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American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card review

Kliment Dukovski
Kliment Dukovski
Last updated:  

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.

10,000

Miles as welcome offer

Up to 2x

Miles

$0

Annual fee

17.49% to 25.49%

Purchase APR (variable)

Details

Product NameAmerican Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card
Card typeMastercard
Annual fee$0
Purchase APR17.49% to 25.49% variable
Balance transfer APR17.49% to 25.49% variable
Balance transfer fee$5 or 3% of the transaction, whichever is greater
Cash advance rate26.74% variable
Cash advance fee$10 or 5% of the cash advance amount, whichever is greater
Penalty APR29.99% variable
Foreign transaction fee3% of the transaction value
Interest free periodUp to 23 days
Late payment feeUp to $39
Returned payment feeUp to $39

Expert review

Kliment Dukovski

Review by

Kliment Dukovski is a credit cards 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.

The perks

  • 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.

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 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 to earn American Airlines miles

You’ll also like …

  • 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.

What to watch out for

  • 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 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

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20,000 miles after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months
1.25x miles on all purchases and 10x miles at hotels.com/venture
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American Express® Green Card
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30,000 points after spending $2,000 in the first 3 months
3x Membership Rewards® points on all eligible travel, 3x points at restaurants and 1x points on all other purchases
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Gold Delta SkyMiles® Credit Card from American Express
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30,000 miles after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months, plus $50 when you make a Delta purchase in the same timeframe
2x miles on Delta purchases and 1x miles on all other purchases
$0 intro annual fee for the first year ($95 thereafter)
Earn 30,000 miles after spending $1,000 in the first 3 months, plus $50 when you make a direct Delta purchase in the same timeframe. Rates & fees
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60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months
2x points on travel and dining and 1x points on all other purchases
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Compare up to 4 providers

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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