options. The Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard is a great choice for frequent flyers, offering 50,000 miles after spending $2,500 in the first three months.

One of the key differences between credit cards is the annual fee, which can range from $0 to $595. The American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp Card has no annual fee, making it a great option for those who want to earn miles without breaking the bank.

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If you're a business owner, the Citi/AAdvantage Business World Elite Mastercard is a great choice, offering 65,000 miles after spending $4,000 in the first four months. This card also has a waived annual fee for the first 12 months.

Here's a quick comparison of some of the top American Airlines credit cards:

Ultimately, the best credit card for you will depend on your individual needs and flying habits. Be sure to read the fine print and understand the terms and conditions before applying.

Factors to Consider

If you live near a major American Airlines hub, it may make sense to focus your loyalty on this airline. This is because you'll likely be flying AA more frequently.

Consider your small business finances and how an American Airlines credit card can benefit you. If you're a frequent flyer, it may be worth investing in a card that offers rewards and benefits tailored to AA.

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Think about your travel habits and whether an American Airlines credit card is the best choice for you. If you find yourself flying other airlines more often, an AA credit card may not be the most beneficial.

Here are some key factors to consider:

  • Small business finances
  • Credit cards
  • Points and miles travel
  • Travel insurance
  • Real estate investing

Earning Free Flights with Everyday Spend

You can earn enough rewards for six round-trip flights each year by using a rewards credit card that earns American Airlines miles.

People who spend a lot on personal and business expenses can benefit greatly from getting a rewards credit card, especially ones that earn American Airlines miles.

The Citi American Airlines credit card is the best of the American Airlines credit cards for most spending categories, but it's not the best for putting most of your spending on the card.

A Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard cardholder earns enough rewards for six round-trip flights each year, in addition to enjoying Admirals Club lounge access.

Others praise the free-bag and priority luggage benefits that come with being an AA cardholder, and the ability to bring their partner for free whenever they want to travel together.

Frequently Asked Questions

What credit card transfers to American Airlines points?

American Airlines points can be transferred from credit cards like the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless and IHG One Rewards Premier, among others

Nellie Hodkiewicz-Gorczany

Senior Assigning Editor

Nellie Hodkiewicz-Gorczany is a seasoned Assigning Editor with a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling. With a strong background in research and content curation, Nellie has developed a unique ability to identify and assign compelling articles that capture the attention of readers. Throughout her career, Nellie has covered a wide range of topics, including the latest trends and developments in the financial services industry.

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