This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. For an explanation of our Advertising Disclosure, visit this page.
Looking for priority boarding, complimentary checked bags, and additional rewards with one of the world’s leading airlines? This message is just for you. The American Airlines AAdvantage program offers exceptional value, particularly for those savvy enough to utilize its handy award map, which displays destinations accessible at the lowest possible mileage rates. Discover the benefits of the AAdvantage program and make the most of your travel experiences today!
Having one of the best credit cards for American Airlines fliers can get you exclusive access to things like airport lounges. Plus, you may earn a nice bonus with one of the signup bonus offers. Note that you don’t necessarily need to be traveling anytime soon to earn rewards. You may even find yourself earning and saving rewards for future use.
Best Credit Cards for American Airlines Fliers
American’s redemption chart is among one of the best North American airlines. American’s long list of Oneworld airline partners includes British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Fiji Airways, Qantas, and Qatar Airways.
But you can’t really benefit until you rack up those miles.
Below you’ll find a few credit card strategies to help exemplify why these cards are some of the best. This guide is for everyone – from the infrequent flier to the loyal American Airlines road warrior. See where you stack up and start collecting the miles with some of the best credit cards for travel miles.
Whichever card you get, be sure to take advantage of the discounts American gives to many of its co-branded credit cardholders.
Best Credit Cards for American Airlines Fliers
Here’s a preview of the best credit cards for American Airlines fliers.
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® (Best Overall)
- CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®
- AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Business Mastercard®
- AAdvantage® Aviator® Business Mastercard®
- American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp®
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
Many of the cards on the list can be some of the best credit cards for purchasing flight tickets.
Best American Airlines Credit Cards: The Occasional Fliers
Even if you don’t take to the skies on a regular basis, American miles can provide incredible value for your next dream vacation. They can also be used for a variety of redemptions from merchandise and magazines to hotel stays. Read on to learn about the best credit cards for American Airlines fliers.
AAdvantage Aviator Red World Elite Mastercard
The information for the AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® has been collected independently by Johnny Jet. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® comes with the ability to earn a 50,000-mile sign-up bonus after the first purchase and payment of the low $99 annual fee (must be done within the first 90 days). This makes it popular for infrequent fliers looking to rack up lots of miles from the get-go. Cardholders get double miles for American Airlines purchases, but only a single mile per dollar spent on everything else.
This card is often promoted, but there can be better signup offers online that are worth considering. There are also benefits that are akin to having elite status, such as preferred boarding for you and up to four companions and waived check bag fees. Even if you travel a few times a year, this can cover the annual fee cost easily. If you spend at least $20,000 on the card and your account remains open for at least 45 days after your card anniversary date, you’ll earn a Companion Certificate good for 1 guest at $99 (plus fees and taxes).
AAdvantage Aviator World Elite Business Mastercard
The information for the AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Business Mastercard® has been collected independently by Johnny Jet. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Business owners may find that the AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Business Mastercard® is a solid earner because it earns double miles not only on American purchases, but also on several other bonus categories like office supply stores, rental cars, and telecom purchases. If you travel infrequently, these categories could help your mileage balance to add up much more quickly. Plus at the end of the year, cardholders get a bonus reward equal to 5% of all the miles they earned that year.
New cardholders can earn up to 75,000 bonus miles. First, they’ll earn 65,000 miles after spending $1,000 in the first 90 days. Then, they can earn 10,000 miles when a purchase is made on an employee card.
American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp
The information for the American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® has been collected independently by Johnny Jet. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
The American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® is another good option for those that don’t fly a lot but spend in other categories. It has a $0 annual fee and offers double miles at grocery stores and American Airlines purchases.
Cardholders earn:
- 2 AAdvantage® miles for each $1 spent at grocery stores, including grocery delivery services
- 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases
- 1 AAdvantage® mile for every $1 spent on other purchases
- 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible mile earned from purchases
It even has a signup bonus of 10,000 miles and a $50 statement credit for spending $500 within the first three months. That’s pretty good considering how little you have to spend. This deal makes this card one of the best credit cards for American Airlines fliers.
Best Credit Cards For American Airlines Fliers: The Frequent Fliers
Citi / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Mastercard (Best Overall for American Airlines)
The information for the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® has been collected independently by Johnny Jet. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Most American Airlines flyers can benefit the most from the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®. This is the best of the Citi credit cards for American Airlines for these perks:
- The first checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to 4 companions on the same reservation
- Preferred boarding
- $125 American Airlines flight discount after $20,000 in annual card purchases during your card membership year and renew your card
- Earn 2x AAdvantage miles for eligible American Airlines purchases, gas stations purchases, and restaurant purchases
- 25% savings on inflight food and beverage purchases on American Airlines flights when you use your card
New cardholders can earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after $2,500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening. The annual fee is $0 for the first year then $99. There are no foreign transaction fees.
The free checked baggage waiver can be the best reason to own this card. Plus, every purchase earns American Airlines miles.
CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard
The information for the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® has been collected independently by Johnny Jet. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Note that the business version, the CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® is also available. Cardholders earn 2x miles spent on eligible American Airlines purchases, on purchases at telecommunications merchants, cable and satellite providers, car rental merchants, and at gas stations.
Plus, earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases.
New cardholders can also earn 65,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on eligible purchases within the first 4 months of account opening.
Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard
The information for the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® has been collected independently by Johnny Jet. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
If you travel a lot and put all of your eggs in the OneWorld basket, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® can be worth its weight in gold. While it comes with a $595 annual fee, it also brings Admirals Club lounge access for you and up to two guests traveling with you.
Earn 4X miles per $1 on eligible American Airlines purchases.
Earn 1x AAdvantage® mile for every $1 spent on other purchases.
Plus, earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage® mile earned from purchases.
This card brings lounge access no matter what airline you are flying. You can even use it on arrival after landing from a flight. Authorized users (free to add them) get lounge access and the associated perks (free checked bags (on domestic American Airlines itineraries), priority boarding, etc). Plus it has one of the best offers available.
Bonus
New Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® cardholders can earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, enjoy a complimentary Admirals Club® membership (a value of up to $850).
This is the kind of card to use when buying flights but not when spending on other things since the mileage earning is weak on non-flight purchases.
If you do plan to use the card for everything, note that there are no foreign transaction fees on purchases if using the card overseas.
Bottom Line: Best American Airlines Credit Cards
In conclusion, when it comes to choosing the best credit cards for American Airlines fliers, knowledge is power. Knowing your spending patterns becomes especially important as you’ll want to earn for what you’re already spending. Infrequent travelers are not putting a lot of airfare charges on their cards while frequent fliers probably are. Find a card with a bonus point earning in different categories that best fits you.
Related Articles:
