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Best American Airlines Credit Cards

Advertiser Disclosure Updated: Oct 24, 2024, 10:25am

Best American Airlines Credit Cards Of November 2024

Kelly-Ann FranklinUpdates Editor

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Written By

Kelly-Ann Franklin

Kelly-Ann FranklinUpdates Editor

See Full Bio

Updates Editor

Clint ProctorLead Editor, Credit Cards & Travel Rewards

Clint Proctor is a lead editor with the credit cards and travel rewards team at Forbes Advisor. He has five years of experience in personal finance journalism and has contributed to a variety of leading national publishers including Business Insider...

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Clint Proctor

Clint ProctorLead Editor, Credit Cards & Travel Rewards

See Full Bio

Fact Checked

|Lead Editor, Credit Cards & Travel Rewards

& 1 other

Updated: Oct 24, 2024, 10:25am

Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. Commissions do not affect our editors' opinions or evaluations.

If you live near one of American Airlines’ hub cities, the airline is likely your primary option for non-stop flights on your travels. American Airlines offers a myriad of benefits with its credit cards, and the right card can help you earn additional AAdvantage miles toward your award flights.

Show Summary

Best American Airlines Credit Cards

AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® *: Best American Airlines Card Issued by Barclays
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® *: Best American Airlines Card for Lounge Access
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®: Best American Airlines Card Issued by Citi
American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card: Best No-Annual-Fee American Airlines Card

Find the Best Credit Card

Best American Airlines Credit Cards of 2024

Best American Airlines Card Issued by Barclays

AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® *

Up to 2X Reward Rate

Earn 2X miles for every dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases; Earn 1X mile for every dollar spent onRead More

Welcome Bonus

60,000 miles

Annual Fee

$99

Regular APR

21.24% - 29.99% variable

Credit Score

Excellent/Good (700 - 749)

Our Expert Take

The AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®* is a midrange American Airlines card option issued by Barclays. Occasional American Airlines flyers will likely get the most value out of this card.

Why We Like It

The AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®* offers a first checked bag free on domestic itineraries for the cardholder and up to four passengers traveling on the same itinerary. It doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees and offers preferred boarding and 25% savings on in-flight purchases—plus an annual statement credit of $25 for in-flight WiFi.

Cardholders also receive solid travel coverage including travel accident insurance, trip cancellation/interruption coverage, baggage delay insurance and auto rental collision damage protection. The welcome bonus is also incredibly easy to earn: 60,000 bonus miles after your first purchase and paying the $99 annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days of account opening.

What We Don’t Like

Cardholders who spend at least $20,000 on the card within a card member year and keep the account open for 45 days after the anniversary date will receive an anniversary companion certificate, which effectively acts as a BOGO for $99 (plus taxes and fees). However, with low rewards on American Airlines purchases and minimal rewards on all other purchases, most people would benefit more from putting this spending on another card.

Who It’s Best For

The AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®* is a good fit for occasional American Airlines flyers who can benefit from a free checked bag or in-flight WiFi.

Pros & Cons

Easy to earn the generous welcome bonus
No foreign transaction fee
Annual companion certificate earned after spending $20,000 in a year with card renewal
Rich AA flight benefits

No bonused spending categories other than AA purchases
Depending on creditworthiness, APR can be very high

Card Details

Earn 60,000 AAdvantage bonus miles after your first purchase and paying the $99 annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days of account opening
Earn a companion certificate for one guest at $99 (plus taxes and fees) after spending $20,000 on purchases and your account remains open for 45 days after your anniversary date
Up to $25 back as statement credits on inflight Wi-Fi purchases on American Airlines operated flights every anniversary year
25% discount as statement credits on food and beverage purchases when you use your card on American Airlines operated flights
Earn 2 miles for every dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases and 1 mile for every dollar spent on all other purchases

Best American Airlines Card for Lounge Access

Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® *

Up to 10X Reward Rate

Earn 10 AAdvantage miles for every $1 spent on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through aa.com; 4 miles forRead More

Welcome Bonus

70,000 bonus miles

Annual Fee

$595

Regular APR

20.74% – 29.74% (Variable)

Credit Score

Excellent, Good (700 - 749)

Our Expert Take

The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®* provides the most miles for your money if you’re a relatively frequent AA flyer who wants access to American’s Admirals Club lounges.

Why We Like It

In addition to Admirals Club lounge access, cardholders can benefit from a free checked bag on domestic itineraries for themselves and up to eight companions traveling on the same reservation, a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® application fee statement credit, priority boarding, priority check-in and a 25% discount on in-flight food and beverage purchases. Statement credits for Lyft and Grubhub can further offset the annual fee and cardholders won’t pay foreign transaction fees.

The rewards are top-notch for rental cars and hotels booked directly through aa.com and for American Airlines flights. And the card gets even better for high spenders. Once you spend more than $150,000, you’ll get a rewards boost on American Airlines purchases for the remainder of the year.

What We Don’t Like

For the steep $595 annual fee, you’d expect a little more earning potential. Outside of American Airlines flights or hotels and rental cars books through aa.com, the rewards are disappointing. Plus, if you tend to travel alone or with smaller groups, you likely won’t benefit from the increase in companion baggage compared to American Airlines’ other co-branded cards.

Statement credits are paid out monthly, so they may be hard to use if these services aren’t already part of your regular spending habits. Lyft may be especially challenging since you won’t earn the statement credit unless you make three rides a month.

Who It’s Best For

The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®* is the best fit for regular American Airlines flyers who want access to American’s Admirals Club lounges.

Pros & Cons

Free checked bag on domestic American Airlines flights for up to eight companions on the same reservation
Discounted Admiral Club membership

High annual fee with no first-year waiver
Lackluster rewards rates
Requires excellent credit

Card Details

Earn 70,000 AAdvantage bonus miles after spending $7,000 in the first 3 months of account opening
Earn 10 miles per dollar spent on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through aa.com, 4 miles for every dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases and 1 mile for all other purchases
Admirals Club Membership: Access to nearly 100 lounge locations worldwide for you and your immediate family (or up to 2 traveling guests that accompany you)
Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® application fee credit up to $100 every 4 years

Best American Airlines Card Issued by Citi

Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®

Apply Now

On Citi's Website

Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®

Click Here To Apply Now

Rates & Fees

Up to 2X Reward Rate

Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles per $1 spent at gas stations and restaurants, and on eligible American Airlines purchases; Earn 1XRead More

Welcome Bonus

50,000 bonus miles

Annual Fee

$99, waived for first 12 months

Regular APR

20.74% - 29.74% (Variable)

Credit Score

Excellent, Good

Our Expert Take

The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® may be a better option for more occasional flyers because the annual fee is waived for the first year.

Why We Like It

The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® offers similar benefits as the AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®*, with a first checked bag free on domestic itineraries for the cardholder and up to four passengers traveling on the same itinerary, preferred boarding on American Airlines flights, 25% savings on in-flight purchases, and no foreign transaction fees.

However, this card offers significantly more rewards potential on gas and restaurants. While the welcome bonus is a little lower, the intro annual fee more than makes up for it.

What We Don’t Like

Cardholders who spend at least $20,000 on their card within a cardmember year (and renew their card) will receive a $125 American Airlines flight credit. This is likely to be less valuable than the companion certificate offered by the AAdvantage Aviator Red for a similar annual fee after the first year.

The welcome bonus will be harder to earn compared to the AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®*. There’s also no statement credit for in-flight WiFi.

Who It’s Best For

The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® is a good option for the occasional solo American Airline traveler looking to capitalize on their gas station and restaurant spending.

Pros & Cons

Free checked bag for you and up to four companions on domestic American Airlines flights
Preferred boarding privileges
No foreign transaction fees
No limit on mileage earnings

Lackluster ongoing rewards
First checked bag free perk not applicable for international flights
Doesn’t have other perks like lounge access or travel protections

Card Details

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
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

Best No-Annual-Fee American Airlines Card

American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card

Apply Now

On Citi's Website

American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card

Click Here To Apply Now

Rates & Fees

Up to 2X Reward Rate

Earn 2X AAdvantage® miles per $1 spent at grocery stores, including grocery delivery services; Earn 2X AAdvantage® miles per $1Read More

Welcome Bonus

15,000 bonus miles

Annual Fee

Regular APR

20.74% - 29.74% (Variable)

Credit Score

Excellent, Good

Our Expert Take

If you want a card with no annual fee to help you earn AAdvantage miles on your everyday purchases, the American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card could be the card for you.

Why We Like It

In addition to earning the same rate on American Airlines purchases as both the midtier cards, for no annual fee, you’ll also earn elevated rewards on groceries, with no spending cap.

The American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card offers 25% savings on eligible American Airlines in-flight purchases of food and beverages.

What We Don’t Like

Unfortunately, this card won’t entitle you to a free checked bag. The American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card also charges foreign transaction fees, so it’s not a good choice for purchases abroad. This card is also missing travel protections you may need when traveling.

Who It’s Best For

As a no annual fee card that’s light on the benefits, the American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card is only suitable for infrequent American Airlines travelers who want to earn rewards on grocery purchases.

Pros & Cons

No annual fee
Earn unlimited miles
25% discount on in-flight purchases
Earn 2 miles per dollar at grocery stores and AA purchases

3% foreign transaction fee
Lackluster travel perks
Blackout dates apply to some redemptions

Card Details

Earn 15,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after making $1000 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.
0% Intro APR for 15 months on balance transfers; after that, the variable APR will be 20.74% – 29.74%, based on your creditworthiness. Interest will be charged on purchases unless you pay the balance due, including balance transfers, by the due date each month.
Balance transfer fee of either $5 or 5% of the amount of each credit card balance transfer, whichever is greater. Balance Transfers must be completed within 4 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
Save 25% on inflight food and beverage purchases when you use your card on American Airlines flights

Here’s a Summary of the Best American Airlines Credit Cards

Credit Card

AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®

Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®

Rates & Fees

Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®

Rates & Fees

American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card

Credit Card

Best For

Credit Score

Annual Fee

Welcome Bonus

AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®

Best American Airlines Card Issued by Barclays

Excellent/Good

$99

60,000 miles

Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®

Best American Airlines Card for Lounge Access

Excellent, Good

$595

70,000 bonus miles

Rates & Fees

Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®

Best American Airlines Card Issued by Citi

Excellent, Good

$99, waived for first 12 months

50,000 bonus miles

Rates & Fees

American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card

Best No-Annual-Fee American Airlines Card

Excellent, Good

15,000 bonus miles

Methodology

Forbes Advisor looked at multiple offers to find and rank the best American Airline cards. Factors considered include:

Airline perks such as free checked bags and priority boarding
Airport lounge access
Welcome bonuses
Rewards earnings rates
Redemption opportunities
Fees
Travel-related perks and benefits

Forbes Advisor rates credit cards both as stand-alone products (the card rating on the review) and compared to others in a specific use case. Sometimes, cards with average stand-alone ratings may still rank highly on a particular list depending on how a person looking for a card in that category may value certain card features.

For instance, a card that might be considered mediocre overall could be the top card on a list of rewards cards with no annual fee. That’s because the card might offer limited features compared to other rewards cards, but after we remove cards that charge an annual fee, it’s the best card that remains.

Forbes Advisor uses data from multiple government agencies to determine how much a typical cardholder might spend. We use the same numbers for cards in the same category to make sure we are comparing cards the same way. The bonus categories for spending included with each card are factored into our determination of how many rewards a cardholder could expect to earn if they use the card as a consumer normally would.

Forbes Advisor re-evaluates each credit card list at least every 12 months to determine if any cards need to be added and/or removed. However, a list could be updated sooner if significant changes are made to the mentioned cards or if a new credit card is announced that’s likely to impact the category.

To learn more about our rating and review methodology and editorial process, check out our guide on how Forbes Advisor rates credit cards.

Other Credit Cards for American Airlines Flyers

Just because you fly American Airlines frequently or prefer AA over other airlines doesn’t mean an American Airlines card is the right option. Other airline credit cards offer better earning rates and much more flexibility. Here are some of our favorites:

Find the Best Airline Credit Cards of 2024

Learn More

How To Apply for American Airlines Credit Cards

Applying for an American Airlines credit card involves a few steps:

Apply online. The most convenient way to apply for a credit card is online. Visit the American Airlines credit card page or the website of the card issuer (Citi or Barclays, which offer American Airlines cards). Fill out the application form for the card you select with your personal and financial details, including your Social Security number, income and address.
Read the terms and conditions. Carefully read through the terms and conditions, understanding the interest rates, fee structure, how to earn your welcome bonus and reward redemption policies.
Submit the application. After completing the form, submit your application. The approval process may be instant, or it may take a few days or weeks, depending on various factors like your credit history and the card issuer’s policies.
Wait for a response. If approved, you’ll receive the card by mail, typically within three to 10 business days. If your application is denied, the issuer will provide reasons for the decision, which can help you address any related issues.
Activation. Once you receive your card, follow the instructions provided to activate it. Activating your card can typically be done through the issuer’s mobile app, website or by phone.

How To Choose the Best American Airlines Credit Card

Before applying for any credit card, consider your needs and evaluate the options. Here are some questions to ask before choosing which American Airlines credit card you’ll apply for:

Will the benefits offset the annual fee? Annual fees eat into your rewards. Consider your annual spending to make sure you will earn enough rewards or cash back to offset the fee and then some.
Will you use the card’s benefits? Some cards come with benefits such as free checked bags, an annual travel credit or discounts on in-flight purchases. Before applying for a new card, think about your actual usage patterns. Do these benefits offer real value to you?
How easy is it to spend the miles? American Airlines cards are designed for those loyal to AA. If you want to use an airline outside the Oneworld Alliance, this might become an issue. If your travel patterns make more sense on carriers other than American Airlines, you might prefer a cash-back or flexible rewards card. Many travel rewards cards also offer exceptional benefits and often earn some of the highest rewards.

Bilt Rewards lost American Airlines as a transfer partner in 2024. Now the only points you can directly transfer to American Airlines are Marriott Bonvoy Points, which transfer to American Airlines at a ratio of 3:1—that’s three Bonvoy points for one AAdvantage mile.

– Clint Proctor, Credit Cards and Travel Rewards Lead Editor

Benefits of American Airline Credit Cards

American Airlines credit cards come packed with a variety of benefits tailored for frequent travelers and loyal flyers of the airline.

Earn miles. Earn AAdvantage miles on every purchase, with enhanced rates on American Airlines purchases.
Travel conveniences. Enjoy perks such as free checked bags for the cardholder and companions on the same reservation, along with priority boarding on American Airlines flights.
In-flight discounts. Receive discounts on in-flight purchases including meals, beverages and WiFi.
Earn Loyalty Points. Use card spending to earn AAdvantage Loyalty Points to land on elite status with the airline even sooner.
Exclusive benefits for high-tier cards. Benefit from Admirals Club lounge access available through the AAdvantage executive World Elite Mastercard or the anniversary companion certificate on the AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard.
Varied card options. Different cards offer different benefits, allowing you to choose the one that best fits your travel needs and preferences.

Find the Best Travel Credit Cards for 2024

Find the best travel credit card for your travel needs.

Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What credit score do you need for an American Airlines credit card?

Rewards cards, in general, including American Airlines credit cards, typically require good to excellent credit, as defined by FICO. A score in the “good” range of 670 to 739 may be sufficient for a basic rewards card, but for the strongest rewards, you need a score of 740 or higher to qualify.

How do I get a free checked bag with an American Airlines credit card?

Your American AAdvantage number is connected to your credit card account. As long as your AAdvantage number is attached to your reservation, your companions are booked on the same reservation and you’re flying with American Airlines, you should automatically receive your baggage benefit. The cards that offer free baggage allowances when flying with American Airlines include the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®*, Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® and AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®*.

How do I cancel an American Airlines credit card?

You can cancel an American Airlines credit card by calling the number on the back of your card. Before you cancel your card, make sure your balance is paid in full. You can also ask for a retention offer of additional rewards or a statement credit to keep the card open. If you’re closing the account to avoid the annual fee, ask if they would downgrade you to a card with no annual fee.

How do I activate an American Airlines credit card?

You can activate an American Airlines credit card in a variety of ways. A sticker on the front of your card should let you know the options. Generally, methods include calling a dedicated number, using an activation link on your card’s website or activating via the issuing bank’s mobile app.

Next Up In Credit Cards

*The information for the following card(s) has been collected independently by Forbes Advisor: AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®, Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®, Citi Premier® Card. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Information provided on Forbes Advisor is for educational purposes only. Your financial situation is unique and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. We do not offer financial advice, advisory or brokerage services, nor do we recommend or advise individuals or to buy or sell particular stocks or securities. Performance information may have changed since the time of publication. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Forbes Advisor adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved, or otherwise endorsed by our partners.

Kelly-Ann Franklin

Updates Editor

Kelly-Ann Franklin has spent more than two decades in journalism which has helped her build a wide knowledge base of business and personal finance topics. Her goal with editing is to ensure tough topics are distilled down to understandable and relatable pieces of information for readers of every type. She began her career as a freelance sports writer before moving into features, lifestyle and entertainment and then on into general news.

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