What is the best credit card for american airlines miles

Best American Airlines Credit Cards

Best Overall

Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® *

Up to 4X Reward Rate

Earn 4 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases through December 31, 2022, then earn 2Read More

Welcome Bonus

80,000 miles + Admirals Club® membership

Regular APR

19.74% - 28.74% variable

Credit Score

Excellent, Good (700 - 749)

Why We Picked It

For the AA frequent flier who will use the complimentary Admirals Club lounge access, this alone more than offsets the annual fee. Considering that all authorized cardholders are eligible, this can be an incredible value. Extra perks such as VIP check-in, priority boarding, concierge service, and free checked bag sweeten the deal.

Pros & Cons

• Free checked bag on domestic American Airlines flights for up to 8 companions on the same reservation
• Up to 10 authorized users receive Admirals Club® lounge access when flying on American Airlines

• High annual fee with no first-year waiver
• Blackout dates apply in some cases
• Lackluster rewards rates
• Requires excellent credit

Card Details

• Earn 80,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $5,500 within the first 3 months of account opening. Plus, receive a complimentary Admirals Club® membership (a value of up to $650)
• $450 annual fee
• Earn 4 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on eligible American Airlines purchases through December 31, 2022, then 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent. Earn 1 mile for all other purchases
• Admirals Club® Membership: Access to nearly 50 lounge locations worldwide for you and your immediate family (or up to 2 traveling guests that accompany you)

Best American Airlines Card With Sub-$100 Annual Fee

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

Up to 2X Reward Rate

Earn 2X AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent at gas stations and restaurants, and on eligible American Airlines purchases; EarnRead More

Welcome Bonus

50,000 miles

Annual Fee

$99, waived for first 12 months

Regular APR

19.74% - 28.74% (Variable)

Credit Score

Excellent, Good (700 - 749)

Why We Picked It

For American Airlines frequent fliers, this card brings a nice set of perks and a strong welcome bonus. The miles you can earn on American Airlines, gas and restaurant purchases can easily justify the annual fee - so long as you don't carry a balance on this high APR card.

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 $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

Best American Airlines Card Issued By Barclays

AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®

Up to 2X Reward Rate

Earn 2X AAdvantage® miles for every one dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases; Earn 1X Miles for every oneRead More

Welcome Bonus

50,000 miles

Regular APR

18.99%, 22.99%, or 27.99% variable

Credit Score

Excellent/Good (700 - 749)

Why We Picked It

The AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® is a good option for those who can leverage the AA flight perks to justify the annual fee. When factoring in the welcome bonus and intro companion certificate, the first-year rewards are quite impressive, but aside from 2x miles on AA purchases, the 1x base rewards rate is underwhelming.

Pros & Cons

• Easy to earn the generous welcome bonus
• No foreign transaction fee
• Free introductory companion certificate
• Rich AA flight benefits

• Has annual fee with no first-year waiver
• Depending on creditworthiness, APR can be very high

Card Details

• Earn 50,000 AAdvantage® bonus miles after making your first purchase and paying the $99 annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days.
• Anniversary Companion Certificate each anniversary year, earn a Companion Certificate good for 1 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
• Get up to $25 back as statement credits on inflight Wi-Fi purchases every anniversary year on American Airlines operated flights
• Inflight savings receive 25% inflight savings as statement credits on food and beverages when you use your card on American Airlines operated flights.
• Earn 2X miles for every one dollar spent on eligible American Airlines purchases
• Earn 1X AAdvantage® miles for every one dollar spent on all other purchases

Best No Annual Fee American Airlines Card

American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Mastercard® *

Up to 2X Reward Rate

Earn 2X AAdvantage® miles for each $1 spent at grocery stores, including grocery delivery services; Earn 2X AAdvantage® miles onRead More

Welcome Bonus

10,000 AAdvantage® bonus miles and a $50 statement credit

Regular APR

19.74% - 28.74% variable

Credit Score

Excellent, Good (700 - 749)

Why We Picked It

This card makes sense for a narrow range of people: Casual AA fliers seeking a no-annual-fee card with moderate rewards and with no need to carry a balance. To maximize rewards earnings, spend on AA purchases and groceries to score 2x miles. The 3% foreign transaction fee and a lack of perks will turn off frequent international travelers.

Pros & Cons

• No annual fee
• Earn unlimited miles
• 25% discount on in-flight purchases
• Earn 2 miles per dollar on groceries and AA purchases

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

Card Details

• Earn 10,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles and a $50 statement credit after spending $500 in purchases within the first 3 months of account opening
• 2x AAdvantage miles per $1 at grocery stores, including grocery delivery services, 2x AAdvantage miles per $1 on eligible American Airlines purchases and 1x AAdvantage mile per $1 on all other purchases
• $0 annual fee
• 25% savings on inflight food and beverage purchases on American Airlines flights when card is used

Best American Airlines Credit Cards

Other Good Credit Cards for American Airlines Flyers

Just because you fly American Airlines the most or like AA the best doesn’t mean that an American Airlines card is the right option. Other great cards for flying offer better earning rates and much more flexibility overall. Here are a few of our favorites:

• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
• Chase Sapphire Reserve®
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
• The Platinum Card® from American Express
• Amex EveryDay® Preferred Credit Card*
• Citi Premier® Card

Methodology

American Airlines’ most lucrative credit cards offer free checked bags and airport lounge access. The best cards were chosen based on welcome bonuses, earnings rates, redemption opportunities and other perks. That said, what is best for the majority of American flyers might not be right for you. Do your research before deciding what cards will best help make your flight dreams come true.

Rewards cards generally have higher-than-average interest rates. If you need to carry a balance (we never recommend carrying a balance), rewards cards are not the best choice for you.

How To Choose the Best American Airlines Credit Card

Finding the best combo of credit cards for American Airlines can be overwhelming with so many choices. Before applying, consider your needs and options. Here are some questions to ask:

• Will your benefits offset the annual fee? Annual fees eat into your rewards. Think about your yearly 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. Does this benefit offer value to you?
• How easy are miles to spend? American Airlines cards are designed for those loyal to American Airlines. If you want to use an airline outside the Oneworld Alliance, this can become an issue. If you don’t want to stay loyal to American, you might prefer a cash-back or flexible rewards card. Travel rewards cards also offer great benefits and often earn some of the best rewards, too.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which American Airlines credit card is best?

The best American Airlines credit card for you varies depending on your needs and willingness to pay an annual fee. For a high annual fee, the Citi AAdvantage Executive Elite card offers the most benefits including access to Admirals lounges when flying American Airlines same-day. Up to 10 authorized users added to the card can also gain access. Those looking for some benefits like a free checked bag but without paying as high of a fee should consider the Aviator Red or the AAdvantage Platinum Select.

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 can expect to 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 and you’re flying with American Airlines, you should automatically receive your baggage benefit. The cards that offer a free baggage allowance when flying with American Airlines include the Citi AAdvantage Executive Elite, Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select and Aviator Red.

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, you might want to ask for a retention offer.

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 which routes you can use. Generally, methods include calling a dedicated number, using an activation link on your card’s website or activating via the bank’s mobile app.

Next Up In Credit Cards

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