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Compare American Airlines credit cards
Save money on checked bags and priority boarding.
There are four personal and two business cobranded American Airlines credit cards to choose from. You’ll find all cards share the same main features, such as a signup bonus or earning miles, but each card also offers a unique feature tailored to various travel and financial needs. Depending on how you like to travel and spend, one of these cards could be right for you.
Our pick for an American Airlines card
Compare American Airlines credit cards
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Quick look at American Airlines cards
| Foreign transaction fee | First checked bag free | Preferred boarding | Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit | Earn companion certificate | Admiral Club membership | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card | 3% |  | | | | |
| Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite™ Mastercard® | 0% |  | | | | |
| AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® | 0% | | | | | |
| Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ Mastercard® | 0% | | | | | |
| CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Mastercard® | 0% | | | | | |
| AAdvantage® Aviator® Business Mastercard® | 0% | | | | | |
American Airlines credit cards: Fees, signup bonuses and rewards
| Annual fee | Signup bonus | Rewards | |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card | None | 10,000 American Airlines miles and $50 statement credit after you make $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. |
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| Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite™ Mastercard® | $99 (waived for the first 12 months) | 50,000 American Airlines miles after you make $2,500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. |
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| AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® | $99 | 60,000 American Airlines miles and an introductory companion certificate after you make your first purchase within 90 days after account opening and pay the annual fee. |
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| Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ Mastercard® | $450 | 50,000 American Airlines miles after you make $5,000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. |
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| CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Mastercard® | $99 | 70,000 American Airlines miles after you make $4,000 in purchases within the first 4 months of account opening. |
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| AAdvantage® Aviator® Business Mastercard® | $95 | 65,000 American Airlines miles after you make $1,000 in purchases within the first 90 days. American Airlines miles . |
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Which American Airlines credit card should I pick?
There are several cobranded American Airlines cards that are currently open for applications. They range in annual fees from $0 to $450, but most cost around $99 a year. To pick the right card, consider the American Airlines perks you want and whether you can earn bonus rewards.
Best for no annual fee: American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card
The information about American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card has been collected independently by Finder and and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.
Who should get this card?
If you occasionally fly American Airlines and want to earn AAdvantage miles without paying an annual fee, this may be the card for you. This is also the only American Airlines credit card that lets you earn accelerated miles on groceries.
Best mid-tier American Airlines card: Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite™ Mastercard®
Who should get this card?
This card is best for those who frequently fly American Airlines and want a card with the highest value that won’t burn a hole in your pocket. You get to earn accelerated miles at restaurants and gas stations, and you get to earn the highest signup bonus offered by an American Airlines credit card.
Best for easy signup bonus: AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®
Who should get this card?
If you frequently fly American Airlines with a companion and you want to get the easiest-to-earn signup bonus, this could be the right card for you. In addition to miles, you get to earn a companion certificate as a signup bonus and as an ongoing anniversary bonus once you meet the spend criteria. Plus you get to use a 0% intro APR period on balance transfers.
Best premium American Airlines card: Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ Mastercard®
The information about Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ Mastercard® has been collected independently by Finder and and has not been reviewed or provided by the issuer.
Who should get this card?
Loyal American Airlines flyers who want to enjoy the ultimate perks and benefits may find this card is the one to deliver. In addition to earning miles, you get complimentary access to the Admirals Club, Group 4 priority boarding, TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee credit and more.
Did you know, both American Airlines business credit cards are excellent?
American Airlines’ two business cards are very similar, and it’s hard to go wrong with either. However, one is better for gas spending and the other is the right pick if you want to reach elite status faster.
Best business card for gas spending: CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Mastercard®
Who should get this card?
This card is best for businesses that want to make the most of their American Airlines credit card during the first year. Perks include a chance to earn a generous signup bonus and a companion certificate each year.
Best business card for elite status: AAdvantage® Aviator® Business Mastercard®
Who should get this card?
Businesses that want to earn the highest signup bonus and reach elite status faster, should consider this card. Plus, every year on your card anniversary you get bonus miles as a percentage of the miles earned during the previous year.
How we chose our best credit cards
We assembled a list of cobranded American Airlines credit cards you can currently apply for, making distinctions between them based on key features and what types of cardholders would benefit most.
What’s changed in 2019
Prior to May 2019, certain cards offered 10% miles back after reward redemption on up to 10,000 miles each calendar year. This perk has been discontinued.
Typical features of an American Airlines credit card
Each of the American Airlines cards come with specific perks and benefits. But they share a few features in common, such as:
- Earn AAdvantage miles.
Earn miles on your purchases with the maximum rewards-rate being 2x miles on American Airlines purchases.
- Signup bonus.
Earn a batch of miles once you meet certain spend requirements.
- In-flight savings.
Save 25% on in-flight purchases of food and beverages.
- First checked bag free.
Get a first checked bag free using all cards except the American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card.
- Preferred boarding.
Board your American Airlines flight sooner. All but one card offer this perk.
- No foreign transaction fees.
Don’t pay fees on purchases made abroad with your card. Again, one card is the odd one, while all other cards have no foreign transaction fees.
How to compare American Airlines credit cards
- Annual fee.
There’s one no-annual-fee card, a few cards priced at around the $99-a-year mark and one card with a $450 annual fee. Knowing what you want to pay for your card can help you narrow your options immediately. - Signup bonus.
Most of the cards have signup bonuses of around 50,000 to 60,000 miles. Also, look for additional bonuses beyond miles. Besides comparing the number of miles you’ll receive, also look at what you need to do to earn the rewards. - Rewards.
Each card offers at least 2x miles on eligible American Airlines purchases. Some cards may offer bonus rewards in other categories, however, such as grocery stores, restaurants and gas stations. - American Airlines perks.
If you’re okay with just savings on in-flight food and beverages, you don’t have to pay an annual fee. But if you want privileges such as preferred boarding and free checked baggage, you’ll need to pay an annual fee. For premium perks, such as a TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credit, priority check-in and screening, and Admirals Club membership, be prepared to pay a $450 annual fee. - Companion certificate.
A few cards give you the opportunity to earn a companion certificate, which lets you take a travel partner on the same flight for $99.
How to make the most of your American Airlines credit card
- Earn the signup bonus.
This is one of the keys to getting massive value from your card. Make a note of the signup bonus requirement. Then, make a plan to meet that requirement within 90 days of opening your account. - Use your card for spending on which you earn 2x or more miles.
This is how you can get a great rewards rate on your purchases. In categories where you’ll earn only 1x miles, consider using a different card that offers a higher rate. - Use your card’s perks.
For some perks — such as free checked baggage — you don’t have to pay for your flight with your card. However, make sure your AAdvantage number is on your flight reservation. For your TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credit, use your card to pay for your application.
Bottom line
All American Airlines cards share the same features, including a signup bonus and earning miles. But each card offers something unique, which may appeal to your financial situation.
However, if none of the cards mentioned fit your needs, compare other airline credit cards until you find the perfect fit for your wallet.
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