Best American Airlines AAdvantage Credit Cards: Comparing Benefits & Perks

Do you fly with American Airlines and want the benefits of an American Airlines-branded credit card? Or are you just looking for a card to help you accumulate AAdvantage miles for an upcoming vacation? Perhaps you’re a small business owner and want to make sure all or your expenses are earning miles.

Regardless, you’ll have plenty of choices when selecting an American Airlines-branded credit card that fits your travel and reward-earning priorities.

Citi issues 4 of these American Airlines-branded credit cards (which have a lot of perks and benefits), while Barclays issues the AAdvantage Aviator Cards.

Let’s look at the features and benefits of each card, how they can help you earn miles, and which cards can accelerate your path to American Airlines AAdvantage elite status.

* The AAdvantage Aviator Silver card is not available for new applications. However, the card is available as an upgrade to cardholders who have an eligible AAdvantage Aviator Red card.

Citi AAdvantage Credit Cards

Each Citi American Airlines card comes with a generous sign-up bonus, the ability to earn AAdvantage miles on every purchase, and an array of travel benefits.

AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite Card (Best for AA Flight Discount)

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

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Status lovers will enjoy the variety of benefits that come with this card. From free bags to reduced-price inflight beverages, AA still flies in style.

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

Status lovers will enjoy the variety of benefits that come with this card. From free bags to reduced-price inflight beverages, AA still flies in style.

Welcome Offer

Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage^® bonus miles after $2,500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening.

50,000 miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$700

Annual Fee

$99, waived for first 12 months

APR

21.24% - 29.99% Variable

Why We Like This Card

Blue skies and fair winds make for a good day to fly! Choosing your airline can be difficult, since factors like location, time, and destination all go into whether or not you can fly somewhere.

An easy choice for many people is American Airlines, because they’re the largest airline in the world. If you’re an American, you’ve probably flown American Airlines at least once.

Frequent fliers tend to enjoy the treatment they can get, from boarding privileges to free bags to lounge access. There’s many reasons to fly with AA, and if so then getting a Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Platinum Select^® World Elite Mastercard^® could be for you.

Card Highlights

• Earn 50,000 American Airlines AAdvantage^® bonus miles after $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
• Earn a $125 American Airlines Flight Discount after you spend $20,000 or more in purchases during your card membership year and renew your card
• 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

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 21.24% - 29.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 0%

Rewards Center

American Airlines AAdvantage Program

The sign-up bonus fluctuates, but your bonus miles will be awarded after you reach a spending threshold in the first 3 months after card approval. You’ll earn 2x miles with American Airlines and 1x miles on all other purchases when using the AAdvantage Platinum Select World Elite card.

Travel perks include:

• Free checked bag on domestic itineraries for you and up to 4 traveling companions
• Priority boarding on all flights operated by American Airlines
• 25% savings in the form of a statement credit when purchasing food/beverages on board during your journey.

With no foreign transaction fees, this card can be a good choice for American Airlines travelers.

This card has a $99, waived for first 12 months.

AAdvantage Executive World Elite Card (Best for Admirals Club Access & Global Entry Credit)

Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Executive World Elite Mastercard^®

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Access to Admirals Clubs, tons of added benefits, and a way to spend towards elite status make this a great option for American Airlines loyalists.

Citi^® / AAdvantage^® Executive World Elite Mastercard^®

Access to Admirals Clubs, tons of added benefits, and a way to spend towards elite status make this a great option for American Airlines loyalists.

Welcome Offer

Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage^® bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first 3 months of account opening.

70,000 miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$980

Annual Fee

$595

APR

21.24% - 29.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The Citi^®/AAdvantage^® Executive World Elite Mastercard^® is a go-to card thanks to its exclusive perks and benefits for people who love to fly American Airlines. With a complimentary Admirals Club membership, free checked bags, inflight discounts, and the ability to earn Loyalty Points for every $1 you spend, there is plenty to love about the card.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage^® bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first 3 months of account opening
• Earn 10 miles per $1 spent on eligible car rentals booked through aa.com/cars
• Earn 10 miles per $1 spent on eligible hotels booked through aa.com/hotels

Cons

• $595 annual fee
• Doesn’t earn many miles on all other eligible purchases

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage^® bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first 3 months of account opening.
• Admirals Club^® membership for you and access for up to two guests or immediate family members traveling with you
• No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
• Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage^® mile earned from purchases
• First checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries for you and up to 8 companions traveling with you on the same reservation

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 21.24% - 29.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 

Rewards Center

American Airlines AAdvantage Frequent Flyer Program

The AAdvantage Executive World Elite card may be a great choice for the frequent traveler who wants the benefit of travel perks and lounge access.

The sign-up bonus offers fluctuate, but this generous miles bonus will be awarded after you reach the designated spending threshold in the first 3 months after card approval. You’ll earn 2x miles on American Airlines and 1x miles on all other purchases.

Travel perks include:

• A free checked bag for you and up to 8 travel companions on domestic itineraries
• Priority check-in, boarding, and screening for the primary cardholder
• $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit every 5 years

The card comes with a hefty $595 annual fee, but the welcome bonus bonus and Admirals Club membership more than offset this expense. A new membership to the Admirals Club costs between $750 and $850 (depending on your American Airlines AAdvantage program status), so the membership alone is worth the annual fee.

You’ll find that there are no foreign transaction fees charged on this card, and it comes with World Elite Mastercard benefits.

Hot Tip: With the new Loyalty Points program, you’ll be able to earn AAdvantage elite status just through credit card spending.

CitiBusiness Platinum Select Card (Best for Companion Certificate)

CitiBusiness^® / AAdvantage^® Platinum Select^® Mastercard^®

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

A low annual fee, a free checked bag, and tons of perks and discounts make this card valuable for business owners who travel.

CitiBusiness^® / AAdvantage^® Platinum Select^® Mastercard^®

A low annual fee, a free checked bag, and tons of perks and discounts make this card valuable for business owners who travel.

Welcome Offer

For a limited time, earn 75,000 American Airlines AAdvantage^® bonus miles after $5,000 in purchases within the first 5 months of account opening.

75,000 miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,050

Annual Fee

$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $99

APR

21.24% - 29.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Excellent (740-850)

Why We Like This Card

With the CitiBusiness^® / AAdvantage^® Platinum Select^® Mastercard^®, you get a card that gives you perks like boarding privileges, free checked bags, and discounts on inflight purchases, while also earning more miles for your next award redemption.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 2x miles per $1 spent on American Airlines purchases
• 2x miles per $1 spent on cable and satellite providers, at gas stations, on car rentals, and on select telecommunications merchants
• 1x mile per $1 spent on all other purchases

Cons

• $99 annual fee
• Does not earn transferable rewards

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Designed for businesses
• For a limited time, earn 75,000 American Airlines AAdvantage^® bonus miles after $5,000 in purchases within the first 5 months of account opening.
• First checked bag is free on domestic American Airlines itineraries to reduce travel costs and boost your bottom line.
• 25% savings on American Airlines inflight Wi-Fi when you use your card
• Enjoy preferred boarding on American Airlines flights
• Earn 2 AAdvantage^® miles per $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases, and on purchases at telecommunications merchants, cable and satellite providers, car rental merchants and at gas stations
• Earn 1 AAdvantage^® mile per $1 spent on other purchases
• Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage^® mile earned from purchases
• No Foreign Transaction Fees

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 21.24% - 29.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Airlines AAdvantage Frequent Flyer Program

If you’re looking for a card that earns miles for your business expenses, the CitiBusiness Platinum Select card might be a good choice.

Of course, you’ll get started with a bank of miles from your sign-up bonus once you meet the initial spending threshold after card approval.

You’ll then continue to earn 2x miles on:

• All American Airlines purchases
• Business expenses (such as telecommunications merchants, car rental merchants, and at gas stations)

All other purchases earn 1x miles.

Since additional employee cards are issued for no extra charge, you can be sure all your business expenses (even purchases made by your employees) are earning miles. You can also use online tracking tools to keep tabs on your business expenses.

Travel perks for this card include:

• A free checked bag on domestic itineraries for you and up to 4 traveling companions
• Preferred boarding on all flights operated by American Airlines
• Onboard, cardholders receive a 25% savings rebated to their statement when purchasing food/beverages with the card

This card does not charge foreign transaction fees and comes with World Mastercard benefits. There is an annual fee of $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $99, which is waived for the first year. 

AAdvantage MileUp Card (Best for Earning Miles With No Annual Fee)

American Airlines AAdvantage^® MileUp^®

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

Earn 2x miles per dollar spent on American Airlines flights and at grocery stores, all without needing to pay an annual fee.

American Airlines AAdvantage^® MileUp^®

Earn 2x miles per dollar spent on American Airlines flights and at grocery stores, all without needing to pay an annual fee.

Welcome Offer

Earn 10,000 American Airlines AAdvantage^® bonus miles and receive a $50 statement credit after making $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening

10,000 miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$140

Annual Fee

$0

APR

21.24% - 29.99% Variable

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Good to Excellent (670-850)

Why We Like This Card

The American Airlines AAdvantage^® MileUp^® is perfectly suited for those looking for a way to earn more American Airlines miles and earn Loyalty Points, all without needing to pay an annual fee.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 2x mile per $1 on American Airlines and grocery store purchases
• 1x mile per $1 on all other purchases
• 25% savings on inflight food and beverage purchases

Cons

• Other cards are more rewarding for frequent American Airlines flyers
• Charges a 3% foreign transaction fee

Read Full Review

Card Highlights

• Earn 10,000 American Airlines AAdvantage^® bonus miles and receive a $50 statement credit after making $500 in purchases within the first 3 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
• Earn 1 AAdvantage^® mile for every $1 spent on other purchases
• Earn 1 Loyalty Point for every 1 eligible AAdvantage^® mile earned from purchases
• Save 25% on inflight food and beverage purchases when you use your card on American Airlines flight

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 21.24% - 29.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: 3%

The AAdvantage MileUp card is a good choice for anyone wanting to earn more AAdvantage miles and earn Loyalty Points without paying an annual fee.

After earning the welcome bonus, you’ll continue to earn 2x miles on American Airlines and grocery store purchases and 1x miles on everything else.

Because this is an entry-level card, the only travel perk is the 25% rebate on inflight food and beverage purchases. If you’re looking for more exclusive travel benefits, you’ll need to look at one of the other AAdvantage credit cards.

Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Mastercards

AAdvantage Aviator Red Card (Best for Welcome Offer)

You’ll earn plenty of American Airlines frequent flyer miles on the AAdvantage Aviator Red card. That’s because you’ll jump-start your earnings with a generous sign-up bonus after making your first purchase within 90 days of card approval. You’ll continue earning with 2x miles on American Airlines purchases and 1x miles on all other purchases.

You can effectively buy miles at 2 cents each with the Flight Cents program that rounds up your card purchases to the next dollar, subject to a $500 per billing cycle cap (cardholders not wishing to participate should set their Flight Cents limit to $0).

When redeeming AAdvantage miles for a ticket, you’ll also have access to discounted round-trip or one-way travel (up to 7,500 miles less) when redeeming miles for MileSAAver award tickets on certain routes.

Further, if you spend $20,000 on the card during the year between your card anniversaries, you will receive a $99 companion ticket.

While traveling, you and up to 4 companions receive a free checked bag for domestic itineraries and preferred boarding when traveling together on any American Airlines-operated flights. You’ll also receive a 25% savings on inflight food and beverage purchases. Plus, enjoy a $25 per year statement credit for American Airlines inflight Wi-Fi purchases.

The card does not charge foreign transaction fees and comes with World Elite Mastercard benefits.

This card has an annual fee of $99.

AAdvantage Aviator Silver Card (Best for AA Statement Credits)

You cannot apply for the AAdvantage Aviator Silver card directly; it’s not open to new applicants. Instead, you must have the AAdvantage Aviator Red card first and then subsequently upgrade. The fee for this card is $199, but it does offer more benefits than the AAdvantage Aviator Red card.

The AAdvantage Aviator Silver card has greater earning capacity with:

• 3x miles on American Airlines
• 2x miles on hotels and rental car purchases
• 1x mile on all other purchases

You’ll receive all of the same benefits on the AAdvantage Aviator Silver card as you did on the AAdvantage Aviator Red card, plus several additional benefits:

• Free checked bag and preferred boarding benefits are expanded to include up to 8 traveling companions
• The $99 companion ticket benefit, earned after spending $20,000 on the card annually, is expanded to include 2 traveling companions
• $50 per year statement credits for American Airlines inflight Wi-Fi purchases
• $25 per day statement credits for American Airlines inflight food and beverage purchases
• The card comes with a $100 Global Entry application fee credit that resets every 5 years

The card does not charge foreign transaction fees and comes with World Elite Mastercard benefits.

AAdvantage Aviator Business Card (Best for Welcome Offer for Business Owners)

Need a credit card that will earn you rewards on your small business purchases? The AAdvantage Aviator Business card does that and more.

Sign-up bonuses fluctuate, but you’ll receive your bonus AAdvantage miles after meeting the required spending threshold. You’ll continue earning 2x miles on:

• Purchases with American Airlines
• Purchases with eligible office supply merchants
• Telecommunications expenses
• Purchases with car rental agencies

All other purchases earn 1x miles.

When traveling, you’ll receive:

• First checked bag free for you and up to 4 companions
• Preferred boarding
• 25% inflight savings on food/beverages
• No foreign transaction fees

Once you spend $30,000 on the card between card anniversaries, you’ll receive a $99 companion airfare certificate.

This card also offers free employee cards and zero fraud liability. Additionally, on your card account anniversary, you’ll receive a 5% mileage bonus applied to your account based on mileage earned from your spending.

The card comes with World Mastercard benefits and has a $95 annual fee.

Where Can Your American Airlines Miles Take You?

By planning ahead, the miles you earn with your Citi and Barclays AAdvantage cards can take you just about anywhere in the world.

Off-peak travel awards are not pictured on this abbreviated award chart, which can save you plenty of miles. For example, a round-trip economy class ticket to Europe can be secured for 45,000 miles during off-peak travel times. A complete list of off-peak discounted award pricing can be found on this American Airlines AAdvantage flight award chart.

Head off for a weekend in Mexico or the Caribbean in coach class for as few as 25,000 miles round-trip for an off-peak award ticket or 50,000 miles round-trip in business class for a MileSAAver award ticket.

In addition to booking flights on American Airlines, you can now book flights on many Oneworld alliance partner airlines directly on AA.com using your American Airlines frequent flyer miles. Access the complete list of partner airlines with which you can book award tickets here.

Final Thoughts

Wondering which American Airlines-branded credit card is right for you? The AAdvantage Executive World Elite card is an obvious choice if you travel frequently on American Airlines and value travel perks and lounge access.

And if you’re a small business owner who travels on American Airlines, either the Citi or Barclays business credit cards will ensure all of your expenses are earning miles while providing additional travel perks.