If you live in one of American Airlines’ hub cities or just love to fly with them, you should get an American Airlines co-branded credit card.
Whether you’re a road warrior, an occasional traveler, or a business owner, their co-branded cards offer a plethora of benefits for all types of travelers.
Picture this: lounge access, buddy tickets, extra miles, in-flight discounts, and more travel perks.
Without further adieu, let’s jump into this article where we’ll explore the top American Airlines credit cards.
Best for Premium Benefits: Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
Best No-annual-fee Card: American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp®
Best Welcome Bonus: AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®
1. Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
Best for Premium Benefits + Admirals Club Access
- bonus_miles_full
- Admirals Club Lounge Membership
- Free Checked Bag (for you and 8 travel companions)
- Priority Boarding and Priority Check-In
- Global Entry / TSA Pre-Check Credit
- $595 Annual Fee
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® offers great value for frequent American Airlines flyers, featuring complimentary Admirals Club membership and priority airport benefits. You’ll earn solid rewards on American Airlines purchases while getting the opportunity to fast-track your way to elite status through spending and bonus Loyalty Points.
Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles_full
Earn Rewards: 10x miles on hotels and car rentals booked via American Airlines; 4x miles on American Airlines purchases; and 1x miles on all other eligible purchases.
Card Benefits: Admirals Club membership, free first-checked bag and priority check in, boarding, and security screening for you and up to eight travel companions, 25% in flight savings, $120 annual Avis or Budget rental car credit, $120 Lyft credit (up to $10 per month when you pay for at least 3 eligible rides each month), $120 Grubhub credit (up to $10 per month), Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit, no foreign transaction fees, trip cancellation and trip delay insurance, and lost luggage reimbursement.
2. Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
Best for Travel & Everyday Spending
The Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® makes earning American Airlines elite status easier by turning your everyday purchases into Loyalty Points, with no cap on how many you can earn. The card’s standout benefit is free checked bags on domestic flights for you and up to four companions, making it valuable for families and frequent travelers.
Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles_full
Earn Rewards: 2x miles on purchases with American Airlines, at gas stations, and restaurants; 1x miles on all other eligible purchases.
Card Benefits: Free first checked bag and preferred boarding for you and up to four travel companions, 25% in-flight savings, $125 American Airlines discount when you spend $20,000 in a year, no foreign transaction fees, purchase protection, and extended warranty.
3. American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp®
Best for No Annual Fees
The American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® helps you earn both AAdvantage miles and Loyalty Points without an annual fee requirement. The card rewards grocery store purchases and American Airlines spending while offering inflight savings, making it suitable for occasional flyers building toward elite status.
Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles_full
Earning Miles: 2 AAdvantage miles per dollar on eligible American Airlines purchases and at grocery stores; 1x miles on all other eligible purchases.
Card Benefits: 25% in-flight savings on food and beverages, and Citi Concierge and Citi Entertainment.
4. Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
Best for Small Businesses
The CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard® delivers key American Airlines perks including free checked bags and preferred boarding on your flights. While its reward rates aren’t exceptional, the card provides a path to earning AAdvantage elite status through credit card spending.
Welcome Bonus: bonus_miles_full
Earning Miles: 2x American AAdvantage miles on American Airlines purchases, cable and satellite providers, select telecommunications merchants, car rentals, and gas stations; 1x AAdvantage miles on all other eligible purchases.
Card Benefits: Free checked bag for you and up to four travel companions on domestic flights, preferred boarding for you and up to four travel companions, 25% in-flight savings, annual companion certificate, no foreign transaction fees, purchase protection, and extended warranty.
5. AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®
Best for Earning a Quick Welcome Bonus
The AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® is an American Airlines credit card that offers a free checked bag on domestic flights, preferred boarding, 25% inflight savings, up to $25 back on inflight American Airlines Wi-Fi, and the ability to earn Loyalty Points towards American Airlines elite status.
Welcome Bonus: Earn 70,000 miles after making your first purchase and paying the annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days.
Earning Miles: 2x miles on American Airlines purchases and 1x miles on all other eligible purchases.
Card Benefits: Free first checked bag and priority boarding for you and up to four travel companions, 25% in-flight savings, earn a companion certificate when you spend at least $20,000 in an account year, up to $25 back for in-flight Wi-Fi each year, no foreign transaction fees, secondary rental car insurance, trip cancellation insurance, and baggage delay insurance.
6. AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Business Mastercard®
Best for Earning Companion Certificates
This Card is Currently Unavailable.
The AAdvantage® Aviator® World Elite Business Mastercard® offers nice benefits such as first free checked bag, preferred boarding, a 25% in-flight savings for food and drinks, no foreign transaction fees, and complimentary employee cards.
Welcome Bonus: Earn up to 75,000 Bonus Miles: 60,000 bonus miles after spending $5,000 in the first 90 days and 15,000 bonus miles a total of $15,000 on purchases in the first 12 months.
Earning Miles: 2x miles on American Airlines purchases, eligible office supply stores, telecom merchants, and car rentals; 1x miles on all other eligible purchases.
Card Benefits: Free checked bag and priority boarding for you and up to four travel companions, 25% in-flight savings, no foreign transaction fees, anniversary certificate when you spend $30,000 in a year, and annual 5% mileage bonus.
