Which American Airlines Credit Card Should You Get?
This post contains references to products from our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. The content is not provided by the advertiser and any opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any bank, card issuer, airline or hotel chain. Please visit our Advertiser Disclosure to view our partners, and for additional details.
Citibank has been offering credit cards co-branded with American Airlines for many years, and it currently features cards with attractive benefits for frequent travelers.
|
American Airlines AAdvantage MileUpSM Card |
CitiBusiness / AAdvantage Platinum Select World Mastercard (Editor's note: This offer is currently unavailable.) |
Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard (Editor's note: This offer is currently unavailable.) |
|
|
Sign Up Bonus |
Editor's note: This offer is no longer available. 10k miles and $50 statement credit after $500 within 3 months |
Editor's note: This offer is no longer available. 65k miles after $4,000 in purchases in first 4 months |
Editor's note: This offer is no longer available. 50k miles after $5,000 within 3 months |
|
Rewards on purchases |
2x miles on AA purchases and grocery stores, and grocery delivery services, 1x mile on other purchases |
2x miles on AA purchases, 2x miles on purchases at telecommunications merchants, cable and satellite providers, car rental merchants. 1x mile on other purchases |
2x miles on AA purchases, 1x mile on other purchases |
|
Checked baggage |
None |
First checked bag free + up to 4 companions |
First checked bag free + up to 8 companions |
|
Priority boarding |
None |
Preferred boarding on domestic American Airlines operated flights |
Early boarding for domestic American Airlines |
|
Lounge Access |
None |
None |
Admirals Club Membership: access over 50 Admirals Club worldwide (+ immediate family or up to two traveling guests) |
|
Discounts On Inflight Purchases |
25% inflight savings on food and beverages on American Airlines operated flights |
25% inflight savings on food and beverages on American Airlines operated flights |
25% inflight savings on food and beverages on American Airlines operated flights |
|
Anniversary Bonus |
N/A |
$99 domestic economy fare AA Companion Certificate with $30,000 or more in purchases each year |
10k AAdvantage Elite Qualifying Miles towards AAdvantage elite status membership with $40,000 or more in spending within the year |
|
Foreign Transaction Fee |
3% |
Zero |
Zero |
|
Annual Fee |
$0 |
$99, waived the first 12 months |
$450 |
Which Card Should You Get?
The right card for you will depend on how much travel you are planning with American Airlines. Also, American Airlines is part of the oneworld Alliance which consists of 15 carriers. If you own a small business, the CitiBusiness card is a no brainer over the consumer platinum card. It includes extra bonus categories as well as the annual companion pass.
Citi's Executive card is for the most frequent flyers who can make use of the Admiral's club airport lounges on a regular basis. In fact, the $450 annual fee for this card is less than purchasing a lounge membership by itself. This is also great card for those whose travels take them overseas, as it has no foreign transaction fees. (See also: Best Credit Cards that Offer Free Airport Lounge Access)
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
