For American Airlines travelers seeking premium perks, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® is a top-tier option despite its $595 annual fee. With Admirals Club® membership and benefits tailored to elite-status seekers, it’s a solid choice for frequent flyers who value luxury. Meanwhile, the American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card is a no-annual-fee alternative for casual travelers, offering solid rewards without a spending cap, though it does require excellent credit.
Best Airline Credit Cards for American Airlines Flyers in 2024
Updated: September 24, 2024
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Why You Can Trust Our List
MoneyGeek experts gather 57 data points from sources like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, card issuer websites and trusted partners to provide our readers with accurate, up-to-date information. Using a proprietary ranking methodology, we evaluate business credit cards based on factors like annual fees, welcome offers, rewards rates, APR, foreign transaction fees and more, with specific weight given to each criterion.
4 Best American Airlines Credit Cards in 2024
| Credit Card | Regular APR | Annual Fee | Rewards | Recommended Credit | Sign-Up Offer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21.24%–29.99% variable | $0 | Earn 1X–2X AAdvantage® miles | 740–850 (excellent) | Earn 15,000 AAdvantage® bonus miles On Issuer's Site | |
| 20.74%–29.99% variable | $99 | Earn 1X–2X AAdvantage miles | 670–850 (good to excellent) | Earn 60,000 AAdvantage® bonus miles On Issuer's Site | |
| 21.24%–29.99% variable | $99, $0 for the first year | Earn 1X–2X AAdvantage® miles | 740–850 (Excellent) | Earn 75,000 AAdvantage® bonus miles On Issuer's Site | |
| 20.74% - 29.74% variable | $595 | Earn 1X–4X AAdvantage® miles | 670-850 (Good to Excellent) | Earn 70,000 Miles On Issuer's Site |
Best With No Annual Fee: AA MileUp
American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card
On Issuer's Site
Rewards Earning
Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for each $1 spent at groc...Regular APR
21.24%–29.99% variableAnnual Fee
$0Recommended Credit
740–850 (excellent) Moneygeek.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Best AAdvantage Miles Bonus Offer: Aviator Red World Elite
AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®
On Issuer's Site
Rewards Earning
Earn 2X AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on el...Regular APR
20.74%–29.99% variableAnnual Fee
$99Recommended Credit
670–850 (good to excellent)Moneygeek.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Best for Status: Citi AA Platinum Select
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
On Issuer's Site
Rewards Earning
Earn 2 AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent at res...Regular APR
21.24%–29.99% variableAnnual Fee
$99, $0 for the first yearRecommended Credit
740–850 (Excellent)Moneygeek.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
Best for Admirals Club Lounge Access: AA Executive World Elite
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
On Issuer's Site
Rewards Earning
Earn 4x AAdvantage® miles for every $1 spent on el...Regular APR
20.74% - 29.74% variableAnnual Fee
$595Recommended Credit
670-850 (Good to Excellent)Moneygeek.com credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.
MONEYGEEK EXPERT TIP
If you fly on American Airlines, some of the most valuable benefits are the complimentary first-checked bag and priority boarding for everyone on your reservation. For a family of four, the free checked bag benefit saves up to $240 on a roundtrip flight. — Lee Huffman, credit card expert at BaldThoughts.com.
Choosing an American Airlines Airline Credit Card
Your travel preferences will dictate the best travel credit card for you.
The AA MileUp card suits infrequent travelers with modest spending, offering 2X miles on groceries and no annual fee. At the same time, the Aviator Red World Elite boasts perks like priority boarding and an anniversary companion certificate. Frequent travelers and category spenders will appreciate the higher rewards on dining and gas with the Citi AA Platinum Select without the $99 annual fee for the first year. If you’re the type of traveler who sees premium lounge access as a non-negotiable, then the AA Executive World Elite for a steep yet rewarding $595 annual fee could make sense.
We compare these cards directly in the table below:
AA MileUp | Citi AA Platinum Select | Aviator Red World Elite | AA Executive World Elite | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Who It's Good For | Those looking for a no-annual-fee card with good rewards on groceries and American Airlines purchases | People seeking a balanced card with strong rewards on dining and gas, plus valuable travel perks | Frequent American Airlines flyers with solid rewards and valuable travel perks | Those seeking a premium card with luxury travel perks and high rewards for frequent American Airlines travelers |
Annual Fee | $0 | No annual fee for the first year, then $99 | $99 | $595 |
Credit Requirement | 740–850 (Excellent) | 740–850 (Excellent) | 670–850 (Good to Excellent) | 670–850 (Good to Excellent) |
Rewards | 2X miles on groceries and American Airlines purchases, 1X miles on other purchases | 2X miles on American Airlines purchases, restaurants and gas stations, 1X miles on other purchases | 2X miles on American Airlines purchases, 1X miles on other purchases | 4X miles on American Airlines purchases, 1X miles on other purchases |
Welcome Bonus | Earn 15,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $500 within the first three months of account opening | For a limited time, earn 75,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after making $3,500 in purchases within the first four months of account opening | Earn 60,000 AAdvantage® bonus miles after making your first purchase and paying the $99 annual fee in full, both within the first 90 days | Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first three months of account opening |
First Free Checked Bags | None | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Preferred Boarding | None | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Other Perks | Inflight food and beverage purchase discounts, no mileage cap, loyalty points | 25% savings on inflight purchases, $125 American Airlines flight discount, loyalty points | Anniversary companion certificate, travel insurance, statement credits on inflight Wi-Fi purchases, inflight savings, preferred boarding, loyalty points, auto rental collision damage waiver | Global Entry, Admirals Club membership, enhanced airport experience, up to 20,000 additional Loyalty Points, save 25% on inflight food and beverage purchases, travel protection benefits, dedicated concierge |
MONEYGEEK TIP
Note that no credit card reward program, such as Chase or American Express, is a transfer partner for American Airlines. If you’re motivated, you could transfer points to another rewards program like British Airways Avios and book American Airlines flights or transfer points to Marriott and then to American Airlines.
Other Credit Card Options
While American Airlines credit cards offer great benefits, there are other options worth considering:
- Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card: With a $95 annual fee, this card offers 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 in the first three months. Earn 2X points on travel and dining and 1X on all other purchases. It also includes trip cancellation and interruption insurance and no foreign transaction fees.
- Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: This rewards card has a $95 annual fee and offers 75,000 miles after you spend $4,000 in the first three months. You can earn 2X miles on every purchase. It also includes travel accident insurance and 24-hour travel assistance services, all with no foreign transaction fees.
- American Express® Gold Card: With a higher annual fee of $325, this card offers 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 in the first six months. Earn 4X points at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (up to $25,000 per year) and 3X points on flights booked directly with airlines or amextravel.com. It also includes baggage and trip delay insurance with no foreign transaction fees.
How to Apply for an American Airlines Card
1
Apply Online
Most American Airlines credit cards can be applied for online through the issuer's website.
2
Read the Terms and Conditions
Before you apply, it's important to understand the card's terms, including its APR, fees and rewards structure.
3
Submit the Application
Fill out the required information accurately and submit the application.
4
Wait for a Response
Approval times can vary, but many issuers provide instant decisions.
5
Activate Your Card
Once approved, activate your card to start using it and earning rewards.
FAQ
Is an American Airlines credit card worth it?
If you frequently fly with American Airlines, these cards can offer valuable perks like free checked bags, priority boarding and bonus miles.
What cards are good for American Airlines?
Top options include the American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card for no annual fee, the AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® for a strong bonus offer and the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® for premium benefits.
Which American Airlines credit card is easiest to get?
The American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card is generally easier to obtain. It requires a good credit score and offers no annual fee.
Which American Airlines credit card offers priority boarding?
Both the Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard® and the AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard® offer priority boarding.
About Doug Milnes, CFA
Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.
Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.
*Rates, fees or bonuses may vary or include specific stipulations. The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the offers mentioned may have expired. We recommend visiting the card issuer’s website for the most up-to-date information available.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
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Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.
Advertiser Disclosure: MoneyGeek has partnered with CardRatings.com and CreditCards.com for our coverage of credit card products. MoneyGeek, CardRatings and CreditCards.com may receive a commission from card issuers. To ensure thorough comparisons and reviews, MoneyGeek features products from both paid partners and unaffiliated card issuers that are not paid partners.