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American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card review

Earn miles and take advantage of basic benefits.

  • Get this card if you occasionally fly American Airlines.
  • Pick something else if you want a general travel card.
  • Apply with a good to excellent credit score of 670 or higher.
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Kliment Dukovski
Last Updated

10,000

Miles as welcome offer

Up to 2x

Miles

$0

Annual fee

15.99% to 24.99%

Purchase APR (variable)

Details

Annual fee$0
Welcome offer10,000 miles plus $50 after spending $500 in the first 3 months
Rewards2x miles at grocery stores, 2x miles on American Airlines purchases and 1x miles on all other purchases
Purchase APR15.99% to 24.99% variable
Balance transfer APR15.99% to 24.99% variable
Minimum Credit Score670
IssuerMastercard
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Review by

Kliment Dukovski is a credit cards and investments writer. He's written over 600 articles to help readers find and compare the best credit cards. Kliment has also written on money transfers, home loans and more. Previously, he ghostwrote guides and articles on foreign exchange, stock market trading and cryptocurrencies.

Expert review

If you’re looking for an entry-level American Airlines credit card, the American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card is the way to go. You’ll earn miles on your American Airline flights and grocery purchases without paying an annual fee.

And that’s pretty much it. If you’re looking for free checked bags and priority boarding, consider upgrading to a higher-tier card.

American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card benefits

  • Earn miles. Earn 2x miles at grocery stores and on grocery delivery services, and 2x miles eligible American Airlines purchases. On all other purchases earn 1x miles. Redeem miles for flights or upgrades to First Class, car rentals, hotel stays or vacation packages.
  • Signup bonus. Spend $500 on purchases within your first three months of card membership to earn 10,000 American Airlines AAdvantage bonus
    miles and a $50 statement credit.
  • No annual fee. You won’t pay an annual fee to own the card.
  • In-flight savings. Save 25% on in-flight food and beverages when you pay with your card.
  • Apple Pay. Simplify your credit card payments by using your Apple device.
  • Citi Concierge. Get help with your travel, dining, entertainment and everyday needs, 24/7.

    American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card drawbacks

    • Signup bonus eligibility. If you had this card in the last two years, you aren’t eligible for the bonus offer. But if you have or had another American Airline card, you can still qualify.
    • Foreign transaction fee. Despite being a travel card, you may want to limit your card usage abroad; you’ll pay a fee of 3% of each transaction.
    • Penalty APR. After you make a single late or returned payment, you’ll pay a fee and incur a penalty APR of up to 29.99% variable and lasts indefinitely.
    • No intro APR period. If you’re looking to transfer your balance or make a large purchase and pay off your balance interest-free, consider a 0% intro APR card.

    How can I earn more miles?

    Combine the American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card with the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® to earn more American Airlines miles. Use the first card for groceries and the other at gas stations, restaurants and when traveling abroad.

    Also, you can qualify for both signup bonuses.

    2x miles on American Airline purchases2x miles on American Airline purchases
    American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ CardCiti® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
    2x miles at grocery stores, including grocery delivery services2x miles at gas stations and restaurants
    3% foreign transaction feeNo foreign transaction fee
    Get 10,000 bonus miles after you spend $500 in the first 3 months of card membershipGet 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,500 in the first 3 months of card membership

    How many American Airlines miles does a one-way flight in the US cost?

    According to the American Airlines website as of January 2019, you can get one-way main cabin MileSAAver award flight in continental US for as low as 12,500 miles.

    How to redeem American Airlines miles

    Compare travel credit cards

    If this card isn’t right for you or you don’t often use American Airlines, compare other travel credit cards on the market. Consider what your highest travel expenses are and which card will be most likely to reward you for those expenses.

    Name Product Welcome Offer Rewards Annual fee Filter values
    The Platinum Card® from American Express
    The Platinum Card® from American Express
    100,000 points after spending $6,000 in your first 6 months, plus 10x points at restaurants worldwide and when you Shop Small in the US on up to $25,000 in combined eligible purchases in the same timeframe
    10x points at restaurants worldwide and when you Shop Small in the US on up to $25,000 combined in the first 6 months, 5x points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel, 5x points on directly-booked flights on up to $500,000 annually, then 1x points after that and on other eligible purchases
    $695

    New Platinum Exclusive Offer

     One of the most valuable premium travel cards, featuring two welcome offers worth up to $7,000 based on Finder's valuation, multiple travel credits and unrivaled lounge access. Terms apply, see rates & fees
    Apply now
    View details
    American Express® Gold Card
    American Express® Gold Card
    60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 6 months
    4x at restaurants including delivery and Uber Eats; 4x at US supermarkets on up to $25,000 annually (then 1x points), 3x points on directly-booked flights and 1x points on other eligible purchases
    $250

    Rose Gold is Back

     Earn up to 4x points on select purchases, a bevy of travel perks, and a welcome offer worth up to $600 based on our valuation with this upper-mid tier travel card. Terms apply, see rates & fees
    Apply now
    View details
    Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
    Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
    50,000 miles after spending $2,500 in the first 3 months
    2x miles on eligible American Airlines purchases, at gas stations and restaurants and 1x miles on all other purchases
    $0 intro annual fee for the first year ($99 thereafter)
    Earn 50,000 AAdvantage® bonus miles after you spend $2,500 in the first 3 months.
    Apply now
    View details
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    Bottom line

    The American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card can be a great choice if you don’t fly often and if you want to earn miles on groceries. It can also be a great choice if you already own the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® and you want to get the most miles possible.

    However, if you think there could be a better card for you, check out other travel credit cards or look into airline credit cards and compare your options.

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