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American Airlines Credit Cards

American Airlines offers a number of credit cards through its partnership with the Citi credit cards division of Citibank. Below we list each card, along with features/benefits that distinguish one from another in helping you choose the right card for your needs.

(If you are interested in other airline credit cards as well, see Travel and Airline Credit Cards.)

For Consumers:

The Citi Bronze / AAdvantage MasterCard from Citi is the only American Airlines credit card with no annual fee, which makes it noteworthy for those who want a no annual fee card, and also makes it a good benchmark for comparing the other American Airlines credit cards.

Here's what you get from a Bronze American Airlines credit card that doesn't charge an annual fee: You earn 1 AAdvantage frequent flyer mile for every $2 in purchases, plus 5,000 AAdvantage bonus miles upon your first use of the card. You can earn up to 25,000 miles per year.

The AAdvantage Bronze MasterCard also offers (the following features are the same for all the cards profiled here, not just this card):

  • No blackout dates for flights on American Airlines, American Eagle and AmericanConnection carriers
  • Redemption on partner airlines in the oneworld alliance and otherwise, including Aer Lingus, Alaska Airlines, British Airways (not all flights eligible), Hawaiian Airlines, Qantas, Mexicana Airlines, Cathay Pacific, El Al, Finnair, Iberia, Lan, Air Pacific, Air Tahiti, Grupo Taca, Gulf Air, Japan Airlines (JAL), SN Brussels Airlines, Tam, Turkish Airlines and Swiss International
  • Redemption with non-airline partners including car rental points at Alamo, Avis, Budget, Dollar, Europcar, Hertz, National Car Rental and Thrifty; hotel points at Best Western, Intercontinental Hotels and Resorts, Crowne Plaza Hotels and Resorts, Comfort Inn, DoubleTree, Econo Lodge, Embassy Suites, Fairfield Inn, Fairmont Hotels, Sheraton, Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express, Hyatt, Marriott, Courtyard by Marriott, Priority Club points, Hilton HHonors points and many others; Diner's Club points, Upromise college savings contributions and more.
  • Miles don't expire, provided that once every three years you fly on American Airlines, American Eagle, AmericanConnection carriers, an airline participant in the AAdvantage program or have qualifying AAdvantage participant account activity, such as using your American Airlines credit card.

So, that's the no-annual-fee Bronze card. How do the other American Airlines credit cards differ? What do you get if you're willing to pay an annual fee? Let's look at your other options, with differences noted:

Citi Gold / AAdvantage World MasterCard from Citi allows you to earn 1 AAdvantage mile for every dollar spent, up to 60,000 per year. In addition, you'll get a 15,000-mile bonus if you make $750 or more in purchases within the first 4 months of having the card. These terms are an obvious upgrade from the Bronze card. What do you pay for these more generous terms? Nothing the first year, then $50 annually.

In addition to the features shown with the Bronze card, the Gold AAdvantage also offers reduced mileage awards that get you to certain destinations for 5,000 fewer miles than normal, and more flexible credit limits.

Citi Platinum Select / AAdvantage World MasterCard from Citi also gives you one AAdvantage mile for every dollar spent, but you can earn up to 100,000 miles per year, and you'll get a 25,000-mile bonus if you spend $750 or more within the first 4 months of having your card. (That's enough miles for a travel award right there.) Annual fee: None for the first year, then $85 annually.

Like the Gold card, the Platinum Select card offers reduced-mileage awards that get you to certain destinations for 7,500 fewer miles than you'd normally pay. You also get more flexible credit limits.

AAdvantage American Express Card - The newest American Airlines credit card for consumers matches up most closely with the Platinum World MasterCard shown above. The only real difference is that it is an American Express card versus a MasterCard, which means it offers some features unique to American Express, most notably travel services worlwide, lost luggage protections and other insurances a frequent traveler might desire.

NOTE: All of the above American Airlines credit cards offer the same interest rate. Their differences are all in the features offered and the annual fees paid.

 

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