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American Airlines offers an array of co-branded credit cards ranging from a no-annual-fee option to a $450-per-year premium credit card that includes access to the airline’s Admirals Club airport lounges. If you fly American Airlines, even occasionally, opening one of the best credit cards for American Airlines could make sense for earning miles toward award flights and enjoying benefits like a free checked bag and the ability to board the plane before most other travelers.
With all those choices, the best airline credit card for your travel style depends on the benefits and perks that are most useful to you. Here’s what to know to help you decide.
Compare the Best American Airlines Credit Cards
Best for earning American Airlines miles
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
3.95/5
3.95 out of
5 Stars
Our editor’s ratings are primarily based on 3 things: simplicity, affordability, and value. Our credit card editor takes those factors into account, and comes up with a rating to best reflect how the card performs in that criteria – relative to other products we’ve reviewed.
$99, waived for first 12 months
Annual Fee
Intro offer
50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $2,500 in purchases within the first three months of account opening
Rewards
Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent at gas stations and restaurants, and on eligible American Airlines purchases. Earn 1x mile for every $1 spent on other purchases.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
3.95/5
3.95
out
of
5 Stars
Our editor’s ratings are primarily based on 3 things: simplicity, affordability, and value. Our credit card editor takes those factors into account, and comes up with a rating to best reflect how the card performs in that criteria – relative to other products we’ve reviewed.
$99, waived for first 12 months
Annual Fee
Intro offer
50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $2,500 in purchases within the first three months of account opening
Rewards
Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent at gas stations and restaurants, and on eligible American Airlines purchases. Earn 1x mile for every $1 spent on other purchases.
Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent at gas stations and restaurants, and on eligible American Airlines purchases. Earn 1x mile for every $1 spent on other purchases.
Annual Fee
$99, waived for first 12 months
Intro offer
50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $2,500 in purchases within the first three months of account opening
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
20.99% – 29.99% variable
Editor’s Rating
3.95/5
3.95 out of
5 Stars
Our editor’s ratings are primarily based on 3 things: simplicity, affordability, and value. Our credit card editor takes those factors into account, and comes up with a rating to best reflect how the card performs in that criteria – relative to other products we’ve reviewed.
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Pros & Cons
Pros
Bonus categories help you earn miles on everyday purchases
First checked bag free on domestic American Airlines flights
Cons
$125 American Airlines flight discount is nice, but you need to spend $20,000 in a cardmember year to earn it
Highlights
More Information
Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $2,500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent at gas stations and restaurants, and on eligible American Airlines purchases
Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases
Earn a $125 American Airlines Flight Discount after you spend $20,000 or more in purchases during your card membership year and renew your card
No Foreign Transaction Fees
First checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to four companions traveling with you on the same reservation
Enjoy preferred boarding on American Airlines flights
Additional Reading
Read our review
Best for budget travelers
American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp®
3.25/5
3.25 out of
5 Stars
$0
Annual Fee
Intro offer
10,000 American Airlines miles and a $50 statement credit after you spend $500 on purchases in the first three months of account opening
Rewards
Earn 2x miles for every $1 spent at grocery stores. Earn 2x miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases. Earn 1x mile for every $1 spent on other purchases.
Read review
Best for budget travelers
American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp®
3.25/5
3.25
out
of
5 Stars
$0
Annual Fee
Intro offer
10,000 American Airlines miles and a $50 statement credit after you spend $500 on purchases in the first three months of account opening
Rewards
Earn 2x miles for every $1 spent at grocery stores. Earn 2x miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases. Earn 1x mile for every $1 spent on other purchases.
Earn 2x miles for every $1 spent at grocery stores. Earn 2x miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases. Earn 1x mile for every $1 spent on other purchases.
Annual Fee
$0
Intro offer
10,000 American Airlines miles and a $50 statement credit after you spend $500 on purchases in the first three months of account opening
Recommended Credit
Excellent
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
20.99% – 29.99% Variable
Editor’s Rating
3.25/5
3.25 out of
5 Stars
Pros & Cons
Pros
Earn American Airlines AAdvantage miles with no annual fee
Rack up double miles at grocery stores in addition to American Airlines purchases
Cons
Modest sign-up bonus is much lower than other American Airlines cards
No meaningful frequent flyer benefits
You’ll pay foreign transaction fees on purchases made abroad
Highlights
More Information
The information related to the American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® card has been collected by Business Insider and has not been reviewed by the issuer.
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
No Annual Fee
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
Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases
Save 25% on inflight food and beverage purchases when you use your card on American Airlines flights
Additional Reading
Read our review
Best for lounge access
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
3.8/5
3.8 out of
5 Stars
$450
Annual Fee
Intro offer
50,000 bonus miles after making $5,000 in purchases within the first three months of account opening
Rewards
Earn 2x miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases. Earn 1x mile for every $1 spent on other purchases
This is a terrific card for frequent American Airlines flyers who can take advantage of its included Admirals Club membership and other day-of-travel perks to offset the high annual fee. Authorized users also get Admirals Club access, so there’s extra value to be had there, too. However, it’s not the best card for earning AA miles on everyday spending, and the lack of travel protections isn’t ideal for an airline credit card.
Details
Rewards
Earn 2x miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases. Earn 1x mile for every $1 spent on other purchases
Annual Fee
$450
Intro offer
50,000 bonus miles after making $5,000 in purchases within the first three months of account opening
Recommended Credit
Excellent
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
20.99% – 29.99% Variable
Editor’s Rating
3.8/5
3.8 out of
5 Stars
Pros & Cons
Pros
Full Admirals Club membership gets you (and authorized users) access to American Airlines lounges
Lots of American Airlines benefits, including priority boarding and check-in and a free checked bag for you and up to eight travel companions
Cons
High annual fee
Only earns bonus miles on American Airlines purchases
Highlights
More Information
The information related to the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® Card has been collected by Business Insider and has not been reviewed by the issuer.
Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after making $5,000 in purchases within the first three months of account opening
Admirals Club® membership for you and access for up to two guests or immediate family members traveling with you
No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases and 1 AAdvantage® mile for every $1 spent on other purchases
Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases
First checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to 8 companions traveling with you on the same reservation
Additional Reading
Read our review
Best for elite status
AAdvantage® Aviator® Silver Mastercard®
4.13/5
4.13 out of
5 Stars
$199
Annual Fee
Intro offer
None
Rewards
Earn 3X AAdvantage® miles for every one dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases. Earn 2X AAdvantage® miles for every one dollar spent on hotels and car rentals. Earn 1X AAdvantage® miles for every one dollar spent on all other purchases.
Earn 3X AAdvantage® miles for every one dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases. Earn 2X AAdvantage® miles for every one dollar spent on hotels and car rentals. Earn 1X AAdvantage® miles for every one dollar spent on all other purchases.
Earn 3X AAdvantage® miles for every one dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases. Earn 2X AAdvantage® miles for every one dollar spent on hotels and car rentals. Earn 1X AAdvantage® miles for every one dollar spent on all other purchases.
Annual Fee
$199
Intro offer
None
Recommended Credit
Excellent
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
See Terms
Editor’s Rating
4.13/5
4.13 out of
5 Stars
Pros & Cons
Pros
Generous benefits include inflight Wi-Fi statement credits, food and beverage credits, and a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit
Free checked bag and preferred boarding for the cardholder and up to eight companions on the same reservation
Ability to earn Elite Qualifying Miles and Elite Qualifying Dollars for meeting spending thresholds
Cons
Not available to new applicants — only available as an upgrade
High annual fee
Highlights
More Information
The information related to the AAdvantage® Aviator® Silver Mastercard® has been collected by Business Insider and has not been reviewed by the issuer.
Earn 3X AAdvantage® miles for every one dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases
Earn 2X AAdvantage® miles for every one dollar spent on hotels and car rentals
Earn 1X AAdvantage® miles for every one dollar spent on all other purchases
Unlimited earning on miles
Earn up to 10,000 Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs) on your spend between January 1, 2021 and February 28, 2022. Earn 5,000 EQMs if you spend $20,000 on purchases and another 5,000 EQMs if you spend an additional $20,000 on purchases
Best for discounts
AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®
3.9/5
3.9 out of
5 Stars
$0 intro for the first year, then $99
Annual Fee
Intro offer
50,000 AAdvantage® bonus miles after making your first purchase within the first 90 days
Rewards
Earn 2X miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases. Earn 1X miles for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
Earn 2X miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases. Earn 1X miles for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
Annual Fee
$0 intro for the first year, then $99
Intro offer
50,000 AAdvantage® bonus miles after making your first purchase within the first 90 days
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
20.24%, 24.24% or 29.24% variable
Intro Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
0% intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers made within 45 days of account opening
Editor’s Rating
3.9/5
3.9 out of
5 Stars
Pros & Cons
Pros
You’ll earn the welcome bonus after making your first purchase and paying the annual fee
Free checked bag and preferred boarding on American Airlines
Inflight Wi-Fi statement credits
Cons
To earn a companion certificate you have to spend $20,000 or more in a year
Annual fee isn’t waived the first year
No bonus categories outside of American Airlines purchases
Highlights
More Information
The information related to the AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® has been collected by Business Insider and has not been reviewed by the issuer.
Earn 50,000 AAdvantage® bonus miles after making your first purchase within the first 90 days
Earn 2X miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases
Earn 1X miles for every $1 spent on all other purchases
Get up to $25 back as statement credits on inflight Wi-Fi purchases each year on American Airlines operated flights
Earn a Companion Certificate good for 1 guest at $99 (plus taxes and fees) if you spend $20,000 on purchases and your account remains open for 45 days after your anniversary date
Receive 25% inflight savings as statement credits on food and beverages when you use your card on American Airlines operated flights
Our editor’s ratings are primarily based on 3 things: simplicity, affordability, and value. Our credit card editor takes those factors into account, and comes up with a rating to best reflect how the card performs in that criteria – relative to other products we’ve reviewed.
$99, waived for first 12 months
Annual Fee
Intro offer
65,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening
Rewards
Earn 2x miles for every $1 spent on cable and satellite providers. Earn 2x miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases. Earn 2x miles for every $1 spent at gas stations. Earn 2x miles for every $1 spent on select telecommunications merchants. Earn 2x miles for every $1 spent on car rentals. Earn 1x mile for every $1 spent on other purchases.
Our editor’s ratings are primarily based on 3 things: simplicity, affordability, and value. Our credit card editor takes those factors into account, and comes up with a rating to best reflect how the card performs in that criteria – relative to other products we’ve reviewed.
$99, waived for first 12 months
Annual Fee
Intro offer
65,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening
Rewards
Earn 2x miles for every $1 spent on cable and satellite providers. Earn 2x miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases. Earn 2x miles for every $1 spent at gas stations. Earn 2x miles for every $1 spent on select telecommunications merchants. Earn 2x miles for every $1 spent on car rentals. Earn 1x mile for every $1 spent on other purchases.
Earn 2x miles for every $1 spent on cable and satellite providers. Earn 2x miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases. Earn 2x miles for every $1 spent at gas stations. Earn 2x miles for every $1 spent on select telecommunications merchants. Earn 2x miles for every $1 spent on car rentals. Earn 1x mile for every $1 spent on other purchases.
Annual Fee
$99, waived for first 12 months
Intro offer
65,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening
Recommended Credit
Excellent
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
20.99% – 29.99% Variable
Editor’s Rating
4/5
4 out of
5 Stars
Our editor’s ratings are primarily based on 3 things: simplicity, affordability, and value. Our credit card editor takes those factors into account, and comes up with a rating to best reflect how the card performs in that criteria – relative to other products we’ve reviewed.
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Pros & Cons
Pros
Lots of bonus categories for earning miles on business-related purchases
Annual fee is waived the first year
Offers a free checked bag on American Airlines flights
Cons
Smaller businesses may have trouble meeting the $30,000 spending threshold to earn the companion certificate
Highlights
More Information
Designed for businesses
Earn 65,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening.
First checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries to reduce travel costs and boost your bottom line.
25% savings on American Airlines inflight Wi-Fi when you use your card
Enjoy preferred boarding on American Airlines flights
Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles per $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases, and on purchases at telecommunications merchants, cable and satellite providers, car rental merchants and at gas stations
Earn 1 AAdvantage® mile per $1 spent on other purchases
Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases
No Foreign Transaction Fees
Additional Reading
Read our review
Best for annual bonus miles
AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Business Mastercard®
4.1/5
4.1 out of
5 Stars
$95
Annual Fee
Intro offer
50,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 90 days from account opening and earn 25,000 bonus miles after spending $10,000 in the first 12 months from account opening
Rewards
Earn 2X AAdvantage® miles for every one dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases. Earn 2X AAdvantage® miles for every one dollar spent at eligible office supply, telecom and car rental merchants. Earn 1X AAdvantage® miles for every one dollar spent on all other purchases.
AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Business Mastercard®
4.1/5
4.1
out
of
5 Stars
$95
Annual Fee
Intro offer
50,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 90 days from account opening and earn 25,000 bonus miles after spending $10,000 in the first 12 months from account opening
Rewards
Earn 2X AAdvantage® miles for every one dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases. Earn 2X AAdvantage® miles for every one dollar spent at eligible office supply, telecom and car rental merchants. Earn 1X AAdvantage® miles for every one dollar spent on all other purchases.
This card is a great choice for small-business owners who fly American Airlines and can take advantage of benefits like a free checked bag and preferred boarding on AA flights. It’s also ideal for big spenders because you’ll earn a valuable Companion Certificate after spending $30,000 or more in a year.
Details
Rewards
Earn 2X AAdvantage® miles for every one dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases. Earn 2X AAdvantage® miles for every one dollar spent at eligible office supply, telecom and car rental merchants. Earn 1X AAdvantage® miles for every one dollar spent on all other purchases.
Annual Fee
$95
Intro offer
50,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 90 days from account opening and earn 25,000 bonus miles after spending $10,000 in the first 12 months from account opening
Recommended Credit
Excellent
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
20.24% or 29.24% (based on your creditworthiness)
Editor’s Rating
4.1/5
4.1 out of
5 Stars
Pros & Cons
Pros
American Airlines benefits, including a free first checked bag and preferred boarding
5% annual mileage bonus
You can earn $3,000 Elite Qualifying Dollars toward American Airlines elite status by spending $25,000 on the card in a calendar year
Cons
Companion certificate benefit requires spending $30,000 or more on the card in an account year
Highlights
More Information
The information related to the Barclays AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Business Mastercard® has been collected by Business Insider and has not been reviewed by the issuer.
50,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 90 days from account opening and earn 25,000 bonus miles after spending $10,000 in the first 12 months from account opening
Earn 2X AAdvantage® miles for every one dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases
Earn 2X AAdvantage® miles for every one dollar spent at eligible office supply, telecom and car rental merchants
Earn 1X AAdvantage® miles for every one dollar spent on all other purchases
After every account anniversary, earn 5% AAdvantage® mileage bonus based on the total number of miles earned using your card
First checked bag free for you and up to 4 companions when traveling on domestic itineraries operated by American Airlines
Additional Reading
Read our review
Best card with points that transfer to American Airlines
Bilt Mastercard®
4/5
4 out of
5 Stars
$0
Annual Fee
Intro offer
N/A
Rewards
Earn 3X point on dining. Earn 2X point on travel (when booked directly with an airline, hotel, car rental or cruise company). Earn 1X points on rent payments (up to $100,000 each year). Earn points when you make 5 transactions that post each statement period.
Best card with points that transfer to American Airlines
Bilt Mastercard®
4/5
4
out
of
5 Stars
$0
Annual Fee
Intro offer
N/A
Rewards
Earn 3X point on dining. Earn 2X point on travel (when booked directly with an airline, hotel, car rental or cruise company). Earn 1X points on rent payments (up to $100,000 each year). Earn points when you make 5 transactions that post each statement period.
Best card with points that transfer to American Airlines
Details
Rewards
Earn 3X point on dining. Earn 2X point on travel (when booked directly with an airline, hotel, car rental or cruise company). Earn 1X points on rent payments (up to $100,000 each year). Earn points when you make 5 transactions that post each statement period.
Annual Fee
$0
Intro offer
N/A
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
See Terms
Editor’s Rating
4/5
4 out of
5 Stars
Pros & Cons
Pros
Only credit card to offer rent payments to any landlord
Excellent range of airline and hotel transfer partners through the Bilt App
World Elite Mastercard benefits and no annual fee
Cons
If you’re not a renter, other cards offer better welcome bonuses and rewards
Must make 5 transactions per statement period to earn points
Highlights
More Information
$0 Annual Fee.
Earn up to 1x points on rent payments without the transaction fee, up to 100,000 points each calendar year.
2x points on travel.
3x points on dining.
1x points on other purchases.
Earn points when you make 5 transactions that post each statement period.
When renting at a Bilt Alliance property, you can choose to have your rent payments automatically reported by Bilt to the three major credit bureaus each month; Experian™, TransUnion™, and Equifax™.
Additional Reading
Read our review
Best if you’re not loyal to American
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
4.4/5
4.4 out of
5 Stars
Our editor’s ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.
$95
Annual Fee
Intro offer
80,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
Rewards
Earn 5x points on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Earn 3x points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out. Earn 3x points on select streaming services. Earn 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs). Earn 2x points on other travel. Earn 1x point per dollar on everything else.
Our editor’s ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.
$95
Annual Fee
Intro offer
80,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
Rewards
Earn 5x points on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Earn 3x points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out. Earn 3x points on select streaming services. Earn 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs). Earn 2x points on other travel. Earn 1x point per dollar on everything else.
Earn 5x points on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Earn 3x points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out. Earn 3x points on select streaming services. Earn 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs). Earn 2x points on other travel. Earn 1x point per dollar on everything else.
Annual Fee
$95
Intro offer
80,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
Recommended Credit
Good to Excellent
Recommended credit score. Note that credit card lenders may use many different variations of credit score models when considering your application.
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Regular Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
20.74% – 27.74% Variable
Editor’s Rating
4.4/5
4.4 out of
5 Stars
Our editor’s ratings analyze fees, bonuses, rewards, and benefits to highlight the simplest and most valuable credit cards available.
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Pros & Cons
Pros
High intro bonus offer starts you off with lots of points
Strong travel coverage
Cons
Doesn’t offer a Global Entry/TSA PreCheck application fee credit
Highlights
More Information
Earn 80,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That’s $1,000 when you redeem through Chase Ultimate Rewards®.
Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards®, 3x on dining, and 2x on all other travel purchases, and $50 annual Ultimate Rewards Hotel Credit, plus more.
Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Ultimate Rewards®. For example, 80,000 points are worth $1,000 toward travel.
Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
Member FDIC
Additional Reading
Read our review
Best American Airlines Credit cards
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®: Best for earning American Airlines miles
American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp®
: Best for budget travelers
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
: Best for lounge access
AAdvantage® Aviator® Silver Mastercard®
: Best for elite status
AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®
: Best for discounts
CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®: Best for business travelers
AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Business Mastercard®
: Best for annual bonus miles
Bilt Mastercard®: Best card with points that transfer to American Airlines
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: Best if you’re not loyal to American Airlines
Methodology: How we chose the best American Airlines credit cards
We considered all of the American Airlines credit cards available right now and looked at several factors:
Travel benefits — Does the card offer money-saving perks like free checked bags or other benefits like Loyalty Points for meeting spending thresholds, airport lounge access, or statement credits?
Earning potential — Are there bonus categories outside of American Airlines purchases with the card, and are they appealing to a wide range of customers?
Annual fee — Most American Airlines credit cards have an annual fee, but are the card’s benefits worth it?
Cards for various types of travelers — We chose cards that appeal to different types of American Airlines flyers, including road warriors, leisure travelers, and small-business owners.
Be sure to read Insider’s guide to how we rate and review credit cards to learn more about our methodology.
Compare the best cards for American Airlines flyers
American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp®
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Business Mastercard®
Bilt Mastercard®
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
Intro Offer
10,000 American Airlines miles and a $50 statement credit after you spend $500 on purchases in the first three months of account opening
Rewards
Earn 2x miles for every $1 spent at grocery stores. Earn 2x miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases. Earn 1x mile for every $1 spent on other purchases.
Annual Fee
$0
Intro Offer
50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $2,500 in purchases within the first three months of account opening
Rewards
Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent at gas stations and restaurants, and on eligible American Airlines purchases. Earn 1x mile for every $1 spent on other purchases.
Annual Fee
$99, waived for first 12 months
Intro Offer
50,000 bonus miles after making $5,000 in purchases within the first three months of account opening
Rewards
Earn 2x miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases. Earn 1x mile for every $1 spent on other purchases
Annual Fee
$450
Intro Offer
None
Rewards
Earn 3X AAdvantage® miles for every one dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases. Earn 2X AAdvantage® miles for every one dollar spent on hotels and car rentals. Earn 1X AAdvantage® miles for every one dollar spent on all other purchases.
Annual Fee
$199
Intro Offer
50,000 AAdvantage® bonus miles after making your first purchase within the first 90 days
Rewards
Earn 2X miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases. Earn 1X miles for every $1 spent on all other purchases.
Annual Fee
$0 intro for the first year, then $99
Intro Offer
65,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening
Rewards
Earn 2x miles for every $1 spent on cable and satellite providers. Earn 2x miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases. Earn 2x miles for every $1 spent at gas stations. Earn 2x miles for every $1 spent on select telecommunications merchants. Earn 2x miles for every $1 spent on car rentals. Earn 1x mile for every $1 spent on other purchases.
Annual Fee
$99, waived for first 12 months
Intro Offer
50,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 90 days from account opening and earn 25,000 bonus miles after spending $10,000 in the first 12 months from account opening
Rewards
Earn 2X AAdvantage® miles for every one dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases. Earn 2X AAdvantage® miles for every one dollar spent at eligible office supply, telecom and car rental merchants. Earn 1X AAdvantage® miles for every one dollar spent on all other purchases.
Annual Fee
$95
Intro Offer
N/A
Rewards
Earn 3X point on dining. Earn 2X point on travel (when booked directly with an airline, hotel, car rental or cruise company). Earn 1X points on rent payments (up to $100,000 each year). Earn points when you make 5 transactions that post each statement period.
Annual Fee
$0
Intro Offer
80,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening
Rewards
Earn 5x points on all travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards. Earn 3x points on dining, including eligible delivery services, takeout, and dining out. Earn 3x points on select streaming services. Earn 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs). Earn 2x points on other travel. Earn 1x point per dollar on everything else.
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American Airlines Credit Card Frequently Asked Questions
What credit score do you need for an American Airlines credit card?
All of the co-branded American Airlines cards mentioned above typically approve those with at least a good credit score, based on Insider’s assumptions. Some, like the premium Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®, usually look for an excellent credit score — that is, anything above an 800 FICO score.
Is an American Airlines credit card worth it?
It definitely makes sense to open an American Airlines credit card, particularly one that offers money-saving benefits like a free checked bag and preferred boarding, if you fly the airline — even a couple of times a year. The perks you receive can more than offset the annual fee on these cards, and you’ll earn miles you can redeem for free flights on American and its partners.
American Airlines credit cards are even more compelling if you’re working toward earning AAdvantage elite status. Because status is now awarded based on earning Loyalty Points, using an American Airlines card for everyday spending can give you the boost you need to achieve the next status tier.
Do you earn more Loyalty Points for spending in bonus categories on an American Airlines credit card?
All co-branded American Airlines credit cards earn 1 Loyalty Point per dollar you spend, regardless of category — so spending more in bonus categories isn’t going to make a difference in that regard.
For instance, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® earns 2x miles per dollar spent on American Airlines purchases and at gas stations and restaurants, but you’ll only earn 1 Loyalty Point for every dollar spent on purchases even in these categories.
Do American Airlines card welcome bonuses count as Loyalty Points?
Any welcome bonus miles you earn from opening an American Airlines credit card will not count toward earning Loyalty Points and elite status. You’ll just earn redeemable miles.
Do you get priority boarding with an American Airlines credit card?
Most co-branded American Airlines cards (except the American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp®) come with early boarding privileges. The premium Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® includes Group 4 priority boarding, and the rest of the co-branded cards offer Group 5 preferred boarding.
Which credit card can transfer points to American Airlines?
None of the major transferable points currencies (Amex Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou Rewards, and Capital One miles) have American Airlines as a transfer partner.
However, you can transfer some hotel program points — most notably Marriott Bonvoy — to American Airlines. In addition, the Bilt Rewards program has American Airlines as a 1:1 transfer partner.
Do American Airlines miles expire?
American Airlines miles expire after 24 months of account inactivity. This means if you don’t earn or redeem AA miles within that time frame, you could lose your miles. Using an American Airlines credit card is a great way to generate earning activity in your account and keep your miles from expiring.
Best for Earning American Airlines Miles
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
If your primary goal is to rack up American AAdvantage miles quickly on everyday purchases, the earning rates on the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® are hard to beat. That’s because it accrues 2x miles not only on eligible American Airlines purchases but also at restaurants and gas stations, two major expense categories for a lot of consumers.
Aside from that, cardholders get a free checked bag on domestic AA itineraries for themselves and up to four companions, preferred boarding, and 25% back on inflight food and beverage. Those who spend $20,000 or more on purchases in a calendar year and renew the card can earn a $125 flight discount certificate.
The card’s annual fee is $99, waived for first 12 months, and it’s currently offering a welcome bonus of 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $2,500 in purchases within the first three months of account opening. The welcome bonus is often lower, so this is a great time to apply for this card.
Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select Card Review
Best for Budget Travelers
American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp®
Want to earn miles on everyday purchases without the burden of a high annual fee? American Airlines introduced its no-annual-fee American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® a couple of years ago to target less-frequent flyers on a budget.
The card earns a respectable 2x miles on both eligible American Airlines purchases and at grocery stores, and 1x on everything else. Its only day-of-travel benefit is 25% back as a statement credit on inflight food and beverage, so don’t expect free checked bags or priority boarding.
The American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® is currently offering 10,000 American Airlines miles and a $50 statement credit after you spend $500 on purchases in the first three months of account opening.
Citi American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp Card Review
Best for Lounge Access
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
If you’re a frequent American flyer and value access to the airline’s Admirals Club airport lounges, then the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® is the right card for you. It does have a $450 annual fee, but that is still hundreds of dollars cheaper than Admirals Club membership costs if you buy it outright.
Unlike other airlines’ club cards, which merely offer lounge access, Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® cardholders enjoy full Admirals Club membership privileges including entry to some partner lounges. Cardholders can also bring immediate family or up to two guests with same-day boarding passes on American or partner airlines. Not only that, but you can also add up to 10 authorized users at no cost, each of whom can also access Admirals Clubs with up to two guests.
Cardholders are eligible for up to a $100 statement credit to cover the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee once every five years. They also get free checked bags for themselves and up to eight companions on American Airlines domestic itineraries, are entitled to priority boarding, and get 25% back on inflight food and beverage purchases. This card doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees.
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® is currently offering a welcome bonus of 50,000 bonus miles after making $5,000 in purchases within the first three months of account opening.
Citi AAdvantage Executive Card Review
Best for Elite Status
AAdvantage® Aviator® Silver Mastercard®
The AAdvantage® Aviator® Silver Mastercard® is not open to new applicants, but you can upgrade to it if you have the AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®. The reason this card wins in this category is that it allows you to earn Loyalty Points toward American Airlines AAdvantage status.
You can earn 5,000 bonus Loyalty Points if you spend $20,000 on purchases, another 5,000 bonus Loyalty Points if you spend $40,000 on purchases, and another 5,000 bonus Loyalty Points if you spend $50,000 or more on purchases in an elite status qualification period. If you need a boost to reach the next level of elite status, those extra Loyalty Points might be just what you need.
This card’s other value-packed perks include up to a $100 credit to cover the application fee for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck once every five years, up to $25 back per day on inflight food and beverage purchases, and up to $50 refunded for Wi-Fi purchases on American flights each year.
Cardholders also enjoy preferred boarding, free checked bags on domestic American Airlines itineraries for the cardholder and up to eight companions on the same reservation, and two $99 (plus taxes) companion certificates after spending $20,000 in purchases each account year that they can redeem toward round-trip domestic economy itineraries.
The card earns 3x miles on American Airlines purchases, 2x miles on hotels and car rentals, and 1x on everything else. Its annual fee is $199.
Best for Discounts
AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®
While the Aviator Silver offers more significant onboard discounts, you might still want to consider the AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® instead for a few reasons. First and foremost, it’s open to new applicants and currently has a welcome bonus offer of 50,000 AAdvantage® bonus miles after making your first purchase within the first 90 days.
In addition to offering 25% savings on inflight food and beverage purchases, it will also reimburse you up to $25 each year for inflight Wi-Fi. However, since it’s also a World Elite Mastercard, you can take advantage of perks recently added to that program including a $5 Lyft credit after taking three or more rides each month, cell phone protection (with a $50 deductible per claim) against loss or damage on up to $800, and more.
The card waives foreign transaction fees and earns 2x miles on American Airlines purchases and 1x on everything else. Day-of-travel benefits include preferred boarding and a free checked bag for the cardholder and up to four companions on the same domestic American Airlines reservation. If you spend more than $20,000 on purchases per account year, you will also receive a $99 (plus taxes) companion certificate good for a round-trip domestic economy ticket.
Your best small-business option is the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®. It’s offering new cardholders 65,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $4,000 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening, and has an annual fee of $99, waived for first 12 months.
The bonus earning categories include 2x on eligible American Airlines purchases, gas stations, cable and satellite services, telecommunications, and car rentals. This card has the same checked bag and boarding benefits as the Barclays version, though its inflight purchase discount includes Wi-Fi.
Those who spend $30,000 or more on purchases in an account anniversary year and renew their card receive a $99 companion travel certificate, too (provided their account remains open for at least 45 days after the account anniversary).
CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum Select American Airlines Credit Card Review
Best for Annual Bonus Miles
AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Business Mastercard®
The AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Business Mastercard® comes with a generous limited-time welcome bonus offer of 50,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases in the first 90 days from account opening and earn 25,000 bonus miles after spending $10,000 in the first 12 months from account opening.
This card offers 2x categories like its small business sibling, the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®. You’ll get 2 miles per dollar for American Airlines purchases and for eligible office supply, telecom, and car rental merchants. However, this card gives you a 5% bonus on all the miles you’ve accrued (except for the welcome bonus) after each account anniversary. If you make meaningful spending, this could be a lucrative perk.
You’ll continue to get the standard American Airlines benefits, such as a free first checked bag on American Airlines domestic itineraries, preferred boarding on American Airlines flights, a 25% savings on American Airlines inflight purchases, etc. You’ll also get a companion certificate to anywhere in the continental US after spending $30,000 in a cardmember year. It allows a companion to fly with you on a round-trip coach fare for a flat fee of $99, plus taxes.
AAdvantage Aviator Business Mastercard Review
Best With Points That Transfer to American Airlines
Bilt Mastercard®
The Bilt Rewards program flies a bit under the radar, but it’s gaining traction due to its broad range of transfer partners, including American Airlines. In fact, this is the only flexible points program that partners with American, making the Bilt Mastercard® even more valuable.
The Bilt Mastercard®’s unique feature is the ability to pay rent to any landlord and earn points, with no added fees — making it the best Wells Fargo credit card for renters. Cardholders earn 1 point per dollar on up to $100,000 per year in rent payments, 2x points on travel, 3x points on dining, and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases. Plus, Bilt Rewards members can now earn up to 8x points on dining with the new Bilt Dining program. However, you must make a minimum of five transactions per statement period to earn points.
In addition, on the first day of every month, Bilt Mastercard® cardholders can earn double points on non-rent payments (up to a maximum of 10,000 bonus points) with Bilt’s Rent Day promotion. The card also offers great benefits and other redemption options, including using Bilt points through the Bilt Travel portal at 1.25 cents each, and there’s no annual fee.
Bilt Mastercard Card Review
Best if You’re Not Loyal to American
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
If you know you’ll fly American once or twice this year but want to keep your options open with rewards that you can use across multiple airlines (and hotels), a card that earns transferable points is your best bet. The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card is a good option thanks to its reasonable $95 annual fee and the valuable Chase Ultimate Rewards® points you’ll earn.
The card currently has an excellent increased bonus offer of 80,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening. You’ll earn 5x points on travel purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards (2x points on all other travel purchases), 3x points on dining, 3x points on online grocery purchases (excluding Target, Walmart, and wholesale clubs), 3x points on select streaming services, and 1 point per dollar on everything else.
While American Airlines isn’t a Chase transfer partner — meaning you can’t move your Chase points into the AAdvantage frequent flyer program — you can use your rewards from the Chase Sapphire Preferred to book American Airlines flights directly through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal. Even better, your points are worth 25% more when you redeem them for travel, so you’ll get 1.25 cents in value toward flights.
If you prefer a premium credit card, you could consider the Chase Sapphire Reserve instead. It earns 5x total points on air travel and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals purchased through Chase Ultimate Rewards (after earning the $300 travel credit) and 3x points on other travel and dining, and your points are worth 1.5 cents apiece toward American Airlines flights booked through Chase. The card has a $550 annual fee, but up to $300 in annual travel credits help offset that cost.
Chase Sapphire Preferred Card Review
Eric Rosen
Eric Rosen is a travel and credit card expert who has been helping readers reap the rewards of loyalty programs for over a decade.Eric is based in Los Angeles, though you’ll often find him globetrotting to destinations like Australia, Kenya, and Laos on assignment for publications including National Geographic Traveler, Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Bloomberg, and AFAR, among others. He covers a mix of award travel, aviation, luxury, food, wine, and wellness. He also recently launched a podcast called Conscious Traveler where he discusses the latest in sustainability, conservation, culture, and community, and how they can inform us to make more meaningful choices when we travel.
Jasmin Baron, CEPF
Editor
Jasmin Baron is an editor at Insider, responsible for credit card coverage on Personal Finance Insider. She is also a Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF).Before joining the Insider team, she was a senior editor at The Points Guy and Million Mile Secrets, covering credit cards, points and miles, and loyalty programs. Her expertise in maximizing travel rewards grew from over two decades of experience in the aviation industry, including 18 years working as a pilot and flight instructor in her native Canada.You can reach Jasmin at jbaron@insider.com. Learn more about how Personal Finance Insider chooses, rates, and covers financial products and services »
Angela Fung
Marketing Compliance Manager
Angela Fung is the marketing compliance manager at Personal Finance Insider, overseeing a team that ensures content accuracy and editorial independence so readers are always getting up-to-date and objective financial advice. She is the primary contact for credit cards compliance and has experience managing content and partnerships for the banking, loans, and investment verticals as well. Personal Finance Insider is Insider’s personal finance section that incorporates affiliate and commerce partnerships into the news, insights, and advice about money that Insider readers already know and love. The compliance team’s mission is to provide readers with stories that are fact-checked and current, so they can make informed financial decisions. The team also works to minimize risk for partners by making sure language is clear, precise, and fully compliant with regulatory and partner marketing guidelines that align with the editorial team. Prior to joining Insider in February 2021, Angela worked at the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Chicago. As a digital marketer on the in-house communications and programming team, she supported startups and individuals looking to commercialize their research, partner with other companies, or attract venture capital.
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