The Best Credit Cards for American Airlines Flyers [Lounges, Upgrades, Priority Boarding & More]
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The American Airline’s AAdvantage® frequent flyer program was established in 1981, making it one of the world’s oldest frequent flyer programs. It’s also the world’s largest.
The AAdvantage brand, with its history and strong presence in the loyalty arena, is also prominent in the collection of nearly a dozen AAdvantage co-branded credit cards.
With offerings that include flight benefits, lounge access, companion tickets, a faster path to elite status, and the ability to earn miles for free flights, there’s an AAdvantage credit card for every American Airlines flyer.
But how do you sort through nearly a dozen cards and find a fit? And are there other travel rewards credit cards worth considering even if you’re an American Airlines loyalist?
Here’s all the information you need on the benefits of the top AAdvantage credit cards, issued by both Citi and Barclays, and a few alternative credit cards.
In the end, you’ll have the information you need to select a credit card that delivers the best bottom-line value for you.
Table of contents
- Best Credit Cards for American Airline Flight Benefits
- Best Credit Cards for Earning on American Airlines and Everyday Purchases
- Best Credit Cards for AAdvantage Elite Status and Seat Upgrades
- Best Credit Cards for Admiral’s Club Lounge Access
- The Best AAdvantage Credit Cards for Companion Tickets
- AAdvantage Credit Cards – Additional Benefits
- Best Rewards Programs for Transferring to American AAdvantage
- Summary: Best Overall Personal AAdvantage Credit Cards for American Airlines Flyers
- Summary: Best Overall Business Advantage Credit Card for American Airlines Flyers
- Summary: Best Alternative Credit Cards for American Airline Flyers
- Final Thoughts
Table of Contents
- Best Credit Cards for American Airline Flight Benefits
- Best Credit Cards for Earning on American Airlines and Everyday Purchases
- Best Credit Cards for AAdvantage Elite Status and Seat Upgrades
- Best Credit Cards for Admiral’s Club Lounge Access
- The Best AAdvantage Credit Cards for Companion Tickets
- AAdvantage Credit Cards – Additional Benefits
- Best Rewards Programs for Transferring to American AAdvantage
- Summary: Best Overall Personal AAdvantage Credit Cards for American Airlines Flyers
- Summary: Best Overall Business Advantage Credit Card for American Airlines Flyers
- Summary: Best Alternative Credit Cards for American Airline Flyers
- Final Thoughts
Best Credit Cards for American Airline Flight Benefits
American Airlines AAdvantage credit cards come with valuable flight benefits that can add comfort, convenience, or cost savings. Boarding early, free checked bags, and statement credits for your in-flight purchases are some examples of perks that add comfort and value.
Let’s take a look at the flight benefits you can expect from each of the best AAdvantage branded credit cards.
AAdvantage Credit Card | Flight Benefits |
Barclays AAdvantage® Aviator® Silver World Elite™ Mastercard® |
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CitiBusiness® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®, Barclays AAdvantage® Aviator Red World Elite™ Mastercard, Barclays AAdvantage® Aviator Business World Elite Mastercard. |
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Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite™ Mastercard® |
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Citi®/AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ Mastercard® |
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In addition to the stated benefits above, the Barclays AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard card receives a $25 per anniversary year statement credit for in-flight Wi-Fi purchases.

Best Credit Cards for Earning on American Airlines and Everyday Purchases
American Airline Purchases
If you spend a lot on American Airlines, you’ll want to be sure to have an AAdvantage credit card that earns at least 2 miles per dollar spent. The following AAdvantage credit cards deliver this level of earnings.
AAdvantage Credit Card | Miles Earned per Dollar Spent on AA Flight Purchases |
Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard Citi/AAdvantage Platinum Select World Mastercard CitiBusiness/AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard American Airlines AAdvantage MileUp℠ Card |
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Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Silver |
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Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Blue Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Red Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Business |
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In addition, the Barclays AAdvantage® Aviator® Business World Elite Mastercard earns a 5% mileage bonus each anniversary year based on miles earned on the card.
Earning on Everyday Purchases
Earning AAdvantage miles on American Airlines purchases is great, but miles can add up faster if you can earn multiple miles per dollar spent on other purchases. Here’s how the bonus earnings break down by credit card.
AAdvantage Credit Card | Bonus Category and Additional Earnings |
Citi/AAdvantage Platinum |
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CitiBusiness® Platinum Select |
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AAdvantage MileUp |
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Barclays Aviator Business |
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Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Silver |
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Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Red Barclays AAdvantage Aviator Silver |
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Bottom Line: To maximize earnings, select an AAdvantage branded credit card that earns at least 2 miles per dollar on American Airlines purchases and has bonus earning categories that match up with your spending profile.

Best Credit Cards for AAdvantage Elite Status and Seat Upgrades
Here’s what it takes to annually qualify for American Airlines AAdvantage elite status, how AAdvantage credit cards can help you qualify, and how the upgrade process works.
What it Takes to Qualify for American Airlines AAdvantage Elite Status
Having elite status with the American Airlines AAdvantage frequent flyer program allows you to earn upgrade certificates and, at the Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum levels, receive complimentary upgrades (and even more rewards to chose from in 2021, like Admirals Club day passes, bonus miles, and merchandise).
American Airlines has reduced qualification thresholds for 2021 by 20% to 33% from the pre-pandemic requirements:
2021 Qualifying Metric | Gold Oneworld Ruby | Platinum Oneworld Sapphire | Platinum Pro Oneworld Sapphire | Executive Platinum Oneworld Emerald |
EQDs | $2,000 | $4,500 | $7,000 | $12,000 |
EQMs | 20,000 | 40,000 | 60,000 | 80,000 |
EQSs | 20 | 45 | 70 | 95 |
How AAdvantage Credit Cards Help You Qualify for Status
There are 2 American Airlines credit cards that can help you achieve elite status faster.
AAdvantage Credit Card | Earn Elite Qualifying Miles | Earn Elite Qualifying Dollars |
Citi®/AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ Mastercard® |
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Barclays Aviator® Silver |
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The Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard comes with additional benefits such as Admiral’s Club access for the primary cardholder, guests, and all authorized users, priority boarding and a free checked bag.
The Barclays Aviator Silver card is not available for new applications; however, those who first have a Barclays Aviator Red card can product switch to the Silver card version.

AAdvantage Upgrades
Having an American Airlines credit card alone will not help you get an upgraded seat. Elite status in the AAdvantage frequent flyer program is the key factor in whether you’ll receive an upgrade.
For example, Gold and Platinum level elites earn 4 500-mile upgrade certificates for every 12,500 miles they fly. These upgrade certificates can be used to upgrade on domestic and qualifying regional flights.
Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum elite members receive complimentary domestic and regional upgrades.
Both Platinum Pro and Executive Platinum members have access to even more rewards to chose from in 2021, like systemwide upgrades, Admirals Club day passes, bonus miles, and merchandise.
We’ve also written an extensive guide on how to get upgraded on American Airlines.
Bottom Line: Having an American Airlines AAdvantage credit card can help you achieve elite status faster by allowing you to earn Elite Qualifying Miles and/or Elite Qualifying Dollars. Having elite status can then help you qualify for upgraded seating.

Best Credit Cards for Admiral’s Club Lounge Access
The Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard is the only AAdvantage-branded credit card that comes with complimentary Admiral’s Club access (not to mention a bunch of other perks).
Since an Admiral’s Club lounge membership can cost $650 annually, securing the AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard as an avid American Airlines traveler makes good economic sense.
The cardholder is allowed to bring 2 additional guests or the cardholder’s immediate family. For example, if a cardholder is traveling with a spouse and their 2 teenagers, a total of 4 people, all would be allowed entrance.
Also, authorized users on the card receive the same Admiral’s Club access even when not traveling with the primary cardholder. There is no cost to add up to 10 additional authorized users.
The AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard has an annual fee of $450.
Bottom Line: With complimentary Admiral’s Club access for the primary cardholder, 2 guests or immediate family, and up to 10 additional authorized users, the Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard holds tremendous value for frequent American Airlines travelers who value lounge access.
The Best AAdvantage Credit Cards for Companion Tickets
One of the best benefits of having an AAdvantage branded credit card is the $99 companion pass ticket. Each card anniversary year, after spending $20,000 on your card, you can secure a companion ticket for just $99 plus taxes and fees when purchasing a paid ticket. Currently, those fees are estimated to be between $21.60 to $43.20, according to Barclays.
The ticket is valid for travel between all 48 contiguous states. Residents of Alaska and Hawaii can use the ticket for flights originating in their home state round trip to the 48 contiguous states.
The AAdvantage Aviator Red card and AAdvantage Aviator Silver card each come with the companion ticket benefit after spending $20,000 each card anniversary year. The CitiBusiness AAdvantage Platinum Select Mastercard offers the companion ticket benefit after spending $30,000 each card anniversary year.
Your card must remain active for 45 days after your card anniversary renewal to receive the companion ticket.
Bottom Line: The $99 companion ticket benefit, offered on 3 AAdvantage branded credit cards, could save you hundreds of dollars each year.
AAdvantage Credit Cards – Additional Benefits
Barclays issued AAdvantage branded credit cards come with additional valuable travel and purchase benefits:
- Car rental collision damage waiver – Provides coverage for damage from collision and for theft of your rental car
- No foreign transaction fees – Carry your card while traveling as there are no foreign transaction fees
- Baggage Delay – Up to $100 per traveler for delay of 6 hours or more
- Trip delay – Up to $500 per traveler for trip delays of 12 hours or more
- Trip cancellation/interruption – Receive up to $5,000 for trips canceled or interrupted for covered reasons
- Lost luggage – $3,000 per traveler ($2,000 for New York residents), up to a maximum of $10,000 per trip
- Travel, Emergency, and Roadside Assistance – 24/7 emergency services when things go wrong, the cardholder is responsible for the actual cost of services provided
- Purchase Protection – 90 to 120 days of protection for covered items from purchase date for damage and theft
- Extended Warranty – the manufacturer’s warranty will be extended on covered purchases by up to 24 months
This list is just an overview of additional benefits that may come with your AAdvantage branded credit card. It is not all-inclusive and does not include all applicable terms and conditions. You can access the AAdvantage protection guide for more information here and review a list of World Mastercard benefits here.
Best Rewards Programs for Transferring to American AAdvantage
American Airlines flyers who want to purchase award travel on American can redeem their AAdvantage miles directly for airline tickets. Another option is to transfer points/miles from other programs to your AAdvantage frequent flyer account in order to purchase award tickets.
Transfer Hotel Loyalty Points to American AAdvantage
Hotel Loyalty Program | Transfer Ratio – Hotel Points to Miles |
Best Western Rewards | 5,000 to 1,000 |
Choice Hotels | 5,000 to 1,000 |
Hilton Honors | 10,000 to 1,500 |
Marriott Bonvoy | 30,000 to 10,000 + bonus |
World of Hyatt | 5,000 to 2,000 |
Intercontinental Hotels Group (IHG) | 10,000 to 2,000 |
Radisson Rewards | 10,000 to 1,000 |
Wyndham Rewards | 6,000 to 1,200 |
Transfer ratios when transferring hotel points to AAdvantage miles can be less than stellar; however, topping off your AAdvantage account by transferring hotel points to reach a specific award ticket redemption level can be a useful option.
Transferring Marriott Bonvoy Points to the American AAdvantage program can result in a bonus if you transfer 60,000 miles or more. Earning lots of Marriott Bonvoy points is easy with these recommended credit cards:
Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Credit Card - Earn 75,000 Bonus Points after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Get automatic silver elite status each account anniversary year; and a free night award (valued up to 35,000 points) every year after account anniversary. Plus, earn 6X points per $1 at over 7,000 participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels, and 2X points per $1 on all other purchases. Annual Fee is $95. |
Marriott Bonvoy Bold™ Credit Card - Earn 30,000 bonus points when you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening. Earn 3X points per $1 at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels, earn 2X on other travel purchases, then 1x on all other purchases. A solid card for Marriott loyalists looking for a no-annual-fee card offering Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status. |
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card - Earn 75,000 bonus Marriott Bonvoy points after you use your new Card to make $3,000 in purchases within the first 3 months. Earn 6x per $1 at participating Marriott Bonvoy hotels plus 3x at U.S. restaurants and flights booked directly with airlines. Annual fee is $450. Terms Apply. For rates and fees of the Bonvoy Brilliant card, click here. |
Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card - earn 75,000 bonus points when you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of account opening. A solid card for business owners who will get complimentary Marriott Bonvoy silver elite status. Annual fee is $125. Terms Apply. For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Business Card, click here. |
Hot Tip: When transferring Marriott Bonvoy Points to American, you’ll receive a 5,000-mile bonus when transferring 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy Points. For example, transferring 60,000 points will result in 25,000 AAdvantage miles versus 20,000 miles.

Other Options for Booking American Airlines Flights with Points and Miles
While American Airlines has no additional direct transfer partners, you can transfer points from some of the most popular rewards programs to airlines that allow you to book flights on American.
Here are some of the best options for American Airlines award flights.
Transfer Rewards Points From: | To This Frequent Flyer Program: | To Book These American Airline Flights: |
Chase Ultimate Rewards Points | British Airways | Short distance one-way flights – as low as 7,500 British Airways Avios between U.S. cities |
Cathay Pacific | To Asia – 75,000 Asia Miles one-way in First | |
Iberia Plus | Round trip to Spain – JFK to Madrid for 34,000 Avios | |
American Express Membership Rewards | British Airways | One-way from West Coast U.S. to Hawaii – 12,500 Avios |
Ethiad | Round trip U.S. to Europe starting at 40,000 Ethiad miles |
For more ideas on redeeming Chase Ultimate Rewards and Membership Rewards Points, check out these in-depth articles.
Hot Tip: Chase Ultimate Rewards Points can be redeemed directly for American Airlines flights through the Chase Ultimate Rewards travel portal. If you use a premium Chase credit card such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card, you will receive an increased redemption value of 1.5 cents per point.
Summary: Best Overall Personal AAdvantage Credit Cards for American Airlines Flyers
In this article, there was a lot of information pertaining to AAdvantage credit cards. It might be helpful to highlight the best overall credit cards for American flyers and summarize the features and benefits.
Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard
- Admiral’s Club lounge access for cardholder, 2 guests, immediate family, authorized users
- Earn 2 miles per dollar spent on American Airlines
- Earn EQM toward AAdvantage elite status
- Free checked bag for cardholder and up to 8 travel companions on the same reservation
- Priority boarding, priority check-in, and priority TSA screening lines for cardholder and up to 8 companions
- Up to $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
- 25% statement credit for in-flight food and beverage purchases
AAdvantage Aviator Silver Mastercard
- Earn 3 miles per dollar spent on American Airlines
- Earn 2 miles per dollar on hotels and car rentals
- Earn EQM and EQD toward AAdvantage elite status
- Free checked bag and preferred boarding for cardholder and up to 8 companions
- Earn miles faster with Flight Cents™
- $50 statement credit each anniversary year for in-flight Wi-Fi purchases
- $25 per day statement credit for in-flight food and beverage
- Companion ticket for $99 after spending $20,000 in a calendar year
- Up to $100 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
Summary: Best Overall Business Advantage Credit Card for American Airlines Flyers
CitiBusiness®/AAdvantage® Platinum Select® Mastercard®
- Earn 2 miles per dollar on American Airlines purchases, telecommunications, satellite and cable providers, car rentals, and gas stations
- Preferred boarding and free checked bag for the cardholder and up to 4 traveling companions
- 25% statement credit for inflight Wi-Fi purchases
- Companion ticket for $99 after spending $30,000 in a calendar year
Barclays Aviator Business Mastercard
- Earn 2 miles per dollar on American Airline purchases, telecom, office supply stores, and car rentals
- 5% mileage bonus after renewal each anniversary year
- Preferred boarding and free checked bag for the cardholder and up to 4 traveling companions
- 25% statement credit for in-flight food, beverage purchases
- Companion ticket for $99 after spending $30,000 in a calendar year
Bottom Line: While initial welcome bonuses vary, you can count on thousands of American AAdvantage miles after meeting minimum spending requirements within the first 3-4 months (depending on the card) after you’re approved for any of the mentioned AAdvantage credit cards.
Summary: Best Alternative Credit Cards for American Airline Flyers
The best overall credit card for the American Airlines flyer may not be an AAdvantage branded credit card. Premium travel rewards credit cards can offer broader lounge access opportunities, greater rewards on travel purchases, and premium travel benefits.
Here are 2 premium travel rewards credit cards to consider:
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Amex Card | Benefits & Info |
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The Platinum Card® from American Express ![]() Apply Now (at Amex's secure site) |
Must Reads: For more info on the Amex Platinum, see our thoughts on its benefits & perks, travel insurance coverage, and unbeatable airport lounge access. Take a look here for our full review. If you're a business owner, see our review of The Business Platinum Card from American Express. *This bonus value is an estimated valuation calculated by UP and not the card issuer. |
Why this card is great for American Airlines Flyers:
- You’ll earn 5 Membership Rewards Points per dollar spent on American Airlines flights purchased from American or from Amex Travel
- The primary cardholder and 2 guests receive complimentary access to all lounges in the American Express Global Lounge Collection. This includes over 1,300 lounge properties worldwide, including the prestigious Centurion Lounge Network
- A $200 airline incidental fee credit each year which can be used on American Airlines
Chase Sapphire Reserve Card
Chase Card | Benefits & Info |
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Chase Sapphire Reserve®![]() Apply Now (at Chase's secure site) |
Must Reads: For more on the Chase Sapphire Reserve, see our thoughts on its benefits, global airport lounge access, and travel insurance protection. Take a look here for our full review. *This bonus value is an estimated valuation calculated by UP and not the card issuer. |
Why this card is great for American Airlines Flyers:
- The card earns 3 Ultimate Rewards Points per dollar spent on travel which includes American Airline flights
- The cardholder and 2 guests receive complimentary access to over 1,000 lounges worldwide with Priority Pass™ Select after enrollment
- Chase Ultimate Rewards can be used to book American Airlines flights directly through the Ultimate Rewards Travel Portal
- Elevated redemption level of 1.5 cents per point when booking travel through the Ultimate Rewards Travel Portal.
- The $300 annual travel credit which can be used for American Airlines flights
Bottom Line: It’s wise to consider alternative premium travel rewards credit cards if you frequently fly on other airlines in addition to American Airlines. Premium travel rewards cards can provide greater earnings, more flexibility at redemption time, and broader travel benefits.
Final Thoughts
If you travel frequently on American Airlines and general flight benefits, earning AAdvantage miles, and discounted in-flight purchases are important to you, you’ll do well with an AAdvantage branded credit card.
If you’re currently paying for an Admiral’s Club membership, it would be a sound economic decision to secure the AAdvantage Executive Platinum World Elite Mastercard that comes with complimentary access for you and your traveling companions.
If you travel frequently on a lot of different airlines, enjoy premium travel perks, and would find value in having access to a larger worldwide network of lounges, you might find a better fit with a premium rewards credit card.
As always, you’ll want to align your travel preferences, spending habits, and tolerance for paying an annual fee, to the credit card that brings you the most bottom-line value.
The information regarding Barclays AAdvantage® Aviator® Silver World Elite™ Mastercard®, Barclays AAdvantage® Aviator Red World Elite™ Mastercard, and Barclays AAdvantage® Aviator Business World Elite Mastercard was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Business™ American Express® Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card, click here.
For rates and fees of the Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
I have a Hawaiian Airlines World Elite Master Card and have accumulated almost 90,000 miles. Looking at their website’s Flight Awards Chart, I see that round trips from the U.S. mainland to Hawaii start at 20,000 miles. I’ll bet that NEVER happens! It’s probably there only to get you excited about earning miles! I just checked on booking award tickets for my family of 4. Flights start at over 43,000 miles per round trip ticket. So only half the family can go!
Hello Margaret. Sorry you are having trouble redeeming your Hawaiian Airline miles for your family trip. Most award charts list fares for one way flight purchases and such is the case with Hawaiian. According to the Hawaiian Airlines website: “Flight awards as low as 7,500 miles one-way for travel within Hawaii, or 20,000 miles between Hawaii and the West Coast.”